Want to get into precision rifles.

Lambo

Lambo

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Hey,

as the title says, I want to get into precision rifles, yet I am a student and will probably need a loan to get a rifle, but that's a good thing, need to build that credit rating! But anyways, I would like to call on the shooters here to suggest a good starters rifle, would like a heaver cal. Not too sure if I want a .308 either, might want to go bigger, because I do live in Northern Ont. and it will probably see some big game action.
 
Use the Search.
Savage. Cheap. Accurate.

There are many threads on this subject.
If your poor, get a 223, they are cheap to shoot.
 
.308 will take anything that walks in north america with the right bullet and shot.....except maybe a sasquatch.For a starter there probably isn't a better caliber choice.There is tons of data readilly availiable for someone just starting out.
A savage or 700 pss would be the best 2 starter guns
 
Most newcomers to the precision/longrange world want a calible that is "cool" to shoot like a .300 RUM or .338 Lapua or something of that nature but this is most definately the wrong way to go for the novice shooter.

One should first get a reasonably accurate rifle. Most go with the remington 700 platform because they are easy to work on, get parts for and accurate enough to start shooting this sport. You could go with any other manufacturer like Savage and Tikka are both good out of the box shooters, Winchester makes a good rifle as well... but this is mostly personal preference. Used may also be a wise option, you can pick up a good used rifle for coniderably less than a new one and if you don't like it or want to upgrade you can usually sell them for close to what you paid for them.

Second thing is calibre choice. If you decide to go with one of the big boomers be prepared to pay a premium for ammo.Ammo for the .300 Weatherby runs around $80/box, the .338 Lapua $130/box... the .308 is about $25. Practice makes perfect and in this game practice costs money and by the sounds of it you are not a reloader so it will cost you even more to shoot/practice than the shooter that reloads his own ammo. There is more, with shooting the bigger cals there is a higher probability that you will develop a flinch. Bad technique when shooting is the largest problem for the "average" shooter and the flinch is tough to get rid of once you have acquired it. You can use a .308 to hunt anything in Ontario so it will still be useful in a hunting capacity.

Many of us have been in your position but think it through and be realistic. You will thank yourself later.
 
My cousin is in the sport, and is very very good at it, you may know him, Mr. Jamie Barkwell, and he found me a good rifle, so I will probably go with it, a 700 in .308.
 
The best thing to learn is trigger time. A 308 is NOT the way to start simply because of excessive recoil. If you want to use factory ammo, I can't think of a better starter then the 223 HB Savage. Cheaper too.

Now this will not work for hunting so you will have to make that choice.

A 243 is also a great cartridge with min. recoil and can be very accurate. Personally, the 260 or 7-08 offer much better ballistics then the 308 and do a wonderful job on critters.

Sporter barrels will heat up faster then heavy barrels. Recoil is much higher in a lightweight rifle then in lead sled precision rifle.

Hunting rifles are dirt cheap and you can find lots on this board. The target rifle should be more refined as you will be spending more time with it and you are likely to have higher expectations of performance with it.

Jerry
 
Not too long ago I was in your shoes. I owned a second hand Sako in .222 and shot the occasional groundhog with a 3-9 cheapo scope on it. I learned about the precision game through RePete from this board a few years back. He mentioned a Sniper match in Listowel. For a lot of the matches I was told that I needed a .308 to be competative. Nothing less than a 18X magnification scope and the best bases and rings money could buy. If you have the option to "try before you buy" go with it.
Theoretically how often will you be able to get to the range?? I guess you'll be shooting at the Rock Cut with Jamie? Have you shot his Savage before? How did you like it recoil wise? Match ammos is so much more to buy than hunting ammo and rarely do they ever shoot the same. Some may argue that the scope magnification makes no difference in shooting competitions, Yet you usually see High end High mag scopes at all the presicion shoots. A hunting scope is quite a bit different. Not that you couldn't use it though.
I competed with my beater .222 set up at Pembrokes Sniper match a few years back. As I recall your cousin was also at that match. I had so much fun and learned so much. But I owe all my best efforts to shooting tons of rimfire. Without question I'm a better shooter for it.

My reccomendation would be to get a good rimfire and practice at a far greater economical cost for presicion.
 
WEll thank dog you dont live in Toronto, you might never get the loan for a rifle! Congratulations in wanting to start shooting a long ways! Mystiplayer is a very knowlegeable source of info. If I was in your shoes I'd probably get a Savage in .308, set it up to shoot long range but with a scope like a 4X16 so it is still ok for hunting. If you are serious about long range get a second stock for that purpose (in time, once you've saved some money). Use it on paper with the mcMillan or MPI stock, use it on game with the Savage stock. It should serve you well and allow you to sling lotsa lead downrange and get to hit whatever you aim. My nickname in the military was Eagle eye for some reason, maybe I could spot a beer a mile away... Start handloading, it's not rocket science, well it sort of is but it's easy to learn. This will allow you to build proper loads for your rifle and shoot better and cheaper ammo.

Sorry about the long winded post, I've been imbibing...

Troutseeker
 
Troutseeker,

I found myself in sunny Kelowna just a week ago, but too much work, no time for play, next time multiple beers and barbie, unless she cant come in which case I'll just have a steak.

I think that I have been talked into a 338 ultra of some sort, When you come for moose next time, I'll hopefully have it.

My gunsmith doesn't have much time, and has a lot of work lined up, but He's enthusiastic about this project.

Thanks for sticking up for me with the whole powder burning, wasted barrels and horrendous noise issues, I am indifferent to those complications, I just want to punish some gongs at great distance!!!

ciao

mm
 
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