Advice for newbie to precision

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Steeltownguy

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Hey All,

I have had my PAL for about 7 months now I have a CZ 455 Varmit and a Remington 597 to help teach me fundamentals. I have been working with milsurps to get me ready for high calibre rounds. I think I'm ready to step into precision shooting as it has always interested me. I have read that Remington 700 is A good starter but what model? And where can I find one? I'm interested in 308 as I plan to get an m305 as well and plan to reload. My budget is around 1200 and I will be mostly bench shooting at around 200 yards until I'm more confident with precision.

So the questions I have would be

1) what is a good rifle to start with? Looking at Remington 700 but don't know what model barrel length etc or where to find them as the ones I find seem to be more hunter friendly.
2) can anyone suggest a nice starter scope


CGNers have always been really helpful, thanks in advance for the tips and suggestions.
 
similar questions have been asked many times on this forum, do a quick search and you'll find more opinions than you want to hear. Theres a sticky about scopes that you should take a look at and also I would clarify if your budget includes the scope or not.
 
I have looked at the search forum, found a few opinions about starters rifles and scopes but they seem to be dated and a bit generic many just say "Remington 700". I do like the 700 but with such a large catalog of 700's I don't know what to research. Also it seems like the opinions are for people who have an already extensive background in hunting and sporting rifles. I am still a bit green, I feel I have built up a fairly good bank of knowledge on many things but precision shooting is new to me and I am researching regularly. I have noticed a few forums suggest a Remington 700 SPS Tac AAC but while reading up on that particular rifle I found it only has a 20" barrel, wouldn't a precision shooting want a 22-24" barrel for increased accuracy?

More or less I am just a enthusiast who is hoping for guidiance to get me started.

The 1200 budget would be for the rifle and scope, all other accessories - bipod, new stock (should I feel it necessary) etc I am not including.

Thx
 
Steeltownguy said:
I have noticed a few forums suggest a Remington 700 SPS Tac AAC but while reading up on that particular rifle I found it only has a 20" barrel, wouldn't a precision shooting want a 22-24" barrel for increased accuracy?


Thx
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This has also been discussed LOTS on this forum and the internet. Lots of different theorys. I'm new but I say theory because nobody has concrete evidence either way. Stiff = good is the basics of it really. Longer the barrel, the less stiff, the more tuning you need to do with barrel flap. Read yourself and gain your own opinion. Many velocity numbers are outdated and incorrect in my opinion. These days you have lots of options for powders, some of them are fully spent at around 18-20" of barrel length.

I went with a SPS ACC-SD as mentioned mostly because I trust my buddy and his work employees. For a reasonable cost gun, it's a good package. For those reading please note I said REASONABLE. Especailly for a new shooter. People get hung up with saying cheaper guns are not precision rifles or that you need to have a 6000+$ rifle to be "precise". Like any sport I do, most people with flashy gear are terrible at using it. Even if I do upgrade in the future, the 7-hundy will be my "go to" rifle. The one I shoot the most, learn the most, and probably have the most fun with.

Savages are another one that I've been quoted that out of the box they are quite accurate. At the same time I've also been told not to go with one. haha. People on here often recommend them though.

I'm happy with my 700, but it's already pretty well equipped.

700 ACC-SD
B&C Medalist stock
Viper Vortex 6-24 PST
TPS Rings and rail
Harris bi-pod.

- Yet to be bedded and needs some crown fine tuning. Hope to do the crown today before going out shooting this afternoon. Bedding to come.

To save yourself some money shoot off a bag/backback for awhile.
 
Thanks, I have read the same thing on here about savages.

Right now I am reading and teaching myself about glass bedding, the benefits of a shorter stiffer barrel. This is great information right out of the gate..thanks.

I have been looking for the 700 AAC-SD in 308 but cannot seem to find a store local to me or even online that sells them..is there a site sponser that carries the rifle regularly? This site is great, my shooting friends about it regularly wouldn't mind passing the love (aka my money) onto a sponser.

Any other advice is very welcome.
 
Are you looking to get into long range shooting? If you are read my comment.

I'm going to go against the grain here and suggesting that you buy a Sightron SIII 6-24x50 and a used Stevens 200 in whatever caliber you like. You will be a bit over your $1200 budget but you will be better set up in the long run.

Remington’s are great guns if you have a gunsmith close by that you trust to work on your precision rifle. On the other hand Stevens and Savages are better for the guy that wants to do everything him self. With the barrel nut on a Savage/Stevens you can change a barrel at home and easily head space with go and no-go gauges. I have a few Savages and they all shoot well for what they are. You are likely to get 1.5" to 2" groups at 100 yards with a Stevens 200. For another $100 you can get a nice Boyds stock, around $450 for a match barrel and around $100 for aftermarket trigger of your choice and you'll have a decent shooting rifle for cheap.

A lot of new shooters go out and buy fancy rifles for $2000+ and the put a scope worth $200 on it and get frustrated with the results they are getting. The scope is more important then the rifle in my opinion when it comes to getting rounds on target at different distances.
 
Before slapping down any money on any rifle, contact the Ontario Rifle Association about one of their Introductory Days. These days are run out of Winona (near you) and Borden. For the cost of $45 you will see first hand what some shooters are using to get all the way out to 1000 yards.
 
I would find a nice 700 police or a 700 xcr tactical used on EE , they come up all the time. All remington factory actions are basically the same. It really comes down to the finish. If your on a budget i would try and get one of the modles i mentioned beacause they come with a fiberglass stock that can be pillar bedded.
 
maynard said:
Before slapping down any money on any rifle, contact the Ontario Rifle Association about one of their Introductory Days. These days are run out of Winona (near you) and Borden. For the cost of $45 you will see first hand what some shooters are using to get all the way out to 1000 yards.
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I will do that for sure, I still plan on researching and I always keep my eye out at the range to see if anyone is shooting presicion rifles and try to chat them up for information if they are interested. I find this forum and my local range to be a wealth of information, it almost feels like I am in a classroom I learn so much each time out.

I am always open to any advice, thanks guys and keep it coming.
 
if your budget is around $1200 gun only, I'll suggest you to get a Remington 700 Police, .308win, 26" heavy barrel, price are around 1200. (scope excluded)

if you want a complete rifle for 1200, I will suggest you Remington 700 SPS Varmint, same spec as Police, 308win, 26" heavy barrel, stock is different, so is price, around $620, and you could use the rest $ on scope, bipod etc... I believe you will find a really good deal on scope within $500, Leupold brand preferred.

just don't buy M305, it is a cheap a** service rifle from Norinco, in accuracy it has no comparison with Remington 700,
if Springfield M1A(around $1000) is what you mean, I would still suggest you to buy the Remington 700, since the price of M1A is relatively high and no scope($500 on Scope and $100 on scope mount+$1000 on rifle=$1600), and in my opinion semi-auto will never beat bolt action in accuracy. US Army uses Remington 700 as sniper rifle(M40) and Springfield M1A/M14 as marksman rifle, so you could tell the difference.

personally speaking, the Remington 700 is the best entrance level target rifle available in the market.
 
for reloading tools, around $500 you could buy a whole set from Basspro or Cebelas or elsewhere. however I found a pretty cute reloading tool on Ebay called "LEE Classic Loader", for about $35 you get the tools to make a bullet out of brass. lunch box size, pretty convenient.
 
Steeltownguy said:
I have been looking for the 700 AAC-SD in 308 but cannot seem to find a store local to me or even online that sells them..is there a site sponser that carries the rifle regularly? This site is great, my shooting friends about it regularly wouldn't mind passing the love (aka my money) onto a sponser.

Any other advice is very welcome.
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Frontier Firearms out of P.A Saskatchewan (shipping is cheap). That's where I got mine. 2% off with EMT.

Don't worry about the stock. If you are doing bench rest you don't want a basic stock that comes on the XCR's and Police anyways. Buy an aftermarket one with the difference in cost. They aren't that much money. Only benefit is the finish on the XCR which is worth it if you have the money. Thing is I'd still swap the stock out.

I have a B&C medalist Style 2 (or whatever it's called) with 3-way adjustable butstock plate for about $400. Still a far cry from the Police rifle cost and I think a medalist stock is far superior in shape. My opinion of course.
 
Shibby! said:
Frontier Firearms out of P.A Saskatchewan (shipping is cheap). That's where I got mine. 2% off with EMT.

Don't worry about the stock. If you are doing bench rest you don't want a basic stock that comes on the XCR's and Police anyways. Buy an aftermarket one with the difference in cost. They aren't that much money. Only benefit is the finish on the XCR which is worth it if you have the money. Thing is I'd still swap the stock out.

I have a B&C medalist Style 2 (or whatever it's called) with 3-way adjustable butstock plate for about $400. Still a far cry from the Police rifle cost and I think a medalist stock is far superior in shape. My opinion of course.
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So far I have not had any luck with any sponser site I have checked...while most do have 700's they are not in the calibre or model I actually am interested in.
 
I have read the sticky's about scopes / optics and they are very informative, but most of the scopes reviewed were over 1k. With a budget of 1200-1500 what should I be paying for a good starter scope. I am not looking to cheap out with a budget Tasco or anything but trying to figure out what is the best way to allocate my funds.

I have heard many things good and bad with many brands..Bushnell, Leupold, Nightforce, Sightron, etc..so I am a tad out of my depth.

Any thoughts ?
 
Im looking into getting into precision too. I head that the Savage Axis in .308 is a good start too! I heard they have rifle+scope pkgs for $399 at some retailers!! Any notes or advice on the Savage? Thanks
 
maynard said:
Before slapping down any money on any rifle, contact the Ontario Rifle Association about one of their Introductory Days. These days are run out of Winona (near you) and Borden. For the cost of $45 you will see first hand what some shooters are using to get all the way out to 1000 yards.
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Like Maynard says. ORA intro days are a great way to see and even try a few guns. ORA winter program is also a great resource. It's running now, not sure if there are any spots available, but it's well worth a few saturdays to get a great overview of the long range game, from rifle to reloading. Any decent factory rifle and good scope will work for you, Remington, Savage, insert name here...
 
Steeltownguy said:
I have read the sticky's about scopes / optics and they are very informative, but most of the scopes reviewed were over 1k. With a budget of 1200-1500 what should I be paying for a good starter scope. I am not looking to cheap out with a budget Tasco or anything but trying to figure out what is the best way to allocate my funds.

I have heard many things good and bad with many brands..Bushnell, Leupold, Nightforce, Sightron, etc..so I am a tad out of my depth.



Any thoughts ?
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I was always a Bushnell guy, and still use them. A fixed 10x Bushnell Elite 3200 can be had for a good price. It's a great starter scope. A Bushnell Elite series scope is a good value for the money, and can be had for a decent price, as well as the Vortex Viper series scopes. Again, one million opinions about this and that... I also use Sightron on my precision rig, and a Trijicon on my AR. I use what works for me. YMMV
 
Duke878 said:
Im looking into getting into precision too. I head that the Savage Axis in .308 is a good start too! I heard they have rifle+scope pkgs for $399 at some retailers!! Any notes or advice on the Savage? Thanks
Click to expand...

I've been quoted many times before. Precision is not a cheap sport.

I'd expect to pay a lot more than that. Most don't think a 400$ scope is worth it. Cheapest starting set-up is 700 for a rifle, 600-700 scope, and 400 reloading.

Others may not agree, but the persuit of precision does cost money. A lot of money. Many think the above quoted prices aren't even worth it and suggest tacking a few more 1000's onto it.
 
Steeltownguy said:
I have heard many things good and bad with many brands..Bushnell, Leupold, Nightforce, Sightron, etc..so I am a tad out of my depth.

Any thoughts ?
Click to expand...

I would think this through carefully, since it has been my experience that if you buy something good one time in place of a cheap one now and more later on to correct that error, you may well end up paying for more than you ever would have expected in the long term. Get what you need now and save in the long term.
 
this is just my 2 cents, spend most of your budget on a scope, i would go sightron. 75% of budget

then look for savage or rem 700 used on the EE here or at a gun show or shop 25% of budget

keep in mind you can't shoot what you can't see
 
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