New rifle to get back into bench shooting

[Truth223]

To make a long story short I haven’t been shooting much the past few years due to finances and too busy working on my house. Now that things have settled down I’m looking at getting back into another bench rifle. I’m familiar with the 700 platform as I’ve owned quite a few, I do reload and I have plenty of .308 components. I only have access to 200 yard range right now.

I’m torn between another 700 build, ruger precision rifle, savage ba 10 stealth or tikka ctr. I will be staying with .308 for the time being, and for glass il just use an older swfa 10x I have left from a previous build. Any recommendations on my choices?

 

[Truth223]

I will check those out. Thanks for the recommendation

 

[Truth223]

So I have decided on the bergara hmr. I’ve always been a 308 shooter, know which loads work for 308, have all the components etc etc. would 6.5 creed be worth switching over?

 

[b6graham]

So I have decided on the bergara hmr. I’ve always been a 308 shooter, know which loads work for 308, have all the components etc etc. would 6.5 creed be worth switching over?

If you wanna shoot comps yes. Or shoot further slightly easier. If you're gonna shoot just for fun at 200y and you already haveeverything then theres no super great reason to switch

It's a small investment initially. But is easier to shoot. Less recoil. Better ballistics.

 

[patriot07]

6.5 has better ballistics and less recoil. 308 is useable, but definitely at a disadvantage.

Tikka CTR gets my vote 8 days a week. I have yet to see one that won't shoot 1/2 MOA with handloads, some better. Great factory trigger, nearly impeccable reliability, and super-smooth action for less than $1k is hard to beat.

 

[Bender]

At 600 yards and less they are neck and neck. A .308 is excellent at those ranges. But if you ever want to be more consistent at 600+yards. The 6.5 will really shine. If you never shoot past 600-800 yards, there is absolutely nothing wrong with a .308.

 

[Alabusa]

Don't overlook the Howa HCR. I believe there is a Snipers Hide review on them.

 

[sandwarrior]

Get a Howa Short action and build anything from 6mm BR-6mm Rem with a tight twist. Load them light so you keep good barrel life, and drill holes in the center of your targets. If you like Remington, go with that. You won't go wrong. To me it's the features of an action. They can all be made to be very accurate.

If you are thinking of ever getting into the precision rifle game, you'll find lower recoiling rifles help. Controlling recoil off a bench is easier than multi-positional shooting. A .308 doesn't work as well for that.

When it comes to reaching out, finding that balance of weight and speed in a caliber...and how fast you wear out barrels, to maximize your long distance calls is the key to this. Bullet efficiency, not power.