I joined cause I'm ready to move up, and I'm looking for advice on a "great" long range gun. been reading a lot of posts. sako, les baer, etc. I've been shooting my whole life, but now I'm into accuracy. Bought a match grade M1a. Great gun, but not good enough. What should I buy?
First "good" rifle
- Thread starter JoshcBoucher
- Start date
Re: First "good" rifle
Need specifics: what are you going to use it for?(FTR, bench, tactical, etc); budget, if any; custom or highend factory; etc.
Need specifics: what are you going to use it for?(FTR, bench, tactical, etc); budget, if any; custom or highend factory; etc.
Re: First "good" rifle
You have a budget for this rifle?
What are you intending to do with it? Shoot with buddies, compete in tactical matches, benchrest? How far is "long range"?
You have a budget for this rifle?
What are you intending to do with it? Shoot with buddies, compete in tactical matches, benchrest? How far is "long range"?
Re: First "good" rifle
Ok. Specifics. True I should have stated them. Bench, "against" buddies, Hunting, maybe, but more bench. Looking for "that gun" that I can grow into. Would like to be accurate to 600 yds., to 1000, eventually. Would like to get a gun for that at around 3-5k, with optics. I reload. Have tons of 308. Thinking I may have to move up to 338. Thats ok. I'm retired. Have plenty of time to reload and shoot. It's a "hobby", not competition. It's that I've got this kid, I shoot with. Ex Army ranger. Cleans my butt, every time. he'll probably get the gun, when I'm done. Would like to show him what for, before I'm out.
Ok. Specifics. True I should have stated them. Bench, "against" buddies, Hunting, maybe, but more bench. Looking for "that gun" that I can grow into. Would like to be accurate to 600 yds., to 1000, eventually. Would like to get a gun for that at around 3-5k, with optics. I reload. Have tons of 308. Thinking I may have to move up to 338. Thats ok. I'm retired. Have plenty of time to reload and shoot. It's a "hobby", not competition. It's that I've got this kid, I shoot with. Ex Army ranger. Cleans my butt, every time. he'll probably get the gun, when I'm done. Would like to show him what for, before I'm out.
Re: First "good" rifle
I have a semi-custom 308 for sale in the F/S section now, it's been shot to 1040 with excellent results on a couple of occasions. At 600yd hits on 1MOA targets is straightforward.
The advice you've been given so far is excellent, especially about reading on here. Some of the best stuff is in the sticky threads at the top of each subforum.
I have a semi-custom 308 for sale in the F/S section now, it's been shot to 1040 with excellent results on a couple of occasions. At 600yd hits on 1MOA targets is straightforward.
The advice you've been given so far is excellent, especially about reading on here. Some of the best stuff is in the sticky threads at the top of each subforum.
Re: First "good" rifle
Shop the for sale section. Great deals to be had. The last one I paid $1600 less than build price and shoots in the .1's to .2's @100 yards.
Shop the for sale section. Great deals to be had. The last one I paid $1600 less than build price and shoots in the .1's to .2's @100 yards.
Re: First "good" rifle
I would imagine that the reason he cleans you out is that he's been trained on how to shoot and shoot well. I realize you said you have been shooting all your life, but if you don't know how to shoot properly at distance, all the money a guns in the world won't change that. You can hit at long range, with a less than budget gun if you have proper fundamentals. Is this guy shooting a custom gun and just simply beating you by fractions or is he shooting a factory/budget gun? I just ask as sometimes the money is better spent on training than on equipment. A good rifle is a must, but a custom rifle is not always necessary to got long. You can get very good accuracy with out of the box factory stuff if you know how to use it and use it well! I bet you have a 308 that you can have worked to get what you want and it will be built for you and not someone else.
I would imagine that the reason he cleans you out is that he's been trained on how to shoot and shoot well. I realize you said you have been shooting all your life, but if you don't know how to shoot properly at distance, all the money a guns in the world won't change that. You can hit at long range, with a less than budget gun if you have proper fundamentals. Is this guy shooting a custom gun and just simply beating you by fractions or is he shooting a factory/budget gun? I just ask as sometimes the money is better spent on training than on equipment. A good rifle is a must, but a custom rifle is not always necessary to got long. You can get very good accuracy with out of the box factory stuff if you know how to use it and use it well! I bet you have a 308 that you can have worked to get what you want and it will be built for you and not someone else.
Re: First "good" rifle
The difference between a good rifle and a great rifle is very small these days. There are several reasonably priced factory rifles you can buy that you can reasonably expect .5 MOA accuracy from. By the time you are good enough to find that a limitation you will probably know a lot more about what you want from an expensive custom rifle. Myself I am nowhere near that good yet.
The difference between a good rifle and a great rifle is very small these days. There are several reasonably priced factory rifles you can buy that you can reasonably expect .5 MOA accuracy from. By the time you are good enough to find that a limitation you will probably know a lot more about what you want from an expensive custom rifle. Myself I am nowhere near that good yet.
Re: First "good" rifle
With that budget, I'd take a good look at the FN SPR rifles:
http://www.fnhusa.com/le/products/firearms/model.asp?fid=FNF006&gid=FNG005&mid=FNM0024
Now just pick a scope (the HD Super Snipers are a good deal, so are the Vortexs').
I have a Winchester 70 (same action as above) and it is a great, reliable, and well machined action, plus the one in the link is fully bedded, A5 McM stock and an accurate chrome-lined barrel!
With that budget, I'd take a good look at the FN SPR rifles:
http://www.fnhusa.com/le/products/firearms/model.asp?fid=FNF006&gid=FNG005&mid=FNM0024
Now just pick a scope (the HD Super Snipers are a good deal, so are the Vortexs').
I have a Winchester 70 (same action as above) and it is a great, reliable, and well machined action, plus the one in the link is fully bedded, A5 McM stock and an accurate chrome-lined barrel!
Re: First "good" rifle
Mark @ Short Action Customs.....Nuff said. This link is my build from Mark. 1/4 MOA gun with no break in.
http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthre...056#Post2904056
Mark @ Short Action Customs.....Nuff said. This link is my build from Mark. 1/4 MOA gun with no break in.
http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthre...056#Post2904056
Re: First "good" rifle
Get a Sako TRG in 260 Rem.
You reload, could even use your 308 brass and neck it down, and the 260 is just plain fun to shoot. It has the ballistics of the 300 win mag with recoil less than your 308. The TRG is an incredibly comfortable gun to get behind. The stock is very adjustable, the trigger is one of the best, the bolt throw is soo much smoother than a 700 platform, and the bipod is very stable. It is basically all fun and no pain. Since you are new to long range, I would not recommend the 338 or heavy recoiling calibers unless you plan on shooting mostly at greater than 1200 yards. You need to learn to read the wind with something that is fun to shoot. 600 yards is not even a challenge with my 260 unless it is really windy. I have shot a 1.9 inch 3 shot group at 680 yards with it. I shot it at 1060 and 1120 in 15mph full value winds a week ago and it bested my friends modified Savage 7mm Rem Mag shooting 168 Bergers with a lot less recoil and noise. As shooters we are pretty close, my gun seems to be more consistent, which is what it is all about. He stated that he has never shot a gun that was so easy to shoot well. I agree with his assessment.
You could get a 260 TRG for $3000 and have $2000 left over for optics and accessories.
Get a Sako TRG in 260 Rem.
You reload, could even use your 308 brass and neck it down, and the 260 is just plain fun to shoot. It has the ballistics of the 300 win mag with recoil less than your 308. The TRG is an incredibly comfortable gun to get behind. The stock is very adjustable, the trigger is one of the best, the bolt throw is soo much smoother than a 700 platform, and the bipod is very stable. It is basically all fun and no pain. Since you are new to long range, I would not recommend the 338 or heavy recoiling calibers unless you plan on shooting mostly at greater than 1200 yards. You need to learn to read the wind with something that is fun to shoot. 600 yards is not even a challenge with my 260 unless it is really windy. I have shot a 1.9 inch 3 shot group at 680 yards with it. I shot it at 1060 and 1120 in 15mph full value winds a week ago and it bested my friends modified Savage 7mm Rem Mag shooting 168 Bergers with a lot less recoil and noise. As shooters we are pretty close, my gun seems to be more consistent, which is what it is all about. He stated that he has never shot a gun that was so easy to shoot well. I agree with his assessment.
You could get a 260 TRG for $3000 and have $2000 left over for optics and accessories.
Re: First "good" rifle
Thanks, guys, for the feedback. Been reading all the posts. Will watch and learn for a while. Great reading, by the way. Lot's of good info. I have an old German-made Weatherby, in 300 w mag. that was my "distance gun". After a few good shots at 400 yds., the groups opened up. Probably me. Bought an M1a match, in 308, but I've only gone to 100 yds with her. My thinking was to get a good gun,and focus on training. Right now , i'm shooting every 2nd week.
Thanks, guys, for the feedback. Been reading all the posts. Will watch and learn for a while. Great reading, by the way. Lot's of good info. I have an old German-made Weatherby, in 300 w mag. that was my "distance gun". After a few good shots at 400 yds., the groups opened up. Probably me. Bought an M1a match, in 308, but I've only gone to 100 yds with her. My thinking was to get a good gun,and focus on training. Right now , i'm shooting every 2nd week.
Re: First "good" rifle
The poster who suggested a TRG is on the right track. It's a bit more than some, but for accuracy, it's hard to beat.
I'd also suggest looking at a Sig SSG3000.
Used, they can be found as bargains bacause they haven't made the name of a Sako or an AI. We picked up one for the Dept for <$2500 w. a nice scope (that we replaced w. a USO). The accuracy is superb.
There are lots of customs out there that can be outstanding. There are also some off the shelf rifles like the Sako, AI and SSG that cost a bit more up front but are world-class out of the box.
Cheers,
Sirhr
The poster who suggested a TRG is on the right track. It's a bit more than some, but for accuracy, it's hard to beat.
I'd also suggest looking at a Sig SSG3000.
Used, they can be found as bargains bacause they haven't made the name of a Sako or an AI. We picked up one for the Dept for <$2500 w. a nice scope (that we replaced w. a USO). The accuracy is superb.
There are lots of customs out there that can be outstanding. There are also some off the shelf rifles like the Sako, AI and SSG that cost a bit more up front but are world-class out of the box.
Cheers,
Sirhr
Re: First "good" rifle
Give Stacey at Mile High Shooting a ring and see if an AI AE III might be the rifle for you. Advantages over a custom are that you can have it in a week and that spare parts are drop-in, regularly stocked items, not one-off, hand-fit things.
—Andreas
Give Stacey at Mile High Shooting a ring and see if an AI AE III might be the rifle for you. Advantages over a custom are that you can have it in a week and that spare parts are drop-in, regularly stocked items, not one-off, hand-fit things.
—Andreas
