Entry level precision rifle

metalslug

metalslug

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I'm looking to get into long(er) range target shooting, and was wondering which rifle would be a good choice for someone just starting out.
I have no experience shooting at targets past 200 yards; I shoot iron sights from my '06 Rem 700 BDL and my M305. I think i'm alright at shooting open sight, hitting targets at 150 yards isn't a problem. I like the more traditional style rifles; it's what i'm used to shooting, So my choices so far are either:
-Remington model 700 Mountain SS
-Remington XCR tactical long range
or a Ruger M77 Hawkeye Tactical

I've tried out an M77 sporter, I liked that quite a bit, especially with the bipod.
Am I going in the right direction here, or is there something you guys would recommend instead? I'd like to keep it in a caliber thats affordable, since i'll need lots of practice at first lol.
 
How about somthing like a 700 5r, they come in 308 and 223. Probably one of the most accurate out of the box rifles. On the other hand savage has really been stepping up and almost every thing they sell are great shooters too
 
Maybe a Savage 10PC in .223. I started there and really liked it. Kinda wish I didnt sell it as upgrading to a .308 has proven more challenging than originally expected.
I found my 10PC would shoot 1.5 inch groups at 200 yards with basic Hornady V-Max ammo. The accutrigger and accustock means you dont have to worry about a trigger upgrade or bedding the stock. Its just a simple, buy it, use it kind of LR gun.
 
Two of my best shooting factory rifles are my Tikka T-3s. Between myself and friends, we own five T-3s, either Tactical,Varmint,Sporter, and Super Varmint, and all shoot sub 1/2moa. Four of the rifles are chambered in 6.5x55, and the other one is a 223.
 
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I liked my 700 AACSD, it'll get you going for a decent price. I am now shooting a 700 sps
In.223 and I love it. I can manage 4" groups at 300 with the Houge,But I recently put
a varmint stock on and haven't shot it out to 300 yet. IMO get a .223 due to ammo cost
Unless you reload already.
 
If economic shooting is desired, then the 223 is your top choice.

We live in a time where most any major brand of factory rifle, properly tuned (bedding is critical) with ammo it likes, will shoot sub MOA. Many can approach 1/2 min which is outstanding.

Since you are leaning towards hunting style rifles, I can lean you to the Savage Stevens in 223, Axis in 223, Rem SPS. The Savage rifles can launch heavier bullets and triggers can be really good out of the box.

Most of us favor heavier barreled rigs but there is no reason a sporter barrel cant give you lots of fun and learning.

I just picked up a Ruger American in 30-06. NOT an easy or inexpensive cartridge to learn with but the quality of this rifle far exceeds its cost. Stunning actually how good this rifle functions. Will test in the near future when a brake is put on.

So figure out what you want from the rifle, your budget and see what shoulders nicely for you. As long as you are willing to fix the bedding (pretty much all factory rifles need help), load, use good optics, accurate shooting is not hard anymore.

When your goals start looking for 1/4 and 1/3 min accuracy at longer distances, investment in more capable builds willl be needed. Here the Savage offers an easier route to that goal.

See my website tech section for more articles.

Most important thing, get out there and start shooting.

enjoy

Jerry
 
This question is for Jerry , for the ruger american is there any aftermarket heavy barrel for that gun yet. I search a bit for them but no real answers . I was looking into those before as a starting rifle but little info on upgrades or aftermarket parts for those.
 
heavy barrel will be threded by smith so you can put whatever contour, twist on the rifle. Same caliber is prefered so you dont need to change boltface.
but putting heavy barrel means you will need to replace the stock or grind the hell out of it to freeFloat or get different stocks for it.
or.. go with lighter contoured barrel that will fit the stock
 
I am currently shooting a Savage Precision 10 with a Bushnell 600 DOA, have added a bipod and muzzle brake and I love it. On a good day I can consistantly shoot 5" groupings at 500yds.
 
Repp said:
This question is for Jerry , for the ruger american is there any aftermarket heavy barrel for that gun yet. I search a bit for them but no real answers . I was looking into those before as a starting rifle but little info on upgrades or aftermarket parts for those.
Click to expand...

The rifle is way too new. There will be plenty in circulation by next year and maybe major barrel makers will consider it.

Given the barrel nut, prefits can be produced more then likely. I have not taken apart my rifle yet but don't see any sig difference to other actions/rifles.

We can certainly put a barrel on for you if you want to use the Ruger as a donor. However, there are no other stocks so unless you plan on building your own, you will be best served by other rifles.

Jerry
 
None of the guns you have suggested are any more "precise" than any hunting rifle out there from the same manufacturer.

If you like open sight precision shooting, look for a used Sportco or Musgrave target rifle on the EE. It will cost you less than a new gun and deliver the results you want. If you can get them with a set of proper aperature sights so much the better.

The only commercial gun out there designed for the type of shooting you're looking at is the Savage Palma rifle. (editied to add.... and the Tikka t3 Sporter)

Remember, it is important to have a proper stock, barrel and trigger for target shooting so by the time you start tweaking a hunting rifle into a target rifle, you blow an aweful lot of money.

found a perect example on the EE...
 
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Get yourself a good condition used Remington 40X with Redfield International Olympic appature sights and forget pimping lesser firearms.
 
I would say Remington 5R in .308, sightron 8x32x56 LMROA, badger Ordnance base, EGW ring.... You'll be under 2500$ for a brand new complete rifle (with optic) that will be damn good. I have that combo and it's consistently under .75MOA 5 to 10 shots group all day long...and even tighter when I have a good day... And that's with the stock trigger and the original bedding..... from a Bipod with off the shelf ammo....
I bought that rifle after reading few review on the Internet with the idea of customizing it quickly.... But I'm pretty impress with the results... and didn't do any mod on it...... For now... Professional bedding job and an aftermarket trigger will be the first upgrades.... With some hand loads ... It should be even tighter..

Today, I was at the range met a fellow who had a lightly custom Savage 12 Benchrest with a Nightforce and hand-load ammunition and my groups were tighter than his...... He was impress that he thought that I had few things done on my rifle... He began to be even more impressed when he saw I was shooting off the shelf Nosler Match Ammo....

I think it's a excellent setup for money... but I think everyone have there own recipe...

And there's always the remington/savage thing.....
 
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