Help with new rifle buy

Engineer

Engineer

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I'd like to start shooting some long range target matches for fun sniper, F-class or ISSF etc. I assume each has their specialty rifles but I'm looking for a generic platform that I can use "across the board" and have fun with. I was thinking of the following in .308 and would value some feed back on them or any other suggestions you may have:

Savage F/TR
Savage Palma
Tikka M595 Master Sporter
Tikka Tactical
Remington 700 with AI stock

-Thanks-
 
The two Savages would be pretty difficult in tactcial matches, where manouverability and rapid fire plays a more important role. Of the remaining three the Master Sporter is a wood stock isn't it? That would mean getting beat up in Tac rifle. Of the last two either would be good platforms although I would lean towards the Rem due to the availability of parts.
 
Good points Cappy!

I'm starting with the assumption that it is possible and that what ever I get is going to be a compromise somewhere.
 
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Engineer said:
I'm starting with the assumption that it is possible and that what ever I get is going to be a comprimise somewhere.
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You could also build a rifle to what you want on a Stevens/Savage action. Buy a cheap rifle for the action, sell stock& barrel, put an aftermarket, prethreaded, prechambered barrel on it (they literally screw on) and say a Robertson Composites stock of your choosing, say $450. For about $1500 you have a complete custom rifle.
 
In my opinion the Savages you mentioned don't really compare with the others. Neither is a "tactial" rifle. You should look at a Savage 10FP, 10FCP. That would be in the same class at the Rem700 as long as you were still looking at a different stock.
 
Engineer,

I have been there. In many ways, I am still there. If you want a rifle that you can use in ISSF, F-Class and tactical matches, understand that there are going to be compromises. ISSF/F-Class and Tactical are different sports, but we are trying to marry the two.

A Tikka represents an excellent off-the-shelf rifle with exceptional accuracy, but its weight makes it uncomfortable to shoot all day long in an F-class match. Magazines are not allowed in F-CLass, so it would be used single-shot. Savage F-Class rifles are the only real factory rifles out there built to a high enough standard to win an F-Class match, but they would be poor Tactical choices as they are single shot.

I started in F-CLass with a 308 Tikka and it was a good rifle at the time, but now we have the F-Restricted classification, it would be worth re-visiting the Tikka as a good choice for F-class and tactical style matches.

My vote would be for a tikka tactical.
 
Obtunded said:
A Tikka represents an excellent off-the-shelf rifle with exceptional accuracy, but its weight makes it uncomfortable to shoot all day long in an F-class match.
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does this mean that it is too heavy to be used in an F-Class match?

I'm in the same boat as Engineer. I want to try different things but want to start with one very good rifle.
 
Yep, the rifle is light but it it well within the specs for F-Restricted, so the good news is you would not have to compete with full-on custom 6 BR rifles.

With a good recoil pad and/or a good shooting jacket, this will get the job done no problem.

Also, Robertson Composites is making incredible after market stocks for them too.
 
My preference would be to build using a 700 platform, but you may not have to go to the extent of an AI stock. There are plenty of good stock selections out there for less than half the cost of an AI stock. Also, it is easy to find parts and accesories for the 700. There are many phenomenal tactical rifles around the world, but I would guess that more than half of them are either Rem 700s or at least copies of the same action and receiver.
 
Building is the best way to be assured of getting what you want, but the wait for barrels, stocks, components and gunsmithing can run into more than a year all tolled. Some guys just want to buy a rifle and get shooting... Sometimnes that is the best way to learn what you really want down the road when it comes to spending the time an money on their first custom(ized) gun.

The large number of people wanting to start shooting with a 300WM are proof that they have no real idea what they really want and need.
 
I'll throw out a suggestion: Consider a Remington R5 - a very accurate 'out of the box' rifle that you can build upon later if you really want to. Another, less expensive, choice would be a Savage 10FP which is also accurate and can be built upon ( probably not quite as easily as the Remington ) down the road.
 
I am also a relatively new shooter, and I decided on the Savage 12 F/TR. (.308), but I agree that it would not work for the tactical stuff. So far I have used it strictly for F-Class.

I have had the opportunity to have shoot this rifle with some very experienced shooters and most are very impressed with its accuracy. It will certainly be competitive with very little extra work done to it as compared to other rifles "out of the box". There are a couple more threads on Gun Nutz about this rifle and some impressive reviews if you are interested.

The trigger is very light and the "accutrigger" takes some getting used to, but it grows on you. Also, the rifle is quite long (30" barrel) and quite heavy. Very little recoil but best fired from prone.

I am extremely happy with it, but I intend to shoot F-Class only at this point.
 
Ellery said:
I am also a relatively new shooter, and I decided on the Savage 12 F/TR. (.308), but I agree that it would not work for the tactical stuff. So far I have used it strictly for F-Class.

I have had the opportunity to have shoot this rifle with some very experienced shooters and most are very impressed with its accuracy. It will certainly be competitive with very little extra work done to it as compared to other rifles "out of the box". There are a couple more threads on Gun Nutz about this rifle and some impressive reviews if you are interested.

The trigger is very light and the "accutrigger" takes some getting used to, but it grows on you. Also, the rifle is quite long (30" barrel) and quite heavy. Very little recoil but best fired from prone.

I am extremely happy with it, but I intend to shoot F-Class only at this point.
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I wonder if the Savage FCP with either the HS Precision or McMillan stock might be the way to go. Reasonable price, detachable box mag, accutrigger, 24" barrel..............?
 
Just my two cents, if your looking at a T# Tactical, you could get a Varmint Heavy Barrel and do some of your own mods too it. I own a varmint in 308, and am SUPREMELY happy with it! It's also much cheaper than a tic tac
 
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