Target Rifle for 100 - 300 yards -- suggestions?

G

grauhanen

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
GunNutz
Rating - 100%
178   0   0
Location
Northeastern Ontario
I'm considering a center fire target rifle for relatively short range. The ranges around here are up to 200 yards so I don't imagine shooting beyond 300. I don't yet reload and understand that it is an inevitable necessity for shooting CF and I plan to take it up when I start shooting such a rifle. My experience of late is with rimfire, and I know very well that better quality rifles like Anschutz are well worth the investment. I'm looking for suggestions about caliber and more specifically about a rifle that will be able to shoot well enough that I will be satisfied with it for years to come.

What is a good target rifle that doesn't need much fiddling and is good to go out of the box? My budget is up to around $2500 for the rifle but it is not necessary to spend it all if it's not needed. I'm looking for a rifle that I will be pleased with and won't be saying that I should have spent a little more. The scope is another topic, but my rimfire experience has taught me that optics are very important as well.

Thanks.
 
at 300 y you have a lot of choices. a .223 .308 or one of the 6 or 6.5 could all be lazers. I've not outgrown my 700 .223 as it still outshoots me.

If longevity matters savage gives you the easy diy barrel swaps.

You never said what style of shooting or comp you are in. Having tried many others, I'm now clearly in the Savage camp. Only question is do you want a model 12 (rigid acton but not box mags) or get a model 10 less rigid action as they mill out more for the box mag.

My latest is the Savage 10FCP HS Precision in .308. I'm going to DIY some bottom metal to get the 10 round aics pattern mags and mount an S&B PM2 I already had.

My 700 XCR was bought at the time when they came with the excellent 40x triggers. It wears a Jewell now but never needed it.

Both have factory installed fiberglass stocks with aluminum bedding. 700 had the B&C medalist.)

I will rarely get the chance to shoot beyond 300 and almost never get out to 1000. Both are excellent within what you said.

Depending on the exact model you choose, you will want to put emphasis on a stock & trigger. Some models come with very good triggers and stocks. Both got aftermarket DBM, the 700 because the factory internal box mag couldn't feed from go. The savage feeds as it, but has only a 4 rnd dbm. :(
 
Last edited:
I have the Tikka T3 heavy barrel in 308 with a Swarovski Z3 4X12-50. Together they are a sweet package. Together with mounts and rings you will be about $2500 - $3000. Great for 100, 200, 300 +. Look them both up. That's my thoughts. Hope that helps.
 
I really don't like remingtons, but it sounds like you would be very well served by a higher end remington 700 in 223. Because you are not hunting with it get something with a heavy or bull barrel. The big plus is low recoil and cheaper ammo.
 
I'd jump on this ... if you are ready to get into reloading....
[h=2]Sako 75 Stainless Laminate Varminter 6mm PPC[/h]
someone has it in the Precision rifles EE right now. Has a Kreiger barrel
 
Thanks for the replies. I don't shoot competitively and this is for shooting off a rest or bipod.

The Remington 700 seems to be getting a few nods. Where is the 700 5R available in .223? Which other Remington 700 models are worth considering?

Are there any other makes/models that deserve attention? Savage?

Anschutz makes a .223, the 1771 http://www.nordicmarksman.com/1771-D-Walnut-German-223-REM.html
and the 1771 GRS h t t p:/ /jga.anschuetz-sport.com/index.php5?produktID=1193&menu=262&sprache=1&produktShow=detail
Thoughts on these?
 
bsamartin said:
This...
I recently purchased a Remington 700 5R (gen1) with a 24" barrel in 223. I love the gun. It shoots like a laser, no kick, and the cost/selection of ammo is great. I paid ~$1200 new, so with your budget that leaves lots of cash for a really nice scope.
Click to expand...

my .223 tactical, Magpul Hunter stock and Magazine, Weaver Tactical3-15X30MM side focus scope, Harris bi-pod, tactical bolt knob, timney trigger.

IMG_3062_zpsvus7chjl.jpg
[/URL][/IMG]
 
The Anschutz 1771 is a very nice rifle and very accurate but its about twice what that Sako 75 in 6ppc is selling for and the Sako will shoot much Much better than the Anschutz out to 300m. The Sako is a little heavy but would also handle deer nicely. An even cheaper option is the Remington 700 R5....but after tax...maybe not that much cheaper....and certainly not any more accurate as the Sako...fwiw.
 
Nice to see some love for the 700 in here. I just got mine, I'm a new shooter but I'm hitting dead center out to 200 yards. Vortex Viper and I just installed this knockoff bipod from TrueNorthArms.


oQ8Lcf6.jpg
 
grauhanen said:
I'm considering a center fire target rifle for relatively short range. The ranges around here are up to 200 yards so I don't imagine shooting beyond 300. I don't yet reload and understand that it is an inevitable necessity for shooting CF and I plan to take it up when I start shooting such a rifle. My experience of late is with rimfire, and I know very well that better quality rifles like Anschutz are well worth the investment. I'm looking for suggestions about caliber and more specifically about a rifle that will be able to shoot well enough that I will be satisfied with it for years to come.

What is a good target rifle that doesn't need much fiddling and is good to go out of the box? My budget is up to around $2500 for the rifle but it is not necessary to spend it all if it's not needed. I'm looking for a rifle that I will be pleased with and won't be saying that I should have spent a little more. The scope is another topic, but my rimfire experience has taught me that optics are very important as well.
Click to expand...

Here is what I know about it. You really should make a decisions as to what is most important to you, 100 yards or 300 yards. If you really want to print small groups at 100 yards, you need a slow twist barrel (like 1 in 14") that is chambered with a short throat that is suitable to get the bullet to the lands with a lighter weight and shorter bullet. On the other hand 300 yards is getting out there, and wind starts to become a big factor. Higher BC and heavier bullets win the day at 300 yards. These require a faster twist like 1 in 8".

If you have to compromise, my suggestion is to go with the faster twist, and sacrifice a little accuracy at 100 yards, if you are not in fierce competition with the custom gun folk. The basic premise is that with a fast twist, bullets that are not perfectly balanced rotate around their center of gravity after they leave the barrel, and basically jump into a bit of a wobble as soon as they leave the barrel. But, bullets today are much better balanced, so the effect is not as great as it used to be.

Considering this what would I get off the shelf for your stated requirements?

Gun: Savage 12 F Class in 6BR Norma, 30 in barrel, Target Action, Accutrigger user adjustable down to 6 oz

1319663106017Savage_Model12_FClass1.jpg


Scope: Sightron SII 36x42 BRD, 36 fixed power, 1/8 dot reticle, 1/8 MOA adjustment, 60 MOA adjustment range

product_SII-36x42BRD.jpg


This might stretch your budget just a touch, but if you shop around, probably not too much. I have a Savage LRPV in 6BR, 12 twist. It is very good but not perfect for shooting off the bench. The stock is not ideal and the 12 F Class is much better for a full benchrest with the straight bottom rear, and flat 3" wide bottom front end. The 12 twist is good for my needs in bullets, but Savage put a throat in suitable for 8 twist bullets, or in other words too long. That causes some issues with shorter, lighter bullets. On the other hand I like my right bolt, left eject action. The AccuTrigger is great, and close to a full custom in pull. This is an example of three consequtive three shot groups at 100 meters.

68BergerS14-10C.jpg
'

I have a Remington 700 as well, which I am currently rebarreling. In my opinion the Remington 700 is no where near the Savage Target Action in quality level. Savage sell their target action alone, and you could put a cut rifled Bartlein or Krieger barrel on it, and do even better than an off the shelf Savage, but you would probably blow your budget by quite a bit...
 
Having seen your preference toward high end rimfires and air rifles in other threads I dont think you will be very impressed with most of what is being recommended. If you wait and watch the EE a Sako TRG, Sauer SSG 3000, T3 Sporter etc with turn up for a fair price.
 
The Savage mod 10 FCPK or the Rem 700 SPS Varmint will be excellent choices at less than 950 and less than MOA out of the box with Factory Fed 69 gr Gold Medal Match.

I have both.
 
6ppc is the undisputed king of 100m shooting IMO.

6br is the undisputed king of 300m shooting IMO.

A well built rifle is a well built rifle. Caliber choice if far more important than rifle choice for you.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom