Conflicted. 284 or 308 build on Sav SA

[ohiohunter]

Fairly new to the game. I have a savage 10 action and a B&C stock and all I need is to decide on a barrel. This is a range gun but I have been back and forth. f-tr or open.

Currently I live in the desert where there is almost always wind and the mirages are wicked. I don't know if a 308 will make me a better shooter or will it be discouraging? Ranges out to 1000 and maybe more.

I currently have a 280 but its not a full on range gun (24" light varmint barrel) total weight less than ~9lbs. Plus I think I'm destroying my barrel shooting those long strings.

 

[Korhil78]

Shooting in the wind is only going to make you better. You wont ever get any better at it unless you jump into it. If you really want to get serious about it, take notes on your range days. Take notes on all the weather conditions that were going on that day and how much you had to adjust on your turrets for those particular conditions. Do this for each shot not just for the whole day.

I would say a 308 would suit you well.

 

[MudRunner2005]

.308 will give you a long barrel life and will make you a better shooter. I think everyone should own a .308 for range shooting.

Just my opinion...

 

[WildRose]

I would go with a .260 Remgun)

 

[wbm]

The 284 really does better on a long action. On the other hand, the 308 will do just fine in F-TR.

http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2009/08/savage-f-tr-team-world-beaters-on-a-budget/

 

[dragman]

I am in the minority here but I HATE .308's just don't do it for me! The .284 with a proper throat for LR will absolutely CRUSH the .308 as far as power and ballistics! it's not even close at all at say 100-1000 yards.
as far as the SA yes you will have to single load and pull the bolt to remove a loaded round but well worth it to get the extreme added performance IMHO.
gun)

 

[wbm]

The .284 with a proper throat for LR will absolutely CRUSH the .308 as far as power and ballistics! it's not even close at all at say 100-1000 yards.

Don't it though!

 

[ntg]

284 set up right is hard to beat, but better on a long action. If all your doing is range work, I'd go with the 7-08 or 260, but I prefer the 7-08. I recommend this as the cost per shot is lower and the 7-08 will give you good barrel life...almost as good as the 308, especially if you don't hot-rod it.

If your the type that has something in their head telling them a 168gr bullet going 2500fps is too slow then I'd recommend a 7saum. It actually has a lot going for it in design and efficiency. It's only challenge is whether it will survive or not. This website is very helpful when considering the 7mm options IMO: 7mm Cartridge Guide within AccurateShooter.com

BTW, I went with the 7-08.

Let us know what you decided.

 

[ohiohunter]

284 set up right is hard to beat, but better on a long action. If all your doing is range work, I'd go with the 7-08 or 260, but I prefer the 7-08. I recommend this as the cost per shot is lower and the 7-08 will give you good barrel life...almost as good as the 308, especially if you don't hot-rod it.

If your the type that has something in their head telling them a 168gr bullet going 2500fps is too slow then I'd recommend a 7saum. It actually has a lot going for it in design and efficiency. It's only challenge is whether it will survive or not. This website is very helpful when considering the 7mm options IMO: 7mm Cartridge Guide within AccurateShooter.com

BTW, I went with the 7-08.

Let us know what you decided.

How I see it is for open class the 284 is everything I want and in the f/tr class you can only shoot 223 & 308. So I'm not really considering any other calibers. As for now my mind is made up on these two rounds.

I'm not worried about the SA on the 284 as I'll be using it as a single shot.

 

[dragman]

How I see it is for open class the 284 is everything I want and in the f/tr class you can only shoot 223 & 308. So I'm not really considering any other calibers. As for now my mind is made up on these two rounds.

I'm not worried about the SA on the 284 as I'll be using it as a single shot.

If you don't care about the .284 on the SA then that is the only way to go!

 

[MudRunner2005]

284 set up right is hard to beat, but better on a long action. If all your doing is range work, I'd go with the 7-08 or 260, but I prefer the 7-08. I recommend this as the cost per shot is lower and the 7-08 will give you good barrel life...almost as good as the 308, especially if you don't hot-rod it.

If your the type that has something in their head telling them a 168gr bullet going 2500fps is too slow then I'd recommend a 7saum. It actually has a lot going for it in design and efficiency. It's only challenge is whether it will survive or not. This website is very helpful when considering the 7mm options IMO: 7mm Cartridge Guide within AccurateShooter.com

BTW, I went with the 7-08.

Let us know what you decided.

I send Berger 210's out of my .308 Win @ 2,400 fps...Then again the 24" 5R 11.25" twist barrel really gives it an edge for the heavies. You should see my 168 (2,775) & 175 (2,612) loads... They hit HARD, especially that 210 VLD load.

Technology has come a long way over the years. The wimpy little .308 is back to being a very effective, and efficient machine...It's almost like a rebirth of a legend.

If I wear out the barrel on my .308, the next one to go back on it will be a 26" barrel with the same 5R 11.25" twist. That extra 2" will be nice to add for velocity.

 

[ntg]

Sorry miss what class you were intending to shoot. I'd say you're right on track if you don't mind shooting it single shot.

 

[ohiohunter]

I send Berger 210's out of my .308 Win @ 2,400 fps...Then again the 24" 5R 11.25" twist barrel really gives it an edge for the heavies. You should see my 168 (2,775) & 175 (2,612) loads... They hit HARD, especially that 210 VLD load.

Technology has come a long way over the years. The wimpy little .308 is back to being a very effective, and efficient machine...It's almost like a rebirth of a legend.

If I wear out the barrel on my .308, the next one to go back on it will be a 26" barrel with the same 5R 11.25" twist. That extra 2" will be nice to add for velocity.

I was def going w/ the 5r but 1:10. Those 210's would be about as heavy as I want to go and how well are you shooting them at 1k?

 

[MudRunner2005]

I was def going w/ the 5r but 1:10. Those 210's would be about as heavy as I want to go and how well are you shooting them at 1k?

I haven't had a chance to get out to my 1K spot this year, since developing the load...Main reason is we don't have an actual 1K range around here, so I have to go to my buddy's land where we mark it off and shoot. Hopefully sooner or later, but with gun season coming on as quickly as it is here, and bow season already in full-swing, I doubt it will be before mid-late February or March that I can get out there... When I do, I will definitely post up my results. gun)