Getting Started Looking for Guidance

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ecno

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Hi all,

I've been looking at starting to get into shooting more often and want to get myself a new rifle. I was for sure set on a .223 but I've noticed people have posted saying .300WM might be a good option too. I have a .303 in a sporter stock and cut down so I'm not really needing this to do double duty. What I really want is afforability of ammo because I don't have the time to load my own yet.

My second set of circumstances is which gun to look at, I was going to go with the SPS varmint and just get myself into a decent stock. But I've read into some things and some people have suggested the 5R, it looks great but I'm not a huge fan of the stock and I've been told they're super accurate. Is there anything different between these two guns besides the SS finish and the barrel on the R5.

I plan to use this gun as a base to build onto and add stuff over time such as a new match grade barrel (eventually) and there's no way I have the skill to notice minute differences but if itreally is worth it I would consider a more expensive rifle on the front end.

Any pointers, suggestions, etc are appreciated.



Thanks!
 
The SPS comes with a cheap plastic stock and won't do much to aid in accuracy.

The 5R comes with a decent HS Precision stock.

You could go with a SPS if you wanted, then sell the stock and replace it with one of your liking. Also pay to get it bedded and all that. You would be giving up the better barrel of the 5R though but since you plan to replace it anyway I wouldn't bother

I have a 5R in .308. Great factory rifle. But if you plan to part it out in the long run then go with the SPS
 
Go with the SPS. No guarantee that either the 5r or the SPS will be any more accurate than the other.

A 700 action is a 700 action whether it's SS or not. The actions will perform the same, accuracy is in the barrel for the most part.

If and when you are ready to put on a custom barrel and get into handloading, hopefully by then you WILL be able to notice the differences.

I would suggest the .223 and learn to shoot it. You can develop a lot of bad habits (flinch) starting with a boomer for your first precision rifle.

Just my $0.02. Others will have varying opinions.

I started with .223 then to 6BR then to 6.5-08 and recently to .284 Shehane and there IS a learning curve to shooting a higher recoil gun.
 
All great info so far and in line with my expectation. I do have one further question, I know the SPS tactical comes in a 20" barrel, when will I notice the difference between a 26 and 20? Why would I want one instead of the other?
 
Also wondering about optics, I want to get something decent and not super cheap but budget with tac/target turrets ... Any suggestions?
 
You will probably notice that a shorter (stiffer) barrel will be easier to tune (when handloading, but a 26" barrel will give you more velocity.

How much more has to many variables to give an accurate count but 25-50fps/inch is a good avg.

The other thing to consider is bullet weight vs barrel twist.

Personally I would try and find a minimum 1:9 twist barrel as it will shoot the 5xgr ammo as well as the 69gr match and may do well with 75gr Amax bullets.
 
most rifles are accruate as a person shooting it i think.
it is my personal opinion.. if you are looking for a long range optics, then i would not cheap out on them.

For optics its all up to how far you want to plink targets at since prices dramatically change on most models
I have used leupold 4x12 without mill since its hunting scope. priced around $400-500 and it works fine to 400 yards no problem.
Huskemaw 5-20x50 works great to 1000+ yards. around $1400-1600 i think
Nightforces are also great but then they are expensive... one with zerostop would cost around $2500..
I hear Vortex are well made scopes without cost of a diamond. since i have not had any experiences vortex, i would ask someone that have.
I would purchase quality scopes for long range rifle (1000+) and i do find the difference in clearlaty in different weather changes, elevation, crosshair and etc are very important in any longrange shooting..
I am not a competation shooter but do go out and practice my self. so my pesonal information might be different with others...
but around 600yards im sure any decent hunting scopes will work fine.

EE forum for used or new optics might be a good place to search
 
kimmer82 said:
most rifles are accruate as a person shooting it i think.
it is my personal opinion.. if you are looking for a long range optics, then i would not cheap out on them.

For optics its all up to how far you want to plink targets at since prices dramatically change on most models
I have used leupold 4x12 without mill since its hunting scope. priced around $400-500 and it works fine to 400 yards no problem.
Huskemaw 5-20x50 works great to 1000+ yards. around $1400-1600 i think
Nightforces are also great but then they are expensive... one with zerostop would cost around $2500..
I hear Vortex are well made scopes without cost of a diamond. since i have not had any experiences vortex, i would ask someone that have.
I would purchase quality scopes for long range rifle (1000+) and i do find the difference in clearlaty in different weather changes, elevation, crosshair and etc are very important in any longrange shooting..
I am not a competation shooter but do go out and practice my self. so my pesonal information might be different with others...
but around 600yards im sure any decent hunting scopes will work fine.

EE forum for used or new optics might be a good place to search
Click to expand...

I have a vortex. the viper hs 2.5-10-44. its held up pretty good. i damaged it my mistake putting it back on my .308 after cleaning it by over torquing the rings and biting the tube. bore sighted it and the elevation was &*^%ed. put it on my 300wm as a temp, managed to get it zeroed and its held zero well for 80 rounds so far. besides if they eff up send them back
 
I have my 700 .243 up for sale in the hunting a sporting section.... My plan was to sell it and buy this .223... I'm sort of getting cold feet thinking I might want the .308 in the end ... where I live I could only use the .308 at the range but I would keep the .243 around for coyotes and just put the guts into a new stock with a .308 barrel for shooting ... like I mentioned in my first post budget for ammo is a big factor ... I've recently noticed that you can get .308 for between $ 0.5 and $ 0.70/rnd ... where as .223 is $0.30 ish so now thats not as much of a concern ... long story short ... which is better .... will i want to sell the .223 in a year to upgrade to a .308?

I appreciate all the info thanks
 
Get a fast twist .223 to allow you to shoot all bullets weights up to the 80-90 gr pills. For range use the heavy bullets will keep up or even beat a .308 out to 1000 yards. For hunting a .223 will kill coyotes as far as you can accurately shoot.

Once you start getting into precision shooting at longer ranges, you will want to get into handloading to squeeze every ounce of accuracy out of your rifle. This is really where you will see the cost savings between loading the .308 vs .223.
 
ecno said:
I have my 700 .243 up for sale in the hunting a sporting section.... My plan was to sell it and buy this .223... I'm sort of getting cold feet thinking I might want the .308 in the end ... where I live I could only use the .308 at the range but I would keep the .243 around for coyotes and just put the guts into a new stock with a .308 barrel for shooting ... like I mentioned in my first post budget for ammo is a big factor ... I've recently noticed that you can get .308 for between $ 0.5 and $ 0.70/rnd ... where as .223 is $0.30 ish so now thats not as much of a concern ... long story short ... which is better .... will i want to sell the .223 in a year to upgrade to a .308?

I appreciate all the info thanks
Click to expand...

Keep in mind that precision an cheap ammo is not a common mix to get real precision it takes good ammo no matter what gun or caliber. Reloading ends up being important for precision shooting on a budget. As far as the caliber I love 308 my 700 5r shoots amazing but I have been shooting rifles for a long time so compared to my magnums it feels so nice to shoot. Now as far as optics Nightforce is my preference but recently used a sightron sIII and it is a amazing scope at right around $1000 and I will be ordering 1 tomorrow to go on my 5r so the scope I have on it can go back to a different gun.
 
Some really good advice here. Dont be afraid to start with the SPS and have it grow into your needs along the way. The rem 700 is the ford mustang of rifles and there are literally thousands of add ons and goodies to pick up along the way. Start slow, learn the basics, and don't skimp on a scope. Cheaper rifle and better scope will be a win later on. Sightron and Vortex both make good scopes for the guy starting out.

If you buy a cheapo scope you will limit the potential of any accuracy package.

Bedding a rifle is pretty easy, lots of info and how-to's on youtube to learn from.

Hand loading is essential, and an addiction all its own. And eventually you might save some money doing it. :D
 
I get it that good ammunition makes a huge difference the only reason I want to be able to do it with less money laid out up front is I just want to start and I realize I have a lot to learn and I don't want to waste $1.25/shot that's gonna go anywhere ... I for sure agree when I get the basics down I'll look to a larger calibre and loading my own stuff but for now I need to be able to make mistakes haha ... I think I've decided to go with a 700 sps tactical with the 20" barrel ... Optics undecided... Any final notes or suggestions?
 
get a savage, .223 with 1-7 twist, at least thats what i did.

iv been shooting my whole life but never anything long range so i decided to get and f/tr, 30'' barrel target trigger bipod rail, cheek risers and butt plate spaces
 
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