First Rifle Thoughts/Opinions?

[mrcjc]

Evening gents,

I have been looking into getting myself a rifle for the past few months and well I am finally ready to commit to a purchase, I went to a gun show a few days ago and ran across a gentleman selling his Sako AV Fiberclass .338 Win Mag, with a Burris 309 optic “Ok glass” and a custom muzzle break. He is asking $800 for the whole setup.

Before I ran across this “Possible good deal?” I was looking into the Rem700 SPS or VTR, 300 or 308.

I will be using the rifle for hunting and simple target practice up to “500-800yards” is there anything I should be concerned with or consider otherwise? I like the idea of getting the sako because it will at least put me in a “Ready to shot” spot and the price seems right. I have been trying to research if that is a fair price and from what I can find floating around online it seems right on. Anyone familiar with this rifle?

I appreciate any insight on this!
-Chris

 

[p8nt]

Get something more accurate and cheaper to shoot for your first rifle. You need to know if you are going really enjoy it.

 

[slm9s]

That sounds like a good deal if the package is in very good/excellent condition.

A 338 win mag as a first rifle is less than ideal however, unless you have a lot of shooting experience.

You don't specify what you're going to be hunting, but you may be better served by a 308 for ammo costs/availability, or a 260/7-08/30-06/270 for less recoil and cheaper ammo.

just mho.

 

[tylerlunt]

I like savage rifles because you can get good accuracy at low cost. a plus also is you can buy other barrels and shoot multiple calibers I have a 243 308 and 22-250 all in the same rifle. just a thought

 

[korykhunter]

If your hunting bears go ahead and grab it otherwise what they said^^^^^. So many calibers to choose from but for first rifle I would suggest something based on the .308.

 

[mrcjc]

I appreciate the feedback thus far, I plan on hunting anything I can sign up to hunt =D I have never been but I defiantly want to make it a regular thing! I have shot few rifles but do not own anything in these calibers... I currently own: AR15, Mossberg500 breacher, Glock19.
There is a local dealer here in town that has a Rem700 SS 5-R .300 WinMag for $1,199 that was going to be another option as well… I’ve heard nothing but great things about these rifles and my budget is roughly $1,500-2,000

 

[mrcjc]

Get something more accurate and cheaper to shoot for your first rifle. You need to know if you are going really enjoy it.

I seem to have read a lot about folks saying Sako's arnt to accurate in the older models, oh an I do enjoy shooting trust me! ill sit at a range for hours picking stuff off with my friends .308. Hunting wise, I have always been an out doors kind of guy, fishing, camping, hiking, just never hunted. I am sure I will enjoy that as well!

If your hunting bears go ahead and grab it otherwise what they said^^^^^. So many calibers to choose from but for first rifle I would suggest something based on the .308.

I will most likely start small game, deer, hogs... something of that nature, idk maybe if I find someone who has hunted bears I am up for it!

 

[JGorski]

Evening gents,

I have been looking into getting myself a rifle for the past few months and well I am finally ready to commit to a purchase, I went to a gun show a few days ago and ran across a gentleman selling his Sako AV Fiberclass .338 Win Mag, with a Burris 309 optic “Ok glass” and a custom muzzle break. He is asking $800 for the whole setup.


Before I ran across this “Possible good deal?” I was looking into the Rem700 SPS or VTR, 300 or 308.

I will be using the rifle for hunting and simple target practice up to “500-800yards” is there anything I should be concerned with or consider otherwise? I like the idea of getting the sako because it will at least put me in a “Ready to shot” spot and the price seems right. I have been trying to research if that is a fair price and from what I can find floating around online it seems right on. Anyone familiar with this rifle?

I appreciate any insight on this!
-Chris

Get the SPS in 308, they're very accurate rifles, just invest in a good trigger like Jewell or Timney.

 

[mrcjc]

Get the SPS in 308, they're very accurate rifles, just invest in a good trigger like Jewell or Timney.

Whats the deal with the triggers on them? SPS or the SPS Tactical? 20" barrel I was thinking more like a 22" - 24" + Muzzle break

https://www.timneytriggers.com/index.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=15

 

[Masked]

I appreciate the feedback thus far, I plan on hunting anything I can sign up to hunt =D I have never been but I defiantly want to make it a regular thing! I have shot few rifles but do not own anything in these calibers... I currently own: AR15, Mossberg500 breacher, Glock19.
There is a local dealer here in town that has a Rem700 SS 5-R .300 WinMag for $1,199 that was going to be another option as well… I’ve heard nothing but great things about these rifles and my budget is roughly $1,500-2,000

For that budget ~ You could do a Savage Short action which would allow you to change barrels...It would give you access to the .270, 30-06, .308, .223 ~

In the current market, I'd stick with a .308 ~ It's going to handle any game you come across in NA and is a decently priced round, especially in the panic.

There's little to no kick as well, plus aftermarket for the Savage SA is very plentiful.

Changing calibers is as easy as swapping out the barrel/bolt head and doing a head-space check.

I just finished my Savage build which, before my XLR stock, was hovering at about $1500.

You could find a good Savage SA, throw some glass on it and replace the stock for less then your budget, IMO.

 

[slm9s]

The problem you're going to run into is that you're trying to use one rifle for both hunting and "target practice to 800 yards".

Most hunting rifles use sporter weight barrels and are light for carrying them up mountains. Three or four rounds through a sporter 7mm Rem Mag for example, and the barrel is too hot to touch. Most rifles designed for target shooting at 800 yards weigh 12-15 pounds with heavier barrel contours so you can shoot ten round strings.

Take a look at longrangehunting.com as it sounds like thats the type of rifle you're looking for. A compromise between a lightweight hunting rifle and a full-blown tactical/target rifle.
Also, find someone knowledgeable and get them to help you buy a used rifle. You'll get much more value for what you spend, you'll know what kind of accuracy its capable of, and will most likely get load data provided saving you time and expense.
just mho. good luck

 

[slm9s]

For that budget ~ You could do a Savage Short action which would allow you to change barrels...It would give you access to the .270, 30-06, .308, .223 ~

I'm not John Moses Browning, but I don't think you can fit a 270 or 30-06 in a short action.

 

[Masked]

I'm not John Moses Browning, but I don't think you can fit a 270 or 30-06 in a short action.

According to what I researched the following are SA calibers:

22/250
243 WIN
260 REM
270WSM
7mm-08
300WSM
308 WIN
338 Federal
.257 Roberts
7x57
6mm Rem.
.30-30 (.30 WCF) though many don't consider it when building a bolt-action
.220 Swift
.250 Savage
.300 Savage

Missing a few but, the point stands.

I don't know how logical it would be but, I've also been told by a couple Gunsmiths that, changing the head + barrel and you could shoot 300wm ~ Again, wouldn't be logical but, possible, pretty positive.

 

[allen200]

i picked up a rem 5r 20" in .308. though i've only put 50rds so far i'm very pleased with it. my only dislike so far is the x-mark trigger, not consistant at all. so if you end up gettin a remmy go ahead a get a trigger. i'd still vote for the 5r

 

[mrcjc]

Alright guys I appreciate everyone's feedback but after some thought "last few days" I decided to get the Remington SS 5-R mil-spec .300 Win Mag. It is already paid for =D

I will be picking up a AICS 1.5 Stock and shopping for some glass soon... The rifle is already threaded for a muzzle brake so my question now is, what are some good recommendations for a muzzle brake?
Thank you,

 

[Onoko]

That is actually a good choice for a rifle. Its tough to get use to shooting the rifle accurately with a magnum caliber as your first but hopefully you can get use to it quick with the muzzle brake. Like I have said many times on this site I think the RAD brake from R&D precisions is great. You don't have to have a smith time it for you.

Check it out http://www.rdprecision.net/

 

[mrcjc]

That is actually a good choice for a rifle. Its tough to get use to shooting the rifle accurately with a magnum caliber as your first but hopefully you can get use to it quick with the muzzle brake. Like I have said many times on this site I think the RAD brake from R&D precisions is great. You don't have to have a smith time it for you.

Check it out http://www.rdprecision.net/

Iv shot a few .300's so I am hoping I pick up on it pretty quick as well. I am a decent shot but we shall see only time and practice shall tell =D

Looks pretty nice, have you had a chance to shoot with any other brakes? Under the gallery in that site, I like the 3rd photo down's brake. I like that flush look. The RAD has the little "tightening" screw. Wonder if I could grind that off / down then use some lock tight... Good idea or bad?

I decided to get some really nice glass as well just order a Vortex Viper PST 6-24x50 FFP Riflescope w/MOA rec.

Think I have spent enough for this month =D I will wait a few until I get the AIC stock. I also have the rifle being sent out Thursday to get blacked out... I am not a fan of the stainless, my good friends bro does it so its a great deal on my end.

 

[Onoko]

Grinding off is not a good idea. If you want a similar brake but flush with the gun. Get the GA precision Titan brake, you need to have them put it on for you though. The Titan brake needs to be timed. The MRAD brake has that tightening screw so that you can put it on yourself.