Reasonable target riffle?

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katanaa

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Hey all. I'm thinking about a reasonable target rifle. But as always I already have a couple in mind. I like the looks of the savage model 12 F/TR, Savage model 12F, and the Ruger mini14 target with the thumbhole stock. I like the idea of the 223 win caliber as it is cheap and I'm already setup to reload it. I also like the 308win caliber because although more expensive than the 223 ammo it too is cheaper than most other calibers. The ballistics of the 6.5x284 Norma are alluring too, but I'm not setup for that and I have a feeling it will be a costly caliber since it is only used for F-class shooting.

What are people's thoughts?

Right now all I have is a TC pro hunter in .223rem and the burning antler gun (weatherby vanguard S2 for those who missed the 399$ sale at wholesale last year) in 308. Admittedly I can barely group either of those at 1moa at 100m. So I have a lot of practice to go. Thanks for your input.
 
Oh yes and I'd like to stay in that 1500$ price range which also makes me lean away from the 6.5x284 Norma as that is in the Savage model 12F which is 300$ more than the 12F/TR for some reason.
 
223 is nice for target shooting out to about 300-400 yds, 308 can reach out to 600-800 yds nicely.

Yes yes I know, there are gonna be people who talk about shooting 223 out to 1000 yds in a rainbow trajectory and hitting the target... but the point is is that 308 is better than 223 if you want to go waaaay out and if you aren't going past 300-400 yds then 223 is fine and as you know, cheaper.

btw, if you are already reloading, you are gonna want to reload whatever you choose so price of ammo is less of an issue unless the projectiles are significantly different in price.
 
Thanks canmic. I know that reloading will make ammo cheaper but I still cringe at the price of brass. I've been buying cheap loaded ammo so far to get my brass. So with the 6.5x284 the initial cost is more what I'm opposed to.

Is the 6.5x284 the better choice for longer than 800m?

Also any thoughts on if the mini14 target model is any good for say 500m?

And while I'm typing any thoughts on the 80gr 223 in a 1:7" 30" barrel for those 1000m attempts?
 
If I am shooting a 308 and get beat at 900M by someone shooting a 6.5/284, it is not because I'm shooting a 308. It is because I am not shooting well enough. If I get blown out of the five, it isn't because I'm shooting a 308, it's because I misjudged the wind. While it is not, perhaps, the ideal, the 80 grain in a 7 twist 223 will work at long range; as has been demonstrated by many shooters for many years.
 
Erase the Mini14 from your mind for target work......

The savages are great choices, and, as always, here's my plug for Tikka T3 Varmint......"look for a t3 varmint".......!!!!

6.5-284 is a famous barrel killer, but yes, it'd be a lot better to 1000.

There was a model 12 FTR at TnT on consignment.......hint hint...

Both the Savage 12 and T3-V should get you in under 1500$.

If you want to be adventurous, there is a gorgeous T3 Sporter in .260Rem on the EE right now.... asking 1600$ I think.

I know nothing about the .223, but I do remember guys talking about the need for a faster twist for heavier pills for 1000.

If you ever wanted to compete in F-TR you need either .223 or .308.
 
Thanks Gunnygoogoo. I was at TNT yesterday looking at that very gun. I thought it was new but it was on the bottom row. Mainly I thought it was new was because the price was the same as they are listed on Cabela's website as new. That one at TNT is in 308.
 
My friend just bought a used Savage FTR 308 for $900 and it's an amazing rifle, with the right load (he's shooting Sierra Matchkings 175 and Ramshot TAC powder) and he's easily sub .5 MOA
 
katanaa said:
Thanks Gunnygoogoo. I was at TNT yesterday looking at that very gun. I thought it was new but it was on the bottom row. Mainly I thought it was new was because the price was the same as they are listed on Cabela's website as new. That one at TNT is in 308.
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Thought it was used...?? I could be wrong...

I'm out of the market cause I have more precision guns than I do time, but if your not set on competing, or wanted to do f-open, that .260 sporter would be my choice.

Now, if you really wanna break the bank there is a SICK t3 with a GRS stock on the EE. It's from here in SK, and he's asking 3000$. 6.5CM. Again, if I was in the market it'd already be in my safe....

My apologies to your kids college fund.
 
.22 Cal is nice for NB so you can shoot prettymuch wherever you want all seasons of the year. The ruger mini can be built to handle a lot like an ar 15, would be my pick if i was plinking.
 
Forget the Mini 14. Go with the Savage in .223, but make sure it has the 1:7" twist barrel. This will allow you to shoot 80 and 90 gr bullets. The 80 gr .223 bullet will shoot as well or better than a 155 gr .308 bullet all the way out to 1000 yards. In fact the elevation changes between the 155 and the 80 gr bullets are within 1 MOA at every distance from 300 yards to 1000 yards. And the 80's are slightly better in the wind when comparing them to 155 gr SMK bullets. The only drawback is that the .223 bullet holes are harder to find on the target than the .30 cal bullets. The target marker has to be on his/her toes. At the DCRA annual matches in Ottawa there is a whole set of matches dedicated to the .223 only.

If you want a 6.5-.284, count on putting on a new barrel every 1200 rounds. The .223 or .308 will need a new barrel every 4000-5000 rounds.
 
Well thanks again for the info. I've actually been looking at those Tikka sporterT3 at wholesale but it seems they only come in right handed models. However I just looked at their website and they now come in left handed models. I do like the grey laminate more than that orange that tikka has chosen to use. I will keep an open mind though.

Does any one know why the savage model 12 in 308 only has a 1:12 twist? I would have thought for long range targets you'd want to shoot the 208gr match bullets no?
 
What is your definition of a target rifle. 3/4, 1/2, less 1/2MOA? at what distances?

If you go by the simple def. using the 1/2 MOA challenge (1st sticky thread) anything in the 30cal won't be cheap (coyote and custom rifles listed is expensive).
katanaa said:
Hey all. I'm thinking about a reasonable target rifle...
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katanaa said:
Thanks canmic. I know that reloading will make ammo cheaper but I still cringe at the price of brass. I've been buying cheap loaded ammo so far to get my brass. So with the 6.5x284 the initial cost is more what I'm opposed to.
Click to expand...

When you start pushing the limits of range, reloading isn't just about saving money. cheap bulk ammo just isn't as tight and the variances will open up your groups. Also with loading you can tune the load for your specific gun and that will also tighten things up.

All that said, until you can out-shoot the rifle/ammo combo, it's all about getting more practice so starting out with reloadable bulk to get your brass is a cheap way to get yourself to the point where you can outshoot the bulk ammo.

I haven't shot 6.5. When I was doing the really long range shooting I used 308 (M82 / C3A1) out to about 800m then moved up to the Barret M82A1 (yes it was confusing back then when people would say "The M82 sniper rifle")
 
Guneegoogoo. I found those two riffles in the EE and yes that one t3 custom build is a sweet gun and I'd be interested in it more if it wasn't a right hand grip.

A funny side note on that gun. Do any of you recall that blue black or white gold dress photo that went viral about a year ago. The photos of that gun started a similar debate among my family tonight. My wife though it was a really nice gold gun and refused to believe it was blue and grey.
 
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