Magpul Precision Rifle Class, need help and advise

[decodeddiesel]

Greetings all. I am a regular poster at M4Carine.net, but it was recommended to me to post this over here to get some better insight. As a pretty awesome very early birthday present my wife signed me up for the Magpul Dynamics Precision Rifle class coming up in June in Pueblo, CO.

The biggest issue is that the only experience I have with tactical precision shooting is in the Army with an M14 in a Sage chassis with a Leupold M3A fixed 10x. It was OK for what it was intended for (organic counter sniper work), but not the direction I want to go with this class/rifle build.

I am looking to do a bolt action .308 with a variable power scope from 3 or 4 to 10 or 15 power. Right now I am looking at:

*Remmington 700, probably a LTR, or SPS Tactical in .308

*If I go with the SPS Tactical I will need to get rid of the Hogue stock that distorts under a loaded bipod, and I would like to add detachable box magazine capability to the rifle but it's not critical.

*I was thinking about a Leupold MK4 3.5-10 with M2 turrets (and the calibrated .308 turret), but I am having some second thoughts...I am eying down a Nightforce 3.5-15x50 but that's a lot of $$$

* Warne or EGW 20 MOA base and rings (cheaper), or LaRue base and rings (more expensive). I don't know what size I would need for either the Leupold 3.5-10x40 or NF 3.5-15x50. Would I need a 20MOA base with the NF?

* Versa Pod or Harris Bi-Pod, though I don't know which size to get.

* probably a Quick Cuff sling

* 800 rounds of Federal Premium 168gr or 175gr Gold Medal to start with (will keep the brass and get to reloading soon), or PRVI 168gr or 175gr OTM.

* Gunsmith Scope install, action trueing (not sure what that would do for me), maybe a Badger Bolt knob...

* Then ancillary stuff like a Kestrel, Triad bag for the rear stock, sling, notebook, calculator, case, etc.

How does this list look? Please comment, correct, call me a moron, whatever.

I am very new to precision shooting, but have been reading a lot lately and I am taking this class in order to learn.

Thanks!

 

[jasonk]

Re: Magpul Precision Rifle Class, need help and advise

Welcome to the hide, your wife rocks.

Honestly, given your post and what I perceive your budget to be, I would look hard at this rifle package. It's a little ugly but you could grab a few cans of Krylon and have fun with it. This would get you shooting and practicing next week. As time/money allows you could swap the stock or just add a DM to this one. The 1moa M3 knobs may be a little rough adjustments for what you want, but again you could swap that out before June if you found you needed to, but I think the M3 would be fine if you were good with it.

http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1615448#Post1615448

The other options I would consider would be a Remington 5R, Seekins base and rings and a scope in your budget.

What is your budget for rifle/base/rings/scope?

 

[DaveV]

Re: Magpul Precision Rifle Class, need help and advise

Welcome to the Hide. My .002 is that of everything posted, the most important is to go with the NightForce. I'm running Leupold now and if I was in an either/or position on a new set-up, I would do everything I could to squeeze out the extra for better optics. There are many, many here with a homer of experience who say that NightForce is the best bang-for-the-buck optic.

By the way, take care of that wife of yours. She gets it and that is not something to take for granted.

 

[decodeddiesel]

Re: Magpul Precision Rifle Class, need help and advise

Thanks for the replies Guys, and thanks for the welcome. This site is definitely squared away.

I have not narrowed down my budget yet, as I have to factor in the cost of ammo etc. I was hoping to keep the rifle/scope/rings/base under $2k but that may not yield the rifle I am interested in. That complete used rifle is very tempting, the price is right that's for sure.

 

[decodeddiesel]

Re: Magpul Precision Rifle Class, need help and advise

OK so next question. I am looking to add DBM capability to this rifle, and the Manners mini-chassis bedded into one of their stocks looks like a the winner here for cost, convenience, weight savings, and quality. I like the T4-A and T2-A, but also like the T3 for weight savings. I am concerned however about shooting these stocks in positions other than prone off the bi-pod. Can anyone comment on this?

 

[mavrick10_2000]

Re: Magpul Precision Rifle Class, need help and advise

Welcome to the hide.

I love my T4A and don't really have an issue with positional shooting as far as a good cheekweld, eye relief etc. I have the heaviest weight option, that can get to be a bit to hold offhand - but I'm not the best judge right now, I have pinched nerves in both of my elbows which is impacting my strength a little bit. My Rem700 SPS Varmint with Nightforce F1, Harris, and CDI DBM weighs in at 15lbs empty. With a full 5rd AICS mag add about a pound.

If you were to go with a T4A request the lighter weight option to shave a bit of weight. I haven't chopped the 6 or so inches off of my 26" barrel yet, so a 20" barrel would probably help a bit. T2A or T3 depending on your preferences can get you into a bit lower weight overall.

T3 might be the most flexible overall for positional shooting and IIRC the best ability to keep overall weight down.

Good luck!

 

[Russ257]

Re: Magpul Precision Rifle Class, need help and advise

if you are going to buy PRVI buy one box and try it before you invest in large quantity. my rifle didn't like it.

 

[banshee sws]

Re: Magpul Precision Rifle Class, need help and advise

same here on the PRIVI ammo , it was spotty at best out of every precision rifle i own ; both factory LTR or custom Patriot arms rifle

try a box first

 

[Chiller]

Re: Magpul Precision Rifle Class, need help and advise

you may want to check CMP on the ammo.

 

[decodeddiesel]

Re: Magpul Precision Rifle Class, need help and advise

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: mavrick10_2000</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Welcome to the hide.

I love my T4A and don't really have an issue with positional shooting as far as a good cheekweld, eye relief etc. I have the heaviest weight option, that can get to be a bit to hold offhand - but I'm not the best judge right now, I have pinched nerves in both of my elbows which is impacting my strength a little bit. My Rem700 SPS Varmint with Nightforce F1, Harris, and CDI DBM weighs in at 15lbs empty. With a full 5rd AICS mag add about a pound.

If you were to go with a T4A request the lighter weight option to shave a bit of weight. I haven't chopped the 6 or so inches off of my 26" barrel yet, so a 20" barrel would probably help a bit. T2A or T3 depending on your preferences can get you into a bit lower weight overall.

T3 might be the most flexible overall for positional shooting and IIRC the best ability to keep overall weight down.

Good luck! </div></div>

This was exactly the insight I was looking for, much appreciated!

 

[decodeddiesel]

Re: Magpul Precision Rifle Class, need help and advise

Russ, banshee, and Chiller thanks for the advise on the ammo. I have only used the PRVI .223 and 5.56 stuff in my ARs. I was impressed with it for that application, but honestly that was out of a 14.5" M4 and 10.5" MK18 barrel where all I was looking for was 3 MOA or less, LOL.

 

[eleaf]

Re: Magpul Precision Rifle Class, need help and advise

I would look at this entry package from Sniper Central. They have lots of options, and the price/service is very good.

Get the Nightforce. If you want a lesser expensive alternative to the F1, you can always gets the 5.5-22x50 or 5.5-22x56. If you don't want the high magnification, don't use it (but it is sure nice to have it if the time comes and you say to youself "I wish I could go up to 18x").

 

[Jim Sinnema]

Re: Magpul Precision Rifle Class, need help and advise

CMP is decent ammo

 

[decodeddiesel]

Re: Magpul Precision Rifle Class, need help and advise

Is it not Federal Gold Medal Match?

 

[decodeddiesel]

Re: Magpul Precision Rifle Class, need help and advise

Well I was able to sneak in an order for an SPS Tactical from Buds before they sold out of the latest batch, which is good. I think I have narrowed things down some.

Rifle: R700 SPS Tactical in .308, Badger Bolt Knob
Scope: Nightforce NXS 3.5-15x50 the NP-R1 reticle
Base and Ring: NF 20MOA + NF Alloy Low Rings
Stock: Manners MCS-T2A with Mini-DBM, GAP Woodland Cammo, 2 left side sling flush cups

So more questions. I will be using AICS mags with the Manners DBM. How many mags should I bring? Would two be enough do you think?

What kind of chest rig or belt rig do you guys use in classes? I want to keep things minimal, but I was thinking of at least a few things. A dump pouch, my secondary (.45 M&P), a hydration baldder, a pouch for my Kestrel and my iPod, a couple mag pouches for the AICS mags, and some way to carry boxed rounds on my person so I can at least bring 50-100 rounds with me to the line.

ETA: Updated rifle build list.

 

[uscbigdawg]

Re: Magpul Precision Rifle Class, need help and advise

I'd bring 3-4 to be safe. Just my thing. Better to have it and not need it....

That said, PM Inbound on my < $2k build.

Rich