Hi All,
I am a beginner looking to get into the world of long range precision shooting (though I have been lurking here for a few months) and am hoping for some advice. First some background: I am interested in a tactical-type rifle, which will ONLY be used for punching paper at a range. I expect to start by shooting 100-300 yards, but hope to eventually move up to 1000. I have managed to convince my wife to let me spend up to $3,000 on a rifle itself (the optics have a separate budget), though I realize that may be more than I need. I don't plan on handloading, and would be using factory match grade ammo. Finally, I have very little rifle experience, but I would plan to do a proper long-range training course soon after getting the equipment.
Anyhow, I have a few specific questions that I am hoping to get some thoughts on:
1) Caliber: I think I have narrowed the caliber down to .308 Win and .300 WM. The .300 would be great for its ability to comfortably go to 1000 (when/if my skills will allow it), but I'm not sure whether the recoil will be too much. I am a pretty big guy (~230lb). Also, if I were to go for .300, any rifle I get would be very heavy...probably 17-20lb with scope. The numbers from a recoil calculator suggest that the recoil energy/velocity of a .300WM in an 18 lb gun would be similar to a .308 in a 11 lb rifle, but I'm not sure if I'm missing something. Note that I want to avoid a muzzle brake for the usual reasons. I have not heard anyone suggest that a .308 in a 11 lb gun would be too much for a beginner, so that would suggest that a .300 in a heavy rifle would be ok for me. On the other hand, a .308 in a very heavy gun could make the recoil very light, which could be good for learning. Since I have never fired either, what do you guys think?
2) Factory/Custom: The next question is whether to go with a factory rifle or a custom build. Either way, I'm probably going to go with an AICS 1.5 for the stock. If I were to go factory, I'd probably just get a Rem SPS 700 Varmint to stick in the AICS. Obviously, this approach would bring me in WAY below my budget.
If I go for a custom build I have lots of choices but was thinking of something like a Surgeon RSR, 26" heavy contour or bull barrel, AICS, Jewell trigger, etc. I think this would be close to or a bit over the $3000 budget.
Anyhow, my question is whether a custom build for a beginner is a waste of money. Will I get any benefit from a custom build, or would I be just as well off learning on the Rem 700? Or would it be better to go with a buy once, cry once approach and spend the money on the custom while I have permission? Finally, am I likely to look like an complete idiot at the range learning on a $3,000 gun?
Thanks so much for the advice, and my apologies if any of the above are stupid questions or if I missed the answers in my search. Also, any other advice outside of the questions above is very welcome!
I am a beginner looking to get into the world of long range precision shooting (though I have been lurking here for a few months) and am hoping for some advice. First some background: I am interested in a tactical-type rifle, which will ONLY be used for punching paper at a range. I expect to start by shooting 100-300 yards, but hope to eventually move up to 1000. I have managed to convince my wife to let me spend up to $3,000 on a rifle itself (the optics have a separate budget), though I realize that may be more than I need. I don't plan on handloading, and would be using factory match grade ammo. Finally, I have very little rifle experience, but I would plan to do a proper long-range training course soon after getting the equipment.
Anyhow, I have a few specific questions that I am hoping to get some thoughts on:
1) Caliber: I think I have narrowed the caliber down to .308 Win and .300 WM. The .300 would be great for its ability to comfortably go to 1000 (when/if my skills will allow it), but I'm not sure whether the recoil will be too much. I am a pretty big guy (~230lb). Also, if I were to go for .300, any rifle I get would be very heavy...probably 17-20lb with scope. The numbers from a recoil calculator suggest that the recoil energy/velocity of a .300WM in an 18 lb gun would be similar to a .308 in a 11 lb rifle, but I'm not sure if I'm missing something. Note that I want to avoid a muzzle brake for the usual reasons. I have not heard anyone suggest that a .308 in a 11 lb gun would be too much for a beginner, so that would suggest that a .300 in a heavy rifle would be ok for me. On the other hand, a .308 in a very heavy gun could make the recoil very light, which could be good for learning. Since I have never fired either, what do you guys think?
2) Factory/Custom: The next question is whether to go with a factory rifle or a custom build. Either way, I'm probably going to go with an AICS 1.5 for the stock. If I were to go factory, I'd probably just get a Rem SPS 700 Varmint to stick in the AICS. Obviously, this approach would bring me in WAY below my budget.
If I go for a custom build I have lots of choices but was thinking of something like a Surgeon RSR, 26" heavy contour or bull barrel, AICS, Jewell trigger, etc. I think this would be close to or a bit over the $3000 budget.
Anyhow, my question is whether a custom build for a beginner is a waste of money. Will I get any benefit from a custom build, or would I be just as well off learning on the Rem 700? Or would it be better to go with a buy once, cry once approach and spend the money on the custom while I have permission? Finally, am I likely to look like an complete idiot at the range learning on a $3,000 gun?
Thanks so much for the advice, and my apologies if any of the above are stupid questions or if I missed the answers in my search. Also, any other advice outside of the questions above is very welcome!