Ok, I've been reading the posts about what new hunting rifle or new target rifle some of they guys are wanting. I have the same question with a little twist. I don't own a lot of guns (unfortunately) and usually just hunt coyotes and deer. Got a 22-250 and 7mm stw that covers those two areas. I really would like a good range gun (factory) that I could use as a whitetail back-up if needed. I would like some help choosing caliber, rifle, and optics. It's kind of like you guys helping to spend someone else's money.
Caliber: .25 or above with .30 being upper end. I like the 25/06 for some reason, but the 300 wsm keeps calling my name, or maybe the boring 308
Rifle: Factory, heavy barreled. I don't care what it looks like, as long as it shoots, leaning towards savage, maybe winchester.
Optics: Need to be under $500 if possible, clear, target knobs, 4 to 6 on low range. Rifle probably won't be used much for hunting, but I want to practice my shooting skills out to 500 yds.
I know these questions have all been asked, but I am looking for the whole 9 yds. Rifle, caliber, and scope combo. My local range is not that great or filled with gun nuts, mostly good ole boys trying to get their /06 to hit paper at 100 yds, so I appeal to the board for help. Thanks.
500 yards, get the Savage 10 FP, or FLP or whichever one it is that comes with the heavy barrel and McMillan stock in 308 Winchester. Instant accuracy! Choosing scopes for other people is like buying underwear for Wifezilla, God help you if you guess the size wrong (too small or too large!)
Posts: 12734 | Location: Kentucky, USA | Registered: 30 December 2002
How 'bout a Rem 700 LTR in .308. It is the lightweight, short barrel version of the PSS. They generally shoot good enough to compete in factory class BR matches and would be light enough to hunt with, especially stand type hunting.
Posts: 373 | Location: USA | Registered: 05 December 2000
Justin, I think you would enjoy either a .308 or a 300 WSM. The 308 would be more fun to shoot off the bench, have cheap practice ammo, and is usually very accurate. One of the Savage Tactical 308's with the Accutrigger would be an inexpensive way to go or maybe even a Ruger Heavy Barrel. I had a HB Ruger that was very accurate and had the good 2-stage trigger, even managed to shoot a couple deer with it. If you want to decide to do some Silhouette competition you could use a 308 and not any magnum. If you want something on the heavier end the 300 WSM is a fun round. Most 300 WSM's have been very accurate and it's a better longer ranged hunting round. Probably the least expensive decent scope with Target knobs is the Weaver VX series. They are decent optically but the adjustments track very well, I have 2 of them and used them in Silhouette Competition. I think you would be better of with a less expensive rifle and spend a little more than 500 on the scope and buy a really nice one. Good luck........DJ
Posts: 3976 | Location: Oklahoma,USA | Registered: 27 February 2004
My own experience is that more powerful rifles are tempting, but they just aren't any fun to take to the range. 20 rounds or so, and it gets to be less pleasant.
If you're going to mostly plink and target shoot, with occasional deer hunting, I'd suggest something more like the 260, 6.5x55, or 7mm08. You can shoot any of those all day long, and feel bad that you're out of ammo. And, they are plenty for either whitetails or mulies.
I hear good things about Savage accuracy. You might also take a look at the CZ 550 line.
Recently, I bought a Burris FF2 with ballistic plex reticle. Seems to be quite a good scope, and the ballistic plex ends the fiddling with the elevation knob. I also looked at Sightron, which seems to be good, and have the features you are asking for at a reasonable price.
Shopping is half the fun... take your time, and enjoy the decision.
Posts: 2281 | Location: Layton, UT USA | Registered: 09 February 2001
The problem I've found is that most heavy barrel target type factory rifles only come in a select few calibers, mostly 223, 22-250, and 308. I have a 22-250, so that really only leaves the 308 for the most part. I did find a savage in a 300 wsm, could I just down-load it to 308 velocities for range work and load it back up if I ever wanted to hunt with it? I agree that lighter calibers are much more fun to shoot, but I can't seem to find any factory rifles that fit the bill like 25/06, 260, or even 7/08. I already have a 7mm, I don't know if I want another. I personally don't mind much recoil, but my wife likes to go to the range sometimes with me so less recoil would be better.
On a side note, if you ever take your wife to the range, make sure you carry your cheapest guns and scopes and one good gone and scope. I do this and let her shoot my best gun first, then the lesser. She always says things like, "you need to getter a better scope on this gun" or "how come it doesn't shoot very well"? Works like a charm.
rem700 sendero in 7mm mag has been a faithful LR gun for me for many years now and hits like a freigh train out to and beyond 500yds. Plenty of factory ammo to make the rig work well.
Posts: 1496 | Location: behind the crosshairs | Registered: 01 August 2002
elkhntr, I just seen one of those savage 25/06 on gunsamerica. I like the 112, but what about the 110FP? It also comes in a 25/06. Is the 25/06 an accurate caliber? I want something that will shoot .5 MOA if I do my part, I know that supposedly some calibers are naturally more accurate than others. I really like the 25, flat tragectory, light recoil, etc, but how accurate is it? I know that there are a lot of match bullets for 260 and 300, but I haven't really did that much research on 257.
The 110 Savage should shoot very well. I have a model 116 FSAK Savage in 300 Winchester that should be fairly similar to the 110. The factory synthetic stocks are not as stiff as they should be. They tend to flex when you put pressure on them. I fixed mine with a little bit of bedding compound. I bought my 116 before the Accutrigger came out. I had the trigger reworked and it shoots 3/4" groups all day long with a few in the 1/2 to 3/8 inch range. The recoil is a bit stiff, and I admit that it has an effect on my groups. A 25-06 should have less than half the recoil and will probably be a little more accurate.
I can't comment on the accuracy of given cartridges (I've only owned 3 or 4). The general rule of thumb says that short and fat cartridges are generally more accurate than long slender ones because they burn powder more efficiently/uniformly. Small flashholes are also supposed to help. The 308 family of cartridges has a good reputation for accuracy. I don't really know how much of a difference you'll see in this type of rifle between an '06 based case and a 308. If you buy a 110 in 25-'06 let me know how it shoots. I'm considering buying one myself.
Another option would be to buy a savage in a short action hunting caliber (270 WSM?), and buy a target grade barrel in 6mm PPC or 6mm BR. I doubt you'll find a more accurate cartridge. The action on a Savage allows you to change barrels and headspace them without a gunsmith. You could shoot the benchrest round 9 months out of the year and switch back to the hunting caliber before the season. Check out Sharpshooters Supply under the barrel accessories tab for more info on changing barrels.
If you want to shoot to 500 yds, I would reccomend the Savge 10 in 308. In this area we have some tactical matches, where the competitors crawl around and take shots out to 1200 yds. The guys with the 300 mags have an edge at the extended ranges, but inside 600 to 700 yds the happiest shoters are the ones using the 308. I know one fellow who purchased one of the Savage kit guns a couple of years ago in 308. He is extremely pleased with the weapon. His is equipped with the accutrigger, heavy barrel, a fair scope (I fail to remember which one), and came in a hard side case for about $1100. He also says that the SuperSniper scope is very popular in this competition and performs well against the high dollar scopes.
Posts: 273 | Location: West Central Idaho | Registered: 15 December 2002
I think that the Remington 'heavy' barrel gun is the way to go. Either the Sendaro or the Varmint in one form or another. I have owned three of these and my friends have owned two others. They have all shot sub moa and with good reloads are capable of 1/2 moa. All you need to do is adjust the trigger and float the barrel. I have a 7-08, I looked for about 6 months and bought used, and a 308. The 308 shoots about 1.5 moa with milsurp. This would be my choice for the bench. the 7 Shamu, and others, are offered in the Sendero and would be my choice for hunting if I didn't own the 7-08. My $.02, capt david
Posts: 655 | Location: South Texas | Registered: 11 January 2004
What's the main difference between the 110 and the 112, besides the laminated stock and 26inch barrel? I also like the remingtons, but then you have to bed the action, free-float the barrel, and then a trigger job. I know that the savages come with a pillar bedded action, free-floated barrel, and adjustable trigger. Just sounds like the savage has more bang for the buck. I could spend that extra money on optics.
I believe that the actions are identical. The barrels are both button rifled, they may have slightly different thickness etc.. My personal opinion is that the Savage is a lot more for the money. I dont care for their synthetic stock (or any other factory synthetic), but the laminated stock should be rigid enough that you wouldn't have to touch it at all.
Posts: 130 | Location: Montana | Registered: 08 October 2003
I recently got a Remington 700BDL in .25-06. I had it glass bedded and the barrel floated. It's plenty accurate at the range if I take my time and let the barrel cool. Most of my rifles are heavy barreled varminters, but I'm getting tired of toting all that weight around and need a compromise. With good bushing dies, and selected bullets my loads will shoot well under an inch at 100yds. That's not bad for a rifle that will drop deer, caribou and most elk. It also suffices for varmints with the lighter bullets. Best wishes.
ruger is making thier new target madol in 243 and 25-06. they have a sweet 2 stage trigger. they can be had for under $600 if you shop............... woofer
Posts: 741 | Location: vermont. thanks for coming, now go home! | Registered: 05 February 2002
Quote: On a side note, if you ever take your wife to the range, make sure you carry your cheapest guns and scopes and one good gone and scope. I do this and let her shoot my best gun first, then the lesser. She always says things like, "you need to getter a better scope on this gun" or "how come it doesn't shoot very well"? Works like a charm.
roger
