Posted on 12/23/2013 2:00:22 PM PST by BerserkPatriot
Given that guns are like any other tool, you need various types of guns to do different functions. One of these would have to be bolt action for long range shooting – hunting etc. I’ve seen many a vanity on sport utility rifles, concealed carry and home defense but don’t recall one this type of shooting situation. Mostly looking at the Remington model 700 series – specifically the SPS tactical family for various reasons. This family of model 700s has a 20” barrel and threaded muzzle. The budget is in the $700 range and I’m looking to get something in a fairly common chambering - .308 mostly. I’m seeing that model as a middle of the road type – hopefully accurate enough to do the job, but not so expensive to break the bank.
Any general recommendations on the subject?
Recommendations on that specific model and chambering?
Is it up to the task?
Thoughts on optics.
LOL! Yeah that would cover it! Instant burger meat.
Thx I missed that.
No one here has mentioned the 338, which would be a nice long-range option. However, I would agree that the best all-around is a 308 cal rifle.
I have to agree with you. The Savage is built to be accurate right out of the box. Remington seems to have to be tweeked and doped. The M-24 is the Remington receiver the rest is the Army, Navy or Marine Corps armorers. Don’t get me wrong Remington is a good gun, But Ruger and Savage are better. BTW think Winchester, not to be forgotten.
I own a 1896 Swedish Mauser, (6.5 x 55). The bullets offered in that caliber have some of the very best ballistic coefficients available, and they are super accurate. I like the rifle also, peep sight rear and hooded aperture on the front on mine.
You do really good work.
OK I’ve been in the shooting and hunting game for along time so please bare with me on this. There are long range hunting rifles and long range plate banging rifles and they’re two different critters. My plate bangers are delivering bullets with very high BC’s and compared to the hunting rounds they are running at mediocre velocities (usually in the 2600 to 2800 fps range). While these bullets hold their velocity and fight the wind well they’re no designed for hunting and have a tendency to perform poorly on meat and bone. My long range hunting rifles are fast and flat (257 and 300 Weatherby’s) and run about 3500 fps. My favorite bullets for these are designed for meat and bone but they may have lower BC’s. Taking a shot at any game animal out past 500 yards is risky with any caliber but that risk runs higher with the slow movers. Yes I’ve seen the video of the kid shooting the bull elk at just over 1200 yards and I wasn’t impressed at all. He missed his first shot and we don’t know where the second shot hit other than it hit it. With the rifle caliber he shot it with (7-Mag I believe) he probably didn’t have over 750 ft-lbs of remaining energy. there’s far to many variables come into a shot like that and it should never have been attempted on a game animal.
The rifle you mentioned should be a good one and the caliber while I’m not a fan of it should work well. there’s probably more info and testing done on the 308 than any other caliber out there. You have to start with a solid action and the Remington need prove itself to no one, in stock form it’s fine but eventually the trigger will be replaced for something better and with lighter adjustment. The last thing is optics and this is where I see most people go wrong, you have to have Parallax adjustment on truly long range guns so make sure it has it. Don’t go cheap on the scope, but you don’t have to break the bank. The Vortex scopes seem to hold up well with the long range boys and might fit in you budget range. good luck and practice practice practice! Join some of the long range shooting forums and hunting forums, they can be a wealth of info.
If this helps I’ve been buying scopes and bino’s from Doug for along time, great company to do business with.
Thank you for your recommendations.
I would prefer to have the most firepower possible – but for various reasons I have to be eminently practical in the matter.
Then ignore what most are saying here re the Rem700, as the Rem700 is bolt action, as well as the pics of other rifles here—move to AR-10s for 308.
Thank you for your recommendations.
Optics will be the next hurdle in this saga.
Every individual gun is different so finding the right round is very important. Even though the barrel on the BVSS is a 1 in 9 twist The Hornady Tap Urban in 55 grain is the best round for my rifle. Second and very close was the standard Hornday .223 varmit in 55 grain. The Hornady Superformance in I believe 53 grain performed the worst. I actually tried about 15 different types of ammo to find the best. I don't reload but one of my friends does quite a bit and was able to match the Tap ammo.
In regard to performance, My boss has six varmit rifles which includes a couple of Rem 700s in 223 and a three other more expensive rifles in 223 and one 22-250. My savage outshoots them all for accuracy, but I must admit the 22-250 is a really hot round.
Regarding a good affordable scope check out the Vortex line. I recently spent several months researching for an affordable scope for my heavy barrel 308. I eventually bought the Vortex Viper variable 24 power. It has high end features and is very high quality for around $800 or so.
Also their no questions asked warranty and customer service are top notch.
Can you get more specific on the Versa-Pod bipod? There are several such bipod models. I have several good rifles, with good scopes, and ammo that shoots well from each, but I have not yet chosen bipods. What should one look for in the bipod, and what do you get for the high end bipod or high end Versa-pod bipod, that you don’t get for less money (lighter? sturdier? more features/adjustments?, etc.)?
True, if you leave it to the last minute. You can obtain enough supplies (brass, bullets, primers, powder) within a week via mail order to make enough ammo (any SAAMI spec caliber) for years of hunting. Leaving ammo purchase/manufacture until the last minute is not usually a good idea, especially since each load should be zeroed before you use it on an animal.
Was a case long ago...someone stored their 700 incorrectly..and had a problem.
Found a Jacoby to file...and there you have it.
The 700 is a fine rifle...and it DOES NOT have that rep.
BTW...I don't own one.
Great rifle...
BTW...I've a funny story.
I have some friends, both professionals...who suggested that I need to watch Dexter.
I was at their house one evening..and my buddy made me watch a portion of Dexter. His wife chimed in she loved Dexter...
After watching I told them both they were sick. : )
He gave me some episodes. I'm now sick too. Hehehe!!
http://www.gunandgame.com/forums/remington/111096-remington-model-700-accidental-discharges.html
http://www.ehow.com/info_8664099_common-problems-remington-700.html
http://www.examiner.com/article/cnbc-airs-documentary-on-remington-700-rifle-accidental-discharges
Some Vers-Pods have an adapter that allows the installation of the bipod, while others use a Picatinny rail mounting + an adapter. The Versa-Pod legs come in various heights, but I find the 9-inch height (extends to 12 inches) about right for me. Depending on the mount selected for the Versa-Pot removal is very easy — either push a latch or loosen the locking screws.
The simplest way to attach the Versa-Pod is buy the V-P p/n 150-200 Tactical Sling Stud Versa-Pod Bipod Adapter ($39.95) and a p/n 150-001 Versa-Pod ® Model 1 Bipod Rest ($89.95). The Versa-Pod website is http://stores.versapod.com/StoreFront.bok?tsetlock=versapod.
There are other adapters on the V-P site. One I like is the p/n 150-807 MIL-STD-1913 Conversion Picatinny Rail M1A and M14 ($68.95) + p/n 150-621 HD Picatinny Rail Versa-Pod Bipod Adapter ($68.95) + p/n 150-001 Versa-Pod ® Model 1 Bipod Rest ($89.95). The M1A/M14 rail will fit most rifles plus it has a sling loop. Depending on which setup you choose, your setup will cost about $158.90 or $227.85.
I am not too much a fan of the Harris bipod because it has too many springs and things to snag on stuff. Most of the common Harris bipods do not articulate like the Parker-Hale/Versa-Pod. I believe the Versa-Pod is the best value for your money.
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