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Looking to get into LR shooting.. Help w/gun build

MrOneEyedBoh

MrOneEyedBoh

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Nov 23, 2011
546
7
37
Maryland, USA!
#1
Whats up guys,
Im new to bolt action LR shooting. I'd be interested in building up a bolt action. I think Im interested in Savage as its usually less cost involved and from what it looks like I can assemble one at home with ease.

Im not looking for someone to hold my hand with any of this, but more of guidance on the whole matter.

Here are my questions:
1. What caliber for punching paper holes? No hunting, unless SHTF type scenarios. Id like an all around round, if there is such a beast. Locally I can shoot 300yds all day long. But I may want to take a course or two later. And Im sure the distances will be much much further. BTW, I dont want to go crazy on the ammo price, like 2-3 bucks a shot. As I wont be hand loading... I just dont have the time.
2. Is it better to buy a basic savage, and then remove the stock and build it up? If so whats a best bang for the buck model?
3. Glass, I've seen a few SWFA scopes around here and there. Granted these arent the best, but it can get me in the game.
4. With tax time coming up soon, Im looking to possibly spend around 1500 or so.

Any and all help is much appreciated.
 
#4
Re: Looking to get into LR shooting.. Help w/gun build

Welcome to the hide!

Where are you located? If you fill out your profile many here will be willing to lend a local hand.

Look into the 6.5 Creedmore, everything from long range, match ammo, hunting, etc and all with factory stuff.

I would highly recommend starting with a Rem 700, more options, better resale as you decide to upgrade later.

SWFA scopes, all of them, are a great value for the money. Are you talking $1500 for everything or just the scope or rifle?
 
#5
Re: Looking to get into LR shooting.. Help w/gun build

Whoa fast replies here huh? And thanks for not shunning me neither fellas. usually the new guys on the forums get slaughtered.

None the less, Im located in MD. I still update now.

For the cost? It isnt a dead set price. I can spend as much as I want. Do I want to? Of course not, but I dont want to end up with something that Im going to out grow soon nor do I want to short come myself neither.
 
#6
Re: Looking to get into LR shooting.. Help w/gun build

Welcome to the Hide!

I think what we all want to know is that $1500 for the rifle and scope or for the whole kit? Here are some of the, often, overlooked items by people just starting out:

- Bipod
- Bottom Rail if you go with a rail mounted Bipod.
- Rings or Mount for the scope
- 20 MOA or more rail for the scope
- Sling

These can easily add another $200-$600+ depending on what you get. Of course you can find many of these items used here on the Hide.
 
#7
Re: Looking to get into LR shooting.. Help w/gun build

Ok well I see where you guys are coming from. I didnt include them items, but nor did I forget about them.

So yes the 1500 would be for the gun mostly.

So All in all say 2000 +200 or so for a complete package? I actually wouldnt mind getting something used from a reputable member. Its one, easier for a noob like me to get a set up gun and 2. saves some cost in the end for me too. and 3. I DAMN well hope I like shooting long range haha.


BTW: This isnt going to be something I rush neither. Id like to put 110% into picking out what I want and the accessories ( if you will ) to make sure Im not buying something that I cant take advantage of and something that isnt going to work for me. So this is going to be around 6 months in the making here. I have other things currently that are draining the tank now. But with that being said if the right deal comes along and I have my tax money in hand,
grin.gif
 
#8
Re: Looking to get into LR shooting.. Help w/gun build

That seems reasonable. There are a lot of good deals to be found on this site. Also many of the vendors are top notch as well.

You never stated if you wanted a bolt gun or a gas gun. Knowing that would help direct suggestions people provide.

Also be strong with your budget. The people on this site are EXCELLENT at making you aware of all the things you didn't know you wanted.
 
#9
Re: Looking to get into LR shooting.. Help w/gun build

second on the Rem 700, make it the Police model with the heavier barrel... it shoots reasonably accurately right out of the box. Accurization to further its performance is readily available and inexpensive (relatively).
 
#10
Re: Looking to get into LR shooting.. Help w/gun build

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: DamnYuppie</div><div class="ubbcode-body">That seems reasonable. There are a lot of good deals to be found on this site. Also many of the vendors are top notch as well.

<span style="font-weight: bold">You never stated if you wanted a bolt gun or a gas gun</span>. Knowing that would help direct suggestions people provide.

Also be strong with your budget. The people on this site are EXCELLENT at making you aware of all the things you didn't know you wanted. </div></div>

2nd sentence
laugh.gif



Anyway, ok then. It looks like its the 700 after all. My budget is 2000 +/- a few hundred either way. But I'd like to stay hard on 2k.
 
#12
Re: Looking to get into LR shooting.. Help w/gun build

Ahh happens to the best of us. Im getting tired here too. Its 1am and Im still fixing my buddies PC while Im on here. So this is good, I'll stay awake, learn about these rifles and figure out a build list while Im at it.

Whats up with the 5r barrels? Are they worth the extra coin?
 
#13
Re: Looking to get into LR shooting.. Help w/gun build

I'd look at a Savage F/TR, look at their shooting team to understand why.

Throw a Sightron SIII 6-24 or 8-32 on top, this puts you right around your $2 bills with equipment that is very capable, I'd stick with 308, factory match ammo is common. Federal Gold medal getting the most press here, it is what I shoot as well, accurate, goes boom.

If you want a magazine, look at the Savage 10FCP w/Mcmillan.
 
#14
Re: Looking to get into LR shooting.. Help w/gun build

Well that's a decent starting budget for a gun. I think if you look around you'll see plenty of option on here that you can either get started with or simply buy and shoot. I'll throw another hat in the savage ring, personal preference really. All the above are capable. My preference is that I'm the kind of guy that likes the DIY stuff and the fact that I call change caliber relatively easily. I'd recommend a 10fp as a starting platform. The only con on the savage over say Remington is the bolt lift, which to me is not a deal breaker, but a downside. Remington lifts easier after the shot. It manageable and fixable to an extent.

I'd throw in that I think cost wise, both are comparable and there are a comparable amount of upgrades to both brands. I think the biggest difference is the fact that any time you want to change your caliber with a remington, you have to send it to somebody is the biggest deal breaker.

Now with that being said, if you do decide to build your own, budget in the proper tools, such as action wrench, barrel nut wrench, vise, go/no go gauges, etc. Now go buy a Stevens rifle, or a savage/stevens action. Replace the barrel, stock, recoil lug, bolt handle, and add a bolt lift kit. Do some polishing on the bolt itself, in certain areas and essentially your set. If you wanna go a step further, send your action to SSS(sharp shooter supply) or Kevin rayhill at stockadegunstocks and get it timed and trued. Even further? Send your stock to CDI or equivalent and get it inletted for a drop out mag system. Several manufacturers available there. Then you can either have it bedded by a pro or DIY it (check the gunsmith section in the stickies for the best DIY way I've seen). Now you haven't even assembled this thing at this point and you still have small parts + accessories to go!

A couple quick points for savage. Measure the action screws of your action or rifle when you first get it. You'll need to know if its 4.40, 4.27, or other inch spacing to get the correct stock and such. That's center to center of the action screw holes.

So what ya think so far? Lots of options and possibilities! For the money and a first rifle, I might think about just buying one of these used good quality rifles that fit your budget to see what you think. I'd go with 308 as it will do what you're asking and the ammo is very accessible and decently priced. Plus if you're shooting a match, well you can probably buy/borrow off another shooter at the match if you need ammo. Goodluck with your decision, Jason
 
#15
Re: Looking to get into LR shooting.. Help w/gun build

Thanks, to all so far! this is a great site, love the info being given. Deff. nothing like ar15.com haha. But yeah after looking around more and more, it seems that a used rifle wouldn't be bad for me. But once again, its all about finding "the one"
 
#18
Re: Looking to get into LR shooting.. Help w/gun build

Can someone get a nice bolt action and shoot factory ammo off of the shelf and still be pretty damn accurate? Reason I ask is because say I get good, real good ( not pro, but not bad neither ) could I out shoot the factory ammo? whats the general MOA groupings that can be got on factory ammo?
 
#19
Re: Looking to get into LR shooting.. Help w/gun build

I like the 6.5 creedmore better but for you it sounds like .308 would be the way to go.
Like the other person said pick any medium to heavy Savage rifle out with a stock to your liking and you are in business.
I would recommend a Vortex Viper or Viper PST for glass they just rule in my opinion for lower priced optics. get a picatiny 20 MOA rail and Mark 4 rings and start shooting the barrel out of that thing. GOOD LUCK...
 
#20
Re: Looking to get into LR shooting.. Help w/gun build

Yes you will out grow Factory loads if you get into shooting a lot. You will want to reload your own so you can tune a load to your rifle.
 
#21
Re: Looking to get into LR shooting.. Help w/gun build

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: cali_tz</div><div class="ubbcode-body">second on the Rem 700, make it the Police model with the heavier barrel... it shoots reasonably accurately right out of the box. Accurization to further its performance is readily available and inexpensive (relatively). </div></div>

Don't overlook the 5r either. Both of these would be good options for starter LR rigs.
 
#22
Re: Looking to get into LR shooting.. Help w/gun build

Putting a GREAT rifle together basically off this site for ~$2000 is easily possible. Im finishing one up as we speak. Mine will be a bit more but its only because I went ahead and upgraded to things I know I'll want down the road (DBM ect). Decide on the barrel legnth and twist youre looking for and see what factory model it resembles. Check the WTS section often and jump on a deal if its what you want(some of those 5Rs go pretty quick lol). Be careful bout trying to wait on people to drop their asking price. Many times youre not the only one doing this and you'll miss out on what youre wanting (<---been there). Do the same for the stock, bottom metal, and scope rings/ base. The GBs on scopes through this site are RIDICULOUS sometimes. Many times you'll put your package together hundreds of dollars cheaper than buying a new factory rifle and replacing/ upgrading as you go. There's my $.02 so now I'll go back to my MRE turkey day dinner lol. Happy Thanksgivings all from Iraq!
 
#23
Re: Looking to get into LR shooting.. Help w/gun build

You should be able to print 1 hole groups at 100 yards with FGMM.
I even shot my GAP at 600 yards, and pretty much shot .5 MOA. Great ammo, and most rifles seem to like it.
 
#26
Re: Looking to get into LR shooting.. Help w/gun build

I'm still a n00b myself so take this with a grain of salt. Assuming he really has only fired a minimal amount of amm0 through the rifle as stated, I'm going to go out on a limb and say it's a pretty good deal. The B&C Medalist A5 stock alone (depending upon where it's purchased) would run you $400 - $550...

The Redfield scope would at least get you out and practicing with the rifle 'til you scored the SWFA model (or other glass) that you really want.

The rifle itself seems to be one most have recommended. Looks like that one has the longer 26" heavy barrel as opposed to the 20" heavy barrel.

It's all about weighing your options and determining what would best fit your needs.

Best of luck to you and welcome!
smile.gif
 
#29
Re: Looking to get into LR shooting.. Help w/gun build

Honestly...
Unless you want the "fun" of building it yourself (and nothing wrong with that!), I don't think you can beat- in terms of performance or price- the new Savage 12 LRP's.

For under a grand, and go with the 6.5 Creedmore for factory ammo since you don't handload.

http://www.savagearms.com/firearms/models/

Put a Vortex Viper on it for $400...

You'll have one heck of a value in a long range stick for under $1500.
 
#31
Re: Looking to get into LR shooting.. Help w/gun build

Yes...
Sorry about the bad link. That's the one.
Do a search here, a number of members have bought them and I've seen nothing but great reviews. The rifles need nothing...
I like the Accutrigger...and with an H-S Precision stock standard, you're set to go.
 
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