Military Style Long Range Rifle List

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Chago

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I am just browsing through various sponsors of the site and seeing some really nice rifles out there. I wanted to get some input from current owners of some of these. Compare why such price differences in some rifles, and any other recommendations. Now I know some guys like to just buy Remington 700 and to custom work. I'm looking for something out of the box as I am not really near any decent gun smiths, nor have time for a 1 year build. Some rifles I looked at were

AR - 30 338 Lapua. A lot less expensive then the later, why?

Barret 98 - 338 Lapua

AI AX50 - 50BMG I am realistically not really considering this rifle, a little over budget for me. I just listed it to see what people say about it, and what makes it so much more then the rest?

I was originally leaning towards the Barret. Just a brand reason nothing else. Since I was younger in my head the Barret was the "sniper rifle" so it was always somewhat of a wishlist. But if the AR 30 is going to offer me everything the barret will for a 3rd the cost, well I am not a moron either. Please just add whatever insight you can, and please more suggestions are welcome.

And I know this question is coming, what will I use it for. Serioulsy... targets, that's it. Paper, cans, bottles, etc. I don't have a range in mind, this won't be going moose hunting so realistically 100 - infinity LOL

My ultimate goal is a awesome new toy, that can shoot seriously well. I currently own a Tikka T3, which is totally stock, just has a 4x32 zoom scope on it. I know this is nothing special of a gun but I have incredible groups out to 400 yards with it all day on factory ammo. I have no complaints for this gun what so ever. But all these darn magazines are drawing me in to the tacticool styles, and I really really want to get one. But of course again I am not a moron and I'm hoping someone here will tell me that I will see a incredible difference in shooting one of the above rifles as compared to my Tikka.

Thanks
 
If you want something above .30 cal ( i.e. bigger than a .308 ) then I'd suggest going the .338 Lapua route. My .338 Lapua is the Savage 110 BA but if you have the money and want a real military rifle in that calibre then you ought to seriously consider the PGW Coyote or the Sako TRG 42.

Edit to add - personally I'd stay with .308
 
Yes the Sako, I just did some reading is used by many many European nations in their military. I love sako, but didn't think much of the 42. I'll take a closer look at it now.

Why you suggesting to stay away from the lapua?
 
Tough choice if you want something out of the box as IMO you should look at the .338 Norma Mag. Probably the best out there right now and just had a visit with a guy whose friend had a custom build out of the US. Worth the wait and money and it outperforms the .338 Lapua which it was designed to do. At shorter ranges the Norma is probably similar to the Lapua however it apparently is better at longer ranges, also uses a 300gr projectile.

Yes it can be a pain waiting for a custom build however no matter what you are going to spend a decent dollar so better to buy once and be completely satisfied with your purchase.

With the US looking at the Norma and General Dynamics making a lighweight medium machine gun I would think the popularity of the Norma will increase rapidly.

Go to sniper central if you want to read more on the Norma, lots written and some interesting posts.
 
I ended up with the Savage 10BA (.308) for the tacticoolness and I can afford to shoot it, no regrets. I'm just setting up a Burris Eliminator 3 on it and waiting on my Atlas Bipod to arrive. It's very cool imo (and heavy)
 
"...ultimate goal is a awesome new toy..." Admirable goal. Everybody needs their toys. You need to decide on how much you want to spend though.
"...a little over budget for..." Any .338 Lapua or based on that cartridge will be too. Lapua ammo is expensive stuff. Close to .50 BMG prices and not really easy to get.
"...leaning towards the Barret..." High priced stuff.
 
If you have the money to spend I would strongly consider a PGWDTI rifle or a Accuracy International rifle, a AW or AX. Dont forget to budget for good glass also.
 
So no comments on the barret?

The 98 is $5300 without glass. I was looking at buying the bors system with the leupold scope. Just to have a total factory set up. Again this is a wishlist I've always had. But what I'm looking for is some advice. Spending the $8000 is fine but my question is will I really notice that rifle any better than a sako trg or savage 110 or the ar-30 which are all in the $2500 range.
 
I would think there are too many variables to say for certain that an $2500 or $5000 or $8000 gun will out shoot another gun. I guess theoretically... but with wind, weather, ammunition, components, optics, the quality of the gun/barrel/action etc, and generally the guy behind the trigger it would be hard to say.
Can I ask, (respectfully of course), if you as the OP feel you could shoot a significantly more expensive gun that much better than a less expensive one? What kind of results are you already getting down range? At 400 yards, are you experiencing blissful .5 MOA groups, or scary 2 MOA groups? I guess if you feel it will take you to the next level, crack open the wallet. It would be interesting to follow this story and see how the next chapter unfolds.
 
Chago said:
So no comments on the barret?

The 98 is $5300 without glass. I was looking at buying the bors system with the leupold scope. Just to have a total factory set up. Again this is a wishlist I've always had. But what I'm looking for is some advice. Spending the $8000 is fine but my question is will I really notice that rifle any better than a sako trg or savage 110 or the ar-30 which are all in the $2500 range.
Click to expand...

I would go the MRAD route over the 98. As for BORS to each his own i prefer a standalone ballistic computer and my fingers still work so I can turn a dial or hold off. Not a big fan of Leupold glass either there's better on the market, S&B and Nightforce are far superior or US Optics.
 
MRAD has the advantage of being able to change calibers but the caliber conversions are not cheap, and there may be a lack of availability for them in Canada. The TRG42 is a nice rifle and is actually fielded by quite a few armies around the world. Not sure if the MRAD is actually in service with any army? I have used the BORS and I would not spend my personal money on it. It works well enough if you have measured accurate distances to your target. If you cannot get accurate distances to targets you still have to adjust for elevation because you may be off. Also BORS does nothing for wind corrections, how can it? It is not foolproof and you still need to know how to manually compensate for distance and wind. You will need to make manual adjustments if there is wind.
 
Robbs said:
MRAD has the advantage of being able to change calibers but the caliber conversions are not cheap, and there may be a lack of availability for them in Canada. The TRG42 is a nice rifle and is actually fielded by quite a few armies around the world. Not sure if the MRAD is actually in service with any army? I have used the BORS and I would not spend my personal money on it. It works well enough if you have measured accurate distances to your target. If you cannot get accurate distances to targets you still have to adjust for elevation because you may be off. Also BORS does nothing for wind corrections, how can it? It is not foolproof and you still need to know how to manually compensate for distance and wind. You will need to make manual adjustments if there is wind.
Click to expand...

MRAD's are as available as 98's. Wolverine has them in stock right now.
 
yes peace fair enough. I totally agree. I have lots of practice until I can fully use the ability of these high end rifles. But that being said, I would sooner buy the best possible rifle and learn up to its abilities. Because what I don't want to do is buy one rifle, get good with it, then have to trade it for 50% and then spend money again. As mentioned I shoot out to 400 yards with my tikka and have practiced shooting a million rounds. But I have never taken the long range challenges or did any education on how to be better. But again it doesn't mean because I suck I can't have a good rifle. Because I will get good while practicing with it. And eventually grow into my rifle. Not sure about you but my mom used to always buy me shoes bigger so I could grow into them LOL

Ok well you have all talked me out of the barrets... Thanks for ruining my dream LOL

I too really really like TRG42. I hate that basic stock though I want the TRG -M10 one. Does anyone sell these aftermarket?

Back to my first question though. Lets say the savage vs the Sako. What am I gaining in the sako?
 
One of the top guy's from Barrett was out at Wolverine giving us an education on their rifles. I have to say, I knew they made good rifles but when he went through the MRAD and the future for it over the next few years I was even more impressed than before. One of the most impressive features he mentioned was the sub MOA accuracy out of the .338. He claimed they are generally around .7MOA but lots are in the .3-4 MOA. There is talk of them including a test target specifically for the Canadian market. Caliber conversions are due late this year.
Regards
Guy
 
tikka tactical in 300 win mag ,308 sporter,( set trigger) 338 lot $$$ per round for paper,but get what you want and enjoy
Sako is built ,designed long ranger/sniper rifle,not a hunting rifle turned into,is used by militaries
 
I know you said you're interested in a more military style rifle but there are plenty of cheaper options if you're looking at reaching out past 400 yards. The guys over at the Military Arms Channel have started a new series on $1000 1000 yard rifles http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hVDu1EARBc but they also have other videos on several more expensive and "military style" rifles such as the SCAR 17 and the REPR.
 
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