Re: Long range help
BigMoney,
Glad I am in time to say it is great you didn't get the Savage yet so you have time to consider going instead with a Remington 700 of some kind. It will be easier to find the Remington information, ammo ideas, modifications, and parts down the road also. Not finding the Savage easily could be an omen for you. There is a reason Remington is the most popular off the shelf (if have the extra cash consider going straight to custom instead of an off-the-shelf if want the best - see below). In an off-the-shelf rifle what is the best model of Remington 700 to get as have seen discussed here on SH several times, and it comes down to opinion with what the gun is used for combined with planed modifications later (if any). Every gun is a tool - think hard about intended use. As to which one is best for you - suggest to see, hold, and possibly shoot as many as possible. cp3head looked around, picked the Remington model 700 sps varmint without regrets. SKS_Guy says Remington 700 SPS Tactical AAC-SD is the best bang for your buck. Both these and more is at:
http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2488659
If go Remington, you will be able to share information with more people. Here is someone gaining load information from others shooting a Remington 700 SPS tactical 308 (load info would not be as easy to get for a Savage or especially Ruger with so many fewer shooters to gain insight from):
http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2476030
If go Remington, can get started shooting inexpensive then later build into your custom dream gun if not happy as it comes. Can add parts when have the desire and money - the guys I shoot with often upgrade theirs to a Timney trigger (not always necessary):
http://www.timneytriggers.com/
Savage does give big bang for the buck even when compared to a Remington - so Savage is on the comeback increasing in popularity. Of the two you gave us in the OP, my vote is also for a Savage if looking at one compared to a Ruger. Some of the Savage rifles shoot very nice. A friend has a Savage .308 I like as have put five shots inside a dime at 100 yards with it (actually shot seven and two stray shots were close by that were me moving around and not the gun). Not sure of its Savage model at this time, but it is supposedly one of their 'tactical' models with a stainless bull barrel and unsure of his modifications if any to make it shoot that way. Know it was a hand-load while do not recall bullet or powder specifics. It just works when I've been behind it. Do like the two stage feeling of the AccuTrigger and its added safety when set light (while do not any like extra moving parts on a hunting gun long term):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZOS0QCwvlM
Could ask what Savage I shot and what he's done - while note his last 4 rifle purchases have all been Remington 700s. The aftermarket parts available for Savage is on the rise when there used to be none, while still not as common as Remington. Remington as is usually the most flexible to build on later - that is unless you are ready to spring for a custom up front while that costs big money and would take more research. There are several threads comparing building off a standard off-the-shelf gun vs going custom to begin with if you do a search. Here is one of many threads here about that:
http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2444737
Here is a thread and there are several if do a search comparing Savage to Remington. Savage is revived with new products as good as any. Proven by the rifle teams Savage sponsors. It is Ford or Chevy almost with two sides to it at:
http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2015545&page=1
A link to more about Savage Rifle Team results including the below is at:
http://www.savagearms.com/
08/18/2010 : Team Savage Wraps Up Long-Range Season in Dominant Fashion
03/29/2010 : Team Savage Takes National Title, Breaks 1,000-yard Record
Some of the guys shoot around here.
As OP did not say, not sure what your definition of long range is or what you shoot at. For target shooting, a .308 works out to about 1000yd. Supersonic range is limited to about 1200yd (depending on bullet, altitude and temp) and some combinations are less. For hunting has enough energy out to about 500 yd to get an elk or mule deer for a well placed shot. Ammo is inexpensive when compared to others - go to your local ammo store and see. There is more match grade ammo for a .308 than anything else so would not have to re-load to get the good stuff and 308s are affordable to shoot. A .308 is a short action so cycles fast. 308s do not kick much. Another caliber such as a 7mmRM, 300WM, or 300 RUM would stay supersonic longer than a 308 if ever desire to shoot beyond 1000 yards. More about action sizes and caliber pluses and minuses to help you pick is at:
http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1877441
The JBM ballistics calculator online will confirm trajectories with energy downrange and allow you to compare (bullet and muzzle velocities are the two big things you need to put in as the other stuff usually goes to a default and can be played with later if you want to see the effects of wind, etc.):
http://www.jbmballistics.com/cgi-bin/jbmtraj-5.1.cgi
Caution: calculated and real world BC for any bullet are often different so real world results may vary. But JBM is a great free place to start.
Possibly consider thinking about it more to give you time to do lots of searches here to gain more information, to make a most informed decision where is best to spend your cash on an awesome new toy to shoot far. Hope this helps you understand the trade offs and feel good about whatever you get. Shooting is fun.
