Newbie Precision Rifle Questions

Lykaeon

Lykaeon

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Hello everybody,

I am super new to the world of long range precision. Up until now I just played with handguns and tactical rifles. Now I am currently in the process of purchasing a .300 Win Mag Steyr SSG 04, I had a chance to fire one once and I instantly fell in love with the rifle.

Now I know I am starting out with a high-end factory rifle, but if I continue with precision shooting what are some things I might want to look at when building a custom target rifle? Is it worth it or should I just look at the higher priced stock rifles like the Blaser or Accuracy International? Positive or negative experiences with custom/high-end stock rifles?

Lastly, I want to add a .308 (20" barrel) to my collection as well, but I am torn between the FNAR, FN A5M and the Steyr SSG 69 PIIK. Which do you guys think is the better purchase?

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The only problem I see with every gun you mention is that they are totally UN- upgradeable. Basically the way you get them is all you can ever get, no way to get a better trigger, more suitable stock for a purpose etc.
As long as you are content with "painting yourself into a corner" thats cool, but being as you are new to the sport I would advise looking at something less expensive and committing until you define your shooting style and have some experiences with an assortment of rifles.
I see many guys every year who buy a rifle cuz it looks cool and then discover they hate how it fits them, or feels or that the trigger sucks or that they are totally committed to a proprietary scope mounting system that will not allow the use of certain optics.
Typically the European guns are totally under supported here, so parts if required can be a bugger to get and being as they are mostly proprietary aftermarket is out of the question.
 
Well, my heart is set on the SSG 04, but for the .308 your suggesting something like the Remington 700 right? Is there a version I should start with, everytime I look at the Remington it seems that there is a dizzying number of variations. It was something that I was looking at, but I wasn't sure what base model I should start with.

I like the fact that I can add a JAE, McMillan or Accuracy International stock to the 700. But I am pretty new to the idea of having my firearms adjusted or gunsmithed. To be honest I'm not even sure what type of barrels or triggers I would want in a bolt rifle or where to start. The 700 does allow for a lot of upgradeabilty. Most of my shooting buddies are happy to go hog wild with an M-14 or SKS at the range with surplus ammo, then go home, lol.

Is there a good solid base model to start with like the CDL or Tactical variants? I know I can get a nice Krieger barrel and aftermarket trigger added to any version, but is there a standard model I would find easiest to work with?
 
700 rem

A Rem 700 is a fine rifle action after you get it trued-up, change trigger, change barrel, bush bolt hole, and change firing pin to get close to what a custom action like Barnard Action is and others in the end cost wise very little
differance and then resale is higher for a used CUSTOM ACTION.
What I have seen with manufactured rifles REM 700xcr $1500, Sako $2000
and other highend target rifles. These guns are capable of .250" groups at 100yards with good shooting habits and reloading skills.
The most accurate rifles in world are made by good smiths that build benchrest rifles, you will not see 700 actions been used by the top shooters that shoot groups like this
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And note thats not 100y.

I shoot with some fellows one with a rem sps 223, the other with a Rem 40x
both had everything done to them, one has a Hart the other a Kreiger 28"
1/7 twist I have watched them shoot well under .250" at 100 and at 300y shoot .530" to.600 5 shot groups. Never seen any factory gun come even close
My smith Ian wouldn,t chamber my new Tru-Flite barrel because he found the pilot bearing on reamer was 1/2 K to small and wouldn,t chamber till he got the right size for bore, do you think a rifle made in factory would bother !!
My Barnard action will work with any Rem styled trigger like Jewell etc.
and Barnards trigger on there P actions is a fine trigger.
Like Alberta Tactical mentioned you box your self into a corner using some actions, no scope rails, poor triggers and to add poor service.
there are some great smiths in Canada get them to build you a gun and don,t look back, practice on your shooting and reloading and you will be in winners circle
manitou
 
Wow thanks guys,

The more I get into shooting the more I realize how much more there is to it. Can you guys recommend a jumping off point? Is the Remington 700 a good choice?

I suppose I should go and talk to a gunsmith first and find out what I should start looking at to start with.

Thx
 
Yes I would say that starting with a cheaper Rem 700 to start and then have a smith put on a good barell and have him blue print it. You will probably find that your preferences for things will change along the way as you start to shoot more. A custom action could be upwards of $1000 plus. A 700 rem action blue printed would be less than a $1000 and still shoot good.
 
A Remington 700 or a Savage 10/12 in .223. As to which one...how much do you want to spend? A heavy barrel Remington or Savage is what I would pick up for my first rifle knowing what I know now. Both have a wide array of stocks, triggers, barrels, etc to upgrade/customize your rifle. If you find one that comes with a stock you like from the factory that you can afford that's a good starting point.
 
The best upgrade to any precision rifle is custom loads. Take up reloading!

You can accurize a remington or, for the money, you can get something that is accurate from the get go. It doesn't neccessarily have to be expensive either.
 
A rem 700 is in my opinion the best rifle to start out with. It will grow with you, as your needs change so can the 700. It can be used as a platform to build a rifle for almost all bolt action shooting disciplines and still be competitive. Parts are unlimited and available in Canada. You can start cheap with an sps and add a bbl and some accurizing later.

Sean
 
Starting with an SPS and working up is a great path, but it will require patience and some knowlege of what you really want. This is certianly the path I would take, but I have been doing this for a while and it is not as mystifying now as it was when I started.

Starting with an SPS for a Newbie may leave him frustrated with a rifle that underperforms, while he is learning the game.

Personally I would start with a Rem 700 Police , this rifle will perform well out of the box, and with carefully tuned hadloads will perform admirably. After he gets his feet wet, it will still be a great platform to upgrade...

As noted above these are also on sale at Wolverine..
 
roberti11 said:
Starting with an SPS and working up is a great path, but it will require patience and some knowlege of what you really want. This is certianly the path I would take, but I have been doing this for a while and it is not as mystifying now as it was when I started.
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Thats very much how I feel, I definitely know that I want to take my time and go down this path. I'm the guy that spends half a day at the range and is happy as long as my grouping gets just a bit tighter. It feels good, but firearms are something that I have been learning about on my own. I literally had no clue about how to clean or even how they worked until a year ago. Nobody in my family (even extended) owns a rifle or hunts. I just kind of walked into a gun store one day, signed up to get my PAL and have been going ever since.

Most of what I know I have gleaned from people at the range, one thing about this community is that people are always willing to help and offer advice. One guy at my range sat and showed me all the "good" habits I would need to use a bolt rifle. He literally spent a couple hours just helping me get my groupings tighter.

I want to grow more as a shooter and eventually end up competing at some future date. My budget is quite high for a rifle I am working with about $3000 to start. Which is why I was looking for an accurate factory shooter, but if that money can be spent better, I am more than willing to work up to something I can really appreciate. I have fired a number of different rounds and I am quite comfortable with the .308, I know its not the most ideal round to start, but I like it and it works for me.

The Remy definitely seems the way I am going to go.
 
Look into attending a range day with your local provincial rifle association. In your case http://www.albertarifle.com/. Contact the Full Bore Target Rifle group there, and get out and see these guys shoot. Talk to the shooters and see what they are shooting before spending money on a rifle.
 
juanvaldez said:
A 3000$ budget would get a nice set up even with your glass. ?Tons of good deals on the EE as well.
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You Right on the money, personally think that the rem700SPS tactical 308 they do come in 20" , if can't find one get regular one with 26" then cut it down, redo the crown, tune the action, lap bolt lug, change stock, still very affordable to take up shooting, and have an Kick ass rifle, There is nothing wrong with Factory barrel.
 
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