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If you could do it all over again...

L

lobhob

Private
Full Member
Minuteman
Oct 14, 2012
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33
Missouri
What setup would you buy for your first venture into long range shooting. The budget for rifle (.308 chambering) and scope together being $1700. Remember it's what you would buy for yourself. Would you take baby steps and stick to a budget (such as $1700), or would you go all out. Would you go with a high value rifle or a high value scope and spend the rest on the opposite, etc.

Although not new to shooting, I've taken it up as a hobby. I want to get into long range shooting. Dealer pricing remingtons and savages are available to me, however I'm taking a serious look at a new fn spr a1 @ $1200.
 
Re: If you could do it all over again...

Would have saved more... Or maybe a 700 5r, but probably save for a full custom.
 
Re: If you could do it all over again...

I would have bypassed the full custom route and just purchased an AI. Everything else is second best, at best.
 
Re: If you could do it all over again...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Ryan Brownshoe</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Would have saved more... Or maybe a 700 5r, but probably save for a full custom. </div></div>

Well a 5r savage or remington is well within budget, but you would have been more happy spending 3x as much off the bat rather than tinkering/learning your way up?
 
Re: If you could do it all over again...

Start with an SPS Tactical and put the rest in ammunition and glass.
 
Re: If you could do it all over again...

I'd buy a Tikka T3 CTR,Tactical or Varmint. One of the best and most over looked rifles out there.
 
Re: If you could do it all over again...

I have a modified 5R.
It shoots very well but I WILL rebarrel.

By the time I'm done, it would have been cheaper to have it built from the get go, but it did allow me to take it slow and in increments.

If you have the cash now, this is what I would recommend:

Buy a short action SPS stainless steel rifle with a .473 bolt face (about 550 bucks).
Take the stock off and ship the barreled action to one of the many fine smiths on the hide.
Have action trued and a high quality match grade barrel installed. (about 650 total)
Install in a B&C M40 stock (about 230).

Sometime down the road, replace the trigger.

Trust me. You'll end up doing it in the longrun.
 
Re: If you could do it all over again...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Goin'Hot</div><div class="ubbcode-body">How far do you plan on shooting and do you reload? </div></div>

It's not about what I plan to do, but what would you do if you started from scratch knowing what you know now. However, 1000 yards max on the rare chance it's available to me and not until I get comfortable with shooting a particular rifle at longer ranges.
 
Re: If you could do it all over again...

savage model 12LRP in a .260 or a creedmoor.-950$

buy a nice used scope in the for sale section with the rest of the money and enjoy.
 
Re: If you could do it all over again...

I was in your exact position about 18 months ago... I was wondering the same question - what rifle and scope to get with about $1,700 cash available.

I decided to go with a Remington 700 Police (new) with a Leupold Mark IV 4.5-14x50mm (bought used locally). Not knowing anyone locally to "try out" their gear and set-ups, I had to go a little more expensive route - "buy it and try it"... So this was more a stab in the dark since I didn't know what I wanted from the get-go (I started this project before I knew about the Hide and the plethora of info here).

I've bought/sold/traded quite a few rifles and scopes since then - trying to find out what worked "perfect" for me. In the process, I have temporarily "owned" a LOT of really amazing rifles, stocks, and scopes. Trigger time (both live and dry fire) behind different set-ups really helped me get a feel for what I liked and what I didn't.

After all was said and done, I had learned something important: it is all about PERSONAL PREFERENCE and finding what works for you. Many, many of the rifles/stocks/scopes available in the mid-high price range are VERY capable of producing accurate results. It more about how a rifle "feels" than anything - there really isn't a right or wrong answer on what YOU should do. Only YOU can really know that.

I guess the good thing is that this kind of stuff retains value well. If you get a good price on it to start, you can be pretty sure you'll be able to get close to that back out of it.

Hope that helps,
- reximus
 
Re: If you could do it all over again...

I would do it just like I already have. I got a Remington 700 Police, put a relatively cheap NF BR 8-32x56 on top with NF/Seekins base/rings, and then Robert Gradous slick up the trigger, recrown the barrel, and work his magic.

There are some creature comforts I'd like such as an adjustable cheekpiece, DBM, muzzle brake, etc. However those options can all be added later (I'll probably just go full custom next) and my rifle can shoot. 5-.75moa consistently as it is with ME shooting.

Get an R700 and try a few matches. Try other people's rifles with different features (most around me are more than willing to do so). Figure out what you want and feels best to you and then take that inevitable next step.
 
Re: If you could do it all over again...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: mr.derp</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Goin'Hot</div><div class="ubbcode-body">How far do you plan on shooting and do you reload? </div></div>

It's not about what I plan to do, but what would you do if you started from scratch knowing what you know now. However, 1000 yards max on the rare chance it's available to me and not until I get comfortable with shooting a particular rifle at longer ranges. </div></div>

On the contrary, it is about <span style="text-decoration: underline">you and your tendencies </span>to some degree.

Knowing what I know now, I go full custom from the get go. Kelbly Atlas going together now. The exception being, I built a couple fireforming rifles and started with bare Savage actions and built from there. In the long run it's cheaper than buying a complete rifle and pulling parts off to upgrade later. If you think you'll end up custom, start there. If you're content with a stocker, buy something off the shelf. I'm not a big fan of the buy this, learn with it, move on advice. If you can't learn to shoot long range before burning up a .308 barrel, somethings really wrong (they last a long time). Just start where you want to end up rather than spending your money twice.

Back to the opening statement...
When I first started shooting, every "factory" rifle I had got the stock changed or trigger or both, etc. I took a $179 10/22 and spent about $800 more on it, not including the scope. That's just how I am.

My car, started off as a Z06, the only original parts left are the roof and doors. Motor, trans, interior, stereo, suspension, exhaust, headlights, the list goes on...all changed. Again, that's just how I am...can't leave things alone. What about you?

I think if you pay attention to the responses in the thread you'll see a theme. I'd venture 90%+ have made changes to factory rifles or gone from factory to full custom (or heavily modified Rem/Sav/Win from GAP, IBA & others).
-Rick
 
Re: If you could do it all over again...

I've been tinkering with long range shooting with my brother in law for years now. It came time for me to order or buy a tactical gun. After buying "factory" and changing what I didn't want, the price compared to custom was absolutely negligible. I went full custom (except for the R700 LA) from APA. Will take delivery tomorrow from CorBon doing my load development on it. Can't wait to shoot it. I nearly doubled your budget of $1700 though, and that's without glass.
 
Re: If you could do it all over again...

If I knew then, what I do now:

I'd buy a quality used 260 or 6.5 creedmoor rifle built by one of the top names, drop a used $1500+ scope on it, and shoot the shit out of it, while saving for the rebarrel that would be needed in the not-to-distant future.

This is coming from someone that is pretty serious about going to matches and competitions.
 
Re: If you could do it all over again...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: turbo54</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If I knew then, what I do now:

I'd buy a quality used 260 or 6.5 creedmoor rifle built by one of the top names, drop a used $1500+ scope on it, and shoot the shit out of it, while saving for the rebarrel that would be needed in the not-to-distant future.

This is coming from someone that is pretty serious about going to matches and competitions.</div></div>

^^^What he said.^^^

Might have gone this route too
 
Re: If you could do it all over again...

I'd do it the same way.
A CZ 22 LR.
A Rem 223 with a replacement stock
A Rem 308 with a replacement stock
Some middlin glass (Vortex PST)
Learn/Re-learn to shoot. Focus on fundamentals.

Yes, I'm looking at some sort of 6.5 in the future, but I'll not 'replace' any of the above.

What I would do different; I'd ask more questions. I'd attend more competitions - maybe even just watch. I'd actually use a log book for more than just counting rounds. I'd be in better physical shape. I wouldn't have sold the Cold Kodiak. I would have purchased more Apple stock. I'd bang both the Finnish chicks from the bar in South Dakota.
 
Re: If you could do it all over again...

I would take the Savage model 10 predator hunter in 243 that I bought for my daughter and load up 105 bergers with hv100 and turn heads at the 1000 yard range. Really
 
Re: If you could do it all over again...

might have waited a bit and gotten a NF scope instead of the Nikon. i like the Nikon but i really like the NF tactical models.

Also i really wanted a 300 Win Mag but the AAC-SD just seemed like a really good platform to start with and I'm glad i did.

so pretty much just the glass. I'm happy with mine but the grass looks so much greener on the NF side lol
 
Re: If you could do it all over again...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: HPCR59</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Start with an SPS Tactical and put the rest in ammunition and glass.</div></div>

^^
 
Re: If you could do it all over again...

The SPR has a reputation for being plenty accurate - but it's magazine system sucks hard.
you need to get something that will take AICS Magazines. CDI sells a bottom metal upgrade which will get you all set for industry standard AICS Mags.

The Mags that come with the SPR are limited to 4 rounds. And the length of the magazine is too short to allow sufficient room for seating cartridges that are anywhere close to the lands.


<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: mr.derp</div><div class="ubbcode-body">.

Although not new to shooting, I've taken it up as a hobby. I want to get into long range shooting. Dealer pricing remingtons and savages are available to me, however I'm taking a serious look at a new fn spr a1 @ $1200. </div></div>
 
Re: If you could do it all over again...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Armed Ferret</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: HPCR59</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Start with an SPS Tactical and put the rest in ammunition and glass.</div></div>

^^ </div></div>

That was what I did but reloading components rather than ammo.

To do it again and stick with the 308 that’s likely the way I would go, when you move past 200y replace the stock. B&C makes a good one called the light tactical, that is my favorite stock now if I am not using manners/mcmillan or looking to save a little. Purchase a good scope! I have been very impressed with the SWFA 5-20’s, look for a used one on the sales forum here.

Now if I were open to other calibers but remain factory, I would look real hard at the Remington 243 varmint, Remington 7mm-08 varmint if you can locate one... or the 260/6.5cm in a Savage. The first two will require reloading but as long range factory ammo is difficult to locate but it is out there. All of these will let you connect at distance using about 20-35 percent less wind/elevation thus, making hits in real world conditions much easier and often.

A few posts I have put together you may find interesting.

http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthre...235#Post3384235

http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthre...886#Post3031886

http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthre...150#Post2749150
 
Re: If you could do it all over again...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jAXDIALATION</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The SPR has a reputation for being plenty accurate - but it's magazine system sucks hard.
you need to get something that will take AICS Magazines. CDI sells a bottom metal upgrade which will get you all set for industry standard AICS Mags.

The Mags that come with the SPR are limited to 4 rounds. And the length of the magazine is too short to allow sufficient room for seating cartridges that are anywhere close to the lands.


<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: mr.derp</div><div class="ubbcode-body">.

Although not new to shooting, I've taken it up as a hobby. I want to get into long range shooting. Dealer pricing remingtons and savages are available to me, however I'm taking a serious look at a new fn spr a1 @ $1200. </div></div> </div></div>


Factory DBM is here.
 
Re: If you could do it all over again...

1. It would NOT be a 308

2. It would be a LONG action

3. Quality Glass

4. Buy used, some very good rigs sold here at very good prices

Buy Once Cry Once

Alot of guys have put together very capable rigs for lil $$, so it can be done
 
Re: If you could do it all over again...

Tikka T3 with a .470 bolt face, re-barrel to .260, add a used Leupold or Vortex and it should be around $1700-$1900.
 
Re: If you could do it all over again...

For a $1700 budget, I would go with the Rem 700 SPS Varmint in .243. Swap the stock for a B&C thumb hook, and add a used Leupold VX3 or Mark 4 with target turrets.

Lee.
 
Re: If you could do it all over again...

Had I to do it all over, I'd have owned fewer rifles and had one nice rifle. I'd have saved and bought an AI AE, an S&B, and barrel changing tools. this is about the expense of four "ok" rifles with good sticks and descent glass.
 
Re: If you could do it all over again...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: tkellogg</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'd buy a Tikka T3 CTR,Tactical or Varmint. One of the best and most over looked rifles out there. </div></div>

+1 right there!!
 
Re: If you could do it all over again...

I think you're already on the right track. The SPR comes with a good stock and a trigger you can adjust yourself. There are tutorials on the net for the trigger work as well as one on SH. You'll already have a quality 20MOA base so you are only a set of rings and a scope away from shooting.

For a scope get in touch with Doug at Optics Planet. They have Vortex Vipers in 6.5-20X44s coming in for about $300.00. This is an excellent scope for the money.

I'm still shooting my SPR but I have replaced the scope. The scope change was made so I could try FFP MIL/MIL not because of inadequacy on the part of the Vortex. The only modification to the SPR is a piece of foam pipe insulation to raise the comb.

If you don't reload, my SPR shoots 168gr. FGMM lights out. If you do reload spend the money left over for components and have at it.

The problem with going high end in the beginning is that you won't have sorted out what is best for you. If you ever get to the point that you can outshoot this combination you will probably have a good idea of what changes you want.
 
Re: If you could do it all over again...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: tylerw02</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Had I to do it all over, I'd have owned fewer rifles and had one nice rifle. I'd have saved and bought an AI AE, an S&B, and barrel changing tools. this is about the expense of four "ok" rifles with good sticks and descent glass. </div></div>


This is the way I would do it if I did it all over again, an AI AE or DTA with .243, .260 and .308 barrels and the S&B. Instead I got on an AR kick and now have 3 high end ar's and another home built one.
 
Re: If you could do it all over again...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: mr.derp</div><div class="ubbcode-body">What setup would you buy for your first venture into long range shooting. The budget for rifle (.308 chambering) and scope together being $1700. Although not new to shooting, I've taken it up as a hobby. I want to get into long range shooting. </div></div>

Ok, my opinion and nothing more. I had to start out on a budget and I'm still on one. It's all great to preach "buy once, cry once" IF the choir you're preaching to has money. I'm not talking about wasting a few hundred here or there on crap the hard way. I'm talking about jumping into 2 - 3k optics and the same on rifles.

Others might disagree, but you're not gaining anything one way or the other if you're going FN, Remington, or Savage. None of them will have the resale value of a custom action or an AI or DTA. FN probably has the least amount of aftermarket support I would guess. I wouldn't go FN because I believe they would have the least amount of gunsmiths familiar with them. At some point if you stay with it you're rebarreling.

I'll come in a little over your 1,700 but this is what I'd get NOW on your budget. I would buy the McMillan Savage Model 10 in .308. I'd send it off to CDI for bottom metal and pillars. Some flavor of good base and rings, then a Weaver 3-15x50 EDMR.

I don't think you're ever going to get a consensus among a bunch of different people on the internet. And as a new person you're supposed to digest all these different opinions and come up with something for yourself. You're the only one that knows the size of your own wallet.

If money is no object I'd go DTA SRS, a bunch of SAC barrels, and an S&B. Yes, I'd get more back if I sold it due to lack of interest, whatever. Unfortunately for me to do this I'd still have to hit the lottery that I don't buy tickets for, LOL. Good luck in your decision.
 
Re: If you could do it all over again...

In my opinion, a factory rifle is a factory rifle regardless if its a Remington Police or an FN SPR. You will upgrade the barrel and stock and have the action worked on at some point. Put the nut of your cash towards an affordable high end optic and buy an decent rifle that is easy to upgrade.

$1700 budget:
Remington 700 (sps, aac, tactical, etc.) $600
Leupold Mark 4 LR/T $1100
(+base/rings)

Then save another $1800 for a stock, action work and Bartlein barrel. Once you've made it that far start looking at selling that Leupold for a US Optic scope. Then, do it all over again but in 300wm.

If money is no object, buy a GAP Gladius upgraded with a Surgeon action and USO SN-3 TPAL.
 
Re: If you could do it all over again...

So long as we're commenting on FN SPRs...

They are a fine rifle, as they shoot great, last a long-ass time with the chrome lined barrel, come with a lifetime guarantee, and are already sitting in a high quality stock. The triggers are usually pretty good, but can be made outstanding. The safety is reliable, and second to none. Perhaps Winchester stole the idea from the Mauser, but nonetheless, it's also been copied by AI, and of course, is highly regarded. The SPR also DOES NOT require "truing", as FN does that to all SPRs in house. Just another nice touch.

There is NOT a "shortage" of gunsmiths able to do fantastic work on them, as they have been around longer than Remingtons. Mark Gordon and Chad Dixon are both excellent FN SPR/Win70 smiths, just to name two (Sorry to any 'hide smith that works on these that I didn't mention).

I've recommended the SPR to two guys looking to get into a long range rig. They wanted a solid, out of the box performer, and both guys have been extremely pleased with them.

I like Savage, and you can get into a good shooting Savage quite a bit cheaper than an FN, but the Savage in a McMillan stock costs only a little less than the FN. The Savage is also "ugly" (not that I care), and they certainly don't have the bank-vault feel to them that FN does. I'm biased...I'm not a Remington guy. Every stock Remington I check out and shoot leaves me with a bitter taste in my mouth. They can, of course, be turned into anything you can dream up though. My partners fully-worked Remington is a fabulous rifle, but he also has several grand tied up in it, too.

The key downside I see to the FN is chambering choice. 300WSM and 308win. I'm not keen on either. The 300WSM is expensive and has lots of recoil. 308...well... "I'm over it". However, there are certainly a lot of valid arguments in favor of the 308 and I don't want to get into it.

Anyway, about the time you shoot the first SPR 308 barrel out (10,000 rounds), you will be more than ready for a higher performance cartridge and can choose one of many, many good ones. Mine is chambered in 284Win and is performing beautifully. Or, you could just send it back to FN and have them put a new 308 barrel on under warranty, because it's guaranteed 1moa or better for life!
 
Re: If you could do it all over again...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: mr.derp</div><div class="ubbcode-body">What setup would you buy for your first venture into long range shooting. The budget for rifle (.308 chambering) and scope together being $1700. Remember it's what you would buy for yourself. Would you take baby steps and stick to a budget (such as $1700), or would you go all out. Would you go with a high value rifle or a high value scope and spend the rest on the opposite, etc.

Although not new to shooting, I've taken it up as a hobby. I want to get into long range shooting. Dealer pricing remingtons and savages are available to me, however I'm taking a serious look at a new fn spr a1 @ $1200.</div></div>

You asked,,,

Therefore, regarding the "first venture" would be to do it 'right'. You specified "long range" so that implies that you're not doing anything close-range like the average hunter/shooter.

This means that you want to do it, and do it right. As such, I recommend something like a Crusader. (You're selling yourself short with that implied budget) There are many other makers here, who make incredible rifles as well. I'm using the Crusader as an example. Also, start off with a standard .308 caliber, so that you can learn both the ballistics process, as well as the windage performance on a 'standard' rifle. One to which has many offerings out there, in the 'mainstream'.

Once you are familiar with how it works, and what your capabilities are, then you can upgrade into something more 'custom' or wildcat.

But I believe that getting something that REMOVES the question of its abilities, and puts the onus on you from the start, is where to go. The rifle WILL hit where it's supposed to. If you miss, then it is something that YOU DID. And that is definite.

Then it is up to you to learn, from there. And it is a fun learning process, believe me.

As you state you are "not new to shooting", I'm going to assume (that is making an ASS out of You and the Other Guy) that you know how to shoot, and want to take it considerably further. You should not sell yourself short, with a rifle that is limited in its performing abilities. Neither should you do so, with optics.

Simply my opinion, and not worth much.
 
Re: If you could do it all over again...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Sean the Nailer</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

But I believe that getting something that REMOVES the question of its abilities, and puts the onus on you from the start, is where to go. <span style="font-weight: bold">The rifle WILL hit where it's supposed to. If you miss, then it is something that YOU DID. And that is definite.</span> </div></div>

Spoken for truth.
 
Re: If you could do it all over again...

I'm not so sure I'd change much if doing it over again as it's all a learning process especially when on a budget and getting to know things.

The only thing I'd change is not selling off one rifle to fund another or have to sell something to sort life issues. But that happens I guess as a lot of us aren't wealthy deep pocket people and have a "budget" of sorts especially as this being a hobby.
 
Re: If you could do it all over again...

I'd buy an SRS topped off with a good mount and scope,(like an SS or better) and get a couple barrels (.308 covert, 7saum,.260) and shoot the shit out of it. And never look back.
 
Re: If you could do it all over again...

I would not have bought a 700 ADL in 7mm Rem Mag with the idea I would re-barrel it in any type of timely fashion... For my first plunge into long range shooting.

I should have gotten a SPS Varmint in 308 and gone from there.

As it stands, I still have no real target/precision rifle yet. I'm saving my pennies and trying to decide if I should rebarrel the long action to 308 in an M24 sort of way OR buy a 700p/5r/sps varmint and proceed. I sorta don't want to get the 700 l/a rebarreled to 308 because some stupid idea in me is that I will have funds to get it properly set up at a later date.

I would have been in a real nice rifle (308) about this time, but a huge freaking dental bill set me back a ways.

Aside: after buying the 700 adl, the Colorado shooting happened, so in my infinite gun ADD I built myself a really nice BCM AR-15 in the assumption that, "if they ban any type of guns, it will be AR's and I should be able to pick up a good long gun later."

tl;dr floss you teeth, root canals are expensive and cut into your gun budget.
 
Re: If you could do it all over again...

I wish I had known Robert Gradous sooner so he could have built all of my custom rifles instead of having them built by other well known gunsmiths.I have spent 10s of thousands of dollors with these smiths but none have come close to giving the rifle perormance and quality that Robert delivers.. He is by far the best gunsmith I have ever used along with being the nicest person to deal with.
 
Re: If you could do it all over again...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ColdBoreMiracle</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'd buy an SRS topped off with a good mount and scope,(like an SS or better) and get a couple barrels (.308 covert, 7saum,.260) and shoot the shit out of it. And never look back.
</div></div>

I also agree with this. I have a DTA SRS in 6.5CM and 243 Win and couldn't be happier. The switch barrel is amazing 1 chassis and 1 scope with many barrel choices.
 
Re: If you could do it all over again...

I've gone the rout of getting a base remington and continually modifying it until.its not. If I had it to do over again I would go custom or get an action and get what I want the first time around
 
Re: If you could do it all over again...

Budget Factory rig new or used Rem 700 or FN PBR with enough bugeted to by ammo and the most important formal training/instruction. After you have shot that out you will know better what you want.
 
Re: If you could do it all over again...

I remember walking into an AI dealer in 2000 or so and walking out empty handed, laughing in almost disgust at the price tag of an AW. I then spent the next 5 years and $20K buying every flavor of custom I thought I wanted, only to finally buy an AW. I've sold almost all the customs because the AW just rocks. I should have bought one back then, and saved myself a grip of money.

Now we have the AIAE MKIII... which is what I'd buy if I was starting again. Nowhere else is there such good value in a tac rifle as that, IMO.
 
Re: If you could do it all over again...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Cpl Snafu</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I remember walking into an AI dealer in 2000 or so and walking out empty handed, laughing in almost disgust at the price tag of an AW. I then spent the next 5 years and $20K buying every flavor of custom I thought I wanted, only to finally buy an AW. I've sold almost all the customs because the AW just rocks. I should have bought one back then, and saved myself a grip of money.

Now we have the AIAE MKIII... which is what I'd buy if I was starting again. Nowhere else is there such good value in a tac rifle as that, IMO. </div></div>

Well said, and quite true. After several custom rifles I had the chance to shoot one and understood what it was all about. My only problem is that I now have a new baby and the funds just arent going to be available any time soon to get one. If I had had the sense to get An AE to begin with, I would have spent far less money to have a far better rifle.
 
Re: If you could do it all over again...

Like said earlier ... Savage LRP in 6.5 Creedmoor or 260 (no need for a 308 in my opinion) and top it off with decent glass. Have fun shooting with most anything out there.
 
Re: If you could do it all over again...

If I could have done it all again, probably gone full custom from get go (would have saved a grand or two) and probably gone for a 6.5x47 Lapua instead of 308 but then again, a 308 would have been still high on the list. I bought a SPS Tactical and went from there and 3 years later, the rifle is pretty much done except for an EFR.
 
Re: If you could do it all over again...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Cpl Snafu</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I remember walking into an AI dealer in 2000 or so and walking out empty handed, laughing in almost disgust at the price tag of an AW. I then spent the next 5 years and $20K buying every flavor of custom I thought I wanted, only to finally buy an AW. I've sold almost all the customs because the AW just rocks. I should have bought one back then, and saved myself a grip of money.

Now we have the AIAE MKIII... which is what I'd buy if I was starting again. Nowhere else is there such good value in a tac rifle as that, IMO. </div></div>
This is the advice I will follow. Ordered AI AE MKIII. Sadly, it will take a few months to get (not really a stocked item in Europe).
Got a .22 for now so i can practice a lot without spending a lot.

This is the advice I would give everyone. Make sure you own a .22 and practice a lot with it. Then buy the best centerfire you can afford (AI, sako, custom, take your pick).
 
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