Looking to purchase precision .308 rifle, opinions wanted

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rfleming

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I am looking for opinions on a large purchase I am planning within the next two months.

I have always wanted a precision long range rifle to make nice small groups of holes in paper at 500 plus yards. I have no real practical use for rifle like this; I have just wanted one for a long time. Having a roommate that was a USMC Scout Sniper is also a “bad” influence!

I am currently torn between the following rifles:

Savage 10FP wearing a McMillan or HS precision stock in .308

Weatherby Vanguard Sub-MOA Varmint in .308

Tikka T3 Tactical 24” in .308

Whatever stick I end up purchasing I intend to sling an IOR 4-10 scope on it for glass. I have been very impressed by the IOR optics I have seen, and dollar for dollar in their price range everyone seems to agree you cannot find a clearer scope. And I really like their MP-8 reticule.

I know that no matter what I buy, when I round out my kit I will be at least $2300 - $2500 and that is fine by me. This will be the most money I have ever slapped down for a single firearm, chump change for some, but a huge investment for me.

There are plenty of great rifles in similar price ranges to the above but these are the three that catch my fancy. I am willing to look at other options but I am most interested in opinions and comparisons of the above three.

So let your opinions fly and please state if you have had trigger time or just anecdotal experience with the rifle(s) you are commenting on. Both are good, I just want to know the basis of your opinion.

Thanks again and I look forward to reading you comments.

-Rob
 
I have owned your choices, but not in .308. They are all good. Handle all ans see which calls to YOU. Essex
 
Of those, the Savage probably has the best selection of bases, rings, and stocks. If you can afford one, a Remington 700 is the base on which many, many precision rifles are built, the "small block" if you will, and there are more accessories for it than any other rifle for this purpose. On the scope, in that price range I strongly encourage you to go Leupold. I have been negatively impressed by the reliability of IOR scopes.

PRACTICAL LONG-RANGE RIFLE SHOOTING - PART I: THE RIFLE & GEAR
 
rfleming,

Take a good look at the FN SPR. Winchester CRF action, McMillan stock, 20MOA picatinny rail, and a target-grade chrome-lined barrel that will last d@mn near forever.

Don
 
Try a Remington 700

I just checked my collection for .308's for long range work . I have a Ruger 77,a Savage 110, and a Remington 700 PSP. They all shoot far better then I do. Somedays the Prarrie Dogs would just fall down laughing at me. But personally my favorite is the Remington 700. I'm kind of old fashioned, still using 168gr BTHP's but they get the job done.
 
I would get a savage. So many more options. If you want a different caliber say a .338 all you have to do is get another barrel and bolt face swap them, check your gauges and your good to go. Plus getting the headspace right is a whole lot easier than on a remington. To be fair all will shoot well but in the end for long range shooting its the shooter.
 
What model is the new Savage that was printing 1/2" groups at 500 yards? Not .5 MOA, 1/2" at 50 yards! That is the rifle I want.
 
rfleming,
My favorite .308 is my Rem 700 PSS. I also really like Savage rifles and my next bolt gun will probably be a Savage. I think all of your choices are good and agree with Essex's advice. Handle them all and see which one you like the best.

Doc2005,
I recently read an article (Shooting Times, I think) about Savage's new "12 F/TR Precision Target Rifle". I believe they said that they got 0.8" groups at 500 yards with hand loads and somewhere around 2" at 500 yards with factory ammo. What really interests me is that they are bringing out that same basic rifle in 6.5x284.

Mo
 
What model is the new Savage that was printing 1/2" groups at 500 yards?
Click to expand...

Go to savages site and click on Whats new for 2007

There are two that could do it I am putting them both here. Savage is the only company that really listens to what its customers want THANK YOU SAVAGE:D :D

12 F/TR Precision Target Rifle ( Pic #1)

Laminated stock with adjustable cheek piece, rounded forend and bipod rail
Target AccuTrigger adjustable from 6 oz. to 2 ½ lbs
Right bolt, Right port short action receiver
Smaller ejection port for extra rigidity
30" Extra-heavy stainless barrel
Chambered in .308 Winchester
MSRP $1142


12 F Class Precision Target Rifle (Pic #2)

Laminated flat bottomed stock with extra-wide ventilated forend
Target AccuTrigger adjustable from 6 oz. to 2 ½ lbs
Right bolt, right port short action receiver
Smaller ejection port for extra rigidity
30" Extra-heavy stainless barrel
Chambered in 6.5 X 284 NORMA
MSRP $1211
 

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Try the Savage

And if you need to grow into something else later.

Mine is 11 years old and is always a pleasure.

bkt099-1.gif

I think the rifle was $406 new.

:cool:
 
+1 more for the Savage Model 12 F/TR

Just requested all the literature I could get from Savage on it yesterday. I read a Shooting times article on it and sounds convinceing...especially for 1200 Retail...so maybe high 3 digits.

I must admit I've never owned a savage, but friends to do brag to me about their accuracy and hopefully in the next 6 months I'll own one the F/TR.

Good luck in your search.
 
Rfleming;

I believe, I'm not where I can get to the American Rifleman to be sure, that the NRA just gave "Rifle Of The Year" to the Tikka tactical in .308. That's a pretty heavy endorsement in my book.

900F
 
Savage 10-FP and Leupold scope will be the best value for the money.

That is what I have, no complaints here.

Once you get it, shoot it a lot, you will want all the practice you can get.
 
I would recommend the Savage 10fp w/hs stock. I purchased one recently and have been developing loads for it. I took it out last week and shot a .2 MOA group at 100 yards...most groups were around .6 MOA, and nothing was over .8 MOA. I had alot of people watching me shoot that day!
With the money you save by getting a Savage, you can put the rest into a better scope and rings, and maybe even an aftermarket barrell. Changing out barrells takes 10 minutes.
 
Don't do yourself the disservice of overlooking the Winchester Model 70 Stealth series. You can still find them on the market -- look for the Stealth over the Stealth II, if possible. Both are fine precision rifles right out of the box, and 'smithing can turn them into real works of art. The original Stealth came with an HS Precision stock, which (having owned both in .308) I believe is superior to the Stealth II's Bell & Carlson stock.

I took mine out of the box, cleaned it, threw on Badger Ord rail & rings, and a Leupold 6.5-20x50 LR/T M1, and headed to the range. Before any truing, lapping, trigger work, etc...that darn Stealth threw 5 rounds of 168gr. Fed GMM into a 3/8" spread at 100y. I almost hated to send it away for "refinement".

It's also accounted for a couple of deer -- overkill, I know!

FWIW,
Rich
 
Last edited:
I recently read an article (Shooting Times, I think) about Savage's new "12 F/TR Precision Target Rifle". I believe they said that they got 0.8" groups at 500 yards with hand loads and somewhere around 2" at 500 yards with factory ammo. What really interests me is that they are bringing out that same basic rifle in 6.5x284.
Click to expand...
:what: :what:

All for about $1200... where do I get one?
 
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