even MORE rifle questions

[LkWinnipesaukee]

I think my other thread got deleted.

Anyway, I finally decided to get a Savage bolt action in .223

I dont know which one though. I want it to be as accurate as possible (heavy?), while still being light enough to carry around the woods a bit. Suggestions?

I plan on putting a bipod and a scope on it. However, I dont know anything about scopes. I just plan to do long range plinking. Anyone have a link to a 'scope 101' guide or scope suggestions?

Bolt action-- I know what 'long' and 'short' action is, but is there an advantage to either?


Thanks for all your help guys Sorry for my noobishness

 

[rangerruck]

short action are rounds based on short cases , such as 223 or 308. long action is for actions based on rounds such as the 30/06. Most of the Savage rifles have a bit of weight to them anyway, they dont really make a lightweight job.
Just get one of the Savage package deals, they will come with a scope allready. It will be a3by9 power. if this is not enough power, sell your scope at a gunshow for 20 or 25 bucks. and get a varmint power , such as a 18 power or greater. Plan to spend at least 100 bucks for that scope. Such as a Tasco Varmint. Don't go any lower than that in price.

 

[MachIVshooter]

I dont know which one though. I want it to be as accurate as possible (heavy?), while still being light enough to carry around the woods a bit. Suggestions?

Accuracy is affected as heat builds, and a heavier barrel simply takes longer to reach the critical temperature. Sporting weight barrels are capable of very good accuracy, but heat up rapidly. My .25-06's groups will really start to open up if I fire more than an average of 1 round per minute, and will start to spread anyway after about 10 minutes at this pace, Where my heavy-barreled Howa .223 (firing at the same rate) will not start throwing shots until I hit about 20 or so.

I don't know what Savage offers, but Remington offers a compromise "medium contour" fluted model, the LVSF (Light Varmint Synthetic Fluted).

As for scopes, I think Weaver offers the best bang for the buck in regard to varmint scopes. IIRC, I paid about $350 for my Weaver Classic V16 4-16x 44mm fine reticle with 1/8 MOA dot. I can still make out both eyes on a praire dog at over 400 yards. It is mounted on my Remington 700 LVSF .17 Rem.

Bolt action-- I know what 'long' and 'short' action is, but is there an advantage to either?

In identical model rifles, a short action will be a few ounces lighter. Otherwise, no real difference other than the cartridges they handle.

IIRC, only Savage offers a dedicated varmint rifle with a long action, and it was really built around the .25-06.

 

[LkWinnipesaukee]

When I said I dont know anything about scopes, i meant it. I'm trying to look into scopes (lol no pun intended) but dont know what to look for. What 'power' would be appropriate for a 223 rifle?


Thanks

 

[MachIVshooter]

What 'power' would be appropriate for a 223 rifle?

If you intend it to be a varmint gun, a variable with a top end between 12x and 18x and an abjective lens of 40-50mm will work. And you'll want a fine reticle. The .223 has a max range of about 500-600 yards on praire dogs and the like, so you really don't need a 24x or more. Remember, the higher the magnification, the more your movement is amplified. Mirage also can be an issue on hot days.

 

[timothy75]

Here are my findings; I had a .223 10fp for a couple of years and was completly pleased with the rifle. The accutrigger is great and I highly recomend it. I put a Tasco varmiter on it mounted with Leopold 2 piece base and rings. Sure enough while off roading it flew out of the bed of my freinds truck and hit the hard dirt road. The scope lost its zero but after being re sighted in worked just like new so the Tasco varmiter is a decent scope. At 100 yards 1 inch was easy and 4 out of 5 would usually be half inch. At 200 yards I realized the wind meant more than anything. If there was any wind at all it would blow or not blow the group 4 inches laterally, still minute of bunny however. I never pushed it any further or got to mess with elevation knobs since the wind was the controlling factor. So if your serious about 500 yard shooting you may opt for a 308. I mostly enjoyed 50-100 yard shooting and being able to make an eyeball shot if desired. I also put a harris on it but never used it once. Good luck

 

[LkWinnipesaukee]

Changed mind

I think I want a Remington 700 of some sort.

Another question. Do I want a 223 or a 308? Something else? How much of a difference in price for ammo is there? I heard the 223 has a flatter trajectory, does that mean its harder to shoot a 308 accurately?

Again, I just want to do some long range plinking. Something about destroying soda cans a few football fields away amuses me



Somewhat off topic question. Is a 30-06 too much of a round for a guy like me (5'7, 130) to shoot? I'm having a little debate with a friend.

 

[C-grunt]

get the .223

I have a Savage 10 FP in .308 and I would love one in .223. I opted for .308 because it bucks wind better at long distances, but to date, I have only shot it at 200 yards. At a couple hundred yards, I would choose .223 over .308, as it is plenty accurate, cheaper, and has less recoil.

Also I think a 55 grn .223 at over 3000 FPS will blow up a soda more than a 150 grn .308 at 2700 FPS. Look at the ground hog hunting videos. The light wieght high velocity rounds do a lot more damage than a bigger heavier round.

I have found a Nikkon 6-18x40mm scope at Sportsmans Wharehouse for about 350 dollars. I think this would make a great scope for long range plinking.

Also, Im pretty sure there are plenty of guys here your size who shoot bigger rifles than the 30'06. I have a friend who is about your size who shoots a .300WSM and my father is 6' 150lbs and he has no problem with my .308.

 

[gila_dog]

I can't add anything to the technical discussion, but here's my opinion on recoil. How big you are doesn't matter as much as how flexible you are. I have a big brawny friend who gets beat up very badly by recoil no matter what he shoots. I have another skinny friend who can shoot anything without any noticeable damage at all. The big guy is rigid and unyielding, while the skinny guy is limber and flexible. I don't think it's due to their physiques. I think it's more of a personality thing. How does shooting a 12 ga shotgun feel for you? If that doesn't bother you then shooting a 308 won't either. One thing I use when bench rest shooting is a recoil absorbing pad that straps onto my shoulder. You find them in Cabela's and such places. I wouldn't try to use one for hunting but they really help on the bench.

 

[ugaarguy]

Is a 30-06 too much of a round for a guy like me (5'7, 130) to shoot? I'm having a little debate with a friend.

Short answer, No. If you can handle 12ga buckshot or slugs you can handle 308 or 30-06.

The other stuff;
If you want cheap shooting 223 and 308 are easier to find mil surplus ammo for than is 30-06. If you want to plink long range and nothing more get the 223. If you think you might hunt deer sized game as well get the 308. If you hunt with either get new production hunting ammo for that and plink with the surplus stuff. Hunting ammo will be close in price whether 223 or 308. In the surplus ammo the 223 will be slightly cheaper than 308. If soda cans at 2-300 yds are your max range right now a basic 3-9 power 40mm objective scope will work just fine. If you decide you want a super high power varmint scope later you can always move the 3-9 power scope to another rifle. $200 or a little more will get you a Leopold VXI or Burris Fullfield II 3-9x40 scope. Both come with lifetime warranties and either will easily last you a lifetime or more, just like the rifle you mount it to.

 

[halvey]

Changed mind
I think I want a Remington 700 of some sort.

Good choice. If you have $600 and all you want to do is plink out to 300 or less, get a heavy barreled one in .223. Ammo is much cheaper. Even to reload its much cheaper. If you think you will shoot farther, a .308 is great as you can really buck the wind.

Get good glass. Out to 200 a used 3-9 Leupold vari X II would work. If you have more money a VXIII 4.5-14 is fine for target shooting. Power matters, but so does brightness. In a well lit gunstore, all scopes look good. Get them out in the real world and its a whole lot different.

If you don't reload, buy a press. RCBS single stage is good. Get good dies. Get good bullets and good brass.

Don't scrimp.

 

[270Win]

Agreed with the Remington 700 in .223 - I have the VLS and it's outstandingly accurate.