Looking to Enter the Precision World... Need Some Direction/Input

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RedDragon

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Hello All, I'll give you a bit of background on my current equipment and where I want to go...

I have been a long-time hunter, currently running a Ruger American 30-06 with a Bushnell XLT scope. I recently starting reloading, but due to it being winter in Northern Ontario, I haven't been out to fire some rounds off yet. Also have a Marlin XT-7R (17HMR).

As my Ruger is planned to be my hunting rifle, I would like to get another rig that I can plink away with and easily swap out/upgrade components as they wear or are shot out (i.e. barrel). The range I am joining has a maximum range length of 200 m.

I won't say that money isn't an issue, but as I had the wife prepared for the price of an AR, I think that I can get away with $2000. I don't even know if this would allow me to get a decent rig...

Any input, suggestions, pointers, smoking hot deals etc. that this wonderful group could provide, I would greatly appreciate it!

Thanks for your time!
 
Are you thinking of taking it with you so you can plink during down time while hunting? (are you going to go out past 200m?)
Are you thinking of keeping the 30-06 caliber to keep your reloading a little simpler or are you thinking another caliber? .223? .308? .300WM?

Most people are going to chime in with either a Remington 700 option or a Savage 10 series. If you're not looking at upgrading lots of bits and pieces (stock / barrel / trigger / bolt knob / etc) then the Savage is probably going to be your best bet. Most people with 700's from what I've seen buy it as a base to start with then end up with something that usually only ends up with a 700 action :)

Then how are you planning on shooting it? off hand? seated from a bench? prone? this will h elp determine options as well
 
condomboy said:
Are you thinking of taking it with you so you can plink during down time while hunting? (are you going to go out past 200m?)
Are you thinking of keeping the 30-06 caliber to keep your reloading a little simpler or are you thinking another caliber? .223? .308? .300WM?

Most people are going to chime in with either a Remington 700 option or a Savage 10 series. If you're not looking at upgrading lots of bits and pieces (stock / barrel / trigger / bolt knob / etc) then the Savage is probably going to be your best bet. Most people with 700's from what I've seen buy it as a base to start with then end up with something that usually only ends up with a 700 action :)

Then how are you planning on shooting it? off hand? seated from a bench? prone? this will help determine options as well
Click to expand...

I am definitely open to another caliber than 30-06, but wouldn't object to staying with it as well!

The ranges around here are 200m max, so I really don't see myself shooting farther than that on a regular basis. I would like to shoot from all the positions. I already have shooting bags for the table and would more than likely add a bipod for prone.

Thanks for the input thus far!
 
I like the 223 for affordability and accuracy, however the 6ppc is the round i'm going to next its a lazer upto 400m The 308 also is affordable and accurate! Just make sure not to cheap out on the scope< its the most important part!!
 
I agree with the Remington 5R.

Excellent product

As you like in .223 or .308 Win.

If your budget can do it. Go for the .308Win.

For ammo, start with commercial ammo Federal American eagle, you have good deal at SFRC the ammosource. Do not put Chineese ammo in a beautiful 5R barrel.

Have a Nice Zombie Day
 
I would say savage axis and upgrade the scope, you can get one for super cheap with rifle and scope for under 500$. It sounds like you want something with to train like you shoot, I would suggest a 22lr and set it up similar to your hunting rig. Also some other things to note are if it's for range use and your wife or significant other has already agreed to it, get an AR (though not as precise as a precision rig and you can only use it at the range).

As for the other part with training for how you plan to shoot in the field. I'm not entirely sure if this is true, but you may also want to consider what positions you're allowed to shoot at your range and which ones are going to be comfortable, a dedicated precision rig is usually for bench or prone shooting (not because those are precise shooting positions but a precision rig can usually way over 10lbs, maybe even over 15...). Also back to what I was gonna say is some ranges you may not actually have the ability to shoot prone. That is some of my knowledge I can impart.
 
stac50bmg said:
I agree with the Remington 5R.

Excellent product

As you like in .223 or .308 Win.

If your budget can do it. Go for the .308Win.

For ammo, start with commercial ammo Federal American eagle, you have good deal at SFRC the ammosource. Do not put Chineese ammo in a beautiful 5R barrel.

Have a Nice Zombie Day
Click to expand...

you could also get the savage model 12 FTR in 308 (although it may be beneath me as i like full-blown customs) it is a nice entry level 308 you could use for a few thousand rounds and learn a bunch and if it rains you are not as concerned about the gun getting wet or bumped (as opposed to a 4g custom)

whatever you choose have fun as I am sure you will

Jeff
 
As suggested, either the remington 700 or any number of savage rifles will be right in your ballpark. Handle both and pick whichever one you like the best... can't really go wrong either way. Factory barrel on either should do pretty close to 1 MOA. If you're lucky and have the skills to match maybe a little better. Go for one of the heavy barrelled models in a common caliber, top it with a nice scope (I'm partial to FFP MRAD scopes myself, but you may like something different) and shoot it for a while. Unless you buy a high end rifle to start with, you will eventually want to upgrade the stock someday.
 
As BeerBaron suggested along with another user, I would recommend a Savage rifle myself. In my opinion Savage products are of great value which would keep you safe from your wife :p. Although the value is great the quality by no means suffers as I feel Savage products are great quality. Also like many others .223 or .308 I feel would be a great cartridge :D. Hope this helps and take care!
 
It would be a bit of a drive for you, but if you could possibly attend one or more of the ORA's "Intro Days" or matches at CFB Borden, it would be *well* worth the time and effort spent. Seeing all sorts of different rifles being fired, from 300y-1000y, in an organized setting, will really help you clear up in your mind what sort of shooting and what sort of gear appeals to you most.

It is quite helpful if you reload your own ammo - it is cheaper and better than most of what you can buy.

A .308Win in the baseline rifle and cartridge you should consider. It can do everything well, and easily.

A .223 Rem is also a good choice. Pros are lower recoil (easier to shoot well!) and a small savings in ammo components cost. Cons are that it takes more skill and effort to make good accurate long range .223 ammo than it does to make good accurate long range .308 ammo.

Besides .223 Rem & .308 Win, there are a whole host of high performance rifle/cartridge combinations used in "F-Open" class competitions. They are higher performance and more expensive to shoot (in particular barrels wear out faster).

Getting a .308 Win suitable for mid and long range shooting (Sako TRG $$$, or one of several Savage target or varmint rifles), with a bipod, rear bag, as decent a scope as you can reasonably afford, and loading gear for it, would set you up very nicely.
 
RedDragon said:
Are there any disadvantages with a carbine? I really like the Savage Model 10 Precision Carbine...
Click to expand...

It has a bit more recoil (because of its lighter weight). It has more noise and muzzle blast (because of its shorter barrel, and because the muzzle is closer to your head). This means that it will take more mental focus and concentration in order to fire good well-aimed shots.

Its shorter barrel will send bullets a bit slower (perhaps a couple of hundred fps) than a 28" or 30" barrelled target rifle. At distance out to 600m this doesn't matter to any practical degree. At 900 or 1000 yards, it is preferred to have the extra muzzle velocity from the full length barrel. Having said that, your bullets will reach 1000 yards and you will be able to get pretty good accuracy - it's just that for competition purposes you would be at a bit of a disadvantage versus using a full-length barrel.
 
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