Its decision time!

Patzfan4eva

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Minuteman
Jun 19, 2020
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I'm getting ready to pull the trigger on a economic build for my first distance rifle. Leaning towards the Savage 110 Tatical but keep reading interesting things about the Bergara B-14. I've decided on .300 Win Mag for sure and am still deciding between leupold or a nikon scooe both in Mil with FFP. I clearly understand were not talking the top of the field in equipment, but I think I've narrowed to a couple of good choices. Let me here your thoughts, experiences and suggestion...Please!
 
The Savage tactical is a lot of gun for the money IMHO. I'm sure the B14 is nice though. The fact that Nikon no longer makes scopes would make choosing between those two options pretty easy.
 
I understand that Nikon doesn't make scopes, but I've been finding some available. Perhaps I'm wasting time on that scope...any suggestions. Illuminated is a want too
 
Here we go...

what are you going to be doing with the gun that you want a 300 WM?

don’t buy a Savage. Just don’t do it.

scopes spend more get more. About the minimum I would go for is the Gen II PST line.
 
What's the purpose of it going to be? Hunting, competitions, range-only, some combination?

There was a Sako A7 long range in the PX on here is what I'd be jumping all over for the price it was listed if I were in the market for a 300WM

Just finished setting up a Tikka in 7RM though so wanting to spend some quality time with it before I add another big boomer to the stable lol
That's good advice, my concern on a used .300 Win Mag rifle is the barrel. I've read that reasonable barrel life is between 2500-4000 rounds depending on the quality of the equipment.
 
That's good advice, my concern on a used .300 Win Mag rifle is the barrel. I've read that reasonable barrel life is between 2500-4000 rounds depending on the quality of the equipment.
Not saying that it's impossible but it's unlikely that it would make it 2500 rds without deteriorating significantly.

And you still haven't specified what you're wanting to do with it, and "800+ yards" doesn't really narrow it down. Do you want to anchor an elk at 800+ yds? 300WM is probably not a responsible answer to that, assuming you can take an ethical shot in the first place. Are you mostly going to shoot steel at 800-1000? Plenty of smaller cartridges are more than capable of 1 mile + and would be way cheaper to feed and more comfortable to shoot in volume. If this is your first run at long range shooting, i would definitely recommend something smaller with less recoil and cheaper to run to get plenty of trigger time.
 
Not saying that it's impossible but it's unlikely that it would make it 2500 rds without deteriorating significantly.

And you still haven't specified what you're wanting to do with it, and "800+ yards" doesn't really narrow it down. Do you want to anchor an elk at 800+ yds? 300WM is probably not a responsible answer to that, assuming you can take an ethical shot in the first place. Are you mostly going to shoot steel at 800-1000? Plenty of smaller cartridges are more than capable of 1 mile + and would be way cheaper to feed and more comfortable to shoot in volume. If this is your first run at long range shooting, i would definitely recommend something smaller with less recoil and cheaper to run to get plenty of trigger time.
Sorry...long range static and dynamic targets. So both comp. environments and animal alike.
 
Not saying that it's impossible but it's unlikely that it would make it 2500 rds without deteriorating significantly.

And you still haven't specified what you're wanting to do with it, and "800+ yards" doesn't really narrow it down. Do you want to anchor an elk at 800+ yds? 300WM is probably not a responsible answer to that, assuming you can take an ethical shot in the first place. Are you mostly going to shoot steel at 800-1000? Plenty of smaller cartridges are more than capable of 1 mile + and would be way cheaper to feed and more comfortable to shoot in volume. If this is your first run at long range shooting, i would definitely recommend something smaller with less recoil and cheaper to run to get plenty of trigger time.
You bring up some reasonable points, of course would never discuss my personal information. This isn't my first large caliber weapon nor is it my first time shooting both dynamic and static targets at long range, but it is when owning my own weapon. So the caliber I've chosen is from personal experience and feel confident using it. Just not familiar with civilian long range equipment and dont want to spend the funds on what I am familiar with. Hope that clarifies my intention and the purpose of my questions.
 
No worries. Nothing wrong with the 300WM and don't need to divulge any personal info. Sounds like you're set on it and know what you're getting into. The Bergara is well liked and a great rifle, the savage has a following but they have some QC issues and some rifles ship with some problems. As others have said, between the scopes mentioned I'd probably go for the Mk5. Hope that helps.

Also, not sure if you're open to it but the 300 PRC is a great option in that class.
 
My 1st 300wm barrel lasted me 1100 rounds. It was used. The second one (a broughton) was pushed HARD and done at 1200 rounds.
Civilian and non bolt action precision rifles are pretty much the same. I would not ever own a Salvage again. Bergara seems GTG. I would get the heaviest barreled rifle they make.
 
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Bergaras are mostly shooters out of the box. At least every one I've experienced. You can always find an isolated bad review on any gun here and there even customs. Mine is a 1/4 moa gun. I'll definitely buy another. As for caliber choice, if you plan to use it in any kind of PRS competition then 300 WM is overkill. There are a lot of cartridges that are much more suited and easier to see hour hits and make follow up shots. Hard to beat 6.5 creed for a first do everything gun. And it won't wear you out to shoot 40 rounds in a session.
 
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I think you need to evaluate and make a plan for purchases...
ideally you will have a target gun and a hunting gun. I would advise to be careful shooting game at 800+ yard. Can it be done sure....but Don’t take this wrong way if you are asking these questions you are not the person who should be doing it.

i would get a good mid range caliber like 7mm-08, 6.5 creed, 308. all of those are going to be more enjoyable to shoot, capable of taking game at a reasonably distance, and targets at further distance. Then if you want to build a good hunting rig then do it, but practice first.
 
I was looking more at the discussions people have when looking at Ruger, Savage, Remington, Howa and Tikka.
I am pretty sure that Weatherby Vanguard and Howa are the same actions, or made by the same people, or have the same footprint or something. Either way, it is just better to grab a barreled action Howa 1500 from brownells and stick it in a KRG Bravo then spend the equivalent on a Weatherby rifle. If something isn't popular enough to have aftermarket support, or isn't a good enough value compared to other things then it is going to fall by the wayside.
 
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