Help me choose an entry level precision rifle!

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TheWhole9Yards

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Hi Folks,

The time has come, I've decided to buy an entry level precision rifle. I have learned as much as I can from shooting rimfire rifles and want to start shooting out past 200m - and need to start with a new rifle. Optics will be a whole other discussion, but here is list I've narrowed down to based on value and my choice of caliber (.308).

Savage 10TR
Savage FCP-SR
Ruger Precision Rifle GEN 1 or 2

I've chosen the savages based on my experience with my Mark II FV in .22lr - love the accutrigger and accuracy out of the box. I am unsure if one of the Savages is better than the other (fluted barrel vs not)

The RPR is on the list because of a friends experience with his, I'm interested to hear if you guys think its worth the extra money.

Any help and advice is much appreciated!

Thanks!
 
I started shooting a Ruger early this year. Great starter gun. Comes with everything you could want plus lots of options to upgrade. Very accurate with handloaded 175g and 185g ammo that can ring the steel at 1000 with ease.
 
Was in your shoes a few months ago, this is what I did, and based on personal opinions and research, research what I tell you and don't take it for cash.
Funny enough, I had narrowed it down to 4 rifles, and 3 of these 4 rifles are your list. Mine we're all 308 as it's easy to load, find components, recipies for.

Ruger RPR, at the time the 308 was only available in 20'' barrel, locally been told many times that if 1000yards was my end game, I would need the velocity of a 24'' barrel.
Savage FCP-SR, the fluted barrel killed it for me. Been told that if the barrels have exact same diameter, the fluting would be less ridged. If I step up in diameter, fluted barrel will be more ridged than lesser diameter barrel, and cool quicker.
10TR, ended up with this one. It would be considered defective if I wasn't reloading. Throat accepts 2.750'' OAL ammo, I have to force it closed a bit to chamber commercial ammo.
Since I reload, I make match ammo at 2.735'' long, fits easy in any mags, and have plenty of use ahead to chase the lands.
I have done as tight as 1/4 moa shots so far with 10TR in chassis with premium bullets and components, 1/2 moa would happen regularly with lesser bullets.
 
Marty - thanks for the info. It seems common for guys to put these savages into chassis - is there anything that can be done to the factory accustock?

I've just purchaed a press to load for this rifle. Care to share your recipe?
 
Right now, my top recipe is : 175gr SMK @ 2.735" OAL, CCI br 2 primers, 43.0gr Varget, Lapua brass
In factory stock, with my old recipe involving cheaper components, i would always be sub MOA.
As long as i do a minor load development.

Myself am in love with my 10TR.
Sold factory stock and mag, which made my barelled action cost 380$ + price of chassis.
For the price, my 308 shoots damn well.

This is a 5 groups x 5 shots target.
Using relatively inexpensive ammo (FC brass, hornady 178gr BTHP match, varget)

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Edit : just noticed i didn't answer your question.
Still new to rifles, i believe you could do something they call skim bedding.
Look it up as i am just saying something i heard.
 
I'd go with the Savage. I have two, a 12BR in .308 & a 12 BVSS in.223 . Both shoot better than I can hold.

I'm not familiar with the RPR, a friend recently bought one but is waiting for scope rings before he brings it to the range.

I have a Ruger 77 VTR in .308 that I am very pleased with. I use this primarily for cast bullets loads.
 
The route I went with was to watch the EE until a Remington action came up for sale at a good price. I found one for $600 that had already been setup by guntech. For $450 I bought a shilen select match 6.5 barrel from mystic precision. Then it went back to guntech to have the barrel installed and chambered in 6.5x47. I don't remember the cost for all that. Maybe $250. Then I bedded it into a nice boyds laminate target style stock for about another $200. And now for $1500 I have exactly what I wanted and it'll shoot bug holes with anything I load for it.

For my money I pick custom every time.
 
Remington LTR in 223 or of course your caliber of choice.
The 223 is in the EE right now or was last night for a grand +\- a couple dollars.
The upside is it is made for pression shooting and a good scope to go along is also needed with good rings and bases of which it
is easy to find for Remington700's in the finish and heights required.
Nice shooting in the target shown a post or two above me !
Those are my blueberry flapjack infused thoughts this morning.
Mmm, BigBlues....
Tight Groups,
Rob
 
My vote goes to Savage for an entry level shooter. You can't go wrong. 10TR's are going cheap in the EE and with handloads I was getting cloverleafs off sandbags @100 yards.

I've got one listed for sale as I'm building something a little more custom now, but I'm pulling the sale and keeping it setup with glass. I'm going to mothball it for my son. He's only a year old but it'll be perfect for him to learn, and for us both to go shoot side by side, and not have to share a rifle.
 
Got the 10TR out yesterday, still getting used to it but by the end of the day (and my supply of ammo) I was able to consistently print 1.5" groups at 200m with Hornady match 168gr BTHP. Very happy with rifle, for the money I can't believe how tight it shoots. I added a colonel mustard brake and a 10 round mag, will need a cheek riser next.


 
Great starter rifle. They shoot surprisingly well for the price. Easily as well as rifles costing twice as much. You can shrink those groups down to 1/2 moa if you handload.
 
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