[Geko]

Hello everyone,

I'm new here- About myself, I'll be 19 soon, I've followed this website for the better part of 4-5 years, just in this last year I have really gotten into shooting a lot (once I could legally buy a rifle, I have always been interested in shooting). I picked up an old Mosin Nagant M44 for $86 to play with and I got hooked after that, picked up a Springfield M1A and love shooting that 2-300 yds (further when allowed) with the iron sights.

What I would like now is to get a rifle I can learn real long range shooting with. I've looked extensively at my options for a low cost, highly accurate rifle and have come up with a Savage 110fp in .300 winchester magnum. They are supposedly very accurate out of the box and they are quite inexpensive at around $500. I want to eventually be able to shoot out to 1500yds or more and learn how to effectively use a Mil-Dot Reticle. I would like the .300 because of the availability of factory match ammo and its ability to get me out past 1000yds easily. Theres a healthy aftermarket for these rifles, so the rifle can get better as I learn to shoot better.

I plan on one of swfa.com's 10x40mm Mil-Dot Super Sniper scopes (tasco remake, supposed to be one of the best scopes for the money at about $300, mel- you should try to review one) SWFA.com has lots of reviews already of this scope in the Super Sniper section.

My question is, would this set-up be a good choice for a beginner? I'll be in college this fall so I really cant afford a nice m700 and leupold scope yet. I'm trying for sub $900 total. Any suggestions, advice, insight, or otherwise?

Thanks
Chris

BTW: This site is great, and is more or less responsible for getting me interested in shooting. Thanks Mel for providing this great source of information.

 

[Jake S]

Sounds pretty good to begin with. I have had several Savage rifles and couldn't have been more happy with them- but you will eventually want a trigger job and new stock. But the rifle is a very good one for the price, and you will probably be able to find one for far less than $500 if you look around. Concerning the scope, I have no experience with the one you mentioned but will offer my own suggestion. For about the same amount of money ($300) you might want to check out the Nikon Buckmaster 4.5-14 Tactical model. I also have owned several Tasco scopes and was literally blown away by the performance to cost ratio. They are truly excellent scopes. The last gun show I was at had the Tactical, complete with lense caps, target turrets, mil-dot reticle, and sun shade, with a matte black finish, out the door for $320. Even though I didn't need it, I almost bought it just because I was so impressed with it. Just my opinion, but you might check in to it. My bass Pro Shop also carries them.

The only potential problem I see is recoil. That .300 WM kicks like an angry donkey! I owned both a full size Mosin Nagant M91-30 and the M44 carbine, and although they have a bit of recoil off the bench, the .300 kicks far worse. So approach with caution, as you do not want to develop "magnum flinch" as that will mess up your shooting for good! Get a good recoil pad, learn to shoot it right, and you should be good. Otherwise it sounds pretty good.

Just my $.02, hope it helped!
Jake

 

[Geko]

Thanks

Recoil was the one thing I was concerned with. Though, I dont think I will have too much of a problem with it. I'm a pretty small guy but I'm good at training my self to do things right, and not flinching, read also: fearless and not afraid to take some shoulder pounding in order to do things right.

Your right the m44's do kick a little bit, with 200gr's it was a good thump on the shoulder. I did get to shoot my friends lightweight Winchester .300wm with some 150gr's, (which I know are pretty light compared to 190gr federal gm's) so I know more or less whats its like and think I can manage. I do plan to get a good butt pad and eventually even a muzzle brake for comfort (after I learn to shoot without a flinch without the brake)

Thanks again-

 

[CM2k]

As long as you don't keep giving yourself scope eye, or hurt yourself perpetually, you should be able to avoid flinching. With enough experience, you know what to expect, and when. Kinda like getting a needle after 10 donations. It just doesn't surprise you anymore.

 

[mele]

I am familiar with the super snipers, and it will serve you well. Its actually build by the same company to about the same standards as the Springfield Armory scopes.

MEL

 

[Geko]

cool

Thanks guys-

Sounds like I will have a decent setup, Anything else I should invest in while I'm in the mood to spend my money? So far, heres what I'm getting-

Savage 110fp .300wm
SS16x40mm scope
Badger rings
Mount base of some sort

Chris

 

[Jake S]

Unless it is one of the new ones with the Accu-trigger, you might want a trigger job, and most off the shelf Savage stocks suck, so you might eventually replace it. And don't forget a bipod!

Jake

 

[Jeff_850]

Harris bi-pod works good