Help with Choosing a Long Range Precision Rifle

[Barn Side]

I am nearly ready to purchase my first long range precision rifle & intend on taking a buy once cry once approach. I have been shooting club guns and those of family & friends while saving. I am familiar with shooting in 5.56x45mm NATO & even a little in 7.62mm, but never shot magnums. A firearm instructor on this form recommended starting with a 308 Win before moving up to the magnums. At a later stage I intend on buying a 338 Lap Mag.

I have narrowed the firearm down to three in 308.
• Accuracy International AX
• Sako TRG 22
• Tac Ops X-Ray 51

And in 338 I have narrowed it down to two.
• Accuracy International AX
• Sako TRG 42

Also in relation to scopes I have narrowed it down to two
• Tangent Theta 3-15x50mm Model TT315M
• Schmidt & Bender 3-20x50 PM II/LP/MTC/LT

Unfortunately it seems I’m unable to purchase the AIAXMC or AIPSR in Australia due to the folding stock. The rifles will be used for hunting, but will mostly be used for target shooting. So given that I intend on buying a 308 first then a 338 second:

1. What would forum members recommend in 308?
2. What would the recommendation be in 338?
3. What would the scope recommendation be?

 

[George Mac]

You may want to place this question in the bolt action section.

 

[KillShot]

Why the hell would you not include Surgeon or GA Precision on that list? I'll take a Surgeon over an Accuracy International any day of the week and twice on Sunday. Take a look at where Accuracy International stacks up in the competition. Some shooters may say 'this doesn't really mean anything' but I disagree because competition shooters choose their gear carefully.

You can view all of such information as seen in the images below, here - Best Rifle Caliber ? What the Pros Use | PrecisionRifleBlog.com

 

[Roddd]

I can't say I'm hip to the jive on Australia's gun laws, but you mentioned not being able to have a folding stock. The AX is a folder, but maybe that's been approved by your country, I dunno.

There's nothing wrong with AI, they are better shooters than most of us are. But don't discount a GAP or Surgeon build either. I've owned all three and can say you can't go wrong choosing any of them. You can save some weight by going with a custom versus an AI, but the AI will be bomb proof and plain bad ass.

As far as .308 being a good round to start off with, it is. That was especially the case a few years ago, but I think the winds have shifted and now the 6.5 mm rounds are the way to go. The ballistics just blow the 308 clean out of the water and match ammo can be typically had for the same price or cheaper.

Scope wise, an S&B 5-25 will suit you well, but see what you can check out before you buy, as a lot of shooters here are having great success with other makers.

Good luck with your choice. You'll probably develop the same ADD many of us are affected with and you will buy and sell a few things before you are happy with your set up.

 

[Hairball]

The reason AI for not being used by a large number of competitors may have more to do with the overall weight of the system as compared to GAP or Surgeon. While I would not say that these rifles shoot "more accurate" than an AI, they do weigh much less and make them a better choice for the tactical competitor. JMHO

 

[samnev]

The TRG 22 when mounted with a scope on it is a great rifle but I would not like to lug mine around during a hunt unless you were hunting from a fixed position.

 

[Barn Side]

Thanks for the replies.

Surgeon & GA Precision both make great rifles and were originally on my list, but I had to narrow it down as it was just too big.

The AX is available here without the folding stock.

 

[RCS1278]

I like your choices. I chose something similar to your options. I went with a Tac Ops Tango 51 due to its versatility and a S&B 3-20x50.

 

[HOGTOOTH5R]

I am partial to SAKO TRG since it's always been my Dream Rifle. However for your purpose depends how much "Hunting" you'll be doing I would go with a lighter rifle for sure. I don't know how hard it is for you to get Custom Rifles like Surgen/GAP/Tac Ops since you're in Australia. But out of the Three I believe GAP has probably the best turn around time and bang for the buck.

If you go on the GAP website they usually have a lot of their High End rifles In Stock and Ready to Ship so you don't have to deal with the Wait (Trust Me I know how it feels). The Tac Ops X-ray will probably be a Year Wait I think.

That being said if you want a Factory Tactical Rifle then you can't go wrong with Either AI or SAKO TRG. I like the ergonomics on the TRG Better but side by side the AI is definitely a more Solid and Sturdier Build Rifle.

 

[EventHorizon]

Give either Mark Gordon at SAC a call or PM Bohem (Patriot Valley Arms). You'll have what you need in less time and less cost.

 

[redneckbmxer24]

You can get the new AI AT with a fixed stock and you can easily experiment with different calibers with the quick change barrel system. Or you can find a used AW or AE with fixed stock and buy about $500 in tools (barrel vise, action wrench, and torque wrench) and play around too. Who knows you may decide you don't need a magnum.

I'd stick with AI, they're dead nuts reliable and have worldwide support. Good luck getting a US made custom fixed or parts for a US made action when it breaks.

 

[redneckbmxer24]

Why the hell would you not include Surgeon or GA Precision on that list? I'll take a Surgeon over an Accuracy International any day of the week and twice on Sunday. Take a look at where Accuracy International stacks up in the competition. Some shooters may say 'this doesn't really mean anything' but I disagree because competition shooters choose their gear carefully.

You can view all of such information as seen in the images below, here - Best Rifle Caliber ? What the Pros Use | PrecisionRifleBlog.com

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All of that is very subjective. A lot of that has to do with the fact that AI doesn't sponsor shooters, surgeon does. A lot of people go where the money is. When/if AI starts sponsoring shooters then I would pay attention to that but until then it's meaningless because it's biased.

 

[SNAFU308]

I've sent you a PM but the we don't have tactical comps over here like there are over in the states so the best choice for here will vary slightly to those in the US and as mentioned in my PM if you're anywhere near me I can help you get your hands on a couple of those rifles you're looking at (except the Tac-Ops don't know anyone here that owns one)

 

[Barn Side]

The Sako TRG is overpriced here as is pretty much every other firearm, though price is irrelevant in my decision.

I don’t mind waiting, if involved with firearms in Australia it is something you get used to.

RCS1278 is the Tac Ops robust enough for hunting?

I will be hunting in low temperatures in snow, I know the AI & Sako perform well in such conditions but have concerns about Tac Ops.

 

[STR]

If you're looking for a factory out of the box rifle with money not being a problem, then I would go AI. If you want a custom built rifle, then I agree with the above suggestion of Mark Gordon at Short Action Customs also. As far as glass is concerned, S&B is a very good choice. If you're not into hand loading, then keep it simple, and stay with the 308. The 338 LM is great if you plan to shoot at the stars, and have deep pockets, even if you hand load. I've been to both party's, and for target shooting, give me the 308. If you hand load, then any of the 6.5's are a better choice. Best of luck.

 

[Shoottothrill]

What is long range to you? A .308 is good to 1000 maybe 1200 yards. The 6mm's seem to be the cartridge of choice these days for their wind bucking ability. If you want to get out to a mile your probably gonna have to step up to a magnum round. Having said all that I think everyone should own at least one .308. If you went with the newer IA rifle you could get a .308 and a another caliber as it has the easy barrel change option. All the rifles talked about here are top notch so get behind a few and see what you like the best.

 

[redneckbmxer24]

I will be hunting in low temperatures in snow, I know the AI & Sako perform well in such conditions but have concerns about Tac Ops.

The sako and AI are purpose built unlike the tac ops. The AI especially is made to run in artic temperatures and keep going.

IMO if you are considering a tac ops I would contact a local builder, their rifles are over hyped and over priced and won't do anything a custom R700 built by another smith won't do.

 

[majohnson2]

Are you able to get these other gun exported to your country of residence? As for a longrange caliber you might want to reconsider the 308. Calibers like 6.5mm and 6mm are much better at the game. At Christmas time I got an AE MKIII in 308, tomorrow it goes to be refitted in 6XC. I also have a 6.5CM, these rounds are much better at the longer distances with much less recoil then the 308. When you compare bullets the 6 and 6.5 bullets are much more efficient when compared to a 308. The 308 once you get past 600yrs starts to loose speed fast once that happens you accuracy. Maybe the new round that Nosler is advertising will show promise as a longrange round, time will tell.

 

[Barn Side]

Thanks for the replies.

I don't plan on going beyond 1000 yards for sometime.

Cheers

 

[HOGTOOTH5R]

Cold Weather Hunting I would definitely go with AIAW if you don't mind the hefty weight.

 

[JGorski]

Why the hell would you not include Surgeon or GA Precision on that list? I'll take a Surgeon over an Accuracy International any day of the week and twice on Sunday. Take a look at where Accuracy International stacks up in the competition. Some shooters may say 'this doesn't really mean anything' but I disagree because competition shooters choose their gear carefully.

You can view all of such information as seen in the images below, here - Best Rifle Caliber ? What the Pros Use | PrecisionRifleBlog.com

View attachment 32954 View attachment 32955 View attachment 32956

Indeed!! Have George build you a nice 6 Creedmoor and shoot 105Hybrids into tiny groups. Magnums? We don't need no stinkin' magnums!!

 

[Barn Side]

From what I have read Accuracywise it seems the Tac Ops would be best.

And from what I have read regarding robustnesswise it seems the AI would be best.

I plan on beginning with the 308 Win (just for straightforwardness) and will move into other calibers later.

Cheers