[Olsson]

Hi all,

This will be my first posting and with my first posting I am requsting some help. I am looking for a superb .308 for target shooting, but also to take with my for hunting. When hunting I will use the harryp bipod and never stand...so the extra kilo(s) do not bother me. However, my budget is USD 2000 for rifle only! I would love to get the Sako TRG-22, but unfortunately that rifle is way over my budget! I have been looking some on the Tikka T3 tactical which is a new rifle, but I do not know anyone with who has used it so....Please let me know what you would recommend, please also be aware that some US specific rifles can not be found in Sweden, or for the right money when it would cost to much to import.
Thank you very much for your help, I look forward to hear from you all in this regard

Cheers/ Olsson

 

[Kamatz]

Just a note on the Tikka...this I've heard...the Tactical isn't really worth the extra dough for targetshooting, but possibly for real tactical use, and they regarded the Varmint as just as accurate and rugged enough for target shooting. And it'll save you a lot of money...money you can then put in an even better scope - or more ammo.

 

[Olsson]

Just a note on the Tikka...this I've heard...the Tactical isn't really worth the extra dough for targetshooting, but possibly for real tactical use, and they regarded the Varmint as just as accurate and rugged enough for target shooting. And it'll save you a lot of money...money you can then put in an even better scope - or more ammo.

Hi Kamatz - I am located in Sweden, good to see a fellow person from Scandinavia giving me a quick reply I am currently look at Manlicher SSG Police 2, which is as far as my budget will take my rifle wise...Do you have any good toughts of a superb rifle....I would like to have a stock that I could change....syntetic stock....take a rough beeting...in 308, other then that I am open for suggestion. Thank you and talk to you soon

Cheers/ Olsson

 

[Kamatz]

My personal choice would be a SSG-PII or PIIk. I don't know why, but I love the looks. The best option would be a PIV with a longer barrel, though. Changing barrrel on the PII isn't something every gunsmith will do as it's - what's the technincal term? Anyway, the reciever is heated up and the barrel is then forced in. In the PIV it's just screwed in like virtually every other reciever... The trouble (as I see it) with the original PIV is that it comes with a 16" barrel - which I think is a tad short for "normal" targetshooting...

As for other choices. In Norway you'd have to pay about the same for the SSG-PIV (at least) and the TRG-22. The latter is supposedly one excellent rifle. The only complaint I've ever heard is that it's a "tad dull since everyone seems to own one...". I chose a custom built Rem700 in the AICS 1.5 chassis over the TRG-22. Mainly because I wanted something not everyone else had. Sure, every AICS look the same..but it's still a custom job - and with a 40cm suppressor it most certainly look a bit different :mrgreen:

If there are good gunsmiths in your area I'd contact them and see what they can offer you for the figure you've set.

 

[mele]

Yes, unfortunately, being in Sweden takes away many of the wonderful custom rifle builders in the USA. I like the Sako and Steyr rifles also, but do like custom built rifles....

MEL

 

[Olsson]

Yes, unfortunately, being in Sweden takes away many of the wonderful custom rifle builders in the USA. I like the Sako and Steyr rifles also, but do like custom built rifles....

MEL

Hi Mel, thanks for your posting. If you would make a pick of what could be offered on the European market of USD 2000 range , what would your thoughts be? I have read on your site about the CZ 700 M1...which I think could become a possibility too, what are your thoughts.
I am hoping to have the possibilities to make a close aquiantance with that particular rifle when I go to the Czech rep in January...then I can also figure out whether I could get it in synthetic too...and maybe we could go on a date to see whether she is all that I want....we may become partners :lol: But first I have to test shoot her....

Thanks again/ Cheers/ Olsson

 

[mele]

Well, unfortunately, the CZ M1 was very short lived, they do not make it any longer. But here are a list of sub $2000 available in Europe (I'm sure there are others also)

tikka T3 varmint and/or tactical (excellent choice, review coming at some point...)
CZ 550 Varmint (HS Precision stock even)
FN series of tactical rifles
Blaser R93 Tactical (probably over the price budget)
Parker Hale 1200TX (m82's) though it would have to be used
Scout tactical elite (accuracy is not up there with the others)

And which ever of the mass produced USA tactical rifles might be available over there:
Remington 700P
Savage 10FP
Weatherby TRR
Winchester Stealth

Of course, you could research into importing a firearm from USA also. I hear its not that hard of a thing to do... just paperwork.... but I'm not positive.

MEL

 

[Kamatz]

A friend of mine is getting a rifle from Jeff Hicks....and although the paperwork sounded easy and straight forward...it takes bloody forever for something to happen, apparently...

If Sweden's anything like Norway - there should be a few gunsmiths spread around. Sure, they're not as well known as many of the more famous American smiths...but that doesn't mean they're no good. You really should check it out just in case you can get a fairly cheap custom rifle.

With $2000 you wouldn't get a R93 here, at least. By todays exchangerate it would cost around $3800 for rifle only. Which is only a tad more than I spent on my project ..d'oh

 

[Jeffvn]

If you are considering an import, I strongly suggest one of the Patriot Arms rifles. Check out the one that Mel demoed for the site. I Love mine and it shoots lights out (meaning tiny little holes from long-range)

JeffVN

 

[madgunsmith]

I was amazed at the number of wonderful rifle ranges in Sweden. The town of Malung in Dalarna had no fewer than three beautiful ranges.

So here is what I would do:

I would head off to my local sjutbana and talk to the local shooters. I'd ask them about the leading gunsmiths and I would also find out where they bought their rifles. Then I'd head off to the various gunshops and look at what was available. In Malung there was a wonderful gunshop on Vasterdalalvagen. ( I think that was the name of the street)

Anyway, the guy there had whole racks of used .308 target rifles. He also had a wonderful array of new .308 target rifles. And some of the used rifles were delicious Swedish rifles that I'd never seen in real life before. If memory serves, he even had the Husqvarna Model 8000. He also had the Danish Schultz & Larsen rifle.

So I would check out all the big gunshops and look over all the rifles new and used. And I would seriously consider a used rifle. Rifle barrels may wear out, but modern bolt actions hardly ever do. If I found a nice rifle, I'd rebarrel it if necessary. ( At this stage in my life, I consider a new rifle to be an extravagance. There are lots of beautiful used rifles around. And it is no big thing to have a rifle re-barrelled)

I would even post a note inside the clubhouse at your local range. State that you are looking to buy a .308 target rifle. It might be that someone there needs money and has to sell a target rifle. And in such a case you can even shoot the gun before you buy it.

The rifle of your dreams may be right under your very nose. And the truth is that some very beautiful target rifles were made in Scandinavia.

Mad.

 

[mele]

I was amazed at the number of wonderful rifle ranges in Sweden. The town of Malung in Dalarna had no fewer than three beautiful ranges.

Anyway, the guy there had whole racks of used .308 target rifles. He also had a wonderful array of new .308 target rifles.

:shock: Makes me want to visit Sweden!

MEL

 

[madgunsmith]

And there are no ugly women in Sweden either.

Except for tourists....

Mad

 

[Olsson]

My personal choice would be a SSG-PII or PIIk. I don't know why, but I love the looks. The best option would be a PIV with a longer barrel, though. Changing barrrel on the PII isn't something every gunsmith will do as it's - what's the technincal term? Anyway, the reciever is heated up and the barrel is then forced in. In the PIV it's just screwed in like virtually every other reciever... The trouble (as I see it) with the original PIV is that it comes with a 16" barrel - which I think is a tad short for "normal" targetshooting...

As for other choices. In Norway you'd have to pay about the same for the SSG-PIV (at least) and the TRG-22. The latter is supposedly one excellent rifle. The only complaint I've ever heard is that it's a "tad dull since everyone seems to own one...". I chose a custom built Rem700 in the AICS 1.5 chassis over the TRG-22. Mainly because I wanted something not everyone else had. Sure, every AICS look the same..but it's still a custom job - and with a 40cm suppressor it most certainly look a bit different :mrgreen:

If there are good gunsmiths in your area I'd contact them and see what they can offer you for the figure you've set.

Hi Kamatz - thank you very much for your help. I will hold the SSG PII as my favorite until I can find something that could prove me othervise. Thanks for the help...let you know how my progress go and what it will be in the end

I will definately took the a gun smith that I know through a friend of mine. He is one of the top smiths in Sweden so I will present what I am looking for and see what he can do...and especially if he thinks that it will be enought to start to make a bloody good custom made rifle. But it has to wait as I at the moment is working in the UK and will move back first in a few weeks. But then I will hand in a thought of a whish list
Take care and talk to you soon.

Cheers/ Olsson

 

[Olsson]

Well, unfortunately, the CZ M1 was very short lived, they do not make it any longer. But here are a list of sub $2000 available in Europe (I'm sure there are others also)

tikka T3 varmint and/or tactical (excellent choice, review coming at some point...)
CZ 550 Varmint (HS Precision stock even)
FN series of tactical rifles
Blaser R93 Tactical (probably over the price budget)
Parker Hale 1200TX (m82's) though it would have to be used
Scout tactical elite (accuracy is not up there with the others)

And which ever of the mass produced USA tactical rifles might be available over there:
Remington 700P
Savage 10FP
Weatherby TRR
Winchester Stealth

Of course, you could research into importing a firearm from USA also. I hear its not that hard of a thing to do... just paperwork.... but I'm not positive.

MEL

Hi Mel, thanks for your reply most appreciated! I will work through your list and see what I can find and the price tag to go with it. I am looking forward to hear the review of the T3 Varmint, I assume it will be in .308?

Bye the way, if you come to Sweden you have to let me know. I am more into shooting with handguns in Sweden, but I will take my hunting exame upon return in Sweden in November. A .308 is on my first list to buy.... :lol:

Thanks again/ Olsson

 

[Olsson]

I was amazed at the number of wonderful rifle ranges in Sweden. The town of Malung in Dalarna had no fewer than three beautiful ranges.

So here is what I would do:

I would head off to my local sjutbana and talk to the local shooters. I'd ask them about the leading gunsmiths and I would also find out where they bought their rifles. Then I'd head off to the various gunshops and look at what was available. In Malung there was a wonderful gunshop on Vasterdalalvagen. ( I think that was the name of the street)

Anyway, the guy there had whole racks of used .308 target rifles. He also had a wonderful array of new .308 target rifles. And some of the used rifles were delicious Swedish rifles that I'd never seen in real life before. If memory serves, he even had the Husqvarna Model 8000. He also had the Danish Schultz & Larsen rifle.

So I would check out all the big gunshops and look over all the rifles new and used. And I would seriously consider a used rifle. Rifle barrels may wear out, but modern bolt actions hardly ever do. If I found a nice rifle, I'd rebarrel it if necessary. ( At this stage in my life, I consider a new rifle to be an extravagance. There are lots of beautiful used rifles around. And it is no big thing to have a rifle re-barrelled)

I would even post a note inside the clubhouse at your local range. State that you are looking to buy a .308 target rifle. It might be that someone there needs money and has to sell a target rifle. And in such a case you can even shoot the gun before you buy it.

The rifle of your dreams may be right under your very nose. And the truth is that some very beautiful target rifles were made in Scandinavia.

Mad.

Hi MadGunSmith, I have been to Dalarna a few times and also to Malung. It sounded like you had a good visit over here, spending some time on local gunshops and local ranges. There are some really nice shooting ranges in Sweden. My favorite in Sweden is in Ostersund in the North where I come from. There they have a range for up to 600 metres and monitors that you can look at how good you perform....much better then running back and forward with a huge rifle
Point taken - I will work with my friends gun smith in Sweden...both in order to find something on second hand but also what custom work he can do for the money I would like to spend. It feels that I an agenda I can go through now and see what I can find.

I would like to thank you all for your knowledge and friendly advice in my request. I am not a big rifle shooter, however, I was a "sniper" in the Swedish military armed forces. Since then I have mostly competed only in pistol shooting...

Take care/ Olsson

 

[Olsson]

Hi all,

Again I would like to thank you all for your help and support in order to get me going. I have just requested two quotes from 2 top Swedish guns smiths - based upon the MacMillans new A-5 Stock. I will in a seperate post let you know the progress and the details in the quote I will receive....where your thoughts will be most appreciated?

Take care cheers/ Olsson

 

[Kamatz]

It is, along with the AICS and the Choate-thingy, the fugliest stock available :wink: But I'm sure it's quite comfy to shoot with.

What kind of action and barrel will you go for?

 

[Olsson]

It is, along with the AICS and the Choate-thingy, the fugliest stock available :wink: But I'm sure it's quite comfy to shoot with.

What kind of action and barrel will you go for?

It is, along with the AICS and the Choate-thingy, the fugliest stock available :wink: But I'm sure it's quite comfy to shoot with.

What kind of action and barrel will you go for?

Ouch - do not say that I think it is gorgeouse! I also think that a customer .308 will be the right way to go for me - moneywise! Do not need to pay the bloody pile of money at the samt time....and in the end, waiting a year or so.... a great rifle that could cost dubble my budget!
Ok, Kamatz I challenge you, and any of you guys :wink: what stock would you prefer? I tried to find a HS precision stock....but, nah....I like McMillan and everything I have read and been told about it!

The smith like the action of the Remington 700 and the barrel would most probably be a Shilen....saying all this, I feel the weight upon my shoulders. What your thoughts? The lenght of the barrel and its twist I left for the expert to choose....your thoughts?

ps; when it will be not possible to hunt with lead ammonition in the very near future in Sweden and the 6.5x55Swede will not longer qualify with alternative ammonition to hunt moose and other klass one games (wild boar, bear, etc) I would assume there will be many nice cheep weapons to find in Sweden if you guys would fancy to import!


cheers Olsson

 

[Kamatz]

Nah...Winchester Marksman, now, that's one lovely stock. The HTG is quite alright, too.

Rem700 is alright. It wont do if you intend to go out hunting mid-winter in northern Scandinavia..but for targetshooting I reckon it's a fair choice.

 

[Olsson]

Nah...Winchester Marksman, now, that's one lovely stock. The HTG is quite alright, too.

Rem700 is alright. It wont do if you intend to go out hunting mid-winter in northern Scandinavia..but for targetshooting I reckon it's a fair choice.

Arrgh! Did the gunsmith not know this!? I have to look into to this....I mean, most of the time I will have fun on the long shooting range. But hunting will most probably be in the winter. Where I come from, you know Kamatz, it is bloody cold! To hunt for capercaillie (tjader) and black grouse (orre) with a shoot from 200 metre where the bird is located in the top of the trea and giving its siluette towards the sky as it is trying to get a bit warm in the winter sun, if it is not to cold and it is hidding in the snow.....at -20 to -25 Celcius below....it must work! Darn!

Ok guys, what action should I look into then? I will give the smith a call at the meantime after I have posted this message and hear what he has to say..... based upon the artice climat that we do have in Sweden during the winter.....

cheers/ Olsson

....I am going to have so much fun and learn so much in this area...until I have found the components I want to go with. To be honest guys, I am a rookie....not in shooting, but in what I am now looking into to do. I think I will continue to write and discuss this thread of mine.....as I am discussing with the guns smiths in my home country!....