Out of the box Tac driver

IMHO Savage by far will serve your needs especially at the price point. Get a model with accutrigger and accustock. They're not the prettiest rifles, but man do they shoot.
 
Remington M700SS 5R Mil Spec
M700SSR5-3.jpg
 
Brand loyal BS.

Taken as a whole, these guns all shoot the same. Some from a particular brand shoot well, some shoot poorly and the majority shoot somewhere in between. The gun is only a small part of the equation when shooting at 500 meters. Precision reloading and the ability to read conditions are all essential. ...if you have to ask.

Buy something you like and remember that more money does NOT mean more accurate.
 
The most accurate rifle I have ever shot and own is a remington 5r milspec. 308. It shoots really tight groups and it doesn't seem to matter what I load for it. It has shot 150's,165's, 168's and 175 gr. bullets all under an inch at 100 yds.
 
Obtunded said:
Brand loyal BS.

Taken as a whole, these guns all shoot the same. Some from a particular brand shoot well, some shoot poorly and the majority shoot somewhere in between. The gun is only a small part of the equation when shooting at 500 meters. Precision reloading and the ability to read conditions are all essential. ...if you have to ask.

Buy something you like and remember that more money does NOT mean more accurate.
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Near spit my coffee on my keyboard! :D

If I want real accuracy I generally rebarrel with a match grade barrel, then upgrade to a match grade stock (I like McMillan). The tuperware stocks are marginal at best IMHO.

Though it might be brand loyal BS I would prefer to start with a used Remington then build from there.

Accuracy is one thing....Consistency is another.

Though it goes without saying that you need top accuracy, its not the rifle that makes the long range shot.
 
Obtunded said:
Brand loyal BS.

Taken as a whole, these guns all shoot the same. Some from a particular brand shoot well, some shoot poorly and the majority shoot somewhere in between. The gun is only a small part of the equation when shooting at 500 meters. Precision reloading and the ability to read conditions are all essential. ...if you have to ask.

Buy something you like and remember that more money does NOT mean more accurate.
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This is really a surprising comment, especially given your line of business. Match grade barrels, proper stocks, bedding, chamber etc all have more of an influence on accuracy than ammo, imo. A decent reload vs atop quality reload won't make that much difference in a crappy rifle. YMMV.
 
Before I opined on which rifle best suits your needs, I would need to know what it is you intend to hunt. There is a world of difference between a 500 yard prairie dog and a 500 yard moose. The prairie dog rifle by necessity would need to shoot half-minute groups to stay on the target at 500 yards, but the moose rifle would only need to stay within 4 MOA to get the job done.
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:agree:

Also, unless you have some good shooting skills, you won't even know if you have a Tack Driver never mind hitting small critters @500 yds.
 
I don't know what you're planning on shooting, but I just got a marlin XS7 in 7mm-08 and it's incredibly accurate, my first try at loading for it produced approx. 1/2 MOA groups.

Marlin1.jpg
 
500 yds ??

Is is really nice to talk accuracy and groups, but keep in mind your average calliber hunting rifle will drop 40-50 inches maybe more at 500 yds. Then you have to factor in cross winds. Do you realy want to take that chance on a big game animal who might be on the move partially obscured. Makes no sense to me. A wise comment made earlier was to put up a target at that distance in real hunting terrain and give it a try. Much different than shooting off a bench. Paint your life size animal on a piece of plywood and give her a try. Then get back to us.
 
Just as a point of interest on the topic, on HBC there was a video clip a while ago of a shot taken on an Elk in the 700-800 yard range. There were a number of 'aspects' of taking that shot I questioned and after some online dialogue with a few guys I was invited to 'try it out' with them at the military range in Naniamo. Suffice is to say, the experience was an eye opener and changed my prospective somewhat. It's amazing what can be done long range with the appropiate equipment and experience of guys that know what they are doing.
 
MuleyMadness said:
That my friend, is simply not even true. Turrets and a range finder are absolutely meaningless without a rifle that can shoot 1/2 MOA (if shooting gophers and the like). If it can't do it, all the fancy lasers and glass in the world won't help you hit the target, and 500 yards is a hell of a long shot to be able to group decently at without an inherently accurate rifle. I wouldn't be trying it too often with a basic 700 nor a Vanguard (unless it's the sub-MOA model) as in my experience, they just don't get it done without a lot of customizing. Remember we're talking about a 2.5" group at 500 yards, not just hitting a 20" gong.
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been there done that with off the self rifles with nothing done but the triggers. work up a good load and run it over the crony make a drop chart dian in and shoot. most times you have to tweak the chart or load but then your good.
 
Boomer said:
Before I opined on which rifle best suits your needs, I would need to know what it is you intend to hunt. There is a world of difference between a 500 yard prairie dog and a 500 yard moose. The prairie dog rifle by necessity would need to shoot half-minute groups to stay on the target at 500 yards, but the moose rifle and shooter would only need to stay within 4 MOA to get the job done.
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Fixed it for ya...nobody should be shooting critters at 500yrds with a 4moa rifle, it leaves the shooter with zero room for error on a 20 inch target. no offence.
 
Hunting at 500 Yds you have to remember you are trying to penetrate Bone and tissue you are not punching paper. Quality optics will also come into play at these distances a $99 Ching Dong scope will not cut it. I am using a .300RUM with quality optics rings etc... and with lots of range time 500yds is still a long shot on an Elk.
Pete.....
 
Sask_Hunter said:
been there done that with off the self rifles with nothing done but the triggers. work up a good load and run it over the crony make a drop chart dian in and shoot. most times you have to tweak the chart or load but then your good.
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Yes but you are assuming any rifle is built to the tolerances and with the level of quality control that you can hit a 8" dish shot after shot after shot...and an awful lot of rifles out there aren't consistently capable of that. I agree as long as your intended rifle is accurate to 1.5MOA or so those other two are very important parts, however if it's not, all the fancy turrets and range finders aren't going to accomplish #### when trying to hunt out to 500yards...that was my point, and why I think it's vital to focus on the rifle's capabilities first.
 
one thing to take into account. I don't think he meant to say that he is going out tommorrow with the gun and expecting making 500 yard shots. I think he wants a gun that has that capability. My vote would be go the Savage route. I really like the accutrigger on mine and it is the most accurate gun I own. My Stevens is also very accurate but I have only used it out to 100 yards. If I was going for long distance Definately a new trigger and quality optics would be on the agenda. If you like to upgrade and want a good platform to start with get a savage.

But like most people on here have stated no technology can substitue for practice. Good equipment makes a good shooter better but not a bad shooter good.
 
Tell you what... get off the bench, (you won't have your bench when hunting) stand up, bring the rifle to your cheek and proceed to drive tacks. After you've done this, tell me if it is a tack driver that you need.
 
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