New shooter looking for input.

Minarix · May 1, 2012

little bit of background on myself, and my firearm history.

I'm currently 19 years old, I'm a welder for great Dane in Georgia, Most of my Firearm experience has come from "skeet" shooting, with a .12gauge, Target shooting with a whitetail compound bow, Short range rifle shooting with a bolt action .22.

~budget~ $2,000 MAX

~What i'm looking for/interesting in~

A friend of mine who lives in florida does 1kYrd competition shooting, and is also a rep/worker for manner stocks, has got me really interested in long-range target shooting.

I also have a uncle who was army special forces sniper, who i'll try to get in contact with and see if he has any tips.

So what i'm wondering, ( i don't have much access to his knowledge) is what complete gun setup would you guys and gals recomend, bullets, and perhaps even shooting ranges.

The gun/range time~

edit- this will NOT be used for hunting, range shooting only.

I had my eyes on the 40-xs tactical, but the complete set ran for around $3,999, $2,100 for the gun itself, that is obviously to much to fork over for a new shooter.

So my eyes are set on a remington 700 .308, which of these gun would be the best/well built to invest in?

A friend from work mentioned today the following
http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/centerfire/model-700/model-700-vtr.aspx

list of other guns

http://www.remington.com/product-families/firearms/centerfire-families/bolt-action-model-700.aspx

out of this set, what would you recomend?

I plan to shoot around 500-800 starting out ( if i can find a range of that size) and work my way up to 1kYrd, i already know of a 1k range about an hour/30 NW of me called cool acres, from what i've read it only has 1k, 1200, and 600 .50cal only range.

So if you know a range nearby me please let me know! i googled a good bit and know a few but they are a tad bit farther away, and i will only be able to shoot on weekend due to work.

scope/pod

i already know if a pod i can get made by harris.

I had a website with a set of scopes, but i had it on my old computer, and will have to get it again, so any scope for 700-1k i think would do just fine for me, if needed i will get two sets.

Bullets~

price really isn't an issue to me when it comes to bullets, i won't be shooting everyday, but when i do shoot, i would like to send a good 20-50 downrange.

Thats about all i can think of that i will need to atleast get started, i appreciate any and all input, and will go do some forum surfing to try and fill my cup of knowledge, and if anyone is near the bulloch county area let me know, i would love to find others that are interested in shooting, i believe my cousin may try investing in a nighthawk.

~thanks

NorthernBorn · May 1, 2012

Re: New shooter looking for input.

http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=237232#Post237232

There's an article at the top of the list answering all of your questions and the search function will answer most others.

Welcome

Minarix · May 1, 2012

Re: New shooter looking for input.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: NorthernBorn</div><div class="ubbcode-body">http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=237232#Post237232

There's an article at the top of the list answering all of your questions and the search function will answer most others.

Welcome</div></div> thank ya kindly, that one has already caught my eye, and giving it a read now.

Unknown · May 1, 2012

Re: New shooter looking for input.

Even though I don't own one, I would suggest that you not overlook what Savage arms offers for long range precision shooting. The Savage products generally don't retain the resale value compared to Remington or Winchester, but they also generally seem to shoot at least as well. For the money, I think you will probably get more accuracy and features from Savage.

The downside is if you ever think about selling or trading the Savage rifle off, you will take a bit more of a hit financially. However, some people rarely sell off firearms anyhow.

I see firearms as tools, and very few have any "sentimental" value for me, so I sell, trade, or otherwise swap out firearms I don't use on a regular basis.

SugarBooger · May 2, 2012

Re: New shooter looking for input.

my set up is the remington 700aac-sd in .308 with a weaver ffp 3-15x, those two alone set me back about 1400. i went with badger rings and base, just shy of 300. then got a sling, rear bag, and log book for another 100. grand total, 1800.

now my only expense is match grade ammo, and time from the wife and kid.

out to 600 (my longest available range) is a dream.

i used vendors from this site for the optic (SWFA) and other goodies (Triad Tactical) and was treated great WITH great prices

great site here, the custom search engine on that ==>> side of the page is a fountain of knowledge. drink

welcome and good shooting

Overflow10 · May 2, 2012

Re: New shooter looking for input.

Do you want to reload or will you use factory ammo? If factory ammo then look at 308 or 6.5CM calibers and you will have match ammo available.

I started with a Rem 70 5R 308 milspec. Not a bad way to go. You have lots of upgrades available to choose from if you want.

$1070 5R (on Gunbroker)
$400 Vortex Viper HS 5-15x mil/mil (Midway only)
$75 20moa rail
$90 TPS Medium rings
$100 Harris swivel bipod
+/- $1800 ???

Couple hundred left for other stuff.

If you are patient some good deals pop up on the for sale section. This recent one looked right up your alley...

http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthre...rue#Post3282001

Texar2 · May 2, 2012

Re: New shooter looking for input.

Remington 700 5r and an swfa super sniper. Throw on a bipod, rear bag and triad tactical stock pack and you are gtg. Shoot some 175gr sierra or 178 hornady loads. also burris extreme rings or swfa rings. You could also get a super sniper package deal for it. Call them and they will fix you up. That will save enough cash for ammo. Then dry fire away.

protocol · May 2, 2012

Re: New shooter looking for input.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Recoil</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Remington 700 5r and an swfa super sniper. Throw on a bipod, rear bag and triad tactical stock pack and you are gtg. Shoot some 175gr sierra or 178 hornady loads. also burris extreme rings or swfa rings. You could also get a super sniper package deal for it. Call them and they will fix you up. That will save enough cash for ammo. Then dry fire away. </div></div>

+1 here. That's a tight budget but I think you could swing it and still get reliable, quality gear.

I've fired the R700 platforms and I was actually amazed. A while back and un-educated about the platform, I formerly thought they were off-the-shelf trash, but was quickly proven wrong with the groups it was printing. For the price, most are impressive.

JoeBUtah · May 2, 2012

Re: New shooter looking for input.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Protocol</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Recoil</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Remington 700 5r and an swfa super sniper. Throw on a bipod, rear bag and triad tactical stock pack and you are gtg. Shoot some 175gr sierra or 178 hornady loads. also burris extreme rings or swfa rings. You could also get a super sniper package deal for it. Call them and they will fix you up. That will save enough cash for ammo. Then dry fire away. </div></div>

+1 here. That's a tight budget but I think you could swing it and still get reliable, quality gear.

I've fired the R700 platforms and I was actually amazed. A while back and un-educated about the platform, I formerly thought they were off-the-shelf trash, but was quickly proven wrong with the groups it was printing. For the price, most are impressive. </div></div>

Exactly the set up I bought for my first rifle: Rem 5R, SWFA MilDot 10x HD, rings and base from one of our bro's here. Out the door for just under $2K.

Couldn't be happier!

Poopsicle · May 2, 2012

Re: New shooter looking for input.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: JoeBUtah</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Protocol</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Recoil</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Remington 700 5r and an swfa super sniper. Throw on a bipod, rear bag and triad tactical stock pack and you are gtg. Shoot some 175gr sierra or 178 hornady loads. also burris extreme rings or swfa rings. You could also get a super sniper package deal for it. Call them and they will fix you up. That will save enough cash for ammo. Then dry fire away. </div></div>

+1 here. That's a tight budget but I think you could swing it and still get reliable, quality gear.

I've fired the R700 platforms and I was actually amazed. A while back and un-educated about the platform, I formerly thought they were off-the-shelf trash, but was quickly proven wrong with the groups it was printing. For the price, most are impressive. </div></div>

Exactly the set up I bought for my first rifle: Rem 5R, SWFA MilDot 10x HD, rings and base from one of our bro's here. Out the door for just under $2K.

Couldn't be happier! </div></div>

+1

turbo54 · May 2, 2012

Re: New shooter looking for input.

I don't harbor any hate for Remingtons - they are great rifles. In fact, the rifle I like "best" as a rifle is a CRF Win70 or FNH SPR.

However... My first rifle was a Savage 10FP, and it has been a "lights out" rifle since I bought it, up until recently when the barrel finally gave way at ~6000 rounds. I love the rifle, because we have history. I gotta say, making a phone call and spending $275 + shipping to have a fresh barrel shipped to me, screwing it on at the picnic table of my gunclub and IMMEDIATELY restoring lights-out performance really, really, really reaffirmed how good a platform the Savage rifle really is.

The ability to do all of your own "gunsmithing" with ~$100 in special tools is a huge plus, that easily outweighs the negatives associated with how "ugly" the barrel nut is, and the couple hundred dollars loss in resale compared to other rifles. Honestly, those dollars are well worth it when you want work done, and would have to be without your Remington/Winchester/etc rifle for several months while a gunsmith works on it.

Any of the Remingtons will serve you well, and shoot great. It's honestly tough to make a bad choice here. That all said, however, I can't recommend Savage more highly for anyone that can't afford a fancy rifle, or doesn't need a fancy rifle...

quickdraw17 · May 2, 2012

Re: New shooter looking for input.

I would keep checking the for sale section here. Something used but still really nice might pop up at the right price for you.

DoctorBen · May 2, 2012

Re: New shooter looking for input.

Honest Opinion: By no means am I a precision marksman. I am not in any way affiliated with the Military, I am not trained, and I am not all that experienced. I've never had anyone show me how to properly use a rifle, aside from several years of reading, trolling, and biding time, and lots and lots and lots of dry-firing practice. I am a FNG/Newbie/whatever you'd like to call me. However...

My setup is a stock Remington 700 Varmint I got a Dick's Sporting Goods at a thanksgiving sale for $350 after a rebate. A Weaver 3-15 x 50 FFP for around $7-800, and some matching rings. I tossed a Harris Bipod (9-12 inch, should have done 6-9 inch) and a "BALS MK-2 Sniper Bean Bag" for a stock pad/bag onto the thing, and took some Fed. Eagle 150gr and FGMM 168gr and started shooting. Nothing "custom" or fabricated or remotely special in any way, just all off the shelf parts, for under $1200 combined.

The FGMM holds me around .8 MOA, and I've got some handloads that are right around .625 center-to-center (5 rds; yep, 1 clean rip in the paper with a $350 remington). I used 42.5 Gr of IMR 4895 with once fired federal brass, a 168gr Sierra HPBT, federal lg. rifle primers, and loaded the thing to an OAL of 2.805-2.810" (Case length, 2.010-2.020). I've done similar with 110gr Barnes TTSX, Fed Primers, once fired FGMM brass, 48gr of IMR 4895, Case length of 2.010-2.020, OAL of 2.700-2.710. For going a little longer, I've had some 200yd groups under an inch with the FGMM 168gr. All groups are well under 2" at 200yd.

I will not claim much experience with other platforms or much experience reloading. I simply got quite lucky with an off-the-shelf Remington 700 Varmint, and have not had to look elsewhere; basic reloading skills and a few hours were all it took for me. Many rifles from many manufacturers can hold sub-MOA, and I don't think you can really go wrong. Keeping your budget under 2000 should be perfectly doable with any off-the-shelf option.

Minarix · May 2, 2012

Re: New shooter looking for input.

thanks for the input, i believe i'll ethier browse here for a rifle, or settle on the rem VTR-a-Tact for starting out.

and no i will not be reloading.

DoctorBen · May 2, 2012

Re: New shooter looking for input.

Truthfully, you don't really have too. Yes, you will eke out a little bit more from the .308 with handloads, but, until you're doing LOTS, you end up losing out. If I was to buy a nice RCBS press and set-up, even used, I'd be in a couple hundred, and when I last did calculations on cost per load, I was in something like 65-70cents/rd. Palmetto State armory is currently out, but I was getting FGMM 168gr for 17.99 or 18.99/box, and I've got 300rds from Southwest Ammo inbound for something new. If you want cheaper, Palmetto State Armory had 150gr Federal Eagle which kept right about 1.1MOA for me with an identical POI the 168gr FGMM at 100yds, for about 10.99/box. 55 Cents + shipping/round, and minimal drop in performance. You'll be stretching your legs out farther than I, as the longest range I have here is 200yds; it just isn't worth the slight increase in performance for 35cents/rd more.

Personally, I enjoy loading, but, I lose money on it. It would be worthwhile if I was using a less ubiquitous caliber, but that's why I like .308.

heyson222 · May 2, 2012