[BIGJ]

Hello,

I came across this site and Mel's reviews a few months ago. I live in a rural area and luckily have the ability to shoot freely on my property without having to run to a range all the time.

I have moderate experience with shotguns (skeet shooting) but very limited experience with long range rifles.

I'd like to start practicing long range shooting and had a few questions regarding getting started.

1) What would be a suitable starter rifle? I'm willing to spend in upward of $1500, possibly a good entry level competition rifle if they fit my budget?

2) Same goes for a scope. I'd like to set a goal for myself to be fairly proficient at 700 to 800 yards.

3) Are there any good reads on the web / or book regarding shooting technique or tips / tricks? I know Mel lists a few, but I'm not certain which one would best suit my needs.

Thanks.

 

[mele]

There are a lot of choices. I generally recommend the rem 700P as an entry level rifle. They are good overall, semi-affordable (about $700 for the rifle) and they tune up nicely down the road. If you can afford to spend $1500 on a rifle, then I would look at possibly the FN tactical rifles, a rem 40XB, or perhaps ( I hate to suggest it at the risk of sounding biased) one of the Sniper Central SC1 rifles (at $1500). It depends a lot on what you exactly want to do with your rifle, and what features you are really looking for.

Scopes are a bit more simple... buy the best you can afford. There are decent scopes at $200, better ones at $300, better ones at $500, etc etc.

MEL

 

[BIGJ]

I'll start researching those. Have you got a chance to fire / review the 40XB? I was checking it out on Rem's site and it caught my eye. However, their MSRP is $2100 I'm hoping like most items the actual resale is less that that.

I'm fairly green when it comes to rifles and Lord knows I want to learn.

Are there really any pros and cons to semi auto vs. bolt action in regards to accuracy? I'm assuming the semi auto would weigh more?

What's the weight on your rifles Mel say 24 or 26" barrel?

As always thanks for the info!

 

[Jeff_850]

the 40-XB Tactical i hear is a fine rifle, hanvt had too much range time with one... it comes with a 3/4 or 1/2 moa guarentee but shouldnt have any problem exceeding either... was looking to buy one... never made up my mind weather i wanted that one or a HS Precision PRO 2000 HTR because i decided to spend $700 range for a Remington 700 Police in .308... had the money but decided to save some by getting a rifle i think ill be happy with for alot less.. ill probably have some gunsmithing done at some point depending on how it shoots when i get it
the 40-XB should be a much better rifle though (out of the box), fit, finish and accuracy

as far as semi-autos vs bolt guns:
semi-autos can be very accurate, im still waiting on my first bolt gun (8 days from now ill be allowed to take it home) so i cant comment about how accurate but on average i would say bolt guns are more accurate
bolt guns are also more relialbe although i have had no problems using a semi-auto at the range jamming... in the field in mud, snow etc a bolt gun has less moving parts that can get junk in it which can cause problems
as far as weight that depends on the gun and the stock thats on it and other things

 

[BIGJ]

... in the field in mud, snow etc a bolt gun has less moving parts that can get junk in it which can cause problems
as far as weight that depends on the gun and the stock thats on it and other things

Well that makes sense, don't know why that didn't cross my mind lol

I don't have trouble dishing out $1500 for the XB, that is if in fact you can get it for that price. But considering I need more gear than just the gun and it will be my first long range rifle I may just do the Remy 700 for now, you just can't beat the price. I can always trade it in locally later I suppose, if I ever choose to upgrade :idea:

 

[BIGJ]

Do I need a special weapons permit for the 700P? Or are Remy's other 700 series rifles nearly the same thing?

Well after spending some time to really give the Remy site a good look throughout.

I found this

http://www.remington.com/firearms/cente ... 0bdlss.htm

However, I have a question regarding the ammunition. I was reading through Mel's ammo list and found on Remy's site they make some new stuff 300 Ultra Mag. Since the rifles that shoot 300 win mag and 300 ultra mag have different model #'s I'm assuming the ammunition is not interchangable? So I'm wondering what the characteristics of this new ammo are.

I love researching new stuff / and slow days at work

 

[badshot]

BigJ,

I have a pretty new 300 Rem Ultra (mini cannon) mag. The ammo is not interchangle with the 300 win mag. Now if you are looking to get the 300 RUM get ready to blow off about $2 a shot if your going to shoot factory ammo. I am trying to work up a hand load to shoot for hunting right now. I have not had much luck because my scope mounting system wasn't holding up to the recoil. I also have a Briley muzzle brake on it. Oh, the gun is a Rem Sendero SF. That thing is a cannon and you will turn heads when you fire that thing off the first time each time you go to the range. I love mine and can't wait to drop my first deer with it.

 

[Jeff_850]

about laws:
no need for a special permit for a Remington 700P here in Ct, you just walk right in if your over 18 and dont have a crimianl record you wait 2 weeks for them to do a background check and get it
as for other areas you might have to have a permit to buy rifles.. best way to find out what your area's gun laws are and what you need to get a weapon you want is to go in and ask the dealers, they are usually gonna be happy to help you get a permit so you can buy thier product

about the gun:
i chose the Rem 700, havnt done anything with it yet... still on my 14 day wait... 8 days left but my experience with other Rem 700 models they are good guns

about the caliber:
that all depends on what you are gonna use it for
i chose a .308 to use for target shooting and hunting deer and maybe moose

 

[BIGJ]

I plan to only use this rifle for target practice...and well maybe the occasional pesky critter.

I read that some of those rounds are crazy, huge kick, and insane muzzle velocity / flash.

I'm glad you mentioned the price. The cost per round completely slipped my mind. Do you think though the price is high because they're sorta new and will taper off over time?

I live in Michigan so I'll give Guns Galore a call and ask them about the laws, permits, etc. I've never been convicted of a felony so the backgroudn check should be a breeze. Man I'm hyped about this now!

Thanks again everyone for the comments!

 

[FLEA]

!

I would say go for a 700p TWS package....everything you need for about $1700.00 maybe less if you find a good deal.

http://www.gunbroker.com/auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=20122468

A 308 is a great all around bullet. Low recoil...good range. Plus the remington 700 action is compatable with just about every good stock ....barrell....base...rings out there so if you want to upgrade stuff you won't have to be placing any special order items.[/url]

 

[Zaitsev]

Anyon have a link for the Remington Pss?

 

[FLEA]

Anyon have a link for the Remington Pss?

http://www.remingtonle.com

Just click rifles and pick which one you are interested in.

 

[badshot]

BigJ,

Not real sure why the price is so high on factory ammo. But I know from my handloads that I'm dumping on average about 80 grains of powder in the shell then the bullets. That makes a 1 pound can of powder go pretty fast. I also have some test loads built up with now that according to the Hodgden website will be pushing a 200 grain bullet out at just over 3000 (yes three thousand, not a typo) feet per second. Mine kicks about like a 308 with the muzzle brake so it isnt too bad.

 

[boisedarc]

I agree with what everyone else has advised. A good link to look up is
for Speedco shooting sports. This company is owned by Thomas "Speedy" Gonzales, he is among the top gunsmiths in the benchrest world. Tony Boyer is also affiliated with this company. Tony is the best Benchrest shooter of all time and is in the benchrest hall of fame. Their services are quite reasonable, and much cheaper than alot of the "tactical" rifle companies. These guys know what accuracy is, and how to get it. I'd give them a look for future mods.

 

[Holland]

BIGJ RE: Rifle and Scope

BIGJ,
I am an avid fan of Savage rifles. I used Remington 700's alot when I was in the military, however, when I got out and started building my own rifles I found Savage to do the same if not better on accuracy for about half of the cost. They have a wonderful Accu-Trigger system that allows a clean trigger pull which will be asset for anyone who uses them. The cost of them is around $400 to $500. You can purchase several different stock options for the rifles as well such as, a McMillan, Ultimate Varmit, and Ultimate Sniper stock (both made by Choate Machine and Tool Co.)
As far as optics are concerned. I use to use Leapold Scopes but recently I purchased three Tasco Super fix pwered Sniper Scopes (Mil Dot from S.W.F.A.) two of them have rear focusing paralax adjustments and the other with the side focus paralax adjustment. Mine consits of only two powers, they are 10X42 and the 16X42. Both have their advantages and disadvantages such as the 16 power with the thicker cross hairs can cover up a good portion of you target the further away it gets from you and the 10 power with thinner cross hairs can make some target detection a little more difficult. I use my 10 powers on my .308 and 22-250. The 16 power is on my .300 Win Mag (with thanks to some of the ideas from other readers I was able to get it zeroed today with a little less than a one inch group at 100 YDS... It was my scope bases. They were wrong for the rifle.) So I guess the decision is really up to you. I recommend the 10 power scope if the max distance you are wanting to shoot from is 800 yds. I don't really suggest a variable power scope unless it is from Leapold. The more things that are moveable on the scope, the more things that can go wrong. I hope this helps.

 

[mele]

SC1's are about 9.5 lbs less optics with the 26" tube.

As holland mentioned, the savage rifles deserve a look, ESPECIALLY with sharpshooters supply providing aftermarket support. They are very accurate, and servicable. Rem actions are smoother, have better aftermarket support and better fit/finish from the factory, but have nothing over savage in accuracy out of the box. (Rem's react very nice to tuning though).

MEL