Good Starting Rifle Kit

[remau308]

With the amount of these questions being posted. I decided to make the most general list of good, cheap starting rifles, and accessories that are proven, and most hide members prefer.

<span style="text-decoration: underline"><span style="font-weight: bold">Rifles</span></span>

<span style="font-weight: bold">Remington 700</span>- Police, SPS Tactical, SPS Varmint, VTR

<span style="font-weight: bold">Winchester 70</span>- Ultimate Shadow

<span style="font-weight: bold">Savage</span>- 10FP-SR, 10FLCP-K, 10Precision Carbine, 10FCP-K

<span style="font-weight: bold">Howa</span>- Heavy Barrel Varminter (.308 recommended for this model for long range)

These four rifle models have been tested for a long time, and are very reliable choices for a short budget. One thing to look for when choosing: does it have a Heavy/Bull barrel? This is necessary for increased accuracy. However, most of these may need an aftermarket stock to achieve their optimum accuracy. This is a small list of stocks to look for to take that next step towards accuracy, and rigidity.

<span style="text-decoration: underline"><span style="font-weight: bold">Stocks</span></span>

<span style="font-weight: bold">McMillan</span>- http://www.mcmfamily.com/mcmillan-stocks-tactical.php A2, A3, ADJ. A3-5, A4, A5 (McMillans typically need bedding to maximize their performance, which increases cost)

<span style="font-weight: bold">Accuracy International</span>- http://www.accuracyinternational.com/products.php (AE, AW, AICS does <span style="font-weight: bold">NOT</span> need bedding)

<span style="font-weight: bold">Manners</span>- http://mannersstocks.com/Tactical.html GAT, T, T1, T2, T3, T4, T5 ( Manners also need bedding)

<span style="font-weight: bold">Bell and Carlson</span>- http://www.bellandcarlson.com/ Medalist (these also need bedding)

These are just a few stocks, and there are others that meet these standards. Even with your new stock, you will need to make sure your barrel is free-floated, and the stock will not touch the barrel while in the prone position and resting on a bipod or sandbag. The stock will increase accuracy and make it look "cool", but you will still be shooting like crap with out a decent scope. If you have a tight budget, you will need to spend as much or more for your scope than your rifle.

<span style="text-decoration: underline"><span style="font-weight: bold">Scope</span></span>

<span style="font-weight: bold">SWFA SS 10x42mm</span>- http://swfa.com/SWFA-SS-Scopes-C1719.aspx (Fixed scopes add more reliability, but sacrifice in Field Of View. This is be a great target scope, but a hunter might consider something else.)

<span style="font-weight: bold">Leupold VXIII</span>- http://swfa.com/Leupold-Competition-Riflescopes-C108.aspx Leupold still makes great scopes, and they offer multiple different magnifications to better fit your need.

<span style="font-weight: bold">Vortex Viper</span>- http://swfa.com/Vortex-Viper-PST-Rifle-Scopes-C2860.aspx Vortex Viper has proven themselves to build durable and clear scopes for the hunter or target shooter.

While the scope is probably them most important part of your rifle, it will not work to its full potential without a good set of rings and a base. You may not be striving for the best in the other areas, but you need to buy the very best rings, and base.

<span style="text-decoration: underline"><span style="font-weight: bold">Rings</span></span>

<span style="font-weight: bold">Badger Ordnance</span>- http://www.midwayusa.com/browse/Bro...tegoryString=657***698***8584***&brandId=1734

<span style="font-weight: bold">Leupold MARK 4</span>- http://www.midwayusa.com/browse/Bro...tegoryString=657***698***8584***&brandId=1362

<span style="font-weight: bold">Nightforce</span>- http://www.midwayusa.com/browse/Bro...tegoryString=657***698***8584***&brandId=2268

<span style="font-weight: bold">U.S. Optics</span>- http://www.midwayusa.com/browse/Bro...tegoryString=657***698***8584***&brandId=2630

<span style="font-weight: bold">Talley</span>- http://www.midwayusa.com/browse/Bro...tegoryString=657***698***8584***&brandId=1781

These are just a few and there are many other rings you can buy, but these are the most rugged, and precise. Now, with determining the base you want, try to find a one piece. This reason being that even if your action is not trued, the one piece base will help keep your rings on the same plane. If you decide to use a two piece base and your action is not trued, you could wind up having your rings on different planes and bending the tube on your scope.

<span style="text-decoration: underline"><span style="font-weight: bold">Bases</span></span>

<span style="text-decoration: underline"><span style="font-weight: bold">For Remington 700 Short Action</span></span>:

<span style="font-weight: bold">Badger Ordnance</span>- http://www.midwayusa.com/browse/Bro...*8705***11683***13787***13792***&brandId=1734

<span style="font-weight: bold">Nightforce</span>- http://www.midwayusa.com/browse/Bro...*8705***11683***13787***13792***&brandId=2268

<span style="font-weight: bold">U.S. Optics</span>- http://www.midwayusa.com/browse/Bro...*8705***11683***13787***13792***&brandId=2630

<span style="text-decoration: underline"><span style="font-weight: bold">For Remington 700 Long Action</span></span>:

<span style="font-weight: bold">Badger Ordnance</span>- http://www.midwayusa.com/browse/Bro...*8705***11683***13787***13793***&brandId=1734

<span style="font-weight: bold">Nightforce</span>- http://www.midwayusa.com/browse/Bro...*8705***11683***13787***13793***&brandId=2268

<span style="font-weight: bold">U.S. Optics</span>- http://www.midwayusa.com/browse/Bro...*8705***11683***13787***13793***&brandId=2630

<span style="text-decoration: underline"><span style="font-weight: bold">For Winchester 70 Short Action</span></span>:

<span style="font-weight: bold">Badger Ordnance</span>- http://www.midwayusa.com/browse/Bro...*8705***11688***14818***14820***&brandId=1734

<span style="font-weight: bold">Nightforce</span>- http://www.midwayusa.com/browse/Bro...*8705***11688***14818***14820***&brandId=2268

<span style="text-decoration: underline"><span style="font-weight: bold">For Winchester 70 Long Action</span></span>:

<span style="font-weight: bold">Nightforce</span>- http://www.midwayusa.com/browse/Bro...*8705***11688***14818***14821***&brandId=2268

<span style="text-decoration: underline"><span style="font-weight: bold">For Savage 10 Round Rear Receiver</span></span>:

<span style="font-weight: bold">Badger Ordnance</span>- http://www.midwayusa.com/browse/Bro...ng=657***8705***11689***14357***&brandId=1734

<span style="font-weight: bold">Nightforce</span>- http://www.midwayusa.com/browse/Bro...ng=657***8705***11689***14357***&brandId=2268

<span style="text-decoration: underline"><span style="font-weight: bold">For Howa Short Action</span></span>:

I was not able to find any one piece bases that seemed..."reliable" in my opinion. Although, if you are certain your action is true and want to use a two piece base, decide by buying with a trusted name. Badger Ordnance, Leupold, Nightforce, etc..



Now, a hard decision for most (and when I first started shooting) is which cartridge to shoot? Of course, everyone wants to shoot, 50 BMG, 416 Barrett, 408 Chey-Tac,375 Chey-Tac, 338 Snipe-Tac and the 338 Lapua. Honestly though, your best option is going to be a .308 Remington, or .300 Winchester Magnum. These both have very good performance out to 1000 yards, and they are available at almost every sporting goods store. They also lead to a much longer barrel life than the other exotic ammunition.


I know it must be annoying to see all these links with obvious information, but these questions are still asked on an everyday basis. This is a standard outline of my opinions of a good starting rifle. There are plenty of other options out there, but some/most people require being spoon-fed. I also included polls so members can votes on their opinions on which one is the best.

 

[rrflyer]

Re: Good Starting Rifle Kit

Scopes

<span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Budget 200-300$</span></span>
Bushnell Elite 3200 Tactical line
Nikon Buckmaster
Mueller Tactical
Original super Sniper 10x, 16x, 20x

<span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Midrange 500-900$</span></span>
Bushnell elite 4200 Tactical line
Super sniper 3-9 and 10xHD
Vortex Viper series
Leupold Mark 4

<span style="text-decoration: underline"><span style="font-weight: bold">Baller Range 1000$+</span></span>
Nightforce
USO
Zeiss
Hensoldt
Schmidt and Bender


just tryin to help since I'm stuck in a Hotel....

 

[remau308]

Re: Good Starting Rifle Kit

All help is appreciated, this is just to stop the same questions from being posted everyday. I even included links so the lazy people who don't research anyways cannot complain.

 

[BlackWhiskey]

Re: Good Starting Rifle Kit

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: rrflyer</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Scopes



<span style="text-decoration: underline"><span style="font-weight: bold">Baller Range 1000$+</span></span>
Nightforce
USO
Zeiss
Hensoldt

</div></div>

No love for S&B?

 

[rrflyer]

Re: Good Starting Rifle Kit

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BlackWhiskey</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: rrflyer</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Scopes



<span style="text-decoration: underline"><span style="font-weight: bold">Baller Range 1000$+</span></span>
Nightforce
USO
Zeiss
Hensoldt

</div></div>

No love for S&B? </div></div>

Fixed it.....I have no experience in the baller range!


yet....

 

[cp3head]

Re: Good Starting Rifle Kit

nice post with great general starting information. Thanks remau308

 

[Bigbrotheretter]

Re: Good Starting Rifle Kit

This should be stickied
but you forgot Howa's!

 

[tmcginnis]

Re: Good Starting Rifle Kit

Great post. Honestly, this has cleared up a lot of questions and concerns. Keep the advice and comments coming to help! Thank You!

Edit: just out of curiosity, which zoom on the SuperSniper is good for a mixture of hunting and long range shooting?

I have read that 10x is best for the tactical use and it can offer the best field of view for tracking. However, i feel like the 16x or 20x would provide better viewing at longer ranges... any input?

(not trying to thread jack)

 

[remau308]

Re: Good Starting Rifle Kit

If you are hunting, you probably will not use more than 6x magnification. So, you will probably want the SWFA SS 3-9x42mm if Super Sniper is what you are looking for. If all you need is a high magnification for long range shooting just get a spotting scope. The highest you will need for something like 1000yards would be about 14x-25x, but you don't really need a whole lot. However, if you want this scope to do both, I think it is reasonable to say that this scope can get you out to 500 yards no problem.

 

[tmcginnis]

Re: Good Starting Rifle Kit

Thanks for the advice! Now as far as rings and bases go... will the low BO rings clear the 42mm bell on the SS? from what i have read, the goal is to get the scope as close to the barrel as possible while maintaining clearance. Im looking at getting the low BO rings in 30mm with a 20 moa base for the remington short action .308. Its a heavy contoured barrel, but from my research is should clear (assuming i did my math right). Also, is the sunshade a necessity? I do a lot of shooting during the summer months without much cover (in Texas). Thanks for the help, this is why i love this website.

 

[RJ1670]

Re: Good Starting Rifle Kit

No love for Seekins rings and bases?

 

[JWV]

Re: Good Starting Rifle Kit

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: rrflyer</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Scopes


<span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Midrange 500-900$</span></span>
Bushnell elite 4200 Tactical line
Super sniper 3-9 and 10xHD
Vortex Viper series
Leupold Mark 4


just tryin to help since I'm stuck in a Hotel.... </div></div>

Don't forget about Sightron, I am not sure you can really get better than them in the price range, especially with the new reticles being offered.

 

[remau308]

Re: Good Starting Rifle Kit

I did not list every good product, I only mentioned a few that I know and trust myself. Seekins is a very good product, and you would not be disappinted with their quality.

TMcGinnis, When using low rings, a 42mm objective SHOULD fit every time, however, if you plan on using a long sunshade and a canted base, you will need to make sure it will fit. I am almost positive it will fit no problem unless you use a three foot shade. Your shade will really serve its purpose when you are shooting facing the sun. If the sun is at your back you will not have any problem, but if you are facing the sun around 9-10am, or 3-5pm the rays will be coming in at an angle that will light up the inside of your scope causing glare. I have a monster five inch sunshade on mine, but that is a little overkill.
here is a post on the optics page that will answer all your ring height questions.
http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1433025#Post1433025

 

[remau308]

Re: Good Starting Rifle Kit

Sightron is also a very good scope and I've heard a lot of good things about them, but I have never had the priviledge of looking through one.

 

[deadnbrkn84]

Re: Good Starting Rifle Kit

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: RJ1670</div><div class="ubbcode-body">No love for Seekins rings and bases? </div></div>

+1

 

[JamieD]

Re: Good Starting Rifle Kit

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: deadnbrkn84</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: RJ1670</div><div class="ubbcode-body">No love for Seekins rings and bases? </div></div>

+1 </div></div>

+1 more

JamieD

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