bruce_ventura
Well-Known Member
I've got a new ballistics project starting in a few weeks and I need .308 Win rifle, which is one caliber I don't happen to own. I'm looking for some advice on factory rifles. At first, I thought I would need to start with an SR-25 or similar platform. But I decided to break up the project into two phases, and use a bolt action rifle for the first phase. Management liked this approach, so I'm starting to put the equipment list together. I have a few hard requirements and few "nice to haves".
For this project, here's what I need:
1. 20-22" barrel length. I could cut down the barrel when the muzzle brake is attached (see below), so a 24"barrel is acceptable, as long as it's not fluted close to the muzzle.
2. Low dispersion (<1.0" 10-shot groups) using match grade ammo (handloads). On average that would be equivalent to <.64" 3-shot groups. I'm willing to replace a trigger, if necessary, but the factory stock needs to work.
3. Rifling twist: 10-11".
4. Detachable 5 and 10 round magazines - strongly desired. I'm willing to upgrade the bottom metal if necessary.
5. I prefer a smooth action that can be cycled quickly – I'll replace the bolt knob if needed. However, no sharp edges protruding off the bolt shroud (rules out Tikka and Sako, unfortunately).
6. A comfortable shooting position - the rifle will eventually get an adjustable cheek rest if it needs one.
7. I need to control muzzle rise and plan to install a brake. I could save some time and money if the rifle were already set up with a threaded muzzle. I can get the muzzle threaded, so that is not critical.
This phase of the project does not have a lot of funding and will last only a few months. Use of this rifle will gradually end as the second phase gets started. This will be a project rifle – appearance is not important. It will get worked hard and banged up in live fire tests and then retired early. I really would rather not drop $4K on a custom rifle for such a short project, and I need to start soon. I'm setting a cap at $1,500 for the bare rifle for now. The cost will grow if I need to add a brake, cheek rest and detachable magazine. I also don't want to deal with rifle accuracy problems, so reputation (i.e., your feedback) is more important than minor differences in cost.
A quick survey identified a few factory options below $1,500.
Remington 700 SPS (20" barrel, 10" twist, threaded muzzle, internal magazine).
Savage 10 FCP-SR (20" barrel, 10" twist, threaded muzzle, Accustock, crummy plastic detachable magazine).
Savage 10 FCP HS Precision (24" barrel, 10" twist, internal magazine).
Howa 1500 Heavybarrel Varminter (20" barrel, 10" twist, Hogue stock, plastic detachable magazine).
Weatherby WBY-X Vanguard Kryptek TR (22" barrel, 10" twist, Monte Carlo composite stock, internal mag).
I've never owned any of these model rifles. I'm far from making a decision here. What would you recommend?
For this project, here's what I need:
1. 20-22" barrel length. I could cut down the barrel when the muzzle brake is attached (see below), so a 24"barrel is acceptable, as long as it's not fluted close to the muzzle.
2. Low dispersion (<1.0" 10-shot groups) using match grade ammo (handloads). On average that would be equivalent to <.64" 3-shot groups. I'm willing to replace a trigger, if necessary, but the factory stock needs to work.
3. Rifling twist: 10-11".
4. Detachable 5 and 10 round magazines - strongly desired. I'm willing to upgrade the bottom metal if necessary.
5. I prefer a smooth action that can be cycled quickly – I'll replace the bolt knob if needed. However, no sharp edges protruding off the bolt shroud (rules out Tikka and Sako, unfortunately).
6. A comfortable shooting position - the rifle will eventually get an adjustable cheek rest if it needs one.
7. I need to control muzzle rise and plan to install a brake. I could save some time and money if the rifle were already set up with a threaded muzzle. I can get the muzzle threaded, so that is not critical.
This phase of the project does not have a lot of funding and will last only a few months. Use of this rifle will gradually end as the second phase gets started. This will be a project rifle – appearance is not important. It will get worked hard and banged up in live fire tests and then retired early. I really would rather not drop $4K on a custom rifle for such a short project, and I need to start soon. I'm setting a cap at $1,500 for the bare rifle for now. The cost will grow if I need to add a brake, cheek rest and detachable magazine. I also don't want to deal with rifle accuracy problems, so reputation (i.e., your feedback) is more important than minor differences in cost.
A quick survey identified a few factory options below $1,500.
Remington 700 SPS (20" barrel, 10" twist, threaded muzzle, internal magazine).
Savage 10 FCP-SR (20" barrel, 10" twist, threaded muzzle, Accustock, crummy plastic detachable magazine).
Savage 10 FCP HS Precision (24" barrel, 10" twist, internal magazine).
Howa 1500 Heavybarrel Varminter (20" barrel, 10" twist, Hogue stock, plastic detachable magazine).
Weatherby WBY-X Vanguard Kryptek TR (22" barrel, 10" twist, Monte Carlo composite stock, internal mag).
I've never owned any of these model rifles. I'm far from making a decision here. What would you recommend?
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