Coaching on Buy or Build - 500 Yard+ Bolt Action Rifle

[Armiger]

First off thanks for having me here and in a short time I have soaked up quite a bit of information.

Been a shooter and hunter my entire life but my "long range" experience has been mostly at 200-300yards. With the exception of a Sako 270/Leupold VX-3 L and a SCAR 17S with a ACOG TA 11 BDC, I have been shooting irons on my M1A scout (preban) and a FAL built by Jim Fuller at Rifle Dynamics.

Being a member at a great club in North Georgia - Riverbend Gun Club - I have access to a number of longer range venues. I am enjoying banging steel at the 500 yard range and thought it was time to get a bolt gun in 7.62 and some high end glass to shoot out to 500+. To be honest at this time I would say I might venture on the 1,000 yard range but would see 90% of my time shooting at 500 yards. I am right handed but left eye dominant and shoot my rifles left handed. I do want to stick with 7.62 at this time as I don't reload.

Investigating several routes -

- Option One - Find a left hand action Remington 700 in .308 and upgrade the stock, add a PTG mag bottom, etc. Slowly add to it, figure out how it shoots, and shoot the hell out of it. Not looking for a cheap beater but an approach that I can add on or at some point say to myself, I am ready to go all in and get a custom from GA-Precision or a AI.

- Option Two - Do a "semi custom" build - in the low $2K range. Don't go all out ....Problem is I don't know what I don't know now.

I am not in a big hurry but am constantly trolling the for sale section here and the WTB with the left hand thread. In both options above I would not go cheap on the glass. Over time (12 months) I would see my option one coming in at the same $'s as option two.

Any initial thoughts and coaching appreciated. I am sure I have missed some other options and will stand by for your advice.

 

[Quarter Horse]

Welcome. There is a wealth of info. here but some things such as stock design, trigger feel and what discipline you want to shoot are personal. If your home club has longer ranges I'm sure you'll see lots of different set ups and most shooters are willing to let you get behind their rigs. Before you decide on a higher end purchase, try stuff out. Remington and Savage both have varmint or tactical models in left hand actions. If you go this route I wouldn't change anything if the gun shoots. Work on your skills and learn reloading.

My recommendation would not be either of your options. Check the current thread "FN SPR for LEO." A right handed action will not limit your skill development or even your performance in many disciplines. The SPR is a rifle that needs no up-grades and when you can outshoot the rifle you will probably know what you would be looking for in a custom.

 

[Armiger]

Thanks for the response Quarter Horse. I have tried out numerous Remington 700's, both stock and custom over the years. I agree that there are personal elements in the decision. For instance I have a Geissele trigger on my SCAR 15 which some may feel is an excessive $ investment in a battle rifle.

I am open to other options and appreciate you pointing out the thread on the FN SPR! I will check it out.....

 

[1TallTx'n]

Tagged so I can follow.

 

[Danco411]

I have a friend in a similar position. I talked him into letting me build him one. I started with the Savage 11 XP Trophy Hunter Package in left hand. Got it locally for $550. Sold the Nikon Prostaff scope and rings for $120. I replaced the 22" light hunting barrel with a 20" Criterion for $300 and got $90 for the stock barrel. B&C tactical stock $240, DNZ 1 peice scope mount $60 and a Vortex Viper PST 6-24 $900, Harris Bipod $110 and Atlas Monopod $80. About 2k total for a kickass rifle that shoots lights out. I'm a diehard Savage Junkie!

 

[Armiger]

I have a friend in a similar position. I talked him into letting me build him one. I started with the Savage 11 XP Trophy Hunter Package in left hand. Got it locally for $550. Sold the Nikon Prostaff scope and rings for $120. I replaced the 22" light hunting barrel with a 20" Criterion for $300 and got $90 for the stock barrel. B&C tactical stock $240, DNZ 1 peice scope mount $60 and a Vortex Viper PST 6-24 $900, Harris Bipod $110 and Atlas Monopod $80. About 2k total for a kickass rifle that shoots lights out. I'm a diehard Savage Junkie!

I know there are those who share your passion for Savage. Whats involved in replacing a barrel with this platform ? The rest of it I get and can handle. Out of curiosity why did you choose the B&C stock....

 

[paramil]

I have bought a Rem 700PSS in the past that was a great shooter. Knocked targets at grand all day long. I would say start off with a stock Rem 700 P series or Savage. Then once you are looking at getting more pinpoint accuracy then worry about sending it to the smith and having some work done on it about when it comes time to change out the barrel.

 

[Danco411]

Easy with the right action wrench. I got one from Brownells. It's just a simple barrel nut so you have to secure the barrel. Some have done it in a vice. I went with the B&C because its the best bang for your buck. This was a budget build so the price was right for an aluminum bedded drop in with the right profile. It's a very nice stock. I have one on my Savage 308. I used to have a 700 5r Milspec in an AICS AX chassis. This Savage shoots just as we'll if not better.

 

[lawofsavage]

( Savage to Criterion Barrel Swap - YouTube ) Ease of re-barreling is probably one of the biggest advantages of going with a Savage.

For me, one of the most important issues is figuring out what kind of stock you feel the most comfortable behind. I didn't do my due diligence on this and bought an XLR and it's a great chassis that I would recommend and is extremely well made I just grew up shooting hunting rifles and I feel more comfortable with a traditional stock.

I don't know if they are out yet but PTG is supposed to be making bottom metal for Savages. I don't think up until this point that anybody had made bottom metal for Savages yet so you had to go with a chassis if you wanted to run AI mags. Also, better trigger selection for Remington, but Timney does have a Savage trigger.

I've got a Savage 12 LRP 6.5 CM in an XLR stock and it is way more accurate than I am but I shoot left handed also and I got a right handed action. I'm eventually going buy a custom action in LH and build off that because shooting a RH puts you at a disadvantage for positional shooting.

If you are looking for getting the most accuracy for your money I think Savage is hard to beat especially the model 12 target actions but I think you will eventually want a custom. It is really expensive up front for all the gear but one thing to consider is you get more of your money back on top end gear when you sell it.

 

[RobertB]

I recomend a factory Rem M700 like a SPS tactical, SPS varmiteer, or a PSS. If going with the first 2 a take off HS Precision added to it makes a nice budget gun that will hammer out to 500 and farther. 90% of my rifles are customs from VERY reputable builders, but my little factory piece together guns have done about as well as the others in all reality. Maybe I'm just lucky but it's the truth. (Waiting on all the heat coming my way LOL) For our range and to have a loaner for people wanting to get into it or if a rifle goes down I put together some factory rifles like the forementioned with decent stocks and base/rings and scopes and I will almost bet that I will hit the target when I need to at 500 and in. And I don;t usually shoot at very big targets.
If it's not going to be a BR or super comp rifle then a factory rifle can be a great way to start.
My savage is super accurate as well but the last classes I have seen several go down with minor problems so Remmy is MY choice of recomendation.

My SPS tactical in HS stock has set me back $650 with base. And it's impressed alot of people (myself included) with it's accuracy. Yes I trust my Surgeons more in the field but I will never say that this gun is not capable to hit targets the same.
My 20" Bartlein seems to be much faster of a bbl with the same ammo as my 20" SPS and not quite as accurate but in the field under field conditions I cannot tell accuracy apart. And I choose not to base my capabilities off of a mowed range in perfect conditions.

What I'm saying is that if your not real sure what you want but you know you want a rifle then the factory rifles will do what you need and can be sold easier than customs if not just upgraded when the time comes to step up the gear.

Good luck

 

[Armiger]

I appreciate all of you that chimed in here. As expected there are a few options I had not considered and all the "coaching" is top notch. To be honest I had not considered the Savage and certainly did not think it had the flexibility and options that you all pointed out. The video above that lawofsavage tagged was insightful. I did get a kick out of the background music ... expected someone to jump out of the shadows with a large knife

 

[lawofsavage]

His basement was really organized also. It was the first one that pulled up in bing under "Savage barrel swap". It gets the point across but is a little strange.

 

[Danco411]

Here is my last budget build Savage. Started out as a Model 11 Hog Hunter. The cheapest Savage in the lineup at $460 online. I like it for a base because it has the 20" threaded barrel so I did not have to change it. B&C stock, Harris, Atlas mono, JP compensator, DNZ rings, Primary Arms 4-14 FFP scope. Total cost about $1200 and I've taken it to a grand easy. . I did the Cerakote so no cost there. I run Geisselle triggers in my AR and have found no need to replace the Accu-trigger with an aftermarket. I have it set at about 3lbs and really like it.

3 at 100 with 155g SMK over Power Pro 200MR

5 at 500

 

[cotntop]

I agree with RobertB about the Rem 700. I have customs that will barely outshoot my Rem Compact Tactical. Already with HS stock and easy to sell if a person tries to upgrade. Hard to beat.