• If you are being asked to change your password, and unsure how to do it, follow these instructions. Click here

Indecision

T

tdregs13

Member
Joined
Sep 3, 2011
Messages
17
Hi all,

I going to put it bluntly: I am stuck. I cannot decide which caliber I want my first long-range rifle to be in. I am relatively new, but recoil is not too big of an issue, so I have been looking at the .308, .243, and the .223. I realize that there is a relatively steep learning curve, so I want something that is somewhat cheap to shoot (although with ammo prices the way they are now, I'm not sure that's so much of an issue) to get some trigger time in.

For the .308 I have looked at the Savage 10FCP McMillan, the .243 is still up in the air as well as the .223. Budget is give or take $1000. I would also like to factor in longevity, as in how long the rifle will last before a barrel change, etc. And I know the .243 is a barrel burner, but I don't think that after 1500 factory rounds that I would be able to discern a decrease in accuracy. I digress, advice would be much appreciated. Take care.:)
 
My experience tells me that, although it's a very accurate round, the .223 just doesn't carry well enough to handle those targets beyond 600 yards. The .243, which is the rifle I might ordinarily choose from your list, doesn't fit your economical shooting requirement. You could easily be changing barrels every 1500 rounds or so.
In my mind, it's simple; I'd opt for the .308.
 
I think the 308 is the best choice of your listed options. I begsn my long range shooting years ago with this cartridge and believe it was a great cartridge for long range skill devopment. I agree with MR that the Rem 700 Milspec is also an excellent choice. Bought my first Milspec about 10 years ago and to this day the three I have owned are the most accurate factory rifle I have shot....right out of the box. Accessories and upgrades are readily available and it makes an excellent platform should you want to rebarrel or change your cartridge. While maximum accuracy
can be achieved with reloads, they will shoot better than .5MOA with Fed Match 168/175 factory ammo.
 
go with the 308. Look on Savageshooters.com for good deals on savages.

Be sure and buy a 10 twist, if at all possible. You will find it will be more versatile later when going up in bullet weight.

New IMR4166, 4064 are good powders with 175 SMKS to get started. Later jump up to the Berger 185s

Really easy to get good loads and barrels will last forever.
 
I also have 2 of the savage 10Fp's in .308 and both shoot excellent 5 shots cut the same hole @100 yards, it took a little while to get it broke in as after 60 or so shots it settled right in.
 

Attachments

  • IMAG0053.jpg
    IMAG0053.jpg
    128.3 KB · Views: 55
If you can find a 5R Milspec in 308, then get it. I have had one for about 10 years and it will shoot one hole with 5 shots at 100 yards and will do .5 at 200. These are amazingly accurate guns right out of the box.
 
Rick Richard said:
If you can find a 5R Milspec in 308, then get it. I have had one for about 10 years and it will shoot one hole with 5 shots at 100 yards and will do .5 at 200. These are amazingly accurate guns right out of the box.
Click to expand...

I have never seen a Milaec that didn't shoot well.

This is mine. Top groups 100 yard/5 shots left Factory Federal Match 168. Right top; 168 Handload.. Bottom 200 yards 168 hand load, I got excited and pulled the last shot.

57aa96d0ac6ba29f71e309dd61e6481e_zps7324471f.jpg
 
Don't forget the 6.5 creedmoor :) Its a bad*ss round, easy to shoot and load for plus really versatile. You can smack critters or steel with authority out to 1000yds.
Happy new year!!
Chris
Benchmark
 
if economics are in the mix then I also agree for 308. You can find ammo everywhere for it on the cheap. This will allow you to practice for cheap. Barrel life is long as well. As others have said it will get you out to 600 yards on critters and further on steel/targets. People do not realize the amount of shooting practice one should do before they start shooting at live critters. Im talking hundreds of rounds. When you start shooting past 300 yards you now need to take multiple things into account let alone how well you or your rifle shoot. You will need a really good rangefinder (leica for example). You will need to start being able to read wind...not just where you are but where the target is and everywhere in between. Personally if you really are new I would spend money on a decent but not crazy expensive 308 such as a Remington 700 5r, sendero SFii, longrange hunter or any of the savage equivalent models (they also have a long range hunter model) which is very budget friendly AND actually has been known to be real awesome shooter. Then buy yourself a decent scope (check out the vortex viper PST or HS-T) models. Then buy yourself the leica rangefinder. This will all cost you from 1500-3000 dollars depending if you find good deals or buy used. Now you need to find a load your rifle likes, whether this is factory loads or your own hand loads. Then you need to go out and start banging some targets!!! and have fun :)

Cheap route;

savage long range hunter: $850-950ish at gunshops but I have seen them on gunbroker new for ~700-800.
Vortex HS-T : 4-16X44 ~500-600new. Do not know how much they go for used.
Decent scope rings: Talley onepiece base and rings will be fine ~40-60bucks
leica range finder: 600+ dollars depending on model and whether you find it used.

You WILL need a range finder if you do not already have one and trust me, you want a good one. Many range finders will claim they can go to 1000 yards but this is ONLY on reflective targets. Deer sized game will actually be less than half this value. Leica 1600 is a great range finder and will work every time.
 
deadlift said:
Don't forget the 6.5 creedmoor :) Its a bad*ss round, easy to shoot and load for plus really versatile. You can smack critters or steel with authority out to 1000yds.
Happy new year!!
Chris
Benchmark
Click to expand...

this is only a viable option if he reloads
 
If it is often windy in your area, then go for heavier bullets.

I noticed that any calibers shoot 2900-3000fps will have a similar elevation moa except the wind drift.
The 243 with 105 Berger Hybrid will shoot a lot flatter and less wind drift.
You have to decide how "often" do you shoot over 500 yards. My choice would be 284 WIN.
 
The Hornady factory match (6.5 creedmoor) 140's are a great way to go. And when I wanna reload I will run the Berger 130 hunting VLD. Another fun one is the 6.5x280 ack, but you need to reload for that one.
Chris
Benchmark
 
Warning! This thread is more than 10 years ago old.
It's likely that no further discussion is required, in which case we recommend starting a new thread. If however you feel your response is required you can still do so.

Recent Posts

Top