Help for a 308 Rifle

I.C.U.

I.C.U.

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Hi,

I'm new to rifles and would like to pick one up. I'm looking at a distance of 800to 1500 yards or even more. Not really for hunting but Target. Maybe once in awhile hunting but that's not really mything.

I would like a reliable rifle in a 308 Bull barrel. I read up a bit and it seems that the 308 is cheap to buy (factory) or reloading. As for the rest of the specs, forget it. I haven't a clue as to what kind of rifle, stock, action or anything else. Should I pick one up "NIB" or get one built?

I would need a lot of help from you guys and your suggestions do count for me. Budget is reasonable but not excessive. Need some $$$ for reloading and scope.

Thanks.
 
Savage has a few 308s in the $1,000 range. Remington has an SPS model that would be in the $700 range. Then you'd have a scope base and rings to add to that.

My own opinion would be a buy a factory rifle and learn to shoot. See if you enjoy it.

223 is a good caliber, aswell. Cheap. Fun to shoot. Tough to get it out beyond a 1,000 yards but is doable. Mysticplayer, Troutseeker and Lionhill have done it.
 
1500yards with a .308 is a stretch even in perfect conditions.
If your planning on shooting that far look at a .300Win Mag or a .338.
 
1500 yards is a stretch for any factory gun with factory ammo. They do shoot Match Rifle matches over in the UK out 1200 yards. Most of these people are shooting custom rigs with up to 34 inch barrels. I think you need to do some more research and start off learning how to shoot at ranges up to 600 yards first.
 
Max Owner said:
Wholesale Sports (website) has most of the rifles and prices on their website. So you can see the rifle and get an idea of what you could be looking at.
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Thanks for the tip. I'll go and check them out.

Sounds good I'll check out a factory one. How's the 700P? A big caliber, not yet. I don't want to get the bad habit of flinching.

I have a 223 but it's a Black Special. I'm looking more at a 308 heavy barrel.

Thanks.
 
maynard said:
1500 yards is a stretch for any factory gun with factory ammo. They do shoot Match Rifle matches over in the UK out 1200 yards. Most of these people are shooting custom rigs with up to 34 inch barrels. I think you need to do some more research and start off learning how to shoot at ranges up to 600 yards first.
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Thanks.

No I'll stay within 1000 yards and once I understand the principles of distance shooting. Then I can think of a 300WM or 338 Lapua.

What would you recommend in a rifle?
 
I.C.U. said:
Thanks.

No I'll stay within 1000 yards and once I understand the principles of distance shooting. Then I can think of a 300WM or 338 Lapua.

What would you recommend in a rifle?
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Good for you. Stay away from the land cannons for now. If you are into going 308, it is a good caliber for working with to begin with. 223 is also an excellent choice, but 308 is good for its availability of good ammo.

Savage or Remington are both good choices. There are some 700P guns for sale on the EE, or look at the Savage 10FP. Don't turn your nose up at a Tikka Varmint or tactical rifle as well. Outstanding out-of-box accuracy.
 
Obtunded said:
Good for you. Stay away from the land cannons for now. If you are into going 308, it is a good caliber for working with to begin with. 223 is also an excellent choice, but 308 is good for its availability of good ammo.

Savage or Remington are both good choices. There are some 700P guns for sale on the EE, or look at the Savage 10FP. Don't turn your nose up at a Tikka Varmint or tactical rifle as well. Outstanding out-of-box accuracy.
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I heard that the Tikka T3 Tactical is not what it seems. I read somewhere that they really don't recommend it anymore, I forgot why though.

I'll check out the EE for either one. Thanks
 
I love my Rem 700P in .308. I've heard good things about Savage in the quality for dollars department and I love the feel of Tikka actions.

Really, once you get to this point its just a matter of personal preference. Just go and molest a few for a bit and see which one feels best for you. If it feels good to you you'll shoot more comfortably and probably a little better. They'll all probably shoot relatively the same or at least not different enough for you to tell when you're beginning.
 
1000 yards is a stretch for a .308 unless you have the right barrel/bullet combination... factory rifle/ammo may not do it well at all.
 
If you are willing to reload (pretty much a must do) and want a factory rifle, get a fast twist 223 from Savage, Rem or Tikka. I have the most experience with Savage and these can reach out well beyond 1000yds with ease.

The 308 and 223 are pretty much equal in the wind which is still not good. The 223 is half the cost and 1/3 the recoil plus you can shoot double before your barrel overheats. Accuracy and barrel life are very similar in factory rifles.

If you want something that is pretty decent in the wind yet not recoil alot, the new Savage F(O) in 6BR would be my pick. For the upfront investment, you have all you need minus a BR quality pipe to compete if you want to. In its factory format, it should do very well and the 6mm heavies fly so much better at extended distances.

for dirt cheap entry level fun, a Savage 12FV in 223 is hard to beat. Using this as a base, you can accessories to your hearts delight.
Jerry
 
GSoD said:
I love my Rem 700P in .308. I've heard good things about Savage in the quality for dollars department and I love the feel of Tikka actions.

Really, once you get to this point its just a matter of personal preference. Just go and molest a few for a bit and see which one feels best for you. If it feels good to you you'll shoot more comfortably and probably a little better. They'll all probably shoot relatively the same or at least not different enough for you to tell when you're beginning.
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Thanks for the info and I'll do that. I'll try some out for the feel.
I do realize that a lot of rifle shooters go with the 700P and then modify them or so. I haven't really seen any Tikka'S for sale.
 
mysticplayer said:
If you are willing to reload (pretty much a must do) and want a factory rifle, get a fast twist 223 from Savage, Rem or Tikka. I have the most experience with Savage and these can reach out well beyond 1000yds with ease.

The 308 and 223 are pretty much equal in the wind which is still not good. The 223 is half the cost and 1/3 the recoil plus you can shoot double before your barrel overheats. Accuracy and barrel life are very similar in factory rifles.

If you want something that is pretty decent in the wind yet not recoil alot, the new Savage F(O) in 6BR would be my pick. For the upfront investment, you have all you need minus a BR quality pipe to compete if you want to. In its factory format, it should do very well and the 6mm heavies fly so much better at extended distances.

for dirt cheap entry level fun, a Savage 12FV in 223 is hard to beat. Using this as a base, you can accessories to your hearts delight.
Jerry
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Sounds good but what's a fast twist?

I'm going Factory rifle because I have no experience at all so I'm not going to invest till I know what the heck I'm talking about and doing. I would like also a good and reliable rifle so that when I decide to invest in a better quality rifle. I can customize the one I have or go custom all the way.

I'll check out the Savage F(O) in 6BR. Sorry for asking but what type of round is a 6mm heavies? What kind of casing does is it? I'm really new!!!

Thanks
 
I've had my factory Savage 10FP LE2B (308) out to 1,035 yards with factory ammo. It was no problem. I was surprised by the end of the weekend how easy it was with all the hype about 308s and the 1,000 yard issue.

For a base, you may want to look at one that has a 20 or 25 minute of angle (MOA) cant show you can have more scope elevation for longer ranges.
 
help on choosing a 308

I advise a 700 P or VS or VSF. I had 3 and sold the RH and work with the 2 LH and they make a good platform for a custom rifle. Start with a 308 and once you've had enough you can rebarrel in another cal and make it good for F class or serious target shooting. I have several barrels (3 in 308, 260 Rem, 22-250 AI all for my first 700 VS LH) the VSF is just new in 308. The RHs are around 1100$ here (ex. Wholesale or Russel's) Sorry for the Savage lovers but I don't like them.
You can add features as you go along: Jewel trigger (200$) Badger Tac knob (60+50$) Anschutz rail (40+50) Harris swivel bipod (100+$), Eagle stock pack (25$) and a rear bean bag (25$) is quite practical but of course a match barrel comes first (Krieger, Broughton or whatever makes you tick, 300$ each except Bruno has some deals for 270$ and in stock to boot) + 200$ chamber job. Muzzle brake where legal. Also a titanium quick lock firing pin and spring kit 70$. I use a barrel vise and action wrench (125$ with kleigendorst tool) to switch barrels and that's no big deal except to get the factory barrel off. I let my smithy do that.
Don't forget a good scope and set of rings with 20 MOA affair. By the way you can't hit nothin' at 1500 yds with a 308. Trust me on that one. 1200 yds tops. The US army limits the 308 for 800m work. Then you can use a 338 Lapua at 1600m and a 50 cal at 2400m. Bon Tir !
 
A single shot bolt action with three action screws has very stable bedding. Your best bet (quality and cost) would be a used target rifle. A Musgrave, Swing, Paramount or RPA or an old CIL (Savage single shot) works well.
 
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