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.
Tikka T3 Lite. I bought mine for a shade over $500 last year and it’s a fantastic piece of equipment for the money. CZ is also really, really good.
Just bought a cheapy Savage but lots of people really like there. Remington has had some quality control issues over the last few years so I stayed away from them. Know one guy personally who’s new 700 had the bolt seize in the locked position. Couldn’t knock it out of lock with a hammer in a vice. Sent it back to them.
AIM recently had some rusty cans of 440 round cans of 7.62 X 54R for $70. The cans are rusty but the rounds are in perfect shape.
I hear ya FRiend, it’s a veritable candy store out there!!
Bottom line, buy what feels comfortable to you, what fits and YOU feel confident with.
My gunsmith, who is a competitive benchrest shooter claims the Savage rifle with an AccuTrigger is the most accurate out of the box.
I concur with the Remington 700. There is a great (aftermarket?) trigger available for this rifle that I also recommend.
I would recommend the Browning X-Bolt. Depending on caliber and stock, it is one of the most accurate guns I’ve ever shot.
I would also recommend the TC Icon. I bought this gun for it’s accuracy. Again, it too depends on the caliber you want.
Caliber? I'll suggest to you what I told my brother, who was leaning toward .308, a few months ago, go to your local Walmart, see what caliber ammo is available, and which there is the most of. Then go to a couple of other places that sell ammo, and do the same survey.
He came home with a 30.06 based on what caliber ammo was the most available.
A few years a go my cousin bought a new rifle to hunt Elk, I have no idea what caliber it was, when he went to zero the scope, no ammo available anywhere in the area. after several phone calls he found two boxes 600 miles away, not enough time to have it shipped, fortunately that was only about 100 miles from where he was going to hunt. He didn't tell me about it, my friend who he went hunting with told me.
what kind of distance do you get out of the tactical .308/7.62 set ups. The ones that look like AR clones? Are they good for longer range work also?
I hear the 700’s are good guns, but if you don’t have a problem with synthetic stocks, I’d recommend looking into either the Savage or Ruger series of rifles.
I have a Savage in 30-06, standard barrel, and I love it. It shoots 3/4 MOA consistently with an off brand scope. I also reload for it, so that brings down ammo costs considerably.
.308 is much more readily available in bulk and surplus for pretty cheap though (when you can find it).
Couple of years ago I bought the Mosin and 440 rounds for under $150. I should have bought several. I shot an 8mm Mauser w/scope the other day at about 150 yds. 1st shot at a silhouette for zeroing followed by 5 head shots. Got to get me one.
That is defiantly something to consider given all the choices out there.
I’m leaning towards what should have the best knock down power at range, but easily available.
Without ammo it’s a very expensive club.
Something produced that much has to have a few things going for it, and as you mentioned, it should also have a fair amount of after market items.
That sounds familiar. My first Mosin 91/30 was for $90 and $40 for a 440 round spam can. Heck of a deal!
Ruger Gunsite Scout chambered in .308 http://www.ruger.com/products/gunsiteScoutRifle/index.html?r=y
That would be sweet – but it’s above what I can afford unfortunately.
My rationale is that it would be better to at least have a fairly good rifle than none at all.
Life is all about compromise I guess.
Semi-true
Early models up to IIRC 1973?
Recall for free repair/upgrade on those.
Search Freeper “marktwain” Posts for details on that AND one that was improperly stored and got rust on trigger mechanism causing problems (within the last few weeks posted)
Rem700 is a fine rifle.
AS I SEE OTHERS HAVE ASKED- DEFINE LONG RANGE.
As a bonus, Remington made some of those.
I concur. I chose between the Savage and the Remington 700, both in .308 with the threaded barrel, as my final two choices and decided on the Savage by a narrow margin. The gun shoots exceptionally well with a well-mounted Leupold scope, my personal favorite. I hope to have a .308 silencer within a year, depending on the paperwork delay and mainly for shooting comfort.
Yes, I have seen those.
Mine are both marked from the Tula Armory.
I am going to second the .308 Winchester. I have used 150 grain and 168 grain out of a 700 the bambi don’t wiggle after getting smacked with either of those. 150 grain hand loads can cover a lot of short range (here in TX 150 or there about yards and the 168 and heavier cover longer range (150 meter and up).
The 700s I have shot 308 and 6.5x55 are sub MOA in my experience. If you do your part the bullet gets the job done.
expect to drop a kilobuck by the time your mount optics on the rifle.
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