Help me decide which setup to choose please

mytiburon

mytiburon

Regular
Rating - 100%
33   0   0
Location
Saskatchewan
I originally was looking for a quality hunting rifle which would stretch out to around 1000 yards. I was leaning toward a Sako 85 in 7mm or 300win mag. This gun is around 1900 plus Sako rings and bases.
I then did a little searching and found the armalight ar-30 for $2200 in 300 and $2400 in 338 lapua. Gun weights 12 lbs and includes break but is a bit longer at 48". From searching the forums I noticed the savage 110 is popular also around the $1900 range. Out of the 3 guns what do you prefer for accuracy and in what caliber? Also is the armalight or savage to big / heavy for hunting or is it manageable? Thanks for any opinions.
 
Yeah I would like to carry it but realistically I realize it will be on the bipod or rested most of the time. I think the ar is 6 pounds lighter than the savage so it can be free handed but probably not to any great distance. I am thinking I will also buy a cheap tikka t3 for banging around in the truck and for those 350 and under shots.
 
I own a Savage 110BA in 300WM. Its about 18 pounds ready to go. I can't come close to standing and shooting it. You could look into some of Savages Model 12's. The VLP DBM comes in 300WSM.

I'm a Savage guy so I'm not going to say much about Tikka or any other brands.
 
It's a fallacy that you need a heavy rifle and a heavy barrel to be able to make long shots. The longest shot that I've made on game was at 942 yards, with one shot, using a Tikka T3.

I'd go with the Sako for a hunting rifle. If it's strictly a range toy for LR gongs and such, then one of the other rifles would be a lot of fun.
 
All good points guys. The kid in me wants a 50 bmg the adult part wants the Sako that's why it's so hard trying to figure out if these truly are the in between best of both worlds compromise guns. Now if only I could afford one of each.....
 
what are you hunting? I assume moose and/deer sized game. The 300wm is way overkill for deer, and even hard on a moose unless it at distance. With that being said I shot two moose this year with my .338LM at 430m. the .338LM will way out perform the .300WM however in a lighter gun you will pay for it. I'm not one for the 7mm's but thats my problem. I'd look at the Kimber Tactical too!

http://www.kimberamerica.com/rifles/tactical/model-8400-advanced-tactical

It may be a pinch more but I like the fit and finish and stock much better than the Savage and AR-30's

I handled one at the local gun shop in the summer and its nice, revews are good as well.

Good luck!
 
I would be hunting deer/moose/elk, but would have lots of fun with long range coyote/target shots. We have areas where we can shoot across full sections! That kimber is a pretty gun as well but honestly it probably is starting to price me out of the game. Its easy to say whats a few hundred more but I'm the type of person that dosent see the end of that game lol.. for just another 300 hundred,,,thats some new cloths for the wife bahaha.
 
Just an idea, but, if you are looking at around two thou to 25 hundred for a rifle, why not look into getting a Pierce action or something comparable and adding a barrel? That way you can get any caliber you want and any weight and barrel length. It would be right about your price range. Especially if you can source a used stock.
 
I originally was looking for a quality hunting rifle which would stretch out to around 1000 yards. I was leaning toward a Sako 85 in 7mm or 300win mag. This gun is around 1900 plus Sako rings and bases.
I then did a little searching and found the armalight ar-30 for $2200 in 300 and $2400 in 338 lapua. Gun weights 12 lbs and includes break but is a bit longer at 48". From searching the forums I noticed the savage 110 is popular also around the $1900 range. Out of the 3 guns what do you prefer for accuracy and in what caliber? Also is the armalight or savage to big / heavy for hunting or is it manageable? Thanks for any opinions.

A little late by the time line but..
If you are hunting, than you can get by with a standard weight barrel. You are looking at taking ONE shot. No worries of the barrel heating up and all that crap. Look at the sheep hunters that have to hike all over the place, up and down hills. They want a light rifle that will shoot ONE accurate shot. If you are going to drive to a stand and plant your butt, by all means get a heavy weight cannon.
SRSA311
 
My 110 BA 338 L is 19.7 pounds with a full mag and one in the pipe. ?I can make 300 yard offhand shots with her. But she much prefers prone or sitted. Savage also makes a 110 338 LM in the FCP series i think. It has a different staock and wighs in at around 11 pounds i belive. savagearms com. Im a savage guy too. I think that they are the best gun for your buck. I also think that almost every gun is accurate, just need to hone the shooters. If you will be shooting dear I had a 300WSM and took my dear at 427 yards. both front quaters were bloodshot nd destroyed. My friend borrowed her and shot moose at about 100 yards with it, and the whole one shoulder was destroyed. I use my 33b for coyotes and long range precsion. For deer i have a 7mm-08 it works just fune 9ut to 800 on them.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom