Thoughts on Precision Rifle

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djmay71

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Going to be purchasing a precision rifle next. May be used for a future in F-class/Factory F-Class competition.

Choices are:

1) Remington 700 SPS DM in 7mm Rem Mag
2) Savage 11/111 FCXP3 in 7mm Rem Mag
3) Norinco M305 w/ Promag Archangel M305 Precision Stock in 308 Win.

And yes, obviously the Norinco choice wouldn't be able to run in the Factory F-Class.

Thoughts? Are there other rifles I should be considering- taking into account an $1800 budget including glass and accessories?
 
Get a cheap 700 and put the rest into glass. Then slowly as you get more funds you can tune up the rifle. At least this way you can get shooting.
 
Any of the rifles you list would be very poor choices for F(F) competition.
There might be someone competing in F(F) with a 7mmRM rifle. If not, you could be the first.
You need to do some research about F-Class. You could start at www.ontariorifleassociation.ca, and www.dcra.ca. You are in Eastern Ontario; perhaps you could get to an ORA shoot in the Kingston area. Or make the trip to Borden.

You are going to need to handload. Factory made precision ammunition is not inexpensive, and you will be shooting a fair bit of it. The least expensive target grade ammunition I have used was Hornady .308/155gr AMAX, and it was a buck and a half a shot. Outstanding accuracy.
Least expensive rifle that would serve the purpose would be a Remington/Savage/Tikka with a heavy barrel. .308 or .260 would be good choices. For F-Class you do not need a detachable magazine. You do need a dependable scope with repeatable adjustments. I have seen very good work done with a fixed 12x Leupold varmint scope with target turrets and adjustable objective. The Weaver KT-15 would also serve. The sky is the limit for optics.
 
Shooting in TR, F Class competitions require about 48-60 rounds a day. Handloading is a must for top level competition. Cost of ammo, felt recoil, barrel life and range safety template should all be considered when choosing a rilfe. Not all DND ranges are templated for magnum ammo.

If I was just getting into the game, I would look at a fast twist 1:8" or a 1:7" .223. Which leaves you with the choice between a Tikka or a Savage.

Like tiriaq said, start with the Ontario Rifle Association and take one of the Introductory Days.
 
Yes, a fast twist .223 would be a fine choice, and either the Tikka or savage would be good choices.
 
There are many very good reasons to choose either a fast-twist .223, or a .308. Any other calibre is possible but you would be disadvantaging yourself (added cost, more difficult to learn to shoot well soon, more work and/or expense in figuring out how to make good-enough ammo). It is dead-easy to make good accurate ammo for the .308 (it is more work to get a .223 to shoot to its top capabilities - because of the smaller size it ends up being say "40% fussier" about all the things you do). A .223 is nicer to shoot recoil-wise etc though the .308 can certainly be learnt sooner or later.
 
Consider a Savage Model 12 FTR with a Bushnell Elite 10-24 scope. If you shop used you will come in under budget and have a rifle you can compete with, just like the US Palma team... Check it out.

djmay71 said:
Going to be purchasing a precision rifle next. May be used for a future in F-class/Factory F-Class competition.

Choices are:

1) Remington 700 SPS DM in 7mm Rem Mag
2) Savage 11/111 FCXP3 in 7mm Rem Mag
3) Norinco M305 w/ Promag Archangel M305 Precision Stock in 308 Win.

And yes, obviously the Norinco choice wouldn't be able to run in the Factory F-Class.

Thoughts? Are there other rifles I should be considering- taking into account an $1800 budget including glass and accessories?
Click to expand...
 
So, you have a budget of $1800 including glass, rings, bases, bipod, rear bag etc. Buy a good scope - consider a Sightron Siii ( speak to Mystic Precision ) and see if you can pick up a Remington 700 / Savage off the EE. Forget 7mm Rem Mag and go with .223 or .308 so you can shoot F/TR. Save another $500 or so and see your options broaden. Oh, and by the way, drop the idea of a M14-style rifle.
 
I intend to enter some competition with my Nemesis Vanquish 308 this year, never to late to go for it... JP.
 
I have a Savage Axis in 223: would it be a sufficent rifle to compete in F-class? Its currently wearing a 4-9x40 Bushnell. If the Axis I have is good, I'll put the $1800 into better glass, bipod, and trigger.
 
djmay71 said:
I have a Savage Axis in 223: would it be a sufficent rifle to compete in F-class? Its currently wearing a 4-9x40 Bushnell. If the Axis I have is good, I'll put the $1800 into better glass, bipod, and trigger.
Click to expand...

You have a 1:9 twist, this is optimized for 69 gn bullets but will handle 77gn SMK's

you can use this for F-TR but it is marginal, I would suggest you start your first year with this and then migrate to a .308 after you have spent some time at ORA practices and matches.

The glass and the bipod can be used on your next rifle
 
How accurate is your Axis? If it is accurate, you could use it to get your feet wet. 69 and 77 SMKs aren't optimum for F(F) or F(TR), but you could have fun.
Your Bushnell isn't going to cut it. You really want something with target knobs and parallax adjustment.
Get a low swivel Harris bipod. It will work.
Don't spend any money upgrading the Axis. It is what it is. The silk purse analogy applies.
 
so it seems like you budget is 1800... if you just want somthing factoy, look at the savage model12 LRPV, in .223 with the 1:7, so you would be able to shoot the heavies they come in around 1200 but i had a hell of a time finding mine when i bought it (ended up waiting 7months after ordering) goin with a .223 has a few advantages, less recoil, cheaper to shoot, longer barrel life

this would only leave round 600 for a scope, but if you dont mind squeezing a few extra dollers out of your wallet you would be iin the sightron range of things and would have a very capable off the shelf rig.
 
Thanks for the advice.

Everything taken into consideration: I think I'll stick with the Savage, and but on a bipod and scope on there.

What sort of scopes should I be considering? I've done some digging myself, and I'd be more than comfortable purchasing any one of these scopes.
Point me in the right direction, though, if I'm looking at the wrong stuff here.

The (potential) scope contenders are:

1) Leupold VX-3L 4.5-14x50

...and thats all I found.

EDIT: Also- I got wondering- if there such thing as a swivel stud mount monopod?
 
djmay71 said:
EDIT: Also- I got wondering- if there such thing as a swivel stud mount monopod?
Click to expand...

yes there is, check out CTK precission

i have one of the mono pods, very nicely machined and made but after using it for a few shots, i swaped back to a rear bag, i find the bag to be more comfortable and allows for quicker targer accuasition.


how much $ left over in your budget for glass after getting the savage you choose? or are u sticking with your axis, and spending your whole budget on glass?
 
Whatever scope you pick it should have Target knobs and repeatable adjustments. If it were me I'd buy a 700 for about $600 then use the left over $1,000 for glass. Buy as good a scope as possible as it will be the first thing you want to upgrade.
 
ultimate_monkey said:
yes there is, check out CTK precission

i have one of the mono pods, very nicely machined and made but after using it for a few shots, i swaped back to a rear bag, i find the bag to be more comfortable and allows for quicker targer accuasition.


how much $ left over in your budget for glass after getting the savage you choose? or are u sticking with your axis, and spending your whole budget on glass?
Click to expand...

Still undecided, although I'm considering getting the Savage 7mm Rem Mag, and tucking it away and using the .223 Axis for a year or so- then selling the Axis and using the cash from that plus whatever I can save for scoping the 7mm RM.

That or getting a Savage something in 308 (I have no clue on the model- thinking model 12), and selling the Axis for some bonus money for the scope.

Also- that CTK Precision Monopod- where can that be had?
 
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