New to long range rigs, need equipment suggestions

[bhoneill]

Hey guys, I'm fairly new to long range shooting and was hoping some of the more experienced shooters would help me out with some equipment suggestions for my rig.

I have a remington sps tactical .308 with a 4.5-14x40 Nikon scope on a dnz game reaper mount(sidenote, this scope should be sufficient for long range shooting correct?)

I want to switch out the hogue stock for a mcmillan a3. I was wondering where i could get this stock, and a place that has a decent price on bottom metal for it (detachable magazine).

I'll also be purchasing a badger ordanance tactical bolt knob and a harris bipod.

Any other suggestions or critique of my gear selection would be much appreciated. Thank you!

 

[427Cobra]

Re: New to long range rigs, need equipment suggestions

I would look at a AICS stock or a McCree, reason why is there a drop in with no bedding required, and the cost is less than a McM + Bottom Metal + Bedding

Logbook
TAB Sling
TAB Rear Bag
Harris 6-9 BRMS(swivel with notched legs)
PodLock for the Harris
MilDot Master
FDAC for 175 grain ammo
Kestral 4000
All these items can be bought from Triad Tactical at the best price

 

[427Cobra]

Re: New to long range rigs, need equipment suggestions

Welcome to the Hide

 

[bhoneill]

Re: New to long range rigs, need equipment suggestions

Thanks Cobra!

 

[lonely_wolf]

Re: New to long range rigs, need equipment suggestions

You can order directly from McMillan. Call them up and they will gladly answer your questions and offer advice.

If you order a McMillan stock, my advice is to ask for ‘Machined pillars installed.” This means McMillan will pillar bed your stock for your action and bottom metal. The stock effectively becomes a drop in fit for your rifle. It will not need bedding. Bedding will always be recommended, but with the pillars, will not be necessary.

Before you order, make sure you know what bottom metal you will be using. The stock will be inletted for that part, so if you decide on a different part you will need to send everything to a gunsmith for refitting.

For bottom metal I recommend a DBM that uses Accuracy International (AI) magazines (AICS). Triad Tactical sells Badger Ordnance M5’s (The original). CDI makes a cheaper DBM. There is the Surgeon Rifles DBM that has some unique features. Also, a host of Smith’s here on the ‘Hide offer their own custom DBM’s.

The Nikon should be fine. It isn’t ‘tacticool’ but the Objective and magnification are adequate. It will serve you well until you decide what features are important to you, ie: First focal/second focal plane, reticle type, illumination, turret style, MOA or Mil, etc.

Stuff I found useful starting out were:
A rear bag (TAB or Red Tac)
Shooting sling if you like that kind of thing (TAB or Tactical Intervention Specialists)
Shooting mat if you shoot on the ground
Podlock for the Harris

I second Cobra, Triad Tactical is your friend.

 

[johngfoster]

Re: New to long range rigs, need equipment suggestions

All good suggestions so far. I'm not sure what base your scope rings are on. Are they directly mounted to the receiver? You may consider a Badger 20MOA 1 piece scope base and a set of Badger rings. This will give your scope a bit more elevation travel at distance. EGW also makes a more affordable aluminum base, which should work just fine unless you plan to go into battle with your rig. Badger does make quality gear though but you do pay a premium for it. +1 on Triad Tactical for supplies. There is also another vender here on the Hide that sells McMillan stocks--JWPrecision, I think. He orders a standard array of stocks and keeps a selection in stock. If you find one that works for you, it can eliminate the 6 to 9 month wait for a custom order from McMillan. I have no experience with Manners stocks, but I hear great things about them too.

I went with a McMillan A5 with adj. cheek piece but would have preferred a thumb-wheel option, or Terry Cross adjustment as the standard Badger adj. that I have doesn't hold its adjustment too well. There are tricks to getting it to work better, but I'd have gone with one of the above options first.

 

[head2h2o]

Re: New to long range rigs, need equipment suggestions

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 427Cobra</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I would look at a AICS stock or a McCree, reason why is there a drop in with no bedding required, and the cost is less than a McM + Bottom Metal + Bedding


</div></div>

Looking into the AICS is a good idea, but try to shoot one before you settle on it. I had one for a while. The ergonomics of the stock fit me like a glove, but it seemed to allow more perceived recoil. I went back to a fiberglass stock and have been happier.

 

[lonely_wolf]

Re: New to long range rigs, need equipment suggestions

JWPrecision is out of the stock business. There is Rick over at 24 Hour Campfire. Keep in mind that when you order through a distributor you can only make changes to the order through the distributor. Since McMillan's are custom items, I enjoy the freedom to call up and modify my order directly.

 

[Goin'Hot]

Re: New to long range rigs, need equipment suggestions

You can get the bipod at Triad Tactical or Midway. You'll want a 6-9 with notches that pivots.

For the bolt knob, Mark Gordon at SAC will take care of you. Welcome aboard.

 

[DerMeister]

Re: New to long range rigs, need equipment suggestions

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 427Cobra</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I would look at a AICS stock or a McCree, reason why is there a drop in with no bedding required, and the cost is less than a McM + Bottom Metal + Bedding

Logbook
TAB Sling
TAB Rear Bag
Harris 6-9 BRMS(swivel with notched legs)
PodLock for the Harris
MilDot Master
FDAC for 175 grain ammo
Kestral 4000
All these items can be bought from Triad Tactical at the best price

</div></div>

Another thing to look at is Triad's redesigned stock pack. It looks to be improved, and it a functional piece of gear. Not necessary, but it acts as a cheek piece and storage for basic tools, ammo, or whatever you'd like. I see you have something on there already, but I'm the Triad Stock Pack will be an upgrade.