long range shooting rifle options??

Mudduck

Mudduck

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Decided to improve my shooting skills. I joined the ORA and am taking their F class courses. I have also signed up for the 2 day Milcun course. While I could use my Tikka T3 270 WSM - Z3 Swarovski or my Vanguard 300 Why with Conquest 3x9x40 .... I want a 308 to develop my long range shooting skills - more cost effective and most materials written for F Class seem to use 308 as their standard. Bought a Savage Model 10 with a 20 inch heavy Barrel - great gun but the barrel is too short to get out to 1000 Yards with the accuracy I want
I enjoy all the skill that goes into F class shooting but Im not certain I can devote the kind of time required to become good enough to compete - especially when my career requires a lot of weekend work. Secondly Im 6 ft tall and weight 225 lbs which means I need to loose some belly fat to really do well at F class - (from my limited understanding). I will finish these courses and decide by the end of the year what I want to do. Once I develop some of the skills for long range I will probably use my 2 other rifles more on the range but the 308 is a cheaper cartridge during this learning phase.

I have been reading on this site and have learned some great information ... but I know that one nugget that can cause you to look at things in a completely different way thus my question. I have shouldered all except a CZ and ICON and they all feel quite good for me.

BTW - I have purposely excluded Remingtons - I just dont have faith in them. I know they are a good gun and this is a my issue but no sense in buying something I dont have faith in - Its a long story

So having said all of this Im considering the following which are all in the $800 -$1300 range ...
Tikka T3 Vamint HB 308 24 inch barrel
Savage 12 F/TR 308 30 inch 12.65 lbs
Savage 10 FCP-SR 308 24 inch 8.75 lbs
TC Icon Precision Hunter 308 24 inch barrel
CZ 550 Varmint 308 24 inch barrel
If I could find a used Tikka Sporter 308 in my price range I might include it in the list also

I would appreciate your opinions and perspectives
 
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Use the search function to read past posts relating to many (if not all) of these rifles. If you want to improve them at a later date Savage and Remington rifles have the most options. Any of those listed should serve you well. Unless a rebarrel is part of the plan buy the one that fits you best. That requires you to go out and put them to your shoulder.

I had a Savage 12 LRPV. Very nice rifle. The 12 Long Range Precision would be my choice from your list.
 
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I have fired most of those guns and I like the tikka and icon the best. Savage is a good choice but my feelings towards savage is similar to your feelings towards Remington so I really havent given them much of a chance so I can't really recommend them.
 
Is there any reason that you would not automatically choose a rifle with an Fclass stock, like the savage?
A 20" barrel will be accurate at long range BTW, but not for sustained shots, because of the amount of muzzle jump and secondary recoil that gets transmitted into the shooter.

Cat
 
I just bought a Savage 12 bench rest in 308 caliber. So far am very satisfied! I have put a night force bench rest 8-32x56.

My choices were at the beginning:

Remington 700 5R milspec
Savage 12 (either F, F/TR, bench rest or Palma)
Tikka T3 tactical

I opted for the 12 bench rest because it was in stock... I also preferred the look over the remington. I like the laminated feeling over composite. Also I read a lot of thread where people like their savage a lot.

I am also a big fan of the accutrigger and on the target series, you get the target accutrigger which is just fantastic! Not for your everyday hunting though but I will be only shooting paper with that rifle!

Hope this helps!

Marck
 
IT is one of them Im considering .... Im just not certain I want to limit myself to something I can only use to punch paper until Im certain I really want to commit to it. IF I get more of a varmint rig I can also punch fur which also has an appeal - but there is always a tradeoff
catnthehatt said:
Is there any reason that you would not automatically choose a rifle with an Fclass stock, like the savage?
A 20" barrel will be accurate at long range BTW, but not for sustained shots, because of the amount of muzzle jump and secondary recoil that gets transmitted into the shooter.

Cat
Click to expand...
 
Mudduck said:
IT is one of them Im considering .... Im just not certain I want to limit myself to something I can only use to punch paper until Im certain I really want to commit to it. IF I get more of a varmint rig I can also punch fur which also has an appeal - but there is always a tradeoff
Click to expand...

Pick up a Savage LRPV left port in 6br with a 1 in 8" twist.

It really is an amazing cartridge.

I decided to go with a M-12 F-class (6br) but I also have a LRPV in 204 ruger for varmints. :D
 
savage.3006 said:
Savage 12 FTR, or rebarrel the one you have, bed, time, and true it.
Click to expand...

That's what I was thinking, re-barrel your Model 10. Then you have a rifle you're familiar with, but you can stick a longer match grade barrel on it. With the money you save, put it towards reloading components or a scope upgrade. That's this cheapskate's opinion.
 
Mudduck said:
Decided to improve my shooting skills. I joined the ORA and am taking their F class courses. I have also signed up for the 2 day Milcun course.....I will finish these courses and decide by the end of the year what I want to do.....
Click to expand...

After these experiences, you will be in a better position to decide what will work best for you.
 
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