What would you pick for a "sniper" rifle?

[datruth]

This is my rifle, There are many like it but this one is mine

And by no way does having it make me a sniper, I just started shooting at 200 yards this saturday that just past and that a long way , im military and not a shooter but Im interested in long range shooting as well, but I have a savage 110 in 30-06 with rifle and scope combo and added a choate ultimate varmit stock and bi pod, I was at the range and a guy sat down with a remy 700 with a nightforce scope and I was thinking he would shoot circles around me , that was not the case, I was more impressed at my groupings with my cheap little rifle and walmart rounds than his groupings. But gear matters , dont get me wrong, at 250-1000yard he would outshoot me , but It may be on glass alone, maybe. Im learning that I would spend more next time around on a long range rifle and good glass because looking through his and looking through my little simmons 3x9 where like night and day I , but more will be spent on practice ammo and time invested.I need more money for what I want pretty much a set up similar to the acticle n long range shting n zak smiths page, Im a rookie too and learning a lot from this site, but I think practice trumps high dollar
equipment if you dont know how to use it?

 

[jordan1948]

If the price range was higher sayy $3200 for just the rifle I'd go with the military M24 .308, but with the current price range I'd go with the remington version which they claim is supposed to have the same accuracy

 

[seeker_two]

Why not a NEF single-shot with a good scope?.....you're only firing one shot at a time anyway....

 

[Springfield_1911SS]

id take some version of a remington m700 in .308

 

[CoryS]

Anything from Tac Ops, Remington 700 or Howa 1500 varmit-all in .308

 

[sarduy]

Remington 700 SPS Varmin/Tactical .308

 

[Jst1mr]

Unless you're military or Tactical LE, dry up the "sniper" talk. Long range shooting is an art and a joy to many - being a "sniper" is something else all together. You do this forum a disservice with your ghillie-draped fantasies, IMHO...take the training, do the job, then see how you feel.

 

[Zoogster]

You need significantly more powerful calibers than traditionaly thought of for the role if the targets will be wearing body armor with SAPI plates.
That would be the case in foriegn invasion or tyranny.

For example there is cases of US infantry in Iraq being shot with the 7.62x54 from Dragunovs who got back up shortly after.
The 7.62x54 is about equal to the 30-06, and the .308 is slightly weaker than the 30-06.
So for your theoretical situation many traditional 'sniper' platforms are unsuitable. They are ideal against unarmored targets, not those wearing modern gear expecting to face rifles.

Most foriegn or domestic forces would be in such body armor if expecting to be shot at. So whether stationed in checkpoints, or engaged in operations they expect to face rifle fire most traditional 'sniper' platforms would be unsuitable.

 

[elmerfudd]

I think I would go with either a Remington 700 or a Savage with a heavy barrel in .243 WSSM. I'd probably top it with a SS scope and add a Harris bipod.

That should keep it within the original price range and still provide a decent long range shooter.

 

[browningguy]

This would be mine, Savage 12 FV in .243 ($499), Sharpshooter Supply LVT Stock ($299), Weaver 6.5-20 scope ($229 with bases and rings). Ok, the scope was on sale but that's what I got it for. All were purchased new within the past year. It shoots consistantly in the mid .3's at 100 yards and holds 1/2 MOA out to 600 which is as far as I have shot it.



But the same gun in .308 would work just as well, just a little more recoil. For those that don't know, the .243 will shoot flatter than a .308 out to 1000 yards using the 105 gr. bullets and heavier.

 

[Omnivore]

Anything that shoots well.

 

[jrfoxx]

I have PM'd Art Eatman to lock this old thread for me.

Inspite of my best of intentions and explanations at the time, the topic just didnt go over like I had thought it would, and I'd rather not see it resurrected a year later now, and cause possible arguments, bashing, quibbling, misunderstanding, etc.

I tried to put a new and interesting twist on the old "what rifle for a modern well regulated millitia" theme, with no harm or offense of any kind intended, and IMHO, I failed.

It's not like It got nasty or out of hand, but based on some of the comments, and having seen many of the post in other threads where the word "sniper" is in any way mentioned, I fear it is likely to go down hill, as it seemed to usually do in other threads after that were similar.

Lets please let this one die until Art can lock it at my request.

Thanks all.

 

[Art Eatman]

Done.