First Time Long Distance Shooter

[SKYNET KC]

Hey guys, been lurking here a few days and decided to finally post. I know i'm going to beat a dead horse here, but maybe I can get a few more suggestions.

I've hunted my entire life. Shooting 'normal' rifles. Ruger .308 Win. is the current deer rifle. I'm going Bear hunting in June and am using that as an excuse to buy myself a new toy. I've never done some serious distance shooting, but i'd love to try it out with this next setup.

My dad bought a Savage Precision 10 .308 WIN, and he loves it. He's sourced another one for $750 out the door. The rifle is great, I know that. I love shooting it, it feels...right. But i'll be honest the digicam kills it for me since i'm currently in the army and hate the ACU pattern anyway.

The other rifle i'm looking at is the Rem 700 .308 WIN. Haven't done a TON of research on it, but enough to make me dangerous.

My question is this: what would suit better for a first time long distance shooter? Opinions? Aftermarket options you would recommend? I'm here to listen. I know i don't know much about this stuff, so make me drink from a fire hydrant.

Thanks in advance guys, hope to be around here a while.

Matt

 

[islandermyk]

Re: First Time Long Distance Shooter

First off... Thank you for your service! Welcome and enjoy!

When you say long range... how far do you plan to shoot or have access to shoot?

Inside 1K yards... .308 and all those 6mm calibers should get the job done.
Outside 1K yards... I'd say magnum calibers (.300, 338, etc) would be your pick.

I'm not all that experienced in shooting long range, but I can tell you from my experience in all this. "It's the worst addiction to get into!"

Enjoy!

 

[SKYNET KC]

Re: First Time Long Distance Shooter

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: islandermyk</div><div class="ubbcode-body">First off... Thank you for your service! Welcome and enjoy!

When you say long range... how far do you plan to shoot or have access to shoot?

Inside 1K yards... .308 and all those 6mm calibers should get the job done.
Outside 1K yards... I'd say magnum calibers (.300, 338, etc) would be your pick.

I'm not all that experienced in shooting long range, but I can tell you from my experience in all this. "It's the worst addiction to get into!"

Enjoy!

</div></div>

Thinking around 800 yards. We have a 400 acre farm that i'm gonna go and cut down a nice range at.

 

[a4308]

Re: First Time Long Distance Shooter

Any 6mm or a308 will do the job

 

[turbo54]

Re: First Time Long Distance Shooter

I didn't read where the OP was asking for opinion on cartridges. Rather, it seems he is asking the "Savage or Remington 308" question.

The short answer here is it doesn't matter. If one looks cooler to you, that's as good a reason as any to choose it over the other. That said, if you enjoy the hobby/sport, you'll likely replace the stock before too long anyway.

 

[SKYNET KC]

Re: First Time Long Distance Shooter

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: turbo54</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I didn't read where the OP was asking for opinion on cartridges. Rather, it seems he is asking the "Savage or Remington 308" question.

<span style="font-weight: bold">The short answer here is it doesn't matter</span>. If one looks cooler to you, that's as good a reason as any to choose it over the other. That said, if you enjoy the hobby/sport, you'll likely replace the stock before too long anyway. </div></div>

That's what I'm trying to figure out. I just didn't know if one was more 'beginner friendly' compared to the other.

 

[mountainman308]

Re: First Time Long Distance Shooter

Truth be told, Savage can be a bit more beginner friendly, but only in that it is easy to rebarrel and the trigger is heads and tails above the Remington factory trigger. Other than that, it comes down to personal preference. What matters most at distance is your mastery of the fundamentals of marksmanship and your ability to read and account for environmentals. This is the Achilles heel of most every marksman, and a skill I most certainly have not mastered yet. If your pop has a savage sourced for you, and it’s in good shape, take him up on it. Unless you can find a better deal on a Remington 700, the Savage will work fine.
As far as aftermarket options, take the rifle to a reputable smith and have the action trued and the barrel recrowned and recut at a minimum, or just buy a Krieger or Bartline for ~$400. Get a 20 MOA scope rail, good rings such as Badger Ordinance or Nightforce. Do not skimp on optics, they are essential to precise long range shooting. Depending on your budget we can make recommendations.
Welcome to the hide, and thank you for your service to our Republic.

 

[Rogue111]

Re: First Time Long Distance Shooter

Chevy vs Ford discussion. I have both a Savage and a R700, both great rifles. I do believe Savage has a progressive edge for a beginner with the accustock, accutrigger, floating bolt head, & barrel nut. I would lean towards the Savage if you're going to be shooting it stock but Remington has a bit more options for upgrades/add-ons. That's just my $0.02, wont lose either way.

 

[xXlojackXx]

Re: First Time Long Distance Shooter

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Rogue111</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Chevy vs Ford discussion. I have both a Savage and a R700, both great rifles. I do believe Savage has a progressive edge for a beginner with the accustock, accutrigger, floating bolt head, & barrel nut. I would lean towards the Savage if you're going to be shooting it stock but Remington has a bit more options for upgrades/add-ons. That's just my $0.02, wont lose either way. </div></div>

Agreed. If you're buying a rifle to shoot as is, without modifications, I would get the Savage. But, if you think you'll want to build it as you grow in the sport then I would get the Remington due to aftermarket options being more readily available.

 

[David S]

Re: First Time Long Distance Shooter

Hi SKYNET KC,

I'll chime in only to say I think your absolute best place to begin is by watching and considering LoneWolfUSMC's Budget Precision Rifle Build videos:

Video 1

Video 2

Video 3

Video 4

He did his build from a Remington 700, but I see no special reason why you couldn't do the same thing with a Savage. Parts might be a bit harder to find, but in this age of the internet I doubt that'll be a serious hurdle. Also, there's no rule saying you must buy all of the parts involved in the build right away; you can start right at ground level and then build the improvements as gradually as time and/or money and/or your comfort level require.

Yours,

David

 

[SKYNET KC]

Re: First Time Long Distance Shooter

The amount of info this forum is already producting is astonishing. As a forum whore, I am quite surprised. But in a good way!

The current plan for optics is a Viper PST 6-24x50 FFP. I'm not sure if this would be 'skimping' by your guys' books. But It's what i've got a good deal on. Basically half off MSRP. I'm not sure if this is a scope I'll be able to reach out to 800 yards with, but i think it's a better scope than I am a shooter. My dad has been into reloading pistols for a long time, and he's gonna make ths switch to 5.56 and .308.

We're a Pro Second Amendment family.

 

[David S]

Re: First Time Long Distance Shooter

Dude, Viper PSTs kick ass, especially those first focal plane ones. Enjoy!

Yours,

David

 

[komishe]

Re: First Time Long Distance Shooter

That's an excellent scope for the $$
I go plinking clay pigeons @750y with my 308 and that very same scope all the time. 800 and a ways beyond should be no problem.
I haven't done a box test with mine, but it returns to zero good.
I'm fairly new to the long range game, but I do own 2 nightforce nsx and a bushnell hdmr.
For the price, the viper is a very nice scope. You will be happy

Have fun

 

[ToKeepAndBear]

Re: First Time Long Distance Shooter

Buy a used Sako TRG 22... no aftermarket parts necessary. It's GTG!

 

[NewsShooter]

Re: First Time Long Distance Shooter

Either rifle will work, I got a Savage LRP in 6.5 creedmoor, its a bit more than what you listed but even in my relatively newbie hands it is a sub moa rifle. I also have the scope you listed above it and it has done just fine for matches out to 1K.