First precision rifle purchase---opinions

L

leek

Regular
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Location
usa
I'm looking for your opinions on my first precision rifle purchase. I am looking at a Savage .308 heavy barrel tactical either in 24 or 26" heavy barrel. I will take off the original stock and replace it with a chaote tool ultimate sniper stock. For optics, I'm thinking of the Mueller tactical series. I live in the states and all of this is available.

I chose .308 since I own another .308 semi auto and .308 is widely available although very expensive now. I only own EBR type rifles and this one will complement what I already own as the tack driver/heavy hitter in the group. I picked the ultimate sniper stock from all the good reports I have heard and I want a pistol grip. The mueller optics are my choice for a good scope on a budget. Maybe I'll upgrade the optics later.

So what do you think? 24 or 26" barrel? What game will the .308 be a good choice for , deer , elk , moose , black bear ,?????? I know this gun will be heavy--probably 12+ pounds with a bipod installed, maybe heavier. Would this set up be legal for me to bring into Canada for hunting/protection from Wolly Mammoths in the northern climes?

I have never owned or shot this type of gun. I've been told that the new Savage adjustable trigger is a very nice package.

What do you think?
 
One thing about a heavy target barrel is that it will change the balance of the rifle. The rifle will be front heavy. This is fine for target shooting, but it may make it uncomfortable to carry for long distances.

I suggest you visit some gun shops to look at specific models. You will probably notice a difference between rifles with target barrels and those without.

A 308 should be good for any game up to a black bear. I don't hunt, so can't offer more advise on that point.

You should be able to bring a bolt action rifle and ammunition into Canada for hunting, but I am not sure what all the rules are. Someone else may be able to point you to a good link for that. Be sure to do all necessary paperwork before you travel, it will not be possible to do at the border crossing itself.

APG
 
Savage is good... I don't much care for the chaote tool ultimate sniper stock or Mueller tactical series. Also I don't think that a heavy barreled 26" rifle would be much fun for hunting. For hunting I use a hunting rifle, Ruger M77's are my choice there. For Tac/Sniper shoots I use a 308 26" barreled Rem 700 that is in an HS police stock with a custom M14 mag conversion and a Leupold Mk4 scope.
 
OK, wait, are you looking for a precision rifle, or a hunting rifle? There is a difference. You do NOT want to be packing a 14lb rig with a 26" HB through the bush. And, a long heavy barrel sucks ass for shooting off-hand. It might be OK for tree-stand style hunting or such.

In any case, I don't think it's a good idea at all to combine your hunting rigs and precision rigs. You end up making too many compromises - on the stock, on the optics, on the weight, on the loads, etc - and in the end you have a rifle that kinda sucks at both.


All that said, if you insist on getting one anyway, I'd be looking for a short barreled police model HB rifle. I think Savage makes a 20" 10FP, and I also thing Remingon makes a 20" 700P.

I've used mueller scopes, and I'm not impressed. They certainly wouldn't be my first choice. For this particular rig, I'd be looking for a variable scope, something like a 3-9 or 4-12 with mildots and standard turrets (target turrets are a PITA on a hunting rig, and are easy to accidentally mess up when crawling through the bush).

I'd probably keep the factory stock, to keep the weight down, and I certainly wouldn't put on a bench/target stock as they're extremely cumbersome to shoot off hand
 
Would this set up be legal for me to bring into Canada for hunting/protection from Wolly Mammoths in the northern climes?
Click to expand...

Wolly Mammoths!?!? AAAAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!! yeah, right...watch out for their masters, the Orcs. Vicious goblin type creatures. .308 would work well for mammoths. make sure to carry a phaser set on high intensity kill for the Orcs, as no standard bullet in the world will penetrate their armour.
 
In the states, I use a fal with a 5 rd mag to hunt. I know I can't bring the FAL into Canada. Yes, you are right to point out its not a good choice to use due to the weight. What type of optic would you suggest that doesn't cost more than the gun that is any good? Thanks for the info so far. Remember , everything I own is semi auto and this is a new setup for me. I have used red dots exclusively up to this point with plenty of quick follow up shots if I miss.
 
leek said:
In the states, I use a fal with a 5 rd mag to hunt. I know I can't bring the FAL into Canada. Yes, you are right to point out its not a good choice to use due to the weight. What type of optic would you suggest that doesn't cost more than the gun that is any good? Thanks for the info so far. Remember , everything I own is semi auto and this is a new setup for me. I have used red dots exclusively up to this point with plenty of quick follow up shots if I miss.
Click to expand...

Never count out the Burris Elite line.... oh wait you're in the states... get a Super Sniper. Those things are amazing!

They're so tuff you could probably just club the Wooly Mammoth with the scope if your rifle jams.
 
308 is fine for all game up to grizzly bear.

I hunt a lot and I can't imagine humping that rifle, it is not a hunting rig, you would hate it. I can't imagine what you would hunt with it, barrel is too long for truck hunting, certainly not putting it on a quad's gun boot, terrible thing to sling if you are deer hunting, way too heavy. BUT, great gopher gun.
 
You could consider the 20" barrel options. A Remington LTR might be useful for both hunting and target. Don't know if Savage makes an equivalent rifle. I cannot imagine carrying a Choate stocked heavy barrelled rifle for deer hunting where I hunt; maybe if you were set up in a blind overlooking a field.
You can access all sorts of optics from discount houses. I would suggest a brand name variable with finger knobs and parallax adjustment, for hunting and target. There are lots for you to choose from.
As far as the Choates go, I would suggest an Ultimate Varmint stock instead of the Ultimate Sniper. Similar ergonomics, and not as tacky.
 
I personally don't understand the desire to go big game hunting with a heavy barrel rifle, especially one with a boat paddle for a stock. I've got the U.S. stock and it's about as useless for hunting as any stock you could possibly buy - bar none.

I take it you are new to hunting or you probably wouldn't have even asked the question. Do whatever floats your boat but I'm bettin' you only hunt with it once.
 
My suggestions for what they're worth,

Rifle,
Rem700P (lots of aftermarket parts cater to it). http://www.impactguns.com/store/rem_700police.html. You can get a 'tuned' package from Impact Guns. If you can find a Remington 5R Milspec (from Acusport dealers) all the better.

Rings & bases,
http://www.tpsproducts.com/products.php?cat=37
http://www.tpsproducts.com/products.php?cat=84

Bolt Knob,
http://www.tpsproducts.com/categories.php?cat=100

Scopes,
I like the Bushnell if on a budget,
http://www.swfa.com/pc-9847-185-bushnell-6-24x50-elite-4200-30mm-rifle-scope.aspx
SuperSniper
http://www.swfa.com/pc-4305-231-super-sniper-10x42-30mm-rifle-scope.aspx
I have a Nikon and am happy with it
http://www.swfa.com/pc-6977-222-nikon-25-10x44-monarch-x-30mm-riflescope.aspx

....and that's all I have to say about that!
 
well you could also go have a gander at the stevens 200, as it is the no frills line of savage 10/110 and can be had for cheap and built into really nice precision rifles as well as hunting rifles.

as for combineing hunting and precision, not a good idea . at least not in my mind. my stevens 200 now wears a USS a 28" heavy barrel and cheap glass, and without ammo weighs in around 15-18lbs not something i wanna lug around the bush
 
If you want a nice, cheap accurate rifle, a Savage single shot is excellent. The Super Sniper is excellent value for a 20X 30mm scope.

I compete with a number of both.

Not suitable for any kind of hunting I can imagine.
 
leek said:
In the states, I use a fal with a 5 rd mag to hunt. I know I can't bring the FAL into Canada. Yes, you are right to point out its not a good choice to use due to the weight. What type of optic would you suggest that doesn't cost more than the gun that is any good? Thanks for the info so far. Remember , everything I own is semi auto and this is a new setup for me. I have used red dots exclusively up to this point with plenty of quick follow up shots if I miss.
Click to expand...


Choke on a bone!!!! You are not allowed to tease us with the fact you own a F.N. You are mean and nasty and now I will lie in bed all night being p!ssed off you even brought that up!!!

Sigh......you lucky bastard. :(
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom