Hello all, first post here. I'm young and just starting my collection, but I have loved shooting all my life. I thought some of you who have been at this longer than I have could help me make a decision on my next rifle. I want to get the best advice possible, so please bear with me on the details as this may get lengthy.
Basically, I'm looking for an inexpensive rifle that has great accuracy, durability, and range. I don't care too much about weight or looks. I want to use it for target shooting (1-2 times weekly) and hunting (maybe twice per year). I want the capability of taking large game (elk) at long distances (800 or more yards). Targets at my range go out to 800 yards and I want to be able to reliably hit a silhouette at that range 9 times out of 10 or better. I want to be able to take a buck at whatever range I see it at (I don't want to see a buck 1000 yards out and hike up one mountain and down another just to find that it's gone).
I have decided to go with a Remington 700, because funds are limited, and I want to be able to customize my rifle as I can afford to do so. From what I understand, remmys have the most available aftermarket parts and are easy to gunsmith. Also, the basic actions and everything are the same, so I want to go with a low end one for now (i.e. ADL) and when I can I want to restock, put a new trigger in, possibly rebarrel, etc. I will, however, be receptive to other suggestions such as Savage or others in my price range.
My dilemma lies mainly in two things
1) Caliber
2) Barrel contour
All the rifles I've looked at either don't have the heavy barrel I'm looking for or don't come in larger calibers for the range I want.
So I guess my question is, which is a better sacrifice between barrel contour and large calibers for range? I've been looking at the following 3 rifles:
1)700 ADL Varmint, which goes up to .308 and has the heavy contour barrel,
2) the 700 ADL wood tech which goes up to 7mm Rem. Mag, comes with Bushnell Banner 3-9x40 scope, but has normal barrel,
3) The regular 700 ADL which goes up to .300 Win. Mag with regular barrel contour. Comes with throwaway scope, but is the cheapest of all three.
All of these are under $500 (I.e. within my budget). They all have 26" barrels.
So between those three, given that I will be using for long range target shooting and hunting which do you all think I should go with? Is the .308 large enough for my needs, or should I move up to the 7mm rem. mag or .300 win mag? I've been thinking and researching for months, this is the first time I've asked for help. If you made it this far into my post and are willing to help, God Bless you.
Also, I plan to buy a reloading kit soon, so hopefully that will help with ammo cost if I choose the larger calibers.
Thanks!
Basically, I'm looking for an inexpensive rifle that has great accuracy, durability, and range. I don't care too much about weight or looks. I want to use it for target shooting (1-2 times weekly) and hunting (maybe twice per year). I want the capability of taking large game (elk) at long distances (800 or more yards). Targets at my range go out to 800 yards and I want to be able to reliably hit a silhouette at that range 9 times out of 10 or better. I want to be able to take a buck at whatever range I see it at (I don't want to see a buck 1000 yards out and hike up one mountain and down another just to find that it's gone).
I have decided to go with a Remington 700, because funds are limited, and I want to be able to customize my rifle as I can afford to do so. From what I understand, remmys have the most available aftermarket parts and are easy to gunsmith. Also, the basic actions and everything are the same, so I want to go with a low end one for now (i.e. ADL) and when I can I want to restock, put a new trigger in, possibly rebarrel, etc. I will, however, be receptive to other suggestions such as Savage or others in my price range.
My dilemma lies mainly in two things
1) Caliber
2) Barrel contour
All the rifles I've looked at either don't have the heavy barrel I'm looking for or don't come in larger calibers for the range I want.
So I guess my question is, which is a better sacrifice between barrel contour and large calibers for range? I've been looking at the following 3 rifles:
1)700 ADL Varmint, which goes up to .308 and has the heavy contour barrel,
2) the 700 ADL wood tech which goes up to 7mm Rem. Mag, comes with Bushnell Banner 3-9x40 scope, but has normal barrel,
3) The regular 700 ADL which goes up to .300 Win. Mag with regular barrel contour. Comes with throwaway scope, but is the cheapest of all three.
All of these are under $500 (I.e. within my budget). They all have 26" barrels.
So between those three, given that I will be using for long range target shooting and hunting which do you all think I should go with? Is the .308 large enough for my needs, or should I move up to the 7mm rem. mag or .300 win mag? I've been thinking and researching for months, this is the first time I've asked for help. If you made it this far into my post and are willing to help, God Bless you.
Also, I plan to buy a reloading kit soon, so hopefully that will help with ammo cost if I choose the larger calibers.
Thanks!