Posted: 4/7/2012 11:19:31 PM EDT
|
I plan on putting together my first precision rifle this year.
I plan on probably going with a savage but I can't decide on a caliber. what would you reccomend for a beginner? this rifle will be for shooting anything that's out of range of my AK. I have considered .308, 30-06, 7mm mag, and .300 win mag... would jumping straight to the .300 win mag be ok? I reload so ammo price isn't so much of a concern I just don't want to have to shoot anything twice if at all possible |
|
Quoted: I was going to go the "upgrade as you go along route" but then said to hell with it and picked up a 5R instead.  http://i371.photobucket.com/albums/oo157/Furyataurus/003-23.jpg http://i371.photobucket.com/albums/oo157/Furyataurus/004-13.jpg Does it come in a lefty model? All my life I have swore that I'd buy a left handed rifle at some point and I still haven't done it. |
|
How long range is long range? If you are talking like 300-600 yards than I would highly recommend a 6mmBr. Good Lapua brass is avaliable and fairly affordable. Recoil is VERY nice and brass and barrel life is very good. Also cheaper to load as 6mm bullets are cheaper than the 30cal stuff. Better ballistics too. Even if you wanted farther you could start with that gun and get the basics down and then have the barrel reamed out for one of the 6mmBR improved rounds for a little more umph. Its a capable round even out to 1000. |
| Savage is a good choice, and depending on the range you plan to shoot at .308 will balance minimal recoil, availability of match type ammo if you dont reload, along with cost. 300 winmag is just not my idea of a fun caliber to shoot. If you are really reaching out there the .300 winmag is the superior cartridge though. |
|
Quoted:
I plan on probably going with a savage but I can't decide on a caliber. Savage makes a good, economical rifle. Buy with confidence. what would you reccomend for a beginner? .308 I have considered .308, 30-06, 7mm mag, and .300 win mag... .308 is the best caliber for a beginner. 7mm and .300 WM is too much recoil to start. Further the barrel life of the .300 WM and especially the 7mm mag are atrocious. would jumping straight to the .300 win mag be ok? It's your $$ do what you want but it would be best to start with a 308 I reload so ammo price isn't so much of a concern Between the .308, .30 WM, and the 7mm mag there isn't THAT much of a price difference so it's moot. I just don't want to have to shoot anything twice if at all possible Shot placement is everything |
|
Quoted:
I plan on putting together my first precision rifle this year. I plan on probably going with a savage but I can't decide on a caliber. what would you reccomend for a beginner? this rifle will be for shooting anything that's out of range of my AK. I have considered .308, 30-06, 7mm mag, and .300 win mag... would jumping straight to the .300 win mag be ok? I reload so ammo price isn't so much of a concern I just don't want to have to shoot anything twice if at all possible Get a Remington 700... it's the AR of the bolt gun world. Start with .308, it's cheaper and it isn't a barrel burner (.300WM has a 2k rd barrel life IIRC) .308 will get you out to 1000yds, plus a bit more depending on your barrel length/load you develop (My friend hit a 1300yd target with his .308 AR out of a 16" barrel... after a few tries.) Just remember to buy a quality scope. SWFA, and Vortex are a couple of the better values for entry level scopes. Get a scope that adjusts in Milradians (Mils) and also has a Mil-dot reticle to make it easier to range targets at unknown distances. |
|
I'd recommend one of the 6.5s less recoil, cheaper components and excellent ballistics. The lapua is a good choice since you reload. The 6br or one of it's variants would new a good choice for paper punching, too.
Check outprefit criterion barrels. Good price/performance ratio. |
|
Quoted:
Get a Remington 700... it's the AR of the bolt gun world. Start with .308, it's cheaper and it isn't a barrel burner (.300WM has a 2k rd barrel life IIRC) agreed and 7mm is even worse. .308 will get you out to 1000yds, plus a bit more depending on your barrel length/load you develop (My friend hit a 1300yd target with his .308 AR out of a 16" barrel... after a few tries.) He says he's going be hunting so depending on what he will hunt that 1000 will be seriously reduced. More like 400-600 yards. Just remember to buy a quality scope. Agreed 100%!! SWFA, and Vortex are a couple of the better values for entry level scopes. Get a scope that adjusts in Milradians (Mils) and also has a Mil-dot reticle to make it easier to range targets at unknown distances. |
|
I would reccomend buying something long action, primarily because its so easy to change to a shorter caliber later if you want to.
My savage started life as a 112BVSS in 300WM. Ive also got a 243AI barrel and bolt head, and use the 300 bolthead for 7STW. With the two bolt heads, you can cover a lot of cartridges, and barrels are cheap, and easy to change. Go 300wm. |