Hey guys, hopefully I'm not screwing up by posting this here. Haven't been on a message board in years. Anyway. Looking for a long distance bench rifle in either .308 or .338. As this will be my first bench rifle I was looking at the Remington 700 sps vamint. After doing some research I've decided spend some more money and get something that ill be happy with for a while. Want to keep my budget under 4k if possible. Looked at the Barrett 98B but I've read concerns on accuracy. Looking for a rifle I can work my way up to 1000 yards. I am fully aware this will take time and whatever I buy will be more accurate than I will be for a while. Just wanted some advice on rifles you all recommend. Any help is appreciated.
- Thread starter MikeG30
- Start date
Re: LD bench rifle either .308 or .338
Two things JUMP out at me when reading this. Actually 3. First, as a first rifle I would definitely go with a .308. Learn your proper technique and good form with that caliber. Second, going straight to a .338 for your first rifle is a huge step an not a caliber in would recommend trying to perfect your craft with from the get go. And third, you only want to shoot out to 1000 yards (for now
). A .308 is very capable of that, but getting a .338 for 1000 yards or less is really handicapping the round. Kind of like buying a Ferrari and not taking it to the track.
Get a good .308 and shoot that until you are consistently sub MOA at 1000 yards. Any bad habits formed at 500 yards put you wayyyy off target at 1000+.
Unless of course you have money to blow, then get them both
Two things JUMP out at me when reading this. Actually 3. First, as a first rifle I would definitely go with a .308. Learn your proper technique and good form with that caliber. Second, going straight to a .338 for your first rifle is a huge step an not a caliber in would recommend trying to perfect your craft with from the get go. And third, you only want to shoot out to 1000 yards (for now
Get a good .308 and shoot that until you are consistently sub MOA at 1000 yards. Any bad habits formed at 500 yards put you wayyyy off target at 1000+.
Unless of course you have money to blow, then get them both
Re: LD bench rifle either .308 or .338
When you say "bench" are you looking to get into benchrest competition? If so, which class?
When you say "bench" are you looking to get into benchrest competition? If so, which class?
Re: LD bench rifle either .308 or .338
What I meant by bench was just the setup they have at the range I go to now. Not even sure what it goes out to. There's only a few ranges I know aside from some private fields where I can even go out to 500 yards. Just want something I can use when I'm able to visit longer ranges. Don't like spending money twice but I understand where you guys are coming from with starting with something a little less expensive. Thanks. Guess I have some more looking to do.
What I meant by bench was just the setup they have at the range I go to now. Not even sure what it goes out to. There's only a few ranges I know aside from some private fields where I can even go out to 500 yards. Just want something I can use when I'm able to visit longer ranges. Don't like spending money twice but I understand where you guys are coming from with starting with something a little less expensive. Thanks. Guess I have some more looking to do.
Re: LD bench rifle either .308 or .338
I'd suggest looking at other calibers too. 6.5 creedmoor and .260 both have better ballistics than the .308 in a similar case.
I'd suggest looking at other calibers too. 6.5 creedmoor and .260 both have better ballistics than the .308 in a similar case.
Re: LD bench rifle either .308 or .338
For what you're describing, I'd consider a Savage or Remington factory heavy barrel in 308. The only issue would be finding ammunition at this time. Due to the scare- it's becoming difficult to obtain quickly.
If you can find either rifle in the above mentioned calibers, jump on it...they have better ballistics.
For what you're describing, I'd consider a Savage or Remington factory heavy barrel in 308. The only issue would be finding ammunition at this time. Due to the scare- it's becoming difficult to obtain quickly.
If you can find either rifle in the above mentioned calibers, jump on it...they have better ballistics.
Re: LD bench rifle either .308 or .338
.260 and 6.5 creedmoor are both great calibers I have two rifles in 6.5 creedmoor. Howevever for a first gun for someone that doesnt reload yet I think .308 is a great place to start there is a huge vareity of ammo out there. Both Savage and remington make great rifles I have a savage that I love although I think if I did it again I would have gotten a remington. My savage is a tack driver and a great rifle but I think the remingtons tend to have a more plentiful selection of aftermarket parts if you choose to upgrade it in the future.
.260 and 6.5 creedmoor are both great calibers I have two rifles in 6.5 creedmoor. Howevever for a first gun for someone that doesnt reload yet I think .308 is a great place to start there is a huge vareity of ammo out there. Both Savage and remington make great rifles I have a savage that I love although I think if I did it again I would have gotten a remington. My savage is a tack driver and a great rifle but I think the remingtons tend to have a more plentiful selection of aftermarket parts if you choose to upgrade it in the future.
Re: LD bench rifle either .308 or .338
.308 or .338 is a HUGE difference.
The .308 is suitable for the vast majority of rifle ranges.
$4K is a great budget, so you really have a lot to work with.
If I were you, and I was looking to get in the game, buy a nice used rifle and scope from here on the Hide. Most of these rifles are known shooters and it is always good to know that the rifle is capable. You can get a lot of scope and rifle for $4k if you buy used.
I'd also look into the 6.5 Creedmoor unless you are just sold on the .308.....which there is NOTHING wrong with the .308. I feel the .260 is more geared toward reloading, so if you don't reload, take a peek at the Creedmoor.
.308 or .338 is a HUGE difference.
The .308 is suitable for the vast majority of rifle ranges.
$4K is a great budget, so you really have a lot to work with.
If I were you, and I was looking to get in the game, buy a nice used rifle and scope from here on the Hide. Most of these rifles are known shooters and it is always good to know that the rifle is capable. You can get a lot of scope and rifle for $4k if you buy used.
I'd also look into the 6.5 Creedmoor unless you are just sold on the .308.....which there is NOTHING wrong with the .308. I feel the .260 is more geared toward reloading, so if you don't reload, take a peek at the Creedmoor.
Re: LD bench rifle either .308 or .338
MgrG30
Lots of good advises on the prior posts. I second staying away from a .338 for your first rifle; sounds like you have much to learn and a lot of shooting is ahead of you. Running a very large amount of rounds through a .338 will give you a sore shoulder, a hole in your wallet and a somewhat limited barrel life.
Don't get me wrong, I love the .338, as well as the 7 mm SAUM, 6.5 Creedmoore and several other calibers but considering the circumstances, I would recommend going with a .308. You can shoot the heck out of it without being limited by your barrel's life, you do not have to chase the lands to keep up with accuracy, your shoulder will not hate you at the end of the day and you will not have to sell your house to keep up with the cost of ammo .
A good .308 will take you to 1000 yards with no problem; do not not go under 20" on your barrel and install a 20 or 30 MOA scope base on your rifle. Do not buy cheap stuff, you will be sorry; buy once, cry once is a good thing to remember but with $4000, you can have a decent system.
Ask a lot of questions to the right people, Sniper's Hide is a good place for that, do your homework and do not rush your decision.
Have fun, good shooting.
Ombre noire
MgrG30
Lots of good advises on the prior posts. I second staying away from a .338 for your first rifle; sounds like you have much to learn and a lot of shooting is ahead of you. Running a very large amount of rounds through a .338 will give you a sore shoulder, a hole in your wallet and a somewhat limited barrel life.
Don't get me wrong, I love the .338, as well as the 7 mm SAUM, 6.5 Creedmoore and several other calibers but considering the circumstances, I would recommend going with a .308. You can shoot the heck out of it without being limited by your barrel's life, you do not have to chase the lands to keep up with accuracy, your shoulder will not hate you at the end of the day and you will not have to sell your house to keep up with the cost of ammo .
A good .308 will take you to 1000 yards with no problem; do not not go under 20" on your barrel and install a 20 or 30 MOA scope base on your rifle. Do not buy cheap stuff, you will be sorry; buy once, cry once is a good thing to remember but with $4000, you can have a decent system.
Ask a lot of questions to the right people, Sniper's Hide is a good place for that, do your homework and do not rush your decision.
Have fun, good shooting.
Ombre noire
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