New to the game

[Msax80]

Went to Montana for the first time this spring for a black bear hunt and I seriously underestimated the range I would be shooting at.
I am looking to put together a rifle to eventually hunt bear/elk at further distances and figured this would be a good place to come for suggestions.

Projects are fun and I had read some threads about changing stock and barrel on Remington's and savages...how would this concept work to produce a long range rifle off of a ruger American?

Caliber thoughts appreciated as well.
Thanks in advance and for the info I have already read and gained from.

 

[500mag_guy]

Welcome to the board,

I personally like the 30cals. If your just looking for a good all around hunting rig you can't go wrong with either the Remington nor the savage. Personally I think savage has the upper hand with out of the box accuracy but not to cut the Remington short because they also do very well in the accuracy department. I own 5 rem 700s to my 2 savage rigs. I'd either go with a 300 win mag or a 300 rum. Both great guns!! Personal favorite is the 300 rum.

Where were you hunting bear over here?

Went to Montana for the first time this spring for a black bear hunt and I seriously underestimated the range I would be shooting at.
I am looking to put together a rifle to eventually hunt bear/elk at further distances and figured this would be a good place to come for suggestions.

Projects are fun and I had read some threads about changing stock and barrel on Remington's and savages...how would this concept work to produce a long range rifle off of a ruger American?

Caliber thoughts appreciated as well.
Thanks in advance and for the info I have already read and gained from.

 

[aramarine6]

If you are not looking to go the "custom" route because of money and time constraints. Either the Remington 700 Sendaro or the Savage Long Range Hunter rifles will fill your need nicely. Both can be found for under $1000 and both will shoot the lights out. Also available in multiple calibers of your choosing. Good Luck and welcome to the club.

 

[Msax80]

I was in plains/Thompson falls area. Came close but couldn't get within 450 yards before he vanished.

I was thinking of a custom project, but the savage long range is pretty cool.
How hard/costly is it to build one?
I am thinking it takes an action, trigger, stock, barrel, bedding job and scope mounts.

 

[500mag_guy]

Oh way up there!! Well to bad you could get one but they are quite a work out. Very smart. Distance is my advantage. Lots of glassing way up high!

I was in plains/Thompson falls area. Came close but couldn't get within 450 yards before he vanished.

I was thinking of a custom project, but the savage long range is pretty cool.
How hard/costly is it to build one?
I am thinking it takes an action, trigger, stock, barrel, bedding job and scope mounts.

 

[trebark]

I was in plains/Thompson falls area. Came close but couldn't get within 450 yards before he vanished.

I was thinking of a custom project, but the savage long range is pretty cool.
How hard/costly is it to build one?
I am thinking it takes an action, trigger, stock, barrel, bedding job and scope mounts.

The short answer to your question...it depends.

If what you want to do is hunt bear/elk at longrange, a factory Rem700 or Savage in 300winmag or 300rum would be a great choice. The recommendation of a Remington 700 Sendero is a good one.

As for a custom build, it depends...

for a 'semi-custom' which is to say 'accurize' a factory rifle as much as possible without going full-custom (no rebarrel), you can do it for less than $1000 plus optics

http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f53/nephews-transformed-rifle-53634/

If you want to go full-custom, figure spending $2000+ plus optics

http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f53/my-300rum-mcr-70809/#post494570

 

[roninflag]

most of the answers are - rem sendero and leup 6.5-20.

 

[RT2506]

Once you pick you weapon you really need to spend time shooting at the ranges from the prositions you expect to face while hunting. Elevation is no problem if you have a range finder and all the ballistics programs there are. Reading the wind only comes from experience and that is where you will have to really practice at those longer ranges. + or - a few MPH on your wind can mean the difference in dead on the spot vitals hit and a long track or lost animal with a gut shot at those long ranges. In the words of Dirty Harry "A man has got to know his limitations."

 

[Msax80]

Practice- exactly why I want to get it now for next spring. My follow up post will eventually be on books/schools to learn how to do it right.

Looked at the two options mentioned, how does the a-bolt long range compare to these? Although I like the concept of building one I think your advice to buy one of the options mentioned might be better for me.

 

[trebark]

Practice- exactly why I want to get it now for next spring. My follow up post will eventually be on books/schools to learn how to do it right.

Looked at the two options mentioned, how does the a-bolt long range compare to these? Although I like the concept of building one I think your advice to buy one of the options mentioned might be better for me.

Browning makes a nice rifle. Only trouble is that there are not many aftermarket parts for it. Whereas there are lots of Savage parts and TONS of Rem700 parts and accessories out there to be had.

As for some reading, check out this forum and read all the 'stickys' at the top of the page.

The Basics, Starting Out - Long Range Hunting Online Magazine

 

[RT2506]

It will be hard to beat the Savage. If down the road you want to change calibers all you have to do is purchase a barrel that is already threaded and chambered and with a vice and barrel nut wrench you can change the barrel out in less than 15 minutes yourself. You really don't need head space gauges. Take a FL sized case put a couple pieces of scotch tape on the base of it put it in the chamber screw the barrel in until it stops and tighten up the barrel nut. You can also get new bolt heads to change from mag down to 223 size. Basically the Savage is the big boys tinker toy set. I forgot to mention they really shoot well.

 

[Msax80]

Good points on the savage. I also had thought of a ruger no 1, is that something to consider?
I am leaning towards the savage.

 

[trebark]

Good points on the savage. I also had thought of a ruger no 1, is that something to consider?
I am leaning towards the savage.

Ruger #1 is a nice rifle but few aftermarket parts and accessories. it is also a dedicated single shot rifle. Whereas with a bolt action, you have the choice of making it a single or a repeater.

 

[Msax80]

Ok leaning towards savage long range hunter mentioned above or a semi custom savage build over time.
Found a savage 111 30-06 for over $400. Is this a good option?

I could put a nice scope on then go from there. Thoughts?