Opinions Wanted - Entry Level Long Range Rifle

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7ECA

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Alright folks, I'm looking for opinions and advice in regard to an entry level long range rifle setup.

I've been looking at the Cabela's special "Savage Model 10T-SR Tactical Bolt-Action Rifle with Threaded Barrel", specifically the .308 calibre model. Based on the reviews it seems like a decent entry level .308 rifle, and if you search around online there are folks saying that as a stock rifle it is capable of longer range shooting.

It's also $200 off until the fourteenth, so that's never a bad thing.

https://www.cabelas.ca/product/102309/savage-arms-model-10t-sr-tactical-bolt-action-rifle-with-threaded-barrel

As for optics, I'm more of a milsurp iron sights kind of guy, so I don't really know what to look at. I was thinking something in the $500-$600 range? I've looked at this particular scope for a while and read about the benefits of fixed magnification - and being that it was designed for .308/7.62 Nato and military application is it a sensible choice or are there options out there that make more sense? The optic in question is a Hakko 10x42mm.

https://www.corwin-arms.com/product/ex-israeli-hakko-10×42-rifle-scopes

I'm aware most people who are serious about long range shooting will upgrade the stock/chassis of the rifle, and depending on how serious I am about this longer range stuff I may consider the Oryx chassis in the future... I'm also aware that if you want to shoot beyond 1000 yards .308 isn't the best choice.

Thanks in advance for your input.

Edit: Considering what has been said throughout, maybe this would be a good choice for an optic:

Vortex Diamondback Tactical FFP 6-24x50mm MRAD.

https://www.cabelas.ca/product/119103/vortex-diamondback-tactical-ffp-riflescopes
 
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i have a 10TR in 308 and i really like it, i am not an experienced long range shooter but have shot it out to 1000yds successfully.
excellent bang for the buck in my opinion.
can't comment on the scope though.
 
Not sure what your budget is, but if it were me I'd be putting that action into an MDT ESS chassis. (they have a killer black Friday sale to keep in mind for the future).

As for scopes, Cabelas has a Vortex Viper HS 6-24x50mm on sale for $750 which is a good scope for the money.
 
As much as I'm sure the MDT chassis are excellent for customizing rifles, the price is a bit more than I'd like to get into - especially as a beginner, and likely a hobbyist at that.

And sure the Orxy chassis isn't really much cheaper, but it's an all in one set, which appeals to my more frugal (read cheap) side.

I'd imagine not many people are playing around with those Hakko scopes; how about the Vortex Diamondback Tactical FFP 6-24x50mm MOA or MRAD?

https://www.cabelas.ca/product/119103/vortex-diamondback-tactical-ffp-riflescopes
 
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7ECA said:
As much as I'm sure the MDT chassis are excellent for customizing rifles, the price is a bit more than I'd like to get into - especially as a beginner, and likely a hobbyist at that.

And sure the Orxy chassis isn't really much cheaper, but it's an all in one set, which appeals to my more frugal (read cheap) side.

I'd imagine not many people are playing around with those Hakko scopes; how about the Vortex Diamondback Tactical FFP 6-24x50mm MOA or MRAD?

https://www.cabelas.ca/product/119103/vortex-diamondback-tactical-ffp-riflescopes
Click to expand...

Get the 4–14x FFP Diamondback. Should be a bit cheaper and be plenty if magnification for you out to 1000.

Get MRAD. Virtually all LR shooters use it for a reason.
 
If possible I’d suggest trying to focus the budget on optics. As you shop you realize there’s a bunch of price brackets and if with some of the newer scopes on the market the value tipping point seems to be around $1500-2000. There’s certainly gains to be had above that price point but the law of diminishing returns start to really kick in and you get maybe 10% gain for 50% more money. Below that tipping point there’s fairly significant gains every time you step up a price bracket. That doesn’t mean you need to spend $2k on a scope but if you have to be in a lower bracket be realistic about what you’re giving up. At a given price point smaller magnification ranges (erector range) will tend to be better, smaller lenses will be tend to be better quality, that kind of thing. The other things you give up at lower price points are durability and when you get in the lower price points the scope may not dial accuractly or consistently so that’s something to be aware of and can be somewhat overcome by using a reticle instead provided you have a good mil/MOA based reticle.
 
Thanks for all the replies, giving me lots to consider optics-wise.

I think I'm set on the Savage as the basis for this foray into longer range shooting - with the possibility of an eventual upgrade into an Oryx chassis if the accustock isn't a good fit.

As for optics, I'm assuming a warranty-less mil-spec'd scope made by a defunct Japanese optics manufacture isn't a good option... If you were to get a Vortex (and I know that seems to be a pretty dirty word for some around here) would the Diamondback Tactical FFP 6-24x50mm in MRAD be a good starter optic, or does the increase in magnification not really justify the increase price from the 4-16x50mm MOA?

Also, does anyone know if Magpul PMAG would work in place of the Savage 4-rounder?

https://www.cabelas.ca/product/106883/magpul-pmag-10-round-762-ac-magazine
 
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My RPR is wearing a sightron s-tac in 4-16 x 44 I bought from Jerry @ Mystic Precision. tracks reliably and the glass is great. its 2nd focal plan but if i'm shooting long range I keep it set at the highest magnification so I don't consider it a draw back.
 
7ECA said:
... would the Diamondback Tactical FFP 6-24x50mm in MRAD be a good starter optic, ...
Click to expand...

In my opinion, yes. There will be lots of arguments for better scopes but they will all cost more. There's nothing wrong with making the best of a budget rather than going into debt in order to get gear you can't afford and might not even have the experience to appreciate the differences. Vortex makes good scopes. So do a bunch of other brands. At the price point of the Diamondback though, I don't think there's a better option. If you're planning on punching paper and hitting steel at long range I don't see any benefits to going with the lower magnification range if the higher magnification range is within the budget.
 
For starting out, what you are looking at are good choices. The Savage is a great beginner choice for sure. Definitely a sub MOA rifle. And the 6-24 Diamondback Tactical is also a good beginner choice. I used a 6-24 Diamondback and an out of the box Bergara HMR in in a match last fall and got 4th out of 26 guys. Beat some rigs worth over 5× my setup. The Diamondback will not have the best tracking. But you can just leave the turrets alone and use the reticle for elevation at worst if it comes to that. For sure go with the 6-24 over the 4-16. It's well under $100 price difference between the 2 so why not.
 
I don't think that model will take the AICS mags unfortunately. But I have seen a Savage 10TR at cabelas that does come ready for AICS mags. If you intend to do any competition the 10 round AICS is very nice to have.
 
7ECA said:
Alright folks, I'm looking for opinions and advice in regard to an entry level long range rifle setup.

I've been looking at the Cabela's special "Savage Model 10T-SR Tactical Bolt-Action Rifle with Threaded Barrel", specifically the .308 calibre model. Based on the reviews it seems like a decent entry level .308 rifle, and if you search around online there are folks saying that as a stock rifle it is capable of longer range shooting.

It's also $200 off until the fourteenth, so that's never a bad thing.

https://www.cabelas.ca/product/102309/savage-arms-model-10t-sr-tactical-bolt-action-rifle-with-threaded-barrel

As for optics, I'm more of a milsurp iron sights kind of guy, so I don't really know what to look at. I was thinking something in the $500-$600 range? I've looked at this particular scope for a while and read about the benefits of fixed magnification - and being that it was designed for .308/7.62 Nato and military application is it a sensible choice or are there options out there that make more sense? The optic in question is a Hakko 10x42mm.

https://www.corwin-arms.com/product/ex-israeli-hakko-10×42-rifle-scopes

I'm aware most people who are serious about long range shooting will upgrade the stock/chassis of the rifle, and depending on how serious I am about this longer range stuff I may consider the Oryx chassis in the future... I'm also aware that if you want to shoot beyond 1000 yards .308 isn't the best choice.

Thanks in advance for your input.

Edit: Considering what has been said throughout, maybe this would be a good choice for an optic:

Vortex Diamondback Tactical FFP 6-24x50mm MRAD.

https://www.cabelas.ca/product/119103/vortex-diamondback-tactical-ffp-riflescopes
Click to expand...

The Savages will work in a pinch. Usually shoot decent for the dollar. That model doesn't appear to be compatible with AICS magazines, so the Magpul you mention probably won't work.

As for scopes, there are far, far better scopes available for the money than that Vortex. The fixed SWFA SS line are known for accurate, durable tracking and have decent clarity for the dollar. They may not be as "feature rich" as the Vortex, but I'd far rather have a scope that actually tracks, and continues to track, than "nice features"... SWFA has a couple big sales annually, when the 10x goes for $250USD, with a half decent set of rings and a level.
 
Any ideas then as to what sort of magazine would be compatible, in the 10 round size area?

I'd hate to purchase this rifle, only to find out your stuck with the 4 rounder...

Thanks again to everyone for the opinions and comments. Based on what I'm seeing I'll likely go with the rifle/optic combo as mentioned.
 
7ECA said:
Any ideas then as to what sort of magazine would be compatible, in the 10 round size area?

I'd hate to purchase this rifle, only to find out your stuck with the 4 rounder...

Thanks again to everyone for the opinions and comments. Based on what I'm seeing I'll likely go with the rifle/optic combo as mentioned.
Click to expand...

It’s proprietary mags for that gun.

If you put it in a chassis later, it can take AICS mags depending on chassis.
 
Being one of your Match Directors on the firing line(s) at various steel and paper matches, I’ve seen them Savage 4 rounders in action.....sure was funny! :evil:

So a client with a Savage factory proprietary 4 rounder purchased a couple of spares and brought them to Garrison Petawawa. I asked him about future upgrades to the Savage platform and he mentioned that at home he was practicing his magazine reloads with them factory 4 rounders and life is / was good, UNTIL.... Sunday’s PR Match 200m Rapid Follow Up. At this match one has to get TWO rounds off at two different figure 14 targets in 8 seconds, all that while running your bolt to get that second shot off.

During that stressful series of target exposures (5 of them , 8 seconds each) our Savage four round shooter was so engaged he forgot to change mags after exposure number 2. So the rig goes “click” at round number 5 or exposure number 3. As he fumbled the mag change he got one shot off as the handheld dual figure 14 target descended to the Butts.

I cannot recall the next exposure because I was breaking a rib laughing.....on the final magazine change he grabbed the empty four rounder, things only got worse! Hahahahaha :cool:

Nope, I did not give him a re-shoot, since it was caused by operator error and not target irregularities !

His friends on the next target lane began chirping at him to buy a chassis as I cleared the firing line..... two PR matches later, he upgraded to an (shameless plug here....) MDT ESS set up with 10 rounders!

Go to school on this experience my fellow PR(S) shooters! Lesson learned!

Oh BTW, he sold the factory stock and 4 rounders and recovered a bunch of $$ in that transaction! :eek:

Cheers, Barney

:wave:
 
Okay, so the AICS patterned mags won't work unless you either swap out the bottom metal or get a chassis - for the Cabela's model 10T-SR.

But, looking at the Savage 110, which Cabela's also sells it has the same bottom mag release but a ten round mag (it doesn't appear to have the AICS styled bottom metal). So, in theory if one bought a mag like this from Savage it would work, maybe...?

https://store.savagearms.com/produc...6.5-CRE-SHORT-MATTE-BLUED-10-SHOT.html?cid=20
 
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