Opinions Wanted - Entry Level Long Range Rifle

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

I have a savage 110 Tactical with AICS bottom metal. I want to put it into a chassis. If you can find out if your action will fit into my stock, I can sell it to you.
 
For an entry level precision rifle I wouldn't go with the Savage Model 10T-SR Tactical Bolt-Action. A buddy bought one of those and the 24" barrel version really doesn't match that stock. I later bought the 20" version and it's a far better match for that light stock. The stock is a weakness with that rifle, although it does have an aluminum bedding block. A couple of other issues are the 0 moa rail it comes with (have fun removing that without stripping the screws) and the rubber end of the stock. The 0 moa rail is slightly too long, couple that with the extra thick rubber and you might have an issue with certain scopes that have less than 3.5" of eye relief. The combination makes it awkward. I attempted to remove my rail and stripped the screws, so to a gun smith mine will have to go. The aftermarket rail with 20 moa will however cure the issue with the 3.0 " eye relief scope and the rail being too long. You can't position the scope properly. This also depends on the scope you choose. So your mileage may very.

For an inexpensive light tactical target rifle, I like the 20" version. But personally I wouldn't bother with the 24". the 20" with a good 3-9X scope and the above mod and it's a nice light tactical target rifle. Once you start looking at changing out stocks etc the cost can skyrocket very quickly. It's usually far more economical to get as close as you can to your end goal from the factory (Although there are some exceptions to this). Personally I try to keep the modding down to a dull roar. I don't want to end up with extremely expensive modding rifle, when for a bit more, or possibly less I could have just bought the high end rifle I'm trying to make the lower cost rifle compare with. Again just my thoughts and many love modding up their rifles. It is fun, but I do find it expensive.

I would consider looking for the gen1 5R milspec. It has a green/black HS stock with aluminum bedding block and SS bead blasted action. I wouldn't spend the extra on the gen2 unless you can get a really good deal on one. Which might be possible since 6.5 CM is the new rage and 308 doesn't seem to be selling as well. My only concern with 6.5CM vs 308 is the barrel life. Lots will give you the old factory barrel speech etc, but the 5R barrels shoot very well. This will get you going out of the box. Buy some 168 Federal gold and away you go. 155 hornady steel match seems to shoot very well out of them, along with some 175 SMK reloads I use.

There's one in the EE right now for $950. It's a good entry level rifle that shoots beyond it's price and looks.

You'll get tons of different opinion on this. I have some less expensive and some a lot more expensive. But my 5R rifles are keepers. Some will say they are just factory rifles etc etc. Read online about them. Many of us found they put a big smile on our faces. I've seen and even shot some far more expensive rifles that on paper should run circles around the 5R rifles I've shot. However the targets don't lie and don't care how much you spent.

Good luck and have fun!!
 
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Interesting comments for sure - I don't recall seeing mention of a 24" barrel being an issue when target shooting (I did notice one EE ad for a 30" barrelled Savage...).

Anyhow, at this point I'd just like to know if anyone has a 10T-SR or can either confirm or deny that the previously linked Savage 110 mag would work?
 
Interesting comments for sure - I don't recall seeing mention of a 24" barrel being an issue when target shooting (I did notice one EE ad for a 30" barrelled Savage...).

Anyhow, at this point I'd just like to know if anyone has a 10T-SR or can either confirm or deny that the previously linked Savage 110 mag would work?

I prefer a 24” barrel for target shooting. The issue is the thin light stock on the Savage doesn’t suite a longer medium heavy profile barrel very well. Once you factor in a stock change to something decent you are at the cost of a better firearm. I just think a buyer can do better for the purposes listed. I also think a 5R will take longer to grow out of or for a person to sell off. Again better long term value.
 
The issue is the thin light stock on the Savage doesn’t suite a longer medium heavy profile barrel very well. Once you factor in a stock change to something decent you are at the cost of a better firearm. I just think a buyer can do better for the purposes listed. I also think a 5R will take longer to grow out of or for a person to sell off. Again better long term value.

It's kind of disturbing shooting off the bi-pod, almost feels like it's going to tip over onto the muzzle (and would if you bump it the right way). I'm going to stuff the butt of mine with a bit of foam, and a bit of lead. That should make it feel a bit less front heavy, just need to figure out the right amount to add without turning it into a boat anchor. It's a long way from perfect, but I think I'll be able to work with it...unless I score some major deal on something used to replace it (the stock that is...maybe a BA chassis or such).
 
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It's kind of disturbing shooting off the bi-pod, almost feels like it's going to tip over onto the muzzle (and would if you bump it the right way). I'm going to stuff the butt of mine with a bit of foam, and a bit of lead. That should make it feel a bit less front heavy, just need to figure out the right amount to add without turning it into a boat anchor. It's a long way from perfect, but I think I'll be able to work with it...unless I score some major deal on something used to replace it (the stock that is...maybe a BA chassis or such).

Ouch. I’ve seen some big muzzle brakes on a few as well which can’t help. Any flex with the stock touching the barrel? Your home made “sniper fill” sounds like a good idea. Would like to hear how it works out.
 
Any flex with the stock touching the barrel? Your home made “sniper fill” sounds like a good idea. Would like to hear how it works out.

It's got some flex, but there's plenty of clearance. I suppose you could get it to touch, but you'd have to put some effort into it. I'll post re., the other once I get it done.
 
Decided to get myself a Valentines Day present on the 13th, the 10T-SR .308. Talked to Savage today and the previously mentioned 10 round mag is compatible, so I've ordered that from Bulls Eye - seem to have the best price in Canada (and the only place in Canada that has any).

Now looking at brakes, any suggestions? I've seen the Precision Armament M4-72 spoken of highly 'round these parts. How about the ATRS AR10 brake? Appears to me at least that buying the M4-72 (and a friggin' expensive washer with it) from Brownells would be around $170 Canadian before shipping - which makes the ATRS attractive...

Going to head down to KBC Tools to grab 5/8"-24 tap and die set, seen too much BS when it comes to anything threaded over the years.
 
Decided to get myself a Valentines Day present on the 13th, the 10T-SR .308. Talked to Savage today and the previously mentioned 10 round mag is compatible, so I've ordered that from Bulls Eye - seem to have the best price in Canada (and the only place in Canada that has any).

Now looking at brakes, any suggestions? I've seen the Precision Armament M4-72 spoken of highly 'round these parts. How about the ATRS AR10 brake? Appears to me at least that buying the M4-72 (and a friggin' expensive washer with it) from Brownells would be around $170 Canadian before shipping - which makes the ATRS attractive...

Going to head down to KBC Tools to grab 5/8"-24 tap and die set, seen too much BS when it comes to anything threaded over the years.

If I were shopping for another brake I'd be buying an Area 419 Hellfire from Go Big Tactical. One of the guys (possibly the owner, not positive) chimed in on a thread here recently. He impressed me with a very reasonable response to a competitor bad-mouthing his product.
 
If I were shopping for another brake I'd be buying an Area 419 Hellfire from Go Big Tactical. One of the guys (possibly the owner, not positive) chimed in on a thread here recently. He impressed me with a very reasonable response to a competitor bad-mouthing his product.

Well, there is some basis to what that competitor stated.

I have an Area 419 brake and its carbon locked right up. Sliced my hands up really good on the brake ports trying to get it unstuck, those brake ports are as sharp as steak knives. My shooting pals in Utah moved away from the Area 419 brakes and on to the Insite Heathen for similar reasons.

From my experience, and I currently own both brakes, the Insite Heathen is a more refined design.
 
Well, there is some basis to what that competitor stated.

I have an Area 419 brake and its carbon locked right up. Sliced my hands up really good on the brake ports trying to get it unstuck, those brake ports are as sharp as steak knives. My shooting pals in Utah moved away from the Area 419 brakes and on to the Insite Heathen for similar reasons.

From my experience, and I currently own both brakes, the Insite Heathen is a more refined design.

That's interesting to hear. The conversation seemed to continue offline so I wasn't sure how it would have ended.
 
That's interesting to hear. The conversation seemed to continue offline so I wasn't sure how it would have ended.

With that said, some people down south do love them, I personally just wasn't that impressed with the product. It was the #1 brake used last season in PRS, so obviously there is a contingent of people who like the brake.
 
Decided to get myself a Valentines Day present on the 13th, the 10T-SR .308. Talked to Savage today and the previously mentioned 10 round mag is compatible, so I've ordered that from Bulls Eye - seem to have the best price in Canada (and the only place in Canada that has any).

Now looking at brakes, any suggestions? I've seen the Precision Armament M4-72 spoken of highly 'round these parts. How about the ATRS AR10 brake? Appears to me at least that buying the M4-72 (and a friggin' expensive washer with it) from Brownells would be around $170 Canadian before shipping - which makes the ATRS attractive...

Going to head down to KBC Tools to grab 5/8"-24 tap and die set, seen too much BS when it comes to anything threaded over the years.

If my experience so far is any indication I think you'll enjoy it. There are few things I like more than something that works well, and is dramatically cheaper than pretty much anything available with similar features.

I was just perusing this thread again to let you know that I'd found the ten round mags in stock, and I should be able to give you an evaluation in about a week. Looks like we'll be getting them at about the same time...

Regarding brakes, here's a link to the "sticky" in black rifles, note that the latest, greatest, and most important coolest, brakes don't necessarily perform much better than the inexpensive brakes. I just got some cheepo clone thing to start off, see how it works, and go from there. I have this insane urge to get a "Cookie Cutter" just to annoy the gear heads, I suspect that I'd just annoy myself with it intruding into my sight plane though.

https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/1213917-5-56-Muzzle-devices
 
If my experience so far is any indication I think you'll enjoy it. There are few things I like more than something that works well, and is dramatically cheaper than pretty much anything available with similar features.

I was just perusing this thread again to let you know that I'd found the ten round mags in stock, and I should be able to give you an evaluation in about a week. Looks like we'll be getting them at about the same time...

She won't be getting a workout for a little bit, gotta get the optic and a few other bits before then - but I'm fairly happy with what I've seen so far. The stock is quite solid for synthetic/plastic. The action is nice and smooth, sure the bolt handle is a bit big but that's hardly an issue.

Re. the mag, if the Savage rep said they'll fit, I believe them. And based off of all the positive comments about the Savage reps being knowledgeable I'd tend to agree, the person I talked to wasn't one to just say "yeah it fits, but it". If mine ships today, it's supposed to arrive by the 20th.

With there being a few Canadian made options for brakes, I'll probably purchase one of those rather than dealing with all the usual stuff that comes with importing/exchange rates/duty, etc...
 
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