First Precision Rifle - Please Don't Flame

Recce21

Recce21

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Like the title says, I am looking to get into the precision rifle game and want to know what is the best choice out there. I know that this kind of thread is ripe for flaming because I am sure a newbie starts one or two threads like this a week.

I have been shooting for a few years now, including most of the CF arsenal and the rifles that I own, I am finding that they aren't keeping up with my skill level. I have a Savage 11 Series that shoots OK but I am at the point where I know a better rifle could tighten up my groups, not more practice with a MOA plus rifle.

I have been eyeing up the PGW Timbrewolf and its price tag and was wondering what other options are out there for similar price or less. If there are 100+ threads like this on the forum I am having a hard time finding one where the only advise is buy cheap and shoot lots (which is good advice, don't get me wrong). I am looking for a rifle platform first to develop my skill set on not the other way around if you know what I mean.
 
Buy yourself a Savage model 12. Pick what ever one you like best.

For about $1300 you can have a rifle that will shoot better then 1/2 moa.

I have a model 12 LRPV in .204 ruger. It shoots about 1/4 moa when I'm up to the task.

Buy nice glass. Also if you don't already reload your going to have to start.
 
A Timberwolf with a quality optic would certainly do the job, and would also help alleviate the back pain resulting from sitting on a very thick wallet.
Do you want out-of-the-box, or a custom/semi-custom rig?
Lots of folks use the different Remington/Tikka/Savage rifles.
Or, you could buy a sporting rifle, harvest the action, sell off the bits, and have a barrel and stock fitted.
Really, there are a wide variety of options, which will result in a perfectly suitable rifle. For a custom, you could consider one from milcun.com. Not cheap, but you will get value for your dollar, and the rifle will be tested and proven before delivery.
 
K0na_stinky said:
Buy yourself a Savage model 12. Pick what ever one you like best.

For about $1300 you can have a rifle that will shoot better then 1/2 moa.

I have a model 12 LRPV in .204 ruger. It shoots about 1/4 moa when I'm up to the task.

Buy nice glass. Also if you don't already reload your going to have to start.
Click to expand...

I have considered another Savage, especially a 12 or 10FCP. And yes, I already reload.

tiriaq said:
A Timberwolf with a quality optic would certainly do the job, and would also help alleviate the back pain resulting from sitting on a very thick wallet.
Do you want out-of-the-box, or a custom/semi-custom rig?
Lots of folks use the different Remington/Tikka/Savage rifles.
Or, you could buy a sporting rifle, harvest the action, sell off the bits, and have a barrel and stock fitted.
Really, there are a wide variety of options, which will result in a perfectly suitable rifle. For a custom, you could consider one from milcun.com. Not cheap, but you will get value for your dollar, and the rifle will be tested and proven before delivery.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure what I want. I like the idea of a semi custom already since I am kind of fed up of tinkering with a piece here and a piece there and never a complete rifle ready to shoot cloverleafs. I initially bought my Savage 11 to do a build on but ended up just using it as my deer rifle instead. The PGW Timbrewolf I was eyeing up in the EE is gone already (you snooze you lose, and I almost had the wife convinced :D )

I am also eying up the Rem 5R but I am not sold on them yet. I have always wanted a M40A1 clone but the $8000 price tag of one on the EE really REALLY turned me off. Hence why I thought a PGW was a better alternative.
 
I took a look at that post before starting this thread. For me, it caused more questions than answers since I know NOTHING about Kimbers and Sako's. I hear about SAvage and Remington all the time and the ability to buy one or the other and throw a Shilen/McGowen/Etc/Etc barrel on it is a possibility but then I am dealing with parts of a rifle instead of a whole one off the bat. I have been buying project rifles for a few years now and my need for instant gratification is at an all time high.
 
If you are seriously looking at Timberwolf go for it, One hell of a gun.
I'd go Coyote personally, as .308 is sufficient for anywhere I shoot. Actually the range I shoot 600Y at isn't templated for .338 Lapua. plus the added cost of .338 is significant. ....Neither is in my budget right now, though :)
Have you looked at some of the stuff Alberta Tactical Rifle is doing? I think you could get a hell of a rifle built there for a similar price tag
 
If the budget allows, its hard to beat a TRG. .346"@100 .496"@200 with factory GMM 168gr. I'm sure I could better this with some patient load development. Just waiting for better weather to run some handloads through it.

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As I mentionned, if you want to buy a rifle tested and ready to, contact Keith or Linda at MilCun. It will be very competitive as received.
 
For the money, and lack of hastle, you can get into a Savage f class rifle. And when you have burned your barrel out with all that practice, it will reward you with dividens in rebarreling costs down the road. Not a bad deal considering the action alone goes for $600 or so. The savage shooting team uses these platforms, and do very well. Enjoy.
 
I was in a similar position last year, I knew I wanted to shoot long range, but I did not know what I wanted or needed, but I had to have instant gratification. I finally went with a semi custom job done by Sean at North Shore Barrels and my rifle turned out very well, if I may say so! It is a basic rig, Savage action, Shilen Barrel chambered in 260 remington, and a Choate stock. I have two scopes I have been playing with, a Vortex Razor HD 5-20X50 EBR-1 MRAD reticle, and a Vortex Viper PST 4-16X50 EBR-1 MRAD reticle. The first three shots went into the low 0.3s at 100 yards with crap brass, standard primers, and the first load I tried! Total cost for this rig with out optics was well under $2000, so I am pretty happy for the cash I have invested.
 
The OP was originally looking at a PGWDTI rifle. The Savage/Stevens platforms are no doubt accurate but not in the same league. It's like shopping for a BMW or Mercedes and being reccomended a Hyundai because it also has leather seats and a woodgrain dash.
 
Hey Recce21

Go to Mystic Precision and look at these things.

Savage Action
Shilen Barrel in your choice of contour, caliber and twist
Choates stock (I like them, good price, good stock)
Action bedding
Timney trigger
Burris ZEE rings
Sightron scope

After you've chosen, tell him your list and it should be around 1000-1200 for the rifle and whatever for scope, bases and rings. For 2500$ or less (that includes scope and all), you can get a really really accurate rifle. Best price/performace.
 
marcoman said:
The OP was originally looking at a PGWDTI rifle. The Savage/Stevens platforms are no doubt accurate but not in the same league. It's like shopping for a BMW or Mercedes and being reccomended a Hyundai because it also has leather seats and a woodgrain dash.
Click to expand...

I am open to other ideas but yes, I do have my eyes on a higher end rifle like the PGW Timberwolf. The main reason is I am looking for a currently fielded "precision" rifle, not a benchrest rifle if you get my drift.

I have toyed with the idea of doing a build like I have said before but I don't want a SS barrel since I want that tactical look. I understand that I could always Arma Coat or Ceracoat it but I am looking for something that is ready to go "out of the box", whether that box is from a big company (Remington/Savage/Tikka/etc etc) factory box or a box from a smaller, "niche" company like PGW.

The one thing that scares me about purchasing a Timberwolf is barrel life. I fully understand all barrels have a finite amount of life but the fact that I am not sure about supply of replacement barrels 10 years from now. My plan if I buy a barrel burner is to shoot my Savage mostly and then when I want, bring out the high end rifle and reach out to my target.
 
Anyone could re-barrel a shot out PGW Timberwolf. It may not be helicaly fluted but otherwise it is just a Krieger barrel. You'll likely go broke before you burn out the barrel on a .338 Lapua anyway
 
marcoman said:
Anyone could re-barrel a shot out PGW Timberwolf. It may not be helicaly fluted but otherwise it is just a Krieger barrel. You'll likely go broke before you burn out the barrel on a .338 Lapua anyway
Click to expand...

I am a bit of an aesthetics whore and that helical fluting is one of the reasons I like the Timberwolf. I wouldn't want to rebarrel it with anything other than a visually identical barrel.
 
the savage 10fcp in m opinion is one of the best budget target/long range rifles out there, ill grab my 10fcp on the way to the range and leave my remington 700 in the safe on my way to the range 9 times out of 10
 
Recce21 said:
I am a bit of an aesthetics whore and that helical fluting is one of the reasons I like the Timberwolf. I wouldn't want to rebarrel it with anything other than a visually identical barrel.
Click to expand...

Get the PGW! Why settle for less if you can afford a rifle of that class. Just make sure you have lots of room to play. I get to see/try lots of the PGW rifles around Winnipeg and they are all top end shooters:eek: This will of course take away any excuse you had for not making tiny groups:p Personally I would get one with the Jewell trigger and a huge zoom. Just remember not to try one if you settle for a lessor rifle as you will regret it forever!
 
Of the tactical high end products, you can't go wrong PGW. Of the options out there, you can look at the Sako TRG's and accuracy internationals. If I am not mistaken all of these were used in the Canadian sniper rifle trials, and each is used by their host country (and others). But of course, PGW won the contract. So the decision is yours to make.
 
Depending on budget....
Since no limit in funds appears,one of the "best bang for the buck" in the higher end off the shelf rifles,let me suggest you also consider the Desert Tactical Arms Stealth Recon Scout.
One basic platform with an almost unlimited number of chamberings.
Can start with a basic 308W package and add as needed.Once you have the basic platform you can even have "Custom" calibers added.
Barrel and bolt swap out in 1 minute. Accuracy is SUB 1/2 moa and repeatable.Can shoot 6BR sized cases to 338 Lap Mags in the SAME action.
Only need 1 Rifle and scope and build on your "system" as needed.
Worth a look.
Gord
 
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