I am very new to any shooting beyond 200 yds. I have recently decided to shed most of my hunting rifles in favor of one or two high quality, highly accurate rifles. I have noticed Accuracy International, McMillan and SAKO all have good reputations. Does anyone have other suggestions. The cost would need to be below 5k and the calibers of choice are .308 or 300 win mag (unless someone can convince me otherwise). There is a 1000 yd range and long distance shooting club that meets once a month and I think That sounds like a good time.
Rifle Selection?
- Thread starter elenaidan
- Start date
Re: Rifle Selection?
With the level of rifle you're looking at and the budget you've set there are a host of custom builders that you should consider. spend some time looking around here and you'll quickly identify who the favored builders are. There are other calibers that will give you the performance (on paper or steel) of a .300Win without the recoil. Nothing wrong with the .308 though.
With the level of rifle you're looking at and the budget you've set there are a host of custom builders that you should consider. spend some time looking around here and you'll quickly identify who the favored builders are. There are other calibers that will give you the performance (on paper or steel) of a .300Win without the recoil. Nothing wrong with the .308 though.
Re: Rifle Selection?
Since you have a long range gathering going on about once a month, go out there with an idea of what you would like in a rifle, what role(s) you want it to fill, and look around. Theres one main thing that those local shooters can do for you that we cant, let you get behind thier rifle and see how you like the ergenomics of a particular stock, action, barrel length and optics set-up. A long range gathering is the best place for you to see what you might like. We can all tell you what WE like, but we are all different, and the best evidence of why what we might like might not work for you is that all of our answers will be different.
My first question is weather or not you reload? If no, do see yourself being able to start reloading? Still no? Stay with a caliber that you can obtain match grade ammunition for localy, unless you like expensive HazMat fee's along with your ammo (unless you buy in bulk to curb the fee).
If you can see yourself reloading... which I recomend as it not only affords you more ammo at the same cost over time, but endless caliber possibilities and the potential for accuracy not obtainable through 99% of ammo out there.
Since you have a long range gathering going on about once a month, go out there with an idea of what you would like in a rifle, what role(s) you want it to fill, and look around. Theres one main thing that those local shooters can do for you that we cant, let you get behind thier rifle and see how you like the ergenomics of a particular stock, action, barrel length and optics set-up. A long range gathering is the best place for you to see what you might like. We can all tell you what WE like, but we are all different, and the best evidence of why what we might like might not work for you is that all of our answers will be different.
My first question is weather or not you reload? If no, do see yourself being able to start reloading? Still no? Stay with a caliber that you can obtain match grade ammunition for localy, unless you like expensive HazMat fee's along with your ammo (unless you buy in bulk to curb the fee).
If you can see yourself reloading... which I recomend as it not only affords you more ammo at the same cost over time, but endless caliber possibilities and the potential for accuracy not obtainable through 99% of ammo out there.
Re: Rifle Selection?
Excellent advice and I'll certainly do that. I have a reloader and have started playing around with it a bit. I like it and will probably consult others that are more skilled in the area before attempting to develop any test loads. I am still leaning towards the 300 win mag (mainly because that is what I am used to and have a large amount of ammo/brass for it). Any thoughts on hunting calibers other than the 300 at long distances?
Excellent advice and I'll certainly do that. I have a reloader and have started playing around with it a bit. I like it and will probably consult others that are more skilled in the area before attempting to develop any test loads. I am still leaning towards the 300 win mag (mainly because that is what I am used to and have a large amount of ammo/brass for it). Any thoughts on hunting calibers other than the 300 at long distances?
Re: Rifle Selection?
What sjm229 said
Many excellent choices in your price range (without scope)
A few to consider are:
Gradous Rifles (Robert Gradous)
Kmw Long range solutions (Terry Cross)
Many Many more on here.
Maybe try to find one close to your area. Good luck with your new adventure.
What sjm229 said
Many excellent choices in your price range (without scope)
A few to consider are:
Gradous Rifles (Robert Gradous)
Kmw Long range solutions (Terry Cross)
Many Many more on here.
Maybe try to find one close to your area. Good luck with your new adventure.
Re: Rifle Selection?
Sounds like you have a good budget to work with. My suggestion is to buy a nice piece of used glass and a rifle in the post exchange here that strikes your fancy. There are rifles I drool on every single day. With that said, it's probably not a good idea for you to drop thousands and thousands on your first rifle. Perhaps get a solid rifle to start with and see if the hobby/lifestyle is something you want to be heavily vested in?
Your first rifle should be 308.....or perhaps 223. Everyone needs a good 308/223 target rifle in inventory.
Sounds like you have a good budget to work with. My suggestion is to buy a nice piece of used glass and a rifle in the post exchange here that strikes your fancy. There are rifles I drool on every single day. With that said, it's probably not a good idea for you to drop thousands and thousands on your first rifle. Perhaps get a solid rifle to start with and see if the hobby/lifestyle is something you want to be heavily vested in?
Your first rifle should be 308.....or perhaps 223. Everyone needs a good 308/223 target rifle in inventory.
Re: Rifle Selection?
I'd highly recommend the above advice of going to your local range and see what everyone else is using and ask to check some of the stuff out. Most shooters I have ever been around are more than willing to share thee advice and equipment if you just ask.
No sense in dropping a lot of coin on something you may end up not liking.
I'd highly recommend the above advice of going to your local range and see what everyone else is using and ask to check some of the stuff out. Most shooters I have ever been around are more than willing to share thee advice and equipment if you just ask.
No sense in dropping a lot of coin on something you may end up not liking.
Re: Rifle Selection?
It's a great idea to see what the locals are using and to try it out.
However...
I've noted locals are often kind cliquey, and have their personal favorite stuff, which I've learned is not always what *I* think is best for me. Thete is a learning curve in finding out what's right for YOU.
But - by all means, get with the locals boys and check it all out.
It's a great idea to see what the locals are using and to try it out.
However...
I've noted locals are often kind cliquey, and have their personal favorite stuff, which I've learned is not always what *I* think is best for me. Thete is a learning curve in finding out what's right for YOU.
But - by all means, get with the locals boys and check it all out.
Re: Rifle Selection?
I had not heard of the surgeon rifles. Good to get a look. Thanks for the heads up.
I had thought about getting the .308 first, but I have no ammo or dies for the .308 caliber. On the other hand, I am plentiful on the 300 (been hunting with it for years). I figure if money gets tight and I can't complete the build of the second rifle I would still want the .300 for hunting. I have a Rem 700 Sendero that was customized by the previous owner and has proven to be very reliable and somewhat accurate at longer distances.
My fear is that I will get the first rifle and by the time I scope it I'll be all spent. By my reckoning I'll spend as much, if not more, on the optics.
I had not heard of the surgeon rifles. Good to get a look. Thanks for the heads up.
I had thought about getting the .308 first, but I have no ammo or dies for the .308 caliber. On the other hand, I am plentiful on the 300 (been hunting with it for years). I figure if money gets tight and I can't complete the build of the second rifle I would still want the .300 for hunting. I have a Rem 700 Sendero that was customized by the previous owner and has proven to be very reliable and somewhat accurate at longer distances.
My fear is that I will get the first rifle and by the time I scope it I'll be all spent. By my reckoning I'll spend as much, if not more, on the optics.
Re: Rifle Selection?
If your Sendero is accurate, why sell it? You could always re-stock it, or upgrade the optics. For me, this is a game of inches, not leaps. I upgrade my equipment as I can, and hopefully as my ability warrants(My ability still needs help). I agree with those above who suggest getting out to local ranges, but I would add to shoot what you have as well...
If your Sendero is accurate, why sell it? You could always re-stock it, or upgrade the optics. For me, this is a game of inches, not leaps. I upgrade my equipment as I can, and hopefully as my ability warrants(My ability still needs help). I agree with those above who suggest getting out to local ranges, but I would add to shoot what you have as well...
