Hello all, first time posting here but am a frequent visitor.
I bought a cheapo used Savage 111 (30-06) a while ago just for grins. Recently, I've decided that I want to get into precision shooting. I was wondering if the Savage was a good platform to start a build. The main alternative in my mind is not wasting the time or money on the Savage, but buying a Remington 700 SPS Tactical in .308 and following the Budget Precision Build posted by LoneWolfUSMC. I will probably end up getting that rifle anyway. Frankly, I just don't feel like spending the money on a whole new gun and upgrades right now.
For the Savage, all I'm really thinking about is mounting a picatinny rail (already have a scope on Larue QD mount), and a new stock. Any other recommendations would be well received.
I am starting to get into reloading. But for now, I only have components for .223, brass only for 9mm. It seems to me .308 is hard to come by, even if just looking for components.
This will be a range/training gun. I want to get into competing, but that likely won't happen until next year, as I still need to learn how to shoot long range and reload. The max range in area seems to be 300 yards.
Pros and cons of the Savage, as I see them.
Pros:
-30-06 seems to be readily accessible. It's fully stocked at my Bass Pro Shop and has remained that way through all the craziness.
-Much lower up front cost.
-30-06 has marginally better performance than .308, though from what I've read this is pretty negligible.
Cons:
-Probably not the best building blocks for a precision rifle (just an assumption, I'm relying on you guys to fill this in).
-It has a light, hunting style barrel. I expect see vertical stringing when the barrel heats up. This is probably unacceptable for competition, but may adequate for training.
-The action doesn't feel as tight or smooth as the Remington I fondled at the store.
To summarize, is the Savage 111 a reasonable starter for a precision rifle build, or should I not even waste my time? My current thinking is to just use the Savage to get some trigger time and when ammo and/or components become readily accessible for .308, make the switch (Typing all of this out may have just helped me answer my own question, lol).
Thanks all
I bought a cheapo used Savage 111 (30-06) a while ago just for grins. Recently, I've decided that I want to get into precision shooting. I was wondering if the Savage was a good platform to start a build. The main alternative in my mind is not wasting the time or money on the Savage, but buying a Remington 700 SPS Tactical in .308 and following the Budget Precision Build posted by LoneWolfUSMC. I will probably end up getting that rifle anyway. Frankly, I just don't feel like spending the money on a whole new gun and upgrades right now.
For the Savage, all I'm really thinking about is mounting a picatinny rail (already have a scope on Larue QD mount), and a new stock. Any other recommendations would be well received.
I am starting to get into reloading. But for now, I only have components for .223, brass only for 9mm. It seems to me .308 is hard to come by, even if just looking for components.
This will be a range/training gun. I want to get into competing, but that likely won't happen until next year, as I still need to learn how to shoot long range and reload. The max range in area seems to be 300 yards.
Pros and cons of the Savage, as I see them.
Pros:
-30-06 seems to be readily accessible. It's fully stocked at my Bass Pro Shop and has remained that way through all the craziness.
-Much lower up front cost.
-30-06 has marginally better performance than .308, though from what I've read this is pretty negligible.
Cons:
-Probably not the best building blocks for a precision rifle (just an assumption, I'm relying on you guys to fill this in).
-It has a light, hunting style barrel. I expect see vertical stringing when the barrel heats up. This is probably unacceptable for competition, but may adequate for training.
-The action doesn't feel as tight or smooth as the Remington I fondled at the store.
To summarize, is the Savage 111 a reasonable starter for a precision rifle build, or should I not even waste my time? My current thinking is to just use the Savage to get some trigger time and when ammo and/or components become readily accessible for .308, make the switch (Typing all of this out may have just helped me answer my own question, lol).
Thanks all