My new dilemma, help needed.

[Diddums]

Thanks for the input guys.

At my local they have a lot of 223's and 243's on the shelf but not a massive amount of bigger calibers.
I have been waiting weeks already for a gun to come in that was never going to arrive thanks to the supplier and I have a trip away this weekend so I'm going to buy something off the shelf which isn't going to break the bank.

They do have a Remington 700 package there for a little more than what the Steyr will cost me but I'm a little wary of Remington's as my mate has one and has had a fair bit of trouble with it.

I going in this morning to make my decision, I'll let you know what I pick up.

[in2anity]

I have a medium profile barrel tikka 308 - I regularly plink 30/30 cast pills over Trail boss (for silhouette practice) through it out to 100m. It costs me somewhere in the vicinity of 20c/shot for consistent, long shot strings 2moa accuracy. Then for full scale silhouette (or if I'm feeling masochistic), 150gr jacketed pills out to 385m, and 178gn ELD/amax out to the 500m rams. This load still has 1000ft/lbs at 500m! 1000ft/lbs! And of course the fancier pills can be made to shoot hairs off fleas back, that's a given.

Hunting applications, I just use the 150gr load (which I have a custom-made CDC turret to match) - fist size hole on every big critter I've ever shot, and I'd be confident taking a shot out to 400m (if the opportunity ever presented itself, which it hasn't, and probably won't).

Now tell me, is that not "enough gun"? Forget the 338 I say.

[bladeracer]

Thanks for the input guys.

At my local they have a lot of 223's and 243's on the shelf but not a massive amount of bigger calibers.
I have been waiting weeks already for a gun to come in that was never going to arrive thanks to the supplier and I have a trip away this weekend so I'm going to buy something off the shelf which isn't going to break the bank.

They do have a Remington 700 package there for a little more than what the Steyr will cost me but I'm a little wary of Remington's as my mate has one and has had a fair bit of trouble with it.

I going in this morning to make my decision, I'll let you know what I pick up.

Surely they can order you something that is in stock?
I've only bought two rifles because the dealer had them on the shelf rather than have to order the two I wanted. It was a mistake I won't make again. If you've done your research and decided which rifle you want, I recommend getting that rifle. Even buying it secondhand via Usedguns is probably a better idea than buying something you don't want just because your dealer has it.

As for your trip away, you can't borrow a suitable rifle from a mate?

[sungazer]

I am surprised the Steyr is cheaper than a Remington. I looked at one in a Gs and it was very well made and out of Germany from Machiliner a few to many safety features I thought but it looked like a shooter. I would choose the 243 everyday over a 223.

[Diddums]

I walked into the shop this morning to survey my choices and decided to have a look at the remington package on the wall, as soon as i picked it up i liked it.
Its a Remington 700 AAC-SD in .308, came with a Bushnell Trophy extreme scope and free bag.
I'm hoping to go shoot it this afternoon and ill post up some pics.

[in2anity]

I walked into the shop this morning to survey my choices and decided to have a look at the remington package on the wall, as soon as i picked it up i liked it.
Its a Remington 700 AAC-SD in .308, came with a Bushnell Trophy extreme scope and free bag.
I'm hoping to go shoot it this afternoon and ill post up some pics.

There's a good amount of meat on the barrels of those things

[Gun-nut]

I don't understand why you still wouldn't go with a .308? even if the ruger is discontinued I'd personally settle on a firearm that fits you well and get it in .308. The amount of options available for reloading .308 is insane and would offer great versatility.

Edit: Never mind, I just read your last post and it looks like you went with a .308 anyway.

[sungazer]

I think you got the right gun a 308 is just so versatile and I see it is a 1:10 twist so you can use any projectile you want. Dont be tempted to go the really heavy projectiles though its not needed and would probably work as well as some of the lighter projectiles in a 20 inch barrel. with the Remington there are so many different stock options as well if you want to go aftermarket.

[RoginaJack]

Why waste your time getting a 338 and loading it down to 308; just get a 308 or better still, get a 30-06

How would that be a waste of time? You could shoot it as a .308 99% of the time but still have the magnum power when required, without having to own or carry two rifles.

If, as you say shoot it 99% of the time as a 308; get a 308 and 1% as magnum power, simply stalk closer.

[Diddums]

I managed to catch the last hour or so of sunlight this afternoon to get out for a shot.
I had 2 boxes of Remington 150g rounds to go play with and I shot 35 of them.

Took me 3 rounds to get on paper as the bore sight done at the shop wasn't the best, but when I got it dialed in I was able to shoot 2 groups at about an inch.

I'm looking forward to developing some loads for it, I plan on working out a 110gn load and a 150gn.

The only gripe I have is the comb is a bit too low, but I seem to have that issue with every rifle I shoulder.
It's not as low as mi Tikka and it is shootable but it could be 1/4 - 1/2 inch higher.


Pics still to come.

[bladeracer]

I managed to catch the last hour or so of sunlight this afternoon to get out for a shot.
I had 2 boxes of Remington 150g rounds to go play with and I shot 35 of them.

Took me 3 rounds to get on paper as the bore sight done at the shop wasn't the best, but when I got it dialed in I was able to shoot 2 groups at about an inch.

I'm looking forward to developing some loads for it, I plan on working out a 110gn load and a 150gn.

The only gripe I have is the comb is a bit too low, but I seem to have that issue with every rifle I shoulder.
It's not as low as mi Tikka and it is shootable but it could be 1/4 - 1/2 inch higher.


Pics still to come.

Cut a piece of high-density foam rubber to fit. Double-sided tape should suffice to secure it.
I find it easier to glue thin sections together over the curve as it holds the shape better than curving one thick piece over the comb. Then trim to final shape.

[sungazer]

Is the gun new? If so take the time to run it in clean it well after a few shots and then make sure it is really dry and clear of all cleaning solution before you fire it. Keeping the barrel clean is your best friend.