Equipment check for budget shooting

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D Gordon

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I bought my first bolt rifle which is a Savage 10 FCP-SR 20". The range out here only goes out to 200 Yards but I occasionally head out to my friends range on Vancouver Island and can shoot further out but I doubt further than 500 yards. I plan to only shoot steel and paper for fun so no competition shooting. After looking around online trying to not break the bank (Life in metro Vancouver is expensive and have more important expenses) I plan to purchase these items and would like some input and/or alternatives:

Optic: primary-arms-4-14x44mm-riflescope-mil-dot $400 - got decent reviews for a FFP Mil Dot optic online
Rings: Burris Mounting Systems, Rings, Xtreme Tactical Rings - 30mm, Low (0.85"), 2-Rings, Aluminum $100

Not sure about if I should purchase a Bipod or just use bags? let me know your thoughts are and input on misc items I should have to make bolt shooting more easy and enjoyable.
 
As far as the bipod/sandbag question, which are you more comfortable with and which will allow you to get into a comfortable position, make your decision from that.
I have a Savage FCP in .308 and it's a great budget rifle that is very accurate, both my son and my step-daughter love shooting it too :)
 
Although you can totally make do with just shooting off your pack, I'd suggest getting a bipod and a rear bag. A Harris bipod isn't a huge investment and they certainly add a bit of versatility and practicality vs solely shooting off your pack.
 
A decent bipod will really help you out (along with a small bag for the butt). I recently bought one for my under $1000. target .223 rifle build on Amazon for $36 CAD (delivered) and it works fine. The fit and finish isn't up to Harris standards but it mounts and holds just fine. A 20X or 24X scope would be better for 400 - 500 yard target shooting (I use a Vortex Viper 6-24X50 on my Savage 10TR and it shoots sub-MOA at 500 yards). A 6-24X50 Bushnell Trophy can be had for around $400. Setting up your scope properly is very important, and figuring out what ammunition shoots best. I re-load so I have the flexibility to try lots of different combos to see what works. My Savage 10TR shot Factory Nosler 168gr Match ammo pretty well. Not sure which range you shoot at on Vancouver Island, but I am a member of the one in Campbell River as it has a 600 yard range (the one in the Comox Valley only goes to 100).
 
Personally, unless you get a HIGH quality bi pod ($$$$) I'd say shoot off bags. I've got a couple of Harrris Bi pods BUT, you'd best practice quite a bit with them to determine if they perform better WITH OR WITHOUT FRONT LOADING. I like the Harris pods but I've found the best accuracy off them is 1 1/2- 2 MOA over what I can get off bags. They are a great product for casual shooting and if that's what you want, go for one of them. However, if you'd like to see what you and your gear can do at longer range, get some bags.
 
I would go with a nice Harris Bipod, notched leg version, 6-9" version has served me well for years, and a rear bag. Very versatile, consistent, very easy to handle, and you can get nice and stable on a bench, or prone.

Any old day pack can be used to carry your stuff to the range, can also be used as a rest, but a bipod will always be there on your rifle.
 
For any type of precision shooting, you need an optic with clear enough glass to see your target but more importantly, mechanicals that will allow for consistent and proper tracking AND hold your setting while you are shooting.

There are certainly brands that do a much better job at these tasks... maybe spending a little bit more money upfront will lead to less frustrations later.

For your rifle, consider bedding and opening up the forend ALOT. From there, solid base and rings properly installed.... watch for alignment and twisting the scope tube. I think you might find some options at better prices.

Good ammo and away you go. As a new shooter, I would strongly recommend AGAINST a Harris or similar bipod. Using these well is a LEARNT skill... experienced target shooters still have to learn how to shoot these bipods well. A novice shooter trying to learn how to shoot AND use a bipod can be a very frustrating excercise.

I would strongly suggest you consider a stack of bags for the front and rear. A basic pedestal front rest (caldwell ROCK DLX) and good rear bag will go a very long ways to helping you be more consistent on your follow through which will lead to better accuracy on target. AND the cost isn't much different then a Harris. BTW, a very talented shooter set an NRA record while using one of the Caldwell ROCK pedestal rests with minor mods.... yeah, they actually work well.

Try and avoid the cheapest off shore bipoods... these things are wobbly enough. Getting the cheapest poorest built units is just not going to help you.

While you learn, give yourself every advantage to support that rifle and help you be as accurate as possible. When you learn the fundamentals and have a load combo you know is shooting well, by all means learn how to use a Harris or other similar foldy bipod.

Shooting these foldy bipods is a LEARNT skill... many don't shoot their best using these devices.

The exception are the bipods used in FTR competition. These are built specifically to be super stable and ARE easy to learn how to use... but then you are looking at far more expensive kit.

Good luck... pm or email if I can be of further help.

Jerry
 
Thank you titch and njlondon, I will give that a read. I did mention "PERSONALLY" with my comments about the bi pods. The Harris brands are OK BUT if you want better performance I'd still say get a quality pod especially since the OP says 500 yards. I've watched many shooters pulling the bang switch from 300-1000 and the most successful use a better pod.
 
I was very satisfied with a decent front pedestal rest and bags filled with sand or lead shot for my range days and load development.

It gave me the most consistent results and once I had my system dialed in, I then used a cheap bipod and rear "bunny-ears bag" filled with plastic beads for going "walk-about".

Still used the pedestal and bags when shooting from my swivel bench in the gopher patch.
 
I agree that using a bag front and rear are nicer to learn on than a bipod.

I will add that reloading can do two things for you. First, you can shoot more as you will save money. This is a big deal. If you are spending $45 on a box of 20 rounds, you can't really shoot much, if money is an issue. If, on the other hand you can shoot 60 rounds for that same $45 or maybe even more, you can get tons more lead down range.

And secondly, you can make match ammo tailored for YOUR rifle. It will happen, not maybe, but it will. it may happen right away or it may take a while, but it will happen. My very first batch of hand loads for my K31 cut my groups in half, literally. And I was comparing my hand loads to the known to be excellent GP11 Swiss ammo.
 
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