New guy needing help!!

[The Peddler]

Hello everyone!! I have been reading on here for a few days, and I must say, you all know your stuff!

I am wanting to get me a .308 rifle that will hit a paper plate from 50yrds - 400yrds maybe more. Don't really need a tack driver just something that would hit a 8 inch target. I was hoping someone on here could tell me what kind of setup I would need for that. Right now I am leaning toward a Remington 700, but I am open to anything you have to say!

I am wanting to go with a .308 because the ammo is cheap, and it is a all around good round. If there is another round you like please tell me what it is and why you like it.

Before anyone ask, yes I can shoot! I have been shooting all my life, just not much past 100yrds or so. Really don't know much about high power rifles.

Also I am not wanting to brake the bank on this!!! I would like to get setup for under a $1000.

Thanks for any info you can give me!!!!

 

[308Shooter1911]

Re: New guy needing help!!

You cant go wrong with the 700. Check out this article.

http://www.8541tactical.com/budget%20precision%20article.php

 

[rusty815]

Re: New guy needing help!!

If all you want to do is hit an 8" paper target at up to 400 yards, any rifle will do. Get whatever fits your budget and feels best for you, I recommend savage simply because that's what I have and works great, one of the most accurate if not the most accurate factory rifles.

 

[Cegorach]

Re: New guy needing help!!

Hard to argue with a R700, they can be bought/built from mild to wild on almost any budget.

If you are looking for inexpensive precision I might suggest a rifle chambered in .223. Match ammo can be bought or reloaded for cheap, even compared to .308, and it will get you out to 400+ with ease.

 

[Boltfluter]

Re: New guy needing help!!

A Tikka T3 would fit the bill nicely. Just a thought. Paul.

 

[sako.308]

Re: New guy needing help!!

i vote for a Remy 700 sps varmit,.223 few reasons.

1. price is spot on with a working mans budget
2. ammo price is cheap
3. 26" barrel-- adds weight, and will help with velocity out to your 400yrd goal
4. aftermarket support
5. hard to find one that wont shoot
6. fielded by miltary snipers, and civilians for 40+ yrs
7. can grow with needs

btw i shoot a sps varmit in .308 and i love it. but have been thinking changing over to a .223 just cause i dont need a .30 cal range gun since i am building a bigger cal range gun also

 

[JoshcBoucher]

Re: New guy needing help!!

Welcome! This is a good site. I've only been on for 6 mo., and this is the best group of guy's, on the web, for long range work. My thoughts: look at savage. My Buddy got a Savage slug gun that shot like My rifle. I've got a Rem 700 5R. Cost $1058.00. It's a fine gun. I've also still got my Grandpa's 30-30 Win. It's a shooter, too!I like the 308, same as you, cause it's relatively cheap to shoot. Not .22 cheap, but not .338 Lapua. It's a great round to shoot, and there's a lot of cheap "surplus" available. It'll take a deer. It'll protect your home. It'll shoot great groups, at the range. I saw a Marlin 45/70, on the sale site, for $450. I have a Winchester 45/70. It's a GREAT, FUN, shooter. Old buffalo cartridge. Kicks like a mule, Hits like a freight train. Good to 500 yds. except it "drops" fast. Lots of "old hunting rifles" can fit the bill. Precision shooting is a whole other game, when ya "really" get into it. Go to the high end guns. You can easily spend Ten grand. I'd say, start with a remy, or savage. Look for a good "used" gun, and go from there.

 

[cactusbrew]

Re: New guy needing help!!

I"m going to agree on the 223. For a beginner, its really a great place to start. The ammo is relatively cheap, no recoil, and it will allow you to focus on the fundamentals.

For a beginner rifle, look at a Rem 700 SPS heavy barrel or a Savage heavy barrel rifle. Put a Vortex scope on top, buy a bunch of ammo, and you are well within your budget.

Best of luck in your quest. This site is excellent for information on any and all questions you might have. Use the search function and read up, you will be surprised at what you can learn.

When you get older, you'll be like the rest of us, and save every penny for high end custom rifles with European glass.

ETA: I have a Savage 12 BVSS in 223 that I take shooting prairie dogs every Spring/Summer. Its amazingly accurate and for the price, cannot be beat.

 

[The Peddler]

Re: New guy needing help!!

Thanks guys for all the info!!!

I do like shooting .223, I have a Bushmaster AR, but I never really thought about 400yrds with it. All I have on the AR is a red dot scope, so I would have to get a better scope for sure.

Don't be to hard on me when I ask this!! What do you think of the Mossburg Night Train 2? I love the way this rifle looks, but I know the way it looks does not mean it is a good rifle.

Thanks again guys!!!!

 

[Paulus]

Re: New guy needing help!!

SPS varmint, or tactical, in .223 is a great option. So is the Tikka. Cant go wrong either way. savage also makes a great rifle and reasonable price. Stevens 200 as well.

Paulus

 

[SIG700]

Re: New guy needing help!!

http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1568182

There's all the info you should need to cross the Mossburg off the list IMHO. (I also handled one the other day at the range... I wouldn't suggest you buy it)
With mostly everyone else- I'd recommend either the Rem 700 or Savage 10 (personally I vote for Rem 700, probably because its what I shoot) for out of the box value and wide range of parts available. Match ammo (going of FGMM $) is roughly same price between .223 and .308, however "junk" or "plinking" ammo for .223 is significantly cheaper than its .308 counter part. (plinking ammo should be sufficient for your 2 MOA goal out to 400)

Hope this helps! P.S. Welcome the the Hide

 

[DeadNoise]

Re: New guy needing help!!

i picked up a remmy 700 tactical 308, well actually my gf bought it for me for xmas, put on a super sniper scope and have been very pleased with it as i am new to precision shooting myself. rifle shoots good being a factory rifle, optics are well made for the 300 dollar range IMO, im only in the rifle $850.

 

[Bone318]

Re: New guy needing help!!

I shot a rem 700P for 3 years in competition and still have it today. It's plenty accurate out to 600 yards and shoots factory ammo fine, though I hand load for it now. Can't go wrong IMO.