New rifle decision - Please help!

[amex]

G'day All

This is my first time posting on the forums. I understand this question gets asked a lot, but i have read and read and cant make a decision.

What should I blow my cash on?

I am after a Rifle for long range Target Shooting and hunting in .308, my budget is about $4000AUD. I am pretty set on the Optics a Vortex Viper PST FFP 6-24x50, and a Harris bipod or even a Atlas.

I was set on a Remington 700 XCR long range tactical however they have been recalled and seem to be a hard gun to get. Over 4 month wait. I really don't want to wait that long as I live in the top end and the wet season will be back by then. I have started looking at Tikka t3 super varmint or TAC, Weatherby Mark V Accumark, Savage Precision Carbine or FCP McMillan. Really anything at all as I cant even begin to narrow it down.

Your knowledge and experience will be much appreciated.

Cheers Alex

[Baldrick314]

Welcome aboard. I've never used the viper scopes but they have a good rep so you should be on the right track there.

I use an Atlas bipod and I can't recommend them enough. I think they're a heap better than the Harris.

With rifles, most are pretty accurate out of the box these days. I'm a big fan of remington rifles and the recall is about the trigger and should only be a problem in really cold environments. I have a Varmint SF which is super accurate and has a heavy 26" barrel so should be well suited to long range shooting.

You definitely don't want a "carbine" rifle if you wanna shoot long range.

Your best bet would be to work out some criteria you want your rifle to fill and then you can narrow down your choices.

Good luck with it mate and post back any other questions you have.

[amex]

Welcome aboard. I've never used the viper scopes but they have a good rep so you should be on the right track there.

I use an Atlas bipod and I can't recommend them enough. I think they're a heap better than the Harris.

With rifles, most are pretty accurate out of the box these days. I'm a big fan of remington rifles and the recall is about the trigger and should only be a problem in really cold environments. I have a Varmint SF which is super accurate and has a heavy 26" barrel so should be well suited to long range shooting.

You definitely don't want a "carbine" rifle if you wanna shoot long range.

Your best bet would be to work out some criteria you want your rifle to fill and then you can narrow down your choices.

Good luck with it mate and post back any other questions you have.

Thanks very much for the reply,

how much did you pay for the atlas bipod?

[1290]

The best target rifles make ordinary hunting rifles...
The best hunting rifles make ordinary target rifles...

Choose what you want in the way of the rifle first, single/repeater, internal or detachable mag, stainless or blued,
then find your action, spent money on the best cut barrel you can get your hands on. Spend the money on the best barrel you can get your hands on.... may take a year to get the barrel.
Choose a stock that suits you.

or alternatively go blow your money on an off the shelf over priced rifle scope combo. buy a Rem 700 then everyone will like you

hunting/target, target/hunting

[Baldrick314]

The best target rifles make ordinary hunting rifles...
The best hunting rifles make ordinary hunting rifles...

Choose what you want in the way of the rifle first, single/repeater, internal or detachable mag, stainless or blued,
then find your action, spent money on the best cut barrel you can get your hands on. Spend the money on the best barrel you can get your hands on.... may take a year to get the barrel.
Choose a stock that suits you.

or alternatively go blow your money on an off the shelf over priced rifle scope combo. buy a Rem 700 then everyone will like you

I've seen more than a few factory remington's that will hold under half MOA. If you wanna build a custom target rifle that's fine but the OP has a limited budget and it's most likely that only a factory rifle will fit in that budget and still allow him to get a good scope / other accessories.

[Baldrick314]

Thanks very much for the reply,

how much did you pay for the atlas bipod?

I bought mine direct from them for $280 if i remember correctly

[amex]

Seems to me I need to get my hands on some of these guns and see how they feel. If only I was in the USA this would be possible, gun stores in Aus never stock much.

[Chronos]

Seems to me I need to get my hands on some of these guns and see how they feel. If only I was in the USA this would be possible, gun stores in Aus never stock much.

Not true at all. If you are licenced most gun shops will have at least three brands of rifle in stock for you to handle. They may not carry every rifle in every calibre but at least three stores I go to regularly carry Remington, CZ, tikka, sako, marlin, mossberg, etc

Buying one rifle as a target/hunting will always be a compromise. Hunting guns around the 7-8lb mark fitted with light weight low powered scopes tend to under perform on the bench at the range. But a heavy barreled target gun with a heavier higher magnification scope tends to have you thinking twice about sun up after you've been carrying it for an hour.

This situation has an upside, it gives us an excuse to buy a second and even a third gun

Your budget of $4000 will cover a thousand dollars for optics, another thousand on reloading gear and a bipod. That leaves two grand for a rifle.

You'd be hard pressed to beat the savage f class as a target gun but they are not something you'd want to carry on a hunt.

A Remington police has some merit as a target gun and I've seen a couple of them shoot very well

The tikka varmint is a another option and at under $1500 that might leave room for an aftermarket stock. Although the two I have owned have been quite accurate out if the box with good triggers but the light weight synthetic stocks aren't as nice to shoot as a heavy laminated stock and there are more options than ever available. I recently bought a GRS stock for my tikka varmint

It really comes down to you deciding what you plan on doing most and what will help you learn the most about the techniques and skills you'll need to master to make you a good shooter. No point trying to shoot at king range if you don't have the basic skills required to shoot sub MOA at 100m

The basic things always apply to anyone asking about buying a new rifle. Buy the best rifle/scope you can afford that will suit the purpose and in a cartridge you can afford to shoot

Chronos

[Warrigul]

G'day All

This is my first time posting on the forums. I understand this question gets asked a lot, but i have read and read and cant make a decision.

What should I blow my cash on?

I am after a Rifle for long range Target Shooting and hunting in .308, my budget is about $4000AUD. I am pretty set on the Optics a Vortex Viper PST FFP 6-24x50, and a Harris bipod or even a Atlas.

I was set on a Remington 700 XCR long range tactical however they have been recalled and seem to be a hard gun to get. Over 4 month wait. I really don't want to wait that long as I live in the top end and the wet season will be back by then. I have started looking at Tikka t3 super varmint or TAC, Weatherby Mark V Accumark, Savage Precision Carbine or FCP McMillan. Really anything at all as I cant even begin to narrow it down.

Your knowledge and experience will be much appreciated.

Cheers Alex

If there are clubs near you then go for a look, many owners are quite willing to show off what they have(but always ask first).

Approach advice you are given on any forum with an open mind.

[amex]

The tikka varmint is a another option and at under $1500 that might leave room for an aftermarket stock. Although the two I have owned have been quite accurate out if the box with good triggers but the light weight synthetic stocks aren't as nice to shoot as a heavy laminated stock and there are more options than ever available. I recently bought a GRS stock for my tikka varmint

It really comes down to you deciding what you plan on doing most and what will help you learn the most about the techniques and skills you'll need to master to make you a good shooter. No point trying to shoot at king range if you don't have the basic skills required to shoot sub MOA at 100m

The basic things always apply to anyone asking about buying a new rifle. Buy the best rifle/scope you can afford that will suit the purpose and in a cartridge you can afford to shoot

Chronos

Thanks,

Leaning towards the Tikka now they seem to be a good gun out of the box that require less after market kit to get them shooting well. Keen on the Tac but might save some coin for a better scope and get the Super Varmint.

[MeccaOz]

Have a look at the Swarovski range mate, just my 2c worth

[amex]

Have a look at the Swarovski range mate, just my 2c worth

was thinking a Nightforce NXS F1 and be done with it.

[1sikxt]

Hey mate have a look a the weatherby tactical heavy barrel comes with a bell a Carlson stock I have one in 308 I prefer it over the tikka varmint I sold the tikka to buy the weatherby

[amex]

Hey mate have a look a the weatherby tactical heavy barrel comes with a bell a Carlson stock I have one in 308 I prefer it over the tikka varmint I sold the tikka to buy the weatherby

whats this gun actually called? the TRR RC?

[Chronos]

The tikka varmint is a another option and at under $1500 that might leave room for an aftermarket stock. Although the two I have owned have been quite accurate out if the box with good triggers but the light weight synthetic stocks aren't as nice to shoot as a heavy laminated stock and there are more options than ever available. I recently bought a GRS stock for my tikka varmint

It really comes down to you deciding what you plan on doing most and what will help you learn the most about the techniques and skills you'll need to master to make you a good shooter. No point trying to shoot at king range if you don't have the basic skills required to shoot sub MOA at 100m

The basic things always apply to anyone asking about buying a new rifle. Buy the best rifle/scope you can afford that will suit the purpose and in a cartridge you can afford to shoot

Chronos

Thanks,

Leaning towards the Tikka now they seem to be a good gun out of the box that require less after market kit to get them shooting well. Keen on the Tac but might save some coin for a better scope and get the Super Varmint.

In my opinion the super varmint offers no real value for money over a regular varmint.

Same action , barrel and stock just has some extra sling attachment points and adjustable cheek riser

However the tactical and the sporter offer match grade chambers and barrels and micro slicked bolt nice additions if you're into precision shooting.

Chronos

[zook60]

The tikka varmint is a another option and at under $1500 that might leave room for an aftermarket stock. Although the two I have owned have been quite accurate out if the box with good triggers but the light weight synthetic stocks aren't as nice to shoot as a heavy laminated stock and there are more options than ever available. I recently bought a GRS stock for my tikka varmint

It really comes down to you deciding what you plan on doing most and what will help you learn the most about the techniques and skills you'll need to master to make you a good shooter. No point trying to shoot at king range if you don't have the basic skills required to shoot sub MOA at 100m

The basic things always apply to anyone asking about buying a new rifle. Buy the best rifle/scope you can afford that will suit the purpose and in a cartridge you can afford to shoot

Chronos

Thanks,

Leaning towards the Tikka now they seem to be a good gun out of the box that require less after market kit to get them shooting well. Keen on the Tac but might save some coin for a better scope and get the Super Varmint.

In my opinion the super varmint offers no real value for money over a regular varmint.

Same action , barrel and stock just has some extra sling attachment points and adjustable cheek riser

However the tactical and the sporter offer match grade chambers and barrels and micro slicked bolt nice additions if you're into precision shooting.

Chronos

Tottally agree with this.
Just get a Tikka varmint then put it in the stock of your choice no need for a trigger upgrade either just a $10 Yo-dave trigger spring.

[1sikxt]

http://www.weatherby.com/product/rifles ... rc_varmint

This is it mate

[zook60]

http://www.weatherby.com/product/rifles/vanguard_2/rc_varmint

This is it mate

Yer I don't know at $1200 USD what would it be worth in Australia? $16-1700?
Something that pricey and still has the same trigger that comes in a $5-600 Howa I would stick with a Tikka varmint.

The savage M10 PC 308 was a very accurate Rifle I swapped it for a shotgun tho

[Norty_Country_Bloke]

Have you considered looking into the new Colt M2012 rifles? I don't have any personal experience with them. But reading the ad in a previous issue of "Australian Shooter", it seems the rifles would be right up your alley.

[Norty_Country_Bloke]

Have you considered looking into the new Colt M2012 rifles? I don't have any personal experience with them. But reading the ad in a previous issue of "Australian Shooter", it seems the rifles would be right up your alley.

Just did a bit of Googling to find a price for these things. Bloody hell, at $3,700, they don't miss ya!

[amex]

Have you considered looking into the new Colt M2012 rifles? I don't have any personal experience with them. But reading the ad in a previous issue of "Australian Shooter", it seems the rifles would be right up your alley.

Could get a Tikka and put a manners stock on it for less, i think what i like about the Tikka is that i have the option down the track to customize it. something like the Weatherby i cant.

Heading down to the store this week see i cant get my hands on some of these rifles.

[bigfellascott]

Have you considered looking into the new Colt M2012 rifles? I don't have any personal experience with them. But reading the ad in a previous issue of "Australian Shooter", it seems the rifles would be right up your alley.

They shoot bloody well, my mate has one and it will put 5 into a 5c piece at 200m (factory ammo).


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HL50wLf2vw4

[Norty_Country_Bloke]

Have you considered looking into the new Colt M2012 rifles? I don't have any personal experience with them. But reading the ad in a previous issue of "Australian Shooter", it seems the rifles would be right up your alley.

They shoot bloody well, my mate has one and it will put 5 into a 5c piece at 200m (factory ammo).


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HL50wLf2vw4

Well. It's hard to argue with that kind of accuracy.

[Chronos]

Have you considered looking into the new Colt M2012 rifles? I don't have any personal experience with them. But reading the ad in a previous issue of "Australian Shooter", it seems the rifles would be right up your alley.

They shoot bloody well, my mate has one and it will put 5 into a 5c piece at 200m (factory ammo).


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HL50wLf2vw4

Pics or it didn't happen

that's a pretty big claim but the vid showed the rifle to be a 1moa performer with factory ammo. for a $5000 set up i'll take my tikka

Chronos

[RDobber]

that's a pretty big claim but the vid showed the rifle to be a 1moa performer with factory ammo. for a $5000 set up i'll take my tikka

For $5k you could nearly have 4 Tikka's

[bigfellascott]

Have you considered looking into the new Colt M2012 rifles? I don't have any personal experience with them. But reading the ad in a previous issue of "Australian Shooter", it seems the rifles would be right up your alley.

They shoot bloody well, my mate has one and it will put 5 into a 5c piece at 200m (factory ammo).


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HL50wLf2vw4

Pics or it didn't happen

that's a pretty big claim but the vid showed the rifle to be a 1moa performer with factory ammo. for a $5000 set up i'll take my tikka

Chronos

Not sure if he took photos or not mate. He was shooting Golf Balls with it out to around 300m from memory A very impressive rifle I must say.

[davster]

Second hand sako TRG22 with mark 4 Leopold with factory loads will get u under half MOA for 4k.

Or 700 mil spec 5r with trigger job and vortex scope with change in your hand.

[RDobber]

Second hand sako TRG22 with mark 4 Leopold with factory loads will get u under half MOA for 4k.

Gotta say that's not very appealing to me.

Factory Tikka sporter can get you under half MOA for $1200. See one of the other guys shooting here - 0.4 MOA Tikka 7mm-08

Not carrying on about Tikka just because I have one. Just saying, it makes it hard to justify a $4k heavy target setup if you only get 0.5 MOA out of it?

IMO.

[zook60]

Second hand sako TRG22 with mark 4 Leopold with factory loads will get u under half MOA for 4k.

Gotta say that's not very appealing to me.

Factory Tikka sporter can get you under half MOA for $1200. See one of the other guys shooting here - 0.4 MOA Tikka 7mm-08

Not carrying on about Tikka just because I have one. Just saying, it makes it hard to justify a $4k heavy target setup if you only get 0.5 MOA out of it?

IMO.

Yes I would expect the TRG to go quarter inch after I have seen what my 1k and 2k tikka and sako can do.

[tom604]

it all depends what you really want it for, shooting long range targets, (f class?) go to a range that shoots long range and see what everyone uses or if you want to shoot critters from far away and just want to learn to shoot long range for the critters? are you going to walk with it or just sit and snipe ? 308's shoot like a rainbow at long range, might not be the best choice of gun.