My Build for a mid range do it all .308.

[bacon225]

Please chime in with advice and critique on this build after reading my reasons. I went through some bad health problems this last year and had to sell my Sniper Rifle along with others to make ends meet. And now my wife's daughter and her 4 kids have moved in so money is tight. I like the good stuff and don't want just ant rifle but still I have to face the reality of my finances and not go over board. My lase one had more money than this in gun smithing alone. Let me start off by saying it will be used for playing Sniper out to 600 yards only I don't see ever shooting 1,000 yards ever. It will be a one gun for everything. This will be deer hunting, Coyote control and hopefully a lot of range time. Most of my shooting is centered between 200 and 300 yards with the occasional 600 yard range steel gongs. I don't like the rubber or injection molded stocks so you will see that in the build list below.
1. Remington 700 XCR compact tactical for the stock and 40x trigger. I can pick one up for just over $1,000.00

2. EGW 1-Piece Picatinny-Style 20 MOA $ 40.00 I am going to go with a 20 moa thinking it will put me about in the middle of elevation travel at my preferred 300 yards range. is this right???

3.Burris 30mm Xtreme Tactical Picatinny-Style Rings Matte Low $59.00

4. SWFA SS 3-9x42 Tactical 30mm scope $ 600.00

This puts me right around $ 1,700.00 total in the build and should be a not to shabby platform for my intended use. I rifle I can be proud of light enough to hunt with heavy enough to handle some rand time with out beating me up. And tough enough as to not have to baby it use it as a tool and not have to worry about it much. What to you guys thing am I heading down the right road this way. I know I could just get the cheapest Rem in .308 put a Wal-Mart scope on it for well under 1/2 this cost but I would not be proud of it. And I know I could call George and order a Rock at a lot more than twice this but that can't happen. So for a middle of the road mid range rifle how does this sound?
Thanks

 

[MWDG3]

Re: My Build for a mid range do it all .308.

Howa stainless 308 heavy sporter 10 twist - $500
Bell n Carlson Medalist Monte Carlo stock - $230
SS 3-9x40 $600
Leupold PRW low steel rings - $35 (light low and strong)

 

[a_bishop]

Re: My Build for a mid range do it all .308.

remmy 5r ? i love mine and it was a little less than $1000

 

[Da-Law-Dawg]

Re: My Build for a mid range do it all .308.

Remmy 700 SPS Tactical (or 700 AAC-SD). Tactical can be had for less than $600

Take-off 700P or LTR stock if you wanna save a little weight. Both can be found used for $150-$200

Base, rings and glass you mentioned will fit the bill nicely.

The rifle/stock combo will put you at about $200 less than the XCR and serve you just as well. Take the savings and put an old school 700 tuned trigger or aftermarket trigger in her. The SS 3x9 is a solid piece of kit and will serve you well. I have run the EGW bases without issue and they work, 20 MOA is fine. On the rings, the XTR's are solid and the Leupold PRW's that were mentioned are good kit as well.

 

[iShoot17]

Re: My Build for a mid range do it all .308.

As for the XTRs... you can save a few bucks buy buying two single rings from opticsplanet.

Instead of buying a set of two, just buy two single rings.. It will save you a few dollars!

I don't know if you are too worried about a few bucks, but being a college kid I know I sure was happy to discover that!

As for the XCR.. I say just go with an M700 SPS Varmint and get a McMillan stock. An SPS varmint can be had for under $600 brand new and you can get a McMillan A5 for $418 brand new (plus shipping I believe) for the basic, non-adjustable stock.
^ Just my thoughts and the route I would go if I was in your position.

Either way..best of luck with the build and with your family. I hope all things work out for the best!

 

[nashlaw]

Re: My Build for a mid range do it all .308.

For thought, I have a 700 .308 in a used McMillan sporter. I bought the stock off ebay for $200. The barreled action was an SPS. I put some dual dovetail Luepold mounts on it. As of now, it has a 6.5-20 Leupold on it as I am doing load development. It shoots .75 - 1moa at 100yds so far. When I get the 155 SMKs doing as they should, I am putting an old 2-7 Leupold on it.

Not exactly a tactical rig like you want, but there are bargains out there. I am just using the scope I have because it is not doing any good lying on the bench.

 

[connorh]

Re: My Build for a mid range do it all .308.

Don't really want to take your thread over, but I have a question dealing with the scope you listed. I was looking at the scope you listed or a vortex viper 6.5-20X. I am going to be shooting the same distance as the op, but will mainly using it at the range. Any advice on which one to go for? I've read reviews, but was wondering if anyone had experience with both. thanks

 

[bacon225]

Re: My Build for a mid range do it all .308.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: connorh</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Don't really want to take your thread over, but I have a question dealing with the scope you listed. I was looking at the scope you listed or a vortex viper 6.5-20X. I am going to be shooting the same distance as the op, but will mainly using it at the range. Any advice on which one to go for? I've read reviews, but was wondering if anyone had experience with both. thanks </div></div>
I settled on the SS because of some reviews I read here comparing it to the Viper. Both look good but most of the reviews I read said the SS had clearer glass. If you are not on such a tight budget is me stepping up to the $1,500 dollar range looks like the best bang for the buck. But for now it is out of the question for me. I see you are looking at a higher magnification than I am. I need the low range for the hunting I will be doing. A 3x9 is really not enough for 600 yards that I will shoot some times. But I will be spending 90% of my shooting between 200 and 300 yards. If you are going to spend more range time than me the 6.5 x 20 range will suet you well. That is what i had on the gun I had to let go of to pay bills. It was not a viper but it was a 6 x 20 it really worked good at the range just a little too much for the way I hunt. This gun has to be a compromise gun for sure not great at anything but good at everything.