thoughts, opinions and suggestions??

tinymike66

tinymike66

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Hamilton, Ontario
I have come to realize I enjoy shooting rifle at the range.
So being fairly new to rifle and longer range of shooting, I was hoping to get some opinions, advice and or suggestions on a first time rifle for precision.
Buying an all out top or custom rifle doesnt make sense and I will need to build my skill first.
Keeping that in mind, it would be nice to have something I can eventually accesorize and build on if and when im ready for next step.
Opinions & suggestions on:
Calibre
Make
Model

Price range on bare rifle 800-1200 give or take a few dollars.

Thanks

Mike.
 
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Buy a used target rifle (single shot) with an aftermarket barrel.

A single shot action is stiffer and has a lot of bedding area for a stable rifle.

One of the best single shot actions that would not be expensive is the Musgrave.

Put a WTB in EE for a Musgrave rifle. Should cost around $600
 
I'd say either a Tikka T3X Varmint Stainless Steel or a Savage 10 LE/TR/T

My opinion as a newbie is to start with .308. Does everything bigger or faster calibers do, but doesn't cause one to flinch. Ammo is common, and it's not going anywhere. I'd get the Tikka if I could afford it, but I'll probably have to settle for Savage, myself. If you can, try a Tikka. They come with a sub-MOA guarantee. I'd buy one, let an expert verify that it is in fact sub-MOA and then practice until I could emulate his/her groups with my gun.

Just my totally unfounded opinion. Do with it what you will.
 
Ruger precision rifle
6.5 creedmoor.
AR Platform to accessorize later. Step up the 500$ you won't regret it. Buy one gun instead of two !

K.B :sniper:
 
Thanks... I shoot my LMT AR 50 to 100yrss i reload my own 223. This is how I started to find a liking to the rifle.
I looked at a savage 114 american classic in stainless. $999.99 used at local shop
 
Everything you need is for sale for a good price on the EE right now. Pick your flavour!
223 (8 twist) or 308 (10-12 twist) for beginners, and then grow from there. My only advice is get something you can shoot lots with (cost and recoil).
I have Rems, Savages, and customs - they all shoot, and shoot good! Myself, i don't care about brand preference, i just care that it shoots wee-bitty groups. I have both 223 and 308, and for past 800yds, i also use a 6mmBR and a 260 rem - all are mild - mid recoil and inexpensive to shoot.

Get into reloading - its a must if you like to shoot lots and accurate.
 
chrismc said:
Everything you need is for sale for a good price on the EE right now. Pick your flavour!
223 (8 twist) or 308 (10-12 twist) for beginners, and then grow from there. My only advice is get something you can shoot lots with (cost and recoil).
I have Rems, Savages, and customs - they all shoot, and shoot good! Myself, i don't care about brand preference, i just care that it shoots wee-bitty groups. I have both 223 and 308, and for past 800yds, i also use a 6mmBR and a 260 rem - all are mild - mid recoil and inexpensive to shoot.

Get into reloading - its a must if you like to shoot lots and accurate.
Click to expand...

I do reload, I reload .223, 45ACP, 40 S&W, 38SPL and .357 MAG
I love reloading.
seems .308 is a good all round calibre.
what kind of range we talking with .223?
there is so much to learn
 
Ganderite said:
Buy a used target rifle (single shot) with an aftermarket barrel.

A single shot action is stiffer and has a lot of bedding area for a stable rifle.

One of the best single shot actions that would not be expensive is the Musgrave.

Put a WTB in EE for a Musgrave rifle. Should cost around $600
Click to expand...


This, I just picked up a Musgrave off the EE for a back up gun, I also snagged a CG inch in a Robertson stock so that I could get a buddy into long range shooting.

There are good used target rifles that pop up fairly steady just have to keep your eyes open or put a wtb up.
 
keegs said:
This, I just picked up a Musgrave off the EE for a back up gun, I also snagged a CG inch in a Robertson stock so that I could get a buddy into long range shooting.

There are good used target rifles that pop up fairly steady just have to keep your eyes open or put a wtb up.
Click to expand...

I'm keeping an eye out,
I just don't know exactly what things are and bang for buck with rifles.
 
tinymike66 said:
I do reload, I reload .223, 45ACP, 40 S&W, 38SPL and .357 MAG
I love reloading.
seems .308 is a good all round calibre.
what kind of range we talking with .223?
there is so much to learn
Click to expand...
I started with a vanguard S2 in 223,and then moved up to a Tikka T3 varmint in 223.I love the Tikka so smooth and accurate, only accessory I added was a limbsaver recoil pad. I don't hand load and found it to be fairly accurate with cheap federal red box 55gr fmjbt. With Hornady match 75 gr it shoots .3 " groups at 100yds. I've been shooting at 300 the most and finally found a place to shoot 400. Was really easy hitting full cans of pop and clays at 400 yds. I was surprised that I only needed to go up about 4 clicks on my pst to correct for elevation. I was very happy with the results. I too would recommend a new T3x varmint in 223.
 
Ok, so I came across a very nice used Savage 114 american classic in 308.
Its from a local dealer, they have it priced at 995.99.
Sounds like a nice rifle to begin my learning on. Also i heard barrels on Savages are easily swapped.
Opinions on the rifle and price?
Can this be easily converted to 6.5creedmoor if i wanted?

Thanks.
 
That's sort of like asking for a sports car and asking `how about this one`when walking by a Suburban.

The 223 option has been beaten to death around here- again and again it's been proven to not have the performance needed to build confidence at 'long range'. If 300 yards is 'long range', then it will not be a hamper, but neither will a 22lr in that case. If beyond 500 yards is what you're after, start with something that uses a 12mm (ie 308 win case family) casehead
 
Basically I have skills to build. So I will be shoiting 100 to 300 yrds.... But ebentually would like to go beyond that.
I just want something decent to shoot with.
Im a true begginer, so knowledge is very low in this dept
max-x said:
That's sort of like asking for a sports car and asking `how about this one`when walking by a Suburban.

The 223 option has been beaten to death around here- again and again it's been proven to not have the performance needed to build confidence at 'long range'. If 300 yards is 'long range', then it will not be a hamper, but neither will a 22lr in that case. If beyond 500 yards is what you're after, start with something that uses a 12mm (ie 308 win case family) casehead
Click to expand...
 
Couple fundamentals that folks around here will expand on momentarily-

A barrel which is heavier in weight than a hunting style barrel serves two benefits- one, more thermal inertia so it won't show large shot to shot variation as it heats; and two, more weight to combat felt recoil. The recoil mitigating aspect is the feature which contributes more to accuracy.

Stock design is another important factor. Hunting stocks are built to be strong enough, and not too heavy. Their design isn't ideal for repeatable accuracy however. Taking a quick look at the competition world- Anschutz and its competitors have been offering stocks with vertical style grips for over 40 years. This was a performance/ market driven decision, rather than just neat aesthetics for marketing.

Hopefully Jerry (mysticprec) will chime in- he's been through all of the decisions you're facing, and spent years sorting out 'the truth'.

For versatility and value, the Savage brand is solid- however going with one of their more sport/target catered models will give you more options in the future, and retain its value well also.
 
1000 for a 114 American Classic is too much. I bought a new/used but not shot one a couple years ago off the EE for $500. Savage, Remington and tikka are all good. I'd stay away from mossberg and ruger. Just my opinion.
 
Look for a Savage model 12 single shot in 223. The model 12 is available with a 7 twist barrel and will stabilize all bullets made in 22 caliber.

Several TR shooters use 80gr bullets to go to 1000 yards in competition. I'm still working on load development with the 90s (no time) but have had my wife shoot it to 618 yards in stiff winds and she was hitting steel 7 outta 10 times.
 
I'd go with a .224 Tikka T3x. Frank on Snipershide just reviewed one and it seems like a really nice rifle. Only think I don't like about them is the DBM.
 
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