Re: New shooter:Tell me why I SHOULDN'T buy this rifle
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Wannashootit</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Advice is what I asked for, and why I posted...
I really don't see, even after re-reading my post, where I was "arguing". I was just askin...
We're shooting at the Hernando Gun Club range. 200 yard max, and that's only open once a month.
Perhaps I'm on the wrong forum altogether, and that could be- if so, I apologize. You can tell from my post count, and my initial posts, that I'm the first to admit I know jack shi* about the hobby which is why I'm trying to learn.
I only asked why I should spend more for another make of rifle when the specs for the one I mentioned seemed pretty damn good for the $$. I bought a Rem 700 VTR for my son- and it's a nice shooter, no doubt. But I think sometimes there's a temptation to get caught up in "name brands" (as with any product) and was just seeking an objective opinion. T/C doesn't seem to be represented here, even though their Icon model was named the second most accurate rifle by F&S for '07-'08.
http://www.fieldandstream.com/photos/gal...nd-2008?photo=1 If this is a site where there's "name brand" snobbery of some sort, I'll be sure not to post again.
Snipe, thanks for the info, and I understand your point. If there is a way to "modify" a rifle over time to be more accurate at longer distances as our skills improve, I'm all ears. Didn't know that could be done (without blowing a ton of money). I'll PM you for some more info...obviously, going from 100 yards to 1000 is way beyond my experience level- do they have intermediate distances? </div></div>
Some people here just feel like the way that you've responded means that you're pretty set on the rifle. So they just feel like it's a waste of time to reply or say much if you've already made up your mind. Maybe you haven't made up your mind, and I really don't care either way, but some people just feel like you're wasting their time, and no point if asking if you already decided.
Others are telling you like it is, that a 1 MOA rifle at 100 yards, isn't always a 1 MOA rifle at even 500. Part of which rifle you buy will depend on what you want to do with the rifle, and if you want to change it up or not. Most of the shooters on this forum and who shoot LR seriously or often, end up with at least a partial custom rifle, and parts changed out. The actions with the most aftermarket choices are the Reminton 700's, or the "clone" actions. The Savages are a good compromise and design though, and there are getting to be more and more parts for them. They also leave the option to basically change the barrel yourself. Lots of guys here also run matches, and with that you'll have parts break sometimes, and you want them to be readily available or easy to stock for cases like that.
If the rifle shoots the way they say it does, and you like the rifle the way it is, and plan on leaving it the way that it is, go for it. Like others have said, after you start shooting LR, you may decide that your needs are a little different, or that you want to change a few things (maybe not full custom). What happens if you don't like the trigger, and aren't worried about pull weight, but can't get it adjusted where you like the pretravel, overtravel, etc? What happens if you want a trigger less than 3.5#'s? Do you know of anyone that makes an aftermarket trigger that fits the action? What happens when you work a load up too hot, blow a primer and screw up the trigger? Well, you'll probably have to send it off to T/C to fix or them send you a replacement. What happens if the extractor or ejector screw up, are they interchangeable with other designs, or do you have to wait for that as well? What happens if you decide the barrel is too light or shoot one out eventually? Well obviously you want to have it replaced, but do you know a smith who can do it and do it properly? Even if you know of a smith who can do it properly, you may want the action blueprinted. So can they blueprint it, and is it more expensive and more dedicated than Rem. or Savage? Remington's and Savage actions are much more common in terms of having some smith work done to them. Even if you know a smith who could do the work on the T/C, what's his waiting list? Since there's not as many smiths that do the work, maybe it's a year. Can you wait that long to have a new barrel put on there? What happens if you decide that you want more rounds in the DBM than 3? Well, it's not like you can go buy some Badger or other DBM system that is going to fit the action. What about quality scope rings to fit the tactical scope you want to mount on it? Does someone make some bases that will fit the top of the action, and also fit the diameter of the scope tube, and be high quality rings?
Stocks aren't that big of a deal most of the time nowadays. If you are buying a high end stock, they will inlet it for whatever action you like. If they don't have the specs for the action, you can get them for them and they'll inlet it for it. You still can't just go to a website and buy on in stock. That means you'll have to wait to have the stock made and inletted. Basically what everybody is telling you is this; "If you plan on leaving the rifle EXACTLY how it is, and it shoots, go for it." If you plan on, or ever have the desire to change anything or much on the rifle, you're going to be SEVERLY hindered in options, availability, etc. It's not that the Remington and Savage are "more accurate", accuracy only takes you so far in the tactical game. You'll notice that the guys here aren't shooting Bench Rifles, and most aren't using Bench Rifle actions, even if they're from the same makers, they usually have different tolerances. In tactical rifles, customizing rifles, and LR shooting, you can to consider the possibility for changing parts or replacing parts on them. The question then becomes about how widespread are parts and options for this action? Most of us don't shoot stock much of anything. So what do you want to do with this rifle, and in the future, are you maybe going to change some stuff on it? If the answer is yes, then something that is "brand specific" and only comes from T/C could be a real pain in the @$$.
