First Post...be gentle.

W

weshowe

Private
Full Member
Minuteman
Nov 24, 2013
68
27
Monmouth, OR
#1
Gents,

I've been away from tactical shooting for about a decade now and at 62 it's no longer a run & gun proposition, but a interest and a hobby now. Dusted off my M40A1 clone last night in preparation for a range outing later this week. It's an Obermeyer barreled(1:10" twist) .308 built on Rem 700 action to USMC standards. It shoots when I can get the loose nut behind the butt-plate to get his feces-cohesive. I've got the gear just need to take the time and find a few friends to share the experience with...that makes it much more fun.

So, I'm not a neophyte and probably class myself as a reasonably competent individual.

I like the .308, but have used the 6.5 X .284 in a M40A1 style platform that was capable of 1 1/4" groups at 600 yards using 142 grain SMK's.

My equipment is dated(like me) and I need advice on upgrades to include a new rifle this next year. Optics, too. I'm using a MK IV M1 10X w/mil-dot reticle on my M40A1 and it works well...for what I do, that is...

I'm leaning toward a 260 Remington or a 6.5 X 47 Lapua. Is Remington still making their Model 700 5R's in stainless? I haven't been able to find one, but may start there.

All for now. I'll go don my nomex underwear and await your replies.

Wes
 
#3
Nice work on the first post - no worries on the Nomex. Welcome to the Hide.

You'll be fine running your M40 clone - nothing wrong with that if you know how to do your part.
Either of the calibers you mention (260 or 6.5x47) are great performers...I would also add the 6.5Creedmoor to the list as well. You can't do wrong with either of these 6.5mm/.264 calibers.

The Remmy 5R is in stainless and available...they are just hard to find sometimes.
 
#4
Welcome Wes. Nothing wrong with "dated" equipment if it's in good working order in my opinion. I personally like the .260 over the 47 myself. Remington does make the 5R in stainless, and it's a fine rifle. Hopefully you're into reloading/hand loading if you go with a 260 because factory ammo is pricey. There are a lot of good choices of optics. So much it can be confusing. I personally like S&B, but I use NF because they are a little more affordable, and I have a few rifles. Plus I was able to get all my NF at dealer cost a while back. Plus there's also US Optics, Leupold, and Vortex to name a few more.
 
#5
Gents,

Thanks for the quick replies. I agree "practical over tactical" any day.

My equipment is dated, but when I pick it up it's like shaking hands with an old friend. It still does what I want. Still, I'd like to upgrade at some point in time.

May have to beat my distributor up over the Remmie 5R. I'm an FFL, also, so that may help.

Reloading? Reload for ALL my firearms and do so well. I've loaded for a couple SWAT guys and they NEVER had any issues with the quality of the ammo. Me either, as a matter of fact. I'm the weak link.

Are they making the 5R in 260 Remington? Hope so, that would get me in the gave at a reasonable cost. I can go full custom at a later date.

Sitting on 1K of SMK 6.5's from my 6.5 X 284 days, so all I'll need are dies, cases, etc. OH! A rifle in that caliber would be good, too...;-)

All for now,

Wes
 
#6
Welcome to the Hide! Some good people have already responded, but I will add that I have much love for the A1 configuration. Tim Roberts at Crescent Customs is spinning a Bartlein on a 700 receiver that will sit in a McM illan M40 stock in forest camo.

Good to have you.
 
#8
What he said^^^. And welcome. There is a wealth of knowledge and some nice guys here. Of course you'll find the occasional jackass that'll poke his head into a post as well. Run what you have till you feel you are out performing it or it is limiting you. And like has been said before any of the 6.5's are dominating right now. I'm a little biased towards the 260, so I'd try and sway you towards that. You can't go wrong with it. And I'm not sure if they are still making one in 260, but I'd assume that remington is making 700 in 260 just because it's their cartridge. I really like the 139 Lapua Scenar projectiles and grab a forster micrometer seating die while you are out there looking. Great Dies. They make a FL sizer as well. Good luck getting back into the sport, it's a good time. And there are plenty of good glass makers out there. You can find some great deals here in the classifieds section if you can wait till one pops out. You have to be fast because the good ones don't normally last too long. Also, as far as brass, Lapua and Norma are making some great brass for 260. You can find that once fired and new in the classifieds as well.
 
#12
Another option should you want to keep and shoot the rifle you have and like is to have it rebarreled. Sounds like you already have a platform you like well and you do not need to have a custom action and rifle to have fun and be competive. Welcome and happy shooting.
 
#14
I'd honestly say that until you can shoot the difference between a 308 and a 260 at range, stick with what you've got and enjoy it. There have been some excellent tech upgrades for long range shooting so that may be something you're interested in looking at, but it's tough to go wrong with a trusty 308. Welcome back to LR shooting!
 
#15
As a beginner, having read tons and shot some (not ever enough), I'd say that for starters, just shoot what you have with an eye for what you want. But upgrade the glass on your M40A1 clone. That is probably where the largest improvement has been made in that last ten years where you'll see an improvement from the start. There have been tons of other great improvements in the sport and yes, a 6.5/.264 platform change is a great place to look for a change, but if you get some good to great glass now, you'll have immediate satisfaction and can always move it to your new rifle when that happens.

Plus, once you get out there shooting again with your new-found friends, maybe you'll get a hankerin' to try a 6mm Creedmore or something similar. You just don't ever know.
 
#19
I agree with just shooting what you have to get back into the groove, and then making some decision from there. Sounds like your optics work well enough for you, so there's no "need" for a change, but if you "wanted" to upgrade, there are a lot of affordable scopes that can be had in the 5-25'ish range in damn near any configuration of reticle and adjustments. Being relatively new to all this myself, I chose to go with a mil based reticle and .1 mil/click adjustments with first focal plane so I limited the amount of things to learn about adjustments at various ranges. Already too many things to try to remember to have to think about all that. Should you reach a point where you "need" another rifle, I highly recommend the Firearms for Sale section on this website. Lots of GREAT deals to be had on some pretty nice rifles right now. Same is true for optics.
 
#20
Gents,

Thanks for the continued replies.

Quarter Horse: I'm assuming you're military or LE from your profile. Thanks for serving. I retired from the Marines in '94 as a Major with tours in Vietnam and DS/DS, so appreciate your service. I've been in Oregon since dad moved us here in 1963. Was in the service from '70 to '94.

You want me to rebarrel a Obermeyer tube that's still got 60% life left in it? Ouch! Think not. I will get another action to build on...
I still have another .308 Obermeyer barrel tucked away in the safe. Just in case I manage to shoot this one out!

I'm a fan of John Krieger's tubes, too. Who else is making worthy tubes?

Went looking for a Remmie 700 5R today. Found out that they are all made for and marketed through Accusport. Interesting. I may get one to try it out and use the action when I build my next rifle.

Who's making worthy actions out there today? Surgeon or others?

All for now,

Wes
 
#21
weshowe said:
Gents,

Thanks for the continued replies.

Quarter Horse: I'm assuming you're military or LE from your profile. Thanks for serving. I retired from the Marines in '94 as a Major with tours in Vietnam and DS/DS, so appreciate your service. I've been in Oregon since dad moved us here in 1963. Was in the service from '70 to '94.

You want me to rebarrel a Obermeyer tube that's still got 60% life left in it? Ouch! Think not. I will get another action to build on...
I still have another .308 Obermeyer barrel tucked away in the safe. Just in case I manage to shoot this one out!

I'm a fan of John Krieger's tubes, too. Who else is making worthy tubes?

Went looking for a Remmie 700 5R today. Found out that they are all made for and marketed through Accusport. Interesting. I may get one to try it out and use the action when I build my next rifle.

Who's making worthy actions out there today? Surgeon or others?

All for now,

Wes
Click to expand...

Bartlein seems to be popular tubes now, got my parts all sitting here for a custom 260 build now, seems you have a great start, hopefullyin a month or so I will have groups to share for the new match build! Welcome to the Hide,
 
#22
Don't know where the military is in my profile but you are correct. RVN '68, '69 and '70 but never operated in a USMC AO. Back at you for your time in. If you've been in Or. this long you probably know these things but in case you don't. 1000 yard range at Douglas Ridge near Boring and 600 yards at Tri-County in Sherwood. Tri-County holds 3-gun, F Class, and one Precision Rifle Comp. There's great sage-rat and rock chuck hunting in Or. and most farmers/ranchers are happy to be rid of them.
 
#23
Quarter Horse,

You were in 'Nam for some rough years, my friend. My tour was with the Navy(I was enlisted then) so doesn't come close to comparing to your experience.
I was aware of the Douglas Ridge range, but have never shot there. Also, Tri-County(I've shot there), and I have a small private 600 yard range with military butts about 25 miles from where I live. I'm blessed. I need to get into the sage rat hunting, as I'm retired now and have the time.
More as time permits.

Wes
 
#24
The bulk of custom actions being used for these builds are the Surgeon, Stiller, Defiance and Bighorn. They all are great choices for a custom build and it comes down to what you want to spend and personal preference.
 
#25
Welcome to the hide. Do a search and you will find answers to your questions. Just kidding, but that seems to be the answer to anyones first post.

I would upgrade the optics. My dad recently got into precision shooting (mainly at the 100 yard range). He is cheap but I convinced him to get a vortex viper pst 6-24 and he loves it. He is 75 now and his eyes are not what they used to be (I bet you can relate). You didn't mention your budget, but this scope is under $1000.
 
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