Hey guys. Im looking to build a rifle for long range shooting. I was thinking .308 caliber and wanna do some aftermarket work to it. I have been around high power rifles since i was a kid growing up hunting all different types of game with different weapons. Wanna get into the distance shooting. Any tips or words of advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
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Looking to build a LR rifle.
- Thread starter Turner.K
- Start date
.308 is a great starter cartridge. My words of advice would be to get the barrel length that you want to lug around. Everything else is basically get the best that you can afford. Get quality optics, rings, base and a stock that you like the looks of within your budget. Good luck and let us know how it goes!
Andrew
Andrew
I would suggest going custom from the get. Does not have to be new or a $10k rifle, but a trued receiver or custom receiver and have it build by a reputable smith. You can look on the sale threads for used customs.
With going "budget, it is possible to spend the same amount in parts and accessories and end up with a mediocre rifle.
As for cartridge, you will get tons of advise, I like the 308 because components are cheaper and its just a fun cartridge. For long range steel and some deer hunting, 260.
With going "budget, it is possible to spend the same amount in parts and accessories and end up with a mediocre rifle.
As for cartridge, you will get tons of advise, I like the 308 because components are cheaper and its just a fun cartridge. For long range steel and some deer hunting, 260.
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Would you not consider a tikka t3 varmint for 750~ dollars a applicable option for a non mediocre rifle? I do agree that a custom is worth the money and a viable option if you have the budget. But would you recommend waiting for a custom over a decent factory rifle and getting into the game?
Andrew
My suggestion is based on prior experience and hind sight.
Budget and lack of patience can really effect the shooters choice in firearms, but in the end it the proper choice will depend on the shooters skill set and the end goal of the rifle.
Some examples.
Shooter A is a young Marine E3 or maybe a civilian who started with Appleseed and really honed his skillset. Has a min wage job and all he can afford is a Remington 700, Savage, or Tikka. He saves up gets his rifle and buys a second hand Nightforce, IOR, Premier, MK4 or whatever scope. Smart choice, sure because of his skillset, he should be effective. The rifle may not print submoa with factory ammo, but he should be able to read wind, and put hits on targets at various ranges. The shooter has so much more potential to make long range shots but will be limited by his gear(based on many factory barrels and sloppy receivers).
Shooter B has money, and drops coin on a full blown out custom safe queen, every week he takes it to his indoor 100Y range, sets it up on a bench rest fixture and prints out 1/4 minute groups with factory ammo. Gotta take that rifle out on competition and holds up the line because he has no idea why he is not hitting at 300 with 10mph full value wind. Nice rifle but wasted on poor marksmanship
Shooter C where many guys fall into, they are eager to learn, but are not patient. Using budget to justify poor gear choices. Pick up a Rem 700 ADL, then upgrade the trigger, then upgrade again. Stock it in a HS precision, sell that for a B&C, then sell that and get a McMillan or Manners. Scope with a Millett, find out its shitty, get a Vortex PST, thats cool till the look though their buddies NF and sell the vortex and get that. Doesnt like 308 cuz 260 is where it is at sells the whole thing and starts all over again. A year later has over $3k in entry level rifles with entry level scopes because his "budget" did not allow him to drop $3-$4k on a precision setup in the first place.
Dont get me wrong, It is not about being a gun snob, but i fell into the shooter C category. I have a nice rifle and can be effective out to 700Y, just if I was to do it again, would have gone custom.
To answer your question, is the Tikka T3 a mediocre rifle, in the grand scheme of precision shooting, yes. Can you be effective with it, hell yes. The Tikka is a damn fine out of the box rifle, no need to upgrade anything (even with the factory composite stock). Put all your resources into the best scope you can afford, if it takes 6 months so be it. If all you can afford is the Tikka, the get it and scope it the best you can, then shoot it until the bore is smooth. Be shooter A not Shooter C.
Budget and lack of patience can really effect the shooters choice in firearms, but in the end it the proper choice will depend on the shooters skill set and the end goal of the rifle.
Some examples.
Shooter A is a young Marine E3 or maybe a civilian who started with Appleseed and really honed his skillset. Has a min wage job and all he can afford is a Remington 700, Savage, or Tikka. He saves up gets his rifle and buys a second hand Nightforce, IOR, Premier, MK4 or whatever scope. Smart choice, sure because of his skillset, he should be effective. The rifle may not print submoa with factory ammo, but he should be able to read wind, and put hits on targets at various ranges. The shooter has so much more potential to make long range shots but will be limited by his gear(based on many factory barrels and sloppy receivers).
Shooter B has money, and drops coin on a full blown out custom safe queen, every week he takes it to his indoor 100Y range, sets it up on a bench rest fixture and prints out 1/4 minute groups with factory ammo. Gotta take that rifle out on competition and holds up the line because he has no idea why he is not hitting at 300 with 10mph full value wind. Nice rifle but wasted on poor marksmanship
Shooter C where many guys fall into, they are eager to learn, but are not patient. Using budget to justify poor gear choices. Pick up a Rem 700 ADL, then upgrade the trigger, then upgrade again. Stock it in a HS precision, sell that for a B&C, then sell that and get a McMillan or Manners. Scope with a Millett, find out its shitty, get a Vortex PST, thats cool till the look though their buddies NF and sell the vortex and get that. Doesnt like 308 cuz 260 is where it is at sells the whole thing and starts all over again. A year later has over $3k in entry level rifles with entry level scopes because his "budget" did not allow him to drop $3-$4k on a precision setup in the first place.
Dont get me wrong, It is not about being a gun snob, but i fell into the shooter C category. I have a nice rifle and can be effective out to 700Y, just if I was to do it again, would have gone custom.
To answer your question, is the Tikka T3 a mediocre rifle, in the grand scheme of precision shooting, yes. Can you be effective with it, hell yes. The Tikka is a damn fine out of the box rifle, no need to upgrade anything (even with the factory composite stock). Put all your resources into the best scope you can afford, if it takes 6 months so be it. If all you can afford is the Tikka, the get it and scope it the best you can, then shoot it until the bore is smooth. Be shooter A not Shooter C.
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Turner.K fill out your profile and go to the linkup forums, attached below. Also what type of long distance shooting are you interested in becoming involved in, there's Palma, High Power, F-Class, Practical/Tactical.
Arrange to go and meet some local shooters, we have all started from somewhere, you will get to see what people are using, you can ask a myriad of questions, its the best advice I can give.
Sniper's Hide Member Link Up
Roggom, I will agree with some of what you say, ( I have meet quite a few shooter B'S) I just always try to tell the new folks interested to just get out and see what its all about, see what folks are using. Custom whatever way you look at it, is out of some folks price range, a custom action these days is the price of Rem 700 5R. Folks buy scopes and stocks and have never tried them out before, I advocate getting out o matches, opening your mouth, asking questions, getting behind different rifles, different scopes, different stocks, seeing what you like and going from there.
Arrange to go and meet some local shooters, we have all started from somewhere, you will get to see what people are using, you can ask a myriad of questions, its the best advice I can give.
Sniper's Hide Member Link Up
Roggom, I will agree with some of what you say, ( I have meet quite a few shooter B'S) I just always try to tell the new folks interested to just get out and see what its all about, see what folks are using. Custom whatever way you look at it, is out of some folks price range, a custom action these days is the price of Rem 700 5R. Folks buy scopes and stocks and have never tried them out before, I advocate getting out o matches, opening your mouth, asking questions, getting behind different rifles, different scopes, different stocks, seeing what you like and going from there.
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I think you verbatim just described me with shooter C. Lol. But I truthfully don't regret it. I haven't lost much money at all and I have gotten to try out a lot of different things. But I do agree with everything you have said and I would rather have been shooter A lol. OP this is very solid advice in which he explained very throughly.
I got .308 in my blood as a lot of older shooters do. I would take a hard look at the 6.5 cals for up 1000yd and 300WM for anything else. Do some research and find the right rifle for your range and operation. Get it right the first time.
I'm in the same boat as the OP, I've been shooting pistols so I'm new to high powered rifles. I haven't shot a rifle since I was in the Corps in 87'. I'm married with children so I'm on a budget. I saved up and got a Rem 5r 24". Just put a Harris bi-pod on, and I'm snapping in every chance I get. Saving for glass. Is the rem 5r a good starting point?. I was looking at the swfa 10x42. Would that be a good scope to learn on or should I keep saving. Sorry hope I'm not high jacking this post.
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Where is the Shooter D category?
Ok I'll create it.
Shooter D; Been around firearms and talented shooters all their lives. Many come from hunting and/or military backgrounds back when you target shot with .22lr because the old guys were way too frugal to waste expensive ammo on paper. Spent many an hour of mispent youth tinkering with el cheapo surplus firearms until the methods of operation were totally understood, then decided upon the conclusion of military service that you really do enjoy making things from metalic substances, so invest in the future and learn to machine. Herein lies the "It's the journey, not just the destination" do it themselvers.
I can easily afford custom makes, have a few hanging out here, but I would really rather build my own just for fun.
Ok I'll create it.
Shooter D; Been around firearms and talented shooters all their lives. Many come from hunting and/or military backgrounds back when you target shot with .22lr because the old guys were way too frugal to waste expensive ammo on paper. Spent many an hour of mispent youth tinkering with el cheapo surplus firearms until the methods of operation were totally understood, then decided upon the conclusion of military service that you really do enjoy making things from metalic substances, so invest in the future and learn to machine. Herein lies the "It's the journey, not just the destination" do it themselvers.
I can easily afford custom makes, have a few hanging out here, but I would really rather build my own just for fun.
Just to reiterate, IMHO its about matching the rifle to the shooter. A custom may not be for everyone, its just about selecting the right tool for the job. Then using that tool appropriately.
There is a saying at my local gun range. "Fear the man with one gun"
There is a saying at my local gun range. "Fear the man with one gun"
