Newbie First Build

[Streaker6]

Hey everyone, I'm new to the site and I'm looking to build my first rifle. I have shot a bolt action rifle before but I have zero experience with rifles and scopes. I'm looking to build a rifle, probably a .308. My general philosophy is to start small and work my way up. As I progress, I will look to upgrade to better equipment.

With that said, can someone recommend a good newbie build. Nothing too fancy and nothing that would make me look like a poser. I would rather show up to the range with a crappy rifle that matches my skill level, than showing up with the baddest rifle in the world, which I can't shoot.

My budget is limited and would like my first build to be as cost-effective as possible. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

 

[DMann]

Re: Newbie First Build

Since you are so new to the sport, don't build your first rifle, buy one. Many will suggest a Rem 700 LTR or SPS Tactical or so forth. I would also suggest a good used Rem 700 Varmint Special in .308, if you can find one.

Add a good basic scope like a Super Sniper or Falcon in decent rings on a Picatinny rail scope base with 20 MOA of elevation built-in.

Then shoot hundreds of rounds through this set-up until you get an idea of what will suit YOU the best as far as other calibers, other stocks and other glass. When you are ready to upgrade, you will already have a Rem M700 short action for a donor action.

Put most of your money in glass and ammo.

Doug Mann

 

[Engine 22]

Re: Newbie First Build

It would be easier for us all if you would let us know what your budget is, what distance you will be shooting, and intended purpose(i.e. paper-punching or hunting), and do you intend on reloading?

 

[Streaker6]

Re: Newbie First Build

Thanks for the info. I would like to keep the cost of the rifle below $1000. As for the scope, I'm not really sure. Since this scope is so vital, I would imagine $1500 for the scope.

As for range, I'm thinking 500yards (max) and I will only be using this at the range. However, I would still like a rifle that can be used for hunting, should the need arise

 

[callen3615]

Re: Newbie First Build

You can get a 700 sps tactical, varmint for about 600, new stock 200, base and rings 200. Id put a super sniper variable power on it and then you still have alot of cash left over.


http://www.impactguns.com/store/rem_700sps.html

http://www.stockysstocks.com/servlet/the-110/Bell-Carlson-tactical-700/Detail

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=859301

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=148716

http://swfa.com/SWFA-SS-3-9x42-Tactical-Riflescope-P41044.aspx


Thats a shooter!

 

[Bunnyblaster]

Re: Newbie First Build

The costs you're describing are exactly what I was looking for. Here's what I ended up with for my first .308

Remington 5r .308 - $925
EGW 20 MOA base - $35
TPS Low Rings - $63
Nightforce 5.5-22x56 MRAD (without zero stop) - $1475
Total Cost - $2498

I've only taken it to 200 yrds so far, but it held half MOA to that point. I'm sure it can do better as I get better.

Good luck.

Aaron

 

[ArcticFun]

Re: Newbie First Build

If you have a budget of $1500 for just the scope I would go ahead and pick up a Nightforce NXS, they're right around that price range and will serve you for the rest of your life and through multiple rifles. You can pick up either a Remington 700 or a Savage and be fine, both have the capabilites to be accurate with the right work done to them and both are highly customizeable (M700 is still the most popular though). I'd say pick up a stock rifle and get a quality optic with quality base/rings. Shoot it till you know you can shoot better than your rifle (assuming you become a 3/4 MOA shooter and the gun is a 1 MOA shooter. Basically you always get 1 MOA with the gun except for when you know you mess up).

Then start modifying what you have to suit your needs i.e. Trigger job, stock, bipod, barrel etc. I'd say make your barrel the last upgrade so you can get as much life as possible out of the stock barrel, most Savage/Remington barrels are 1/2 - 1 MOA.

 

[gugubica]

Re: Newbie First Build

If you really, really want to do it right...buy a good accurate .22 and shoot the shit out of it, up to 300 yards, get real good with it and them buy a 308.

If you don't think that will hold your interest, buy a good used Rem 700 or a Savage 10 in 308 and shoot the shit out of it.

Sign up for the online training here and start right. That way you don't have to relearn bad habits.

 

[winxp_man]

Re: Newbie First Build

if you are having a issue that the 20 inch BB on the sps tactical will not reach the 1000 yard mark there is a youtube video of i think Frank from here that shoots a 18 inch .308 barrel at 1000 yards and even goes and hits a 8"x14" at 1000 and he's shooting 175 SMK's i think..... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15qj032UJ1I

 

[hoguer]

Re: Newbie First Build

stay off the Remington 700 bandwagon and get a Savage 308. The stocks are crap, i know, but they are GREAT shooters, and just about everything you can want to do to it you can do at home. New barrel? YOU can do it with some cheap tools!

Start off with:
Savage 12FVSS 308 for $647.00
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=163477614

EGW Base, 20 moa $39.99
http://www.tactical-store.com/ts-kk-mt-savrbs.html

American Defense MFG Rings $59.00
http://libertyoptics.com/index1.html

Optional: new stock now or later
B&C Tactical Medalist A2 $207.53
http://www.stockysstocks.com/servlet/the-110/Bell-Carlson-tactical-700/Detail

Total: $745.99, + stock $953.52

Your choice in scopes, thats a whole other monster. SWFA or Falcon seem to be the entry level budget favorites, just make sure it has Target turrents with plenty of adjustment. With the $1500 budget, go with the new Vortex PST 4-16x50 FFP that will be coming out for $849.99, or the nightforce everyone keeps mentioning for under $1500, or get a USO Fixed 10x scopes for a starting price under 1k, AMAZING glass, and i would say your best bet, dont know why more people dont use them

Falcon
http://www.snipercentral.com/menace4.htm

Vortex
http://www.opticsplanet.net/vortex-viper-pst-4-16x50-ffp-rifle-scope.html

USO 10x scope
http://usoptics.com/product.php?partnumber=ST-1000

 

[Oddball Six]

Re: Newbie First Build

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: gugubica</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If you really, really want to do it right...buy a good accurate .22 and shoot the shit out of it, up to 300 yards, get real good with it and them buy a 308.

If you don't think that will hold your interest, buy a good used Rem 700 or a Savage 10 in 308 and shoot the shit out of it.

Sign up for the online training here and start right. That way you don't have to relearn bad habits. </div></div>

+1

 

[Streaker6]

Re: Newbie First Build

Thanks to everyone for all the input. After some consideration, I like the idea of starting with a .22 and working my way up. Ammos is pricey these days and I intend to shoot quite a bit. So what .22 should I look at?

 

[alexzeph142]

Re: Newbie First Build

Ruger 10/22

 

[BillCominos]

Re: Newbie First Build

CZ 452 is a good .22LR option, I own one and outfitted a High School's FFA & JROTC shotting teams with them. Actually produced a couple scholarships with that tool & some very dedicated shooters! The SAKO Quad is another popular choice.... Most folks around here try to build their .22's to match the ergo's of their higher caliber rifles and call them their trainers... Definitely money well spent!

 

[Shrike]

Re: Newbie First Build

+1 on the .22, but my opinion differs regarding the 10/22. Although it is unquestionably a great gun that has stood the test of time, I'd go with the CZ like a few people said. It more closely matches the feel of what you'll get with a LR centerfire rifle later on. There are many more options available for the Ruger, though.

Once you perfect a straight back trigger pull and good shooting position, you'll do fine behind anything else. I'm a big fan of dry-fire practice, though, and I'm not sure it's good to dry fire a rimefire gun. Please correct me if I'm wrong, guys, as I haven't read the CZ or Ruger manual.

-Erik

 

[_Shay_]

Re: Newbie First Build

Savage mkII fv might be a good one to go with.

 

[bohem]

Re: Newbie First Build

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Erik S.</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> I'm not sure it's good to dry fire a rimefire gun. Please correct me if I'm wrong, guys, as I haven't read the CZ or Ruger manual.

-Erik </div></div>

To find out if it's safe you need to figure out if your firing pin protrudes enough to touch the breechface. If it can touch it, then dry firing is going to cause damage not only to the firing pin, but also the sensitive area around the chamber at the rim/breech interface surface.

Having a couple thousandths of clearance is good, and will still give plenty of striking depth to fire the rounds.

A Savage Mk II and a Savage with an accutrigger and the accustock will cost less than 1k together, you can get a Tasco 2.5-10x42 mil dot and good rings for under 85 bucks, and still have money for a 3.5-15x50 for less than 2500 bucks total.

2 good platforms, and an excellent scope you'll never find yourself wanting for.

 

[Shrike]

Re: Newbie First Build

Thanks for the information, bohem. I felt that dry fire practice was relevant to touch on since we were on the topic of doing things right. Sometimes getting a .22 for practice escapes most people wanting to get into precision shooting.

FWIW, the Lapua .22 ammo is AMAZING. A little expensive, but you don't shoot much when your .22 isn't semi-auto.

-Erik

 

[nmntz]

Re: Newbie First Build

+1 bohem, on the dry firing rimfires. It can also cause irratic ignition of the rounds as the protrusion on the throat chamber can fire a rimfire possibly turning it into a full auto with no control besides running out the mag lol. that would almost be funny to see from a bystanders point as long as no one got hurt haha

 

[sotexhill]

Re: Newbie First Build

FWIW, you can buy 22 LR snap caps for dry firing from Midway.

 

[Peepaw]

Re: Newbie First Build

Here ya go, $1028 in my whole setup, EVERYTHING brand new:

Rem 700 SPS Varmint 26" Heavy Barrel .308, $569
warne waever style rings $40
EGW Picatinny base $40
Vortex 6.5-20x44 $379

Here are my first results and I am STILL breakin in the rifle:

That works out to a .61MOA, so with some more rifle time (only have 35 rounds down the pipe right now) and some tweaks here and there (adjusting teh trigger, adding a cheek comb, etc...)

Should be a tackdriver all day long...not to mention the above results are with Winchester 150 grain power point, $13 a box....with some better loads in it, should be even better yet.

For teh money, tough to beat.

 

[PaleRider77]

Re: Newbie First Build

+1 for the CZ 452 Varmint