New guy with questions

[Red3Bravo]

Greetings all. Long time lurker who finally decided to get into long range shooting after I get back from this desert hole. Looking to get my first bolt in a few weeks and I have been looking all over the place for a good entry level in my price range (1200 or cheaper), but have not been able to find many with the characteristics im looking for.

1. Tactical style setup
2. 24 - 26 inch heavy barrel
3. either .308 or .338

I have found a few with one or two but none with all three. Can you guys point me in the right direction with a few suggestions? Thanks much

 

[bcpdshooter]

Re: New guy with questions

This is my opinion for a factory out of the box shooter. The remington 700 5r milspec 308. The rifle comes with a stainless barrel and action that will require coating if you want it other than stainless. Hs precision stock with aluminum bedding block. This stock set up needs to be bedded for optimum accuracy but could still be shot with very good accuracy until the bedding was done. The barrel has cut rifling with 1:11.27 twist which is optimum for the 168gr-178gr bullets. I believe the average price for this rifle new is around $1000-$1100. If you loom around you can find them a little cheaper. Buy this rifle and start shooting and as you get the funds you can start upgrading it as you want. My personal experience with this rifle is it is a sub moa rifle with even cheap ammo and getting better with the match ammo. I have not heard any reviews that were negative on this rifle.
Hope this helps, keep your eye on the ball until you get back state side.

 

[Chili47]

Re: New guy with questions

Savage 10 FCP Mcmillian in 308 would be a great choice. and you can get it for about 1100 and it comes with a mcmillian attached

 

[Silent]

Re: New guy with questions

The 5R would probably also be my choice, and if cost is any sort of factor for you, I would stay away from the .338

 

[Hawk45]

Re: New guy with questions

I'd opt for .308 as my caliber.

Top 4 would be:
5R in AICS 1.5 (aftermarket upgrade)
Savage 10FP in McMillan
FN SPR/TSR in McMillan (DBM from factory)
Tikka T3 CTR Scout (DBM from factory) - Similar to tactical version w/o threaded barrel and extra $700 price.

The 5R in the AICS will put you over budget but not by much and you have a great platform to build on in the future. The others are in budget and come from the factory with nice McMillan stocks. The FN comes with DBM from the factory also, though it is proprietary.