New LR shooter

[luvmy40]

Hi there all!

This is my first post and will likely be my only post for a while.

I have not been a long range shooter but have a bit of experience out to 300 yds.

I have a custom built 98 Mauser rifle in .243 that my Dad had built back in the early 70's. 21" barrel, but I have no idea what the twist rate is. It has a Weaver 10x mounted on see through high rings and a great set of irons. This rifle has taken many woodchuck and several white tail but I have never had the opportunity to work it past 300 yds. I have not reloaded anything for this to date and have used Hornady 100gr for the most part.

When I told my wife that I would like some better quality glass for this rig I had no idea that she would order a Millet LRS1 for me. She had no idea that it would not just bolt right on. After a finding that it would be a major chunk of change to get the right rail mounted and then only be marginally performing long range rifle,I decided to look into a dedicated long range gun.

I have the opportunity to buy into a Remington model 700, .300 Win Mag at a decent price.

I have also been looking at Savage's AccuTrigger offerings. I will be reloading what ever cartridge I decide to go with so take that into consideration.

I guess the question at hand is the same as you have all heard many times before. Should I go with the Remy in 300WM or go with the AccuTrigger? If the Savage is a good route what would be the best cartridge for a newb?

The reality of my situation is that I can regularly see 600yds but anything longer takes some planning and will be a couple times a year at most.

Yes, I did see the caliber thread and did get some good info from it but it is just a little too vague for someone of my limited experience to use as a definitive source.

Thanks.

 

[Wannashootit]

Re: New LR shooter

I think the .300 WM- while it'll certainly do what you want with excellence- is "overkill" for punching paper at 600 yards and (rarely) beyond.

I would suggest you go with a Savage- excellent value for the money and superb out-of-the-box accuracy.

Since you don't handload, I would suggest you consider the .308 as it's a versatile cartridge with the greatest selection of commercial ammo available- along with the .223/5.56 which is also a good choice up to the 600 yards you're talking about.

The cost of .223 ammo is a fraction of the .308...
It is certainly more challenging taking the .223 to 600 and beyond, but doable.

The advantage of Savage, if you go that route, is that changing calibers is an easy DIY job...all you need is a barrel nut wrench, a go gauge, and your new barrel (and a new bolthead if needed).

The Remington 700 is legendary, but for your intended use, I would not select that caliber. Expensive to shoot, and not as much fun for the shoulder.

Good luck!

 

[rusty815]

Re: New LR shooter

I agree with wannashootit, go the savage route for the out of the box accuracy and accutrigger, and go the .308 route for versatility.

 

[luvmy40]

Re: New LR shooter

Thanks for the response!

Wannashootit,
I will be hand loading what ever I end up with. Cost/availability is still an important issue but not really a deal breaker.

I have heard from more than a few that the 300WM can be brutal, and the AccuTrigger feels spectacular in dry fire. I will probably end up with a new Savage in the long run.

I would still like some first hand opinions on the cartridges available from a new shooter stand point. IE, is .308 easier to to to adjust for drop than 7mm08... I guess my real question is this. Is there one cartridge that has more consistent performance than the others or is it simply a matter of finding the one you enjoy shooting and cooking your own consistency?

It sounds like I am looking for the magic pill that will turn me into an instant sniper. That is not the case at all. I just don't want to beat my head against the wall because I chose the wrong cartridge to learn with. All I really want is to not go down the path of most resistance. I don't need to buy a 7mm08 and then find that I would have been better served by learning with the .308 or 25-06.

 

[Bushmaster55]

Re: New LR shooter

I was in your shoes not to long ago. I have been shooting all my life but not at extended ranges. This site and these people will keep you busy wanting to push yourself. For my money I choose the Savage route. I was lucky and found a Savage 10 fcp hs. in 308. Do some research and dig around the for sale boards. I actually found mine on Gunbroker.com new for less than $700. You will not be disappointed in this rig for a beginner. You will be limited in regards to after market accessories with the Savage so this is something to think about. The glass I choose was a Super Sniper 10X for $300. with bipod, sling and a couple high cap mags (which are not necessary but cool) I’m around $1200 total. I hit my first 1k yd steel this year with constancy and managed a few out to 1200yds on 12” plate. The gun will do it. Have Fun

 

[doc76251]

Re: New LR shooter

Welcome and well done on a well thought out first post!

As was mentioned above the 300WM is a good choice but it's expensive to feed, can be hard to handle and will need a new tube before too very long. It's also a little overkill for 600 and in. IMHO 308 is just too easy to learn with and the boolet and powder selections are huge.

Savages are excellent options and if you have the opportunity to wrap your hands around the different flavors of stocks before dropping the cash it is preferred. One of the nice things about Savages chambered in 308 is that they have a 10 twist tube so that you can run any weight boolet w/ no problems.

http://www.savagearms.com/firearms/model/10FCPMcMILLAN

The other obvious bonus is that you can swap barrels on the cheap which gives you the option to play with different cartridges if you are so inclined.

Cheers,

Doc

 

[Mudcat-NC]

Re: New LR shooter

Just get a 223 with a fast twist bbl if all you are shooting his 600 yard....which, btw, is not long range, its mid range. LR doesnt start till you hit 800. I think you will find that the 223 will do what you need it to do, will do it at a economical price (relatively speaking, of course) and it gives you a good chance to get out and shoot more, which is how you improve your game....and, well, its fun.

 

[Wannashootit]

Re: New LR shooter

Luvmy40;

Funny you mention the 7mm-.08...
I just bought one (Savage), and am planning to rebarrel another Savage we have-currently .308- to 7mm-.08 as well. I handload, so ammo availability is not a concern.

It has slightly better ballistics than the .308, in the class of the .260. However, at 600 and under, it's not really a big deal and the .308 will do it very well- with a bit more (how much more, I don't know) barrel life. The .308 also has far superior availability of commercial ammo across the entire price spectrum.

So, I would say...since you don't handload, go with a Savage flavored in .308.

If you get into handloading at some point, or longer range shooting, you can always pick up a brand new match-grade barrel in the caliber of your choice for a few hundred bucks, and swap it out yourself.

 

[luvmy40]

Re: New LR shooter

I went walk about today and found a Savage .270 with the AccuTrigger used for $439.00. I don't think that this rifle has the AccuStock, but I am not sure how big a deal that really is.

I see that the .270 is listed as a long action .308 bolt face.I have been told that this could be converted to 30-06 but not .308. Any truth to this?

I did a google search for the transonic range of the .270 win cartridge and came up with 500 yds. Can anyone collaborate this?

 

[Mudcat-NC]

Re: New LR shooter

Personally, the 270 wouldnt be on my list of go to cartridges for LR playing. But, if you can rebarrel to 3006, you could also do so for 308 (3006 and 270 are long action, while the 308 is a short action and 3006 and 308 can use the same bolt face, etc, but the issue you may have is your mag space...that I dont know how it would work in teh savage)

If you are new to the game, you might want to think about hanging out with some actual LR shooters for a bit and pick their brains about what to get, etc.

 

[luvmy40]

Re: New LR shooter

Well, I found a deal that I could not pass up today. It's not exactly what i had in mind but it should be enough to get started with considering the limited amount of real long range time I am going to actually see.

While at one of my favorite LGSs pricing the Savage rifles the owner said that he had a never fired Rem. 700, .308win on consignment that the owner wanted to sell at $650.00. It is the SPS Tactical with a 20"threaded barrel, Ghillie green Hogue overmolded stock and adjustable trigger.

As I said, it just wasn't what I was looking for but damn it was nice!

The owner of the Remy called while I was there and I heard the shop owner tell him that I was looking at it but it wasn't really what I wanted. He handed me the phone and the voice at the other end said. "Give me $550.00 and shoot the hell out of that thing since I can't!" So, it came home with me!

Pics later

 

[Wannashootit]

Re: New LR shooter

Unless it had some extras, his initial asking was too high, anyway.
They have a street price of around six bills, so since it's in new condition you did OK.

Nice rifle, good luck with it.

 

[robp5t]

Re: New LR shooter

I started with that same rifle about a year or so ago and loved it. Did it already have an optic on it?

 

[luvmy40]

Re: New LR shooter

It has the scope base installed but that's it as far as extras go.

I found it on Buds for $637 free shipping. After FFL fees and scope base I figure I'm ahead by at least $180.00. The local shops are all hitting this one around $650.00 which is probably where the asking price came from.

 

[robp5t]

Re: New LR shooter

Very cool, I picked mine up for about the same price as you did.

 

[Red_SC]

Re: New LR shooter

Good deal, you won't regret it. That's not just a starter rifle, you'll want some upgrades later but it will keep you shooting for years.

 

[Muttt]

Re: New LR shooter

That's a good choice in a rifle. It's my most recent purchase. Through away that worthless Houge Overmold stock as fast as you can get the bolts loose. It's flexible and loose and you can't use it for support on bags or a bipod. But ..... the rest of the rifle is a damn fine rifle.

 

[luvmy40]

Re: New LR shooter

Well, I spent some time and a very little money on trying to beef up the Hogue stock. A piece of 1/2" square steel tubing, some Alumilite epoxy resin and a bit of Devcon 10110. It's definitely better but still not great. I ordered a Bell & Carlson Tactical Medalist Style 2 from Stocky's Stocks last night. I hope the wait is not too long.

 

[luvmy40]

Re: New LR shooter

I ordered the B&C stock on Thursday night. Stockys showed it as out of stock, back order OK. Friday morning I called to ask what the usual turn around for this item was. I was told 4-6 weeks as a general rule. Friday afternoon I got an email that my package had shipped from Stockysstocks.com!

Looks like I'll be hitting the range Tomorrow afternoon.

 

[luvmy40]

Re: New LR shooter

The stock arrived today...and will be going back to Bell & Carlson tomorrow.

Long story short, I think stockys sent out a returned stock. The bottom metal is obviously offset from the bedding pillars and when the mounting screws are torqued the action pulls to the right so badly that the barrel is smashed against the fore end all the way down the right side.

B&C issued an RMA for warranty eval but I had to eat the shipping.

Oh well, maybe I'll get to shoot it next month.

Oh yeah, the Millett was DOA also and still at Bushnell for warranty replacement(they paid the return shipping).

It's a good thing I don't believe in omens!

 

[VKC]

Re: New LR shooter

My personal preference the remmy 300win mag. I don't like Savage's triggers, but that is my preference.