.308 Best Way Forward?

[Zilberbak]

Having now got the .308 on ticket the hard job is choosing which one and having exhausted forums and reviews both sides of the Atlantic my as brain started to fry.

My main aim is to target shooting out long distance 1000yds tops and more likely to 400 to 600 yds.

My local shooting shop is suggesting a Remington 700 in the cheapest stock and then fit in to an AI stock without much more than fitting a suitable scope on top. This fits with my expectation of a look, but not sure on the performance.

The alternatives are considering a SYSS or Armalon “worked” rifle with new barrel, trigger, etc. etc. These are likely to be Ferraris in the hands of a learner driver.

Having popped in to the Exeter Sportmans Centre (my job luckily gets me around) and seeing a Steyr SSG 04 already to go for around the same price makes me think am I being too blinkered with the Remington/AI solution?

I suppose the question is am I better off saving my money and working through to a “tricked” rifle as and when (and if) I get better.

Any one's thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Apologies if this is a much repeated question.

[alextwogun]

AI AW.

[ovenpaa]

Having popped in to the Exeter Sportmans Centre (my job luckily gets me around) and seeing a Steyr SSG 04 already to go for around the same price makes me think am I being too blinkered with the Remington/AI solution?

At the risk of getting flamed the Remington 700 is a fine rifle if accepted for what it is, a good competent 600 yard rifle that is fun out to 800/1000 however it is unlikely to return precision shooting unless you throw some money at it. The accepted practice is to 'blue print' or true the action (I have my own views on this) followed by hanging a longer barrel on the end, barrel length = increased muzzle velocity which is important for longer distances. SO now you have an average action supporting a huge lump for which it was never truly designed. Add to this the AICS type chassis and you have an odd system which a conflict of design and practicality interests. Yes it will shoot however to get the MV's you need to really push the loads which is never a wise move.

Add to this the cost, that barrel has cost you GBP650 if you were lucky, the chassis S/H another GBP600 plus the original donor rifle, most of which is lying on the floor.... and all this before you even started to look at rings or glass or bipods.

I think at this stage you need to ask yourself what you want to shoot with the rifle, if it is F/TR then look down a different avenue, if it is quite serious 800/1000 yard shooting with the occasional club competition then grab the Steyr, it will shoot well, in fact probably better than you will for the first couple of years or so, it will stand many thousands or relatively hot loads and teach you so much and in 2-3 years time if you want to move on a bit then you should still be able to sell it for a reasonable price, of course you may just decide to keep it for a bit longer.

I have shot everything from .22LR to 7mm wildcats in F Open, we have many rifles here yet the one rifle that really makes me smile and always does as I expect is an ageing and rather scruffy AI/AE (Yes, the Tesco value version) with a modest 4-16 PMII on top. It never ceases to impress me and just keeps going and I am quite happy to compete at club level with it even after 10k rounds through it.

Just my thoughts on the matter....

[Alpha1]

Find your self a nice second hand Steyr SSG P1 with a Kahles scope on top job done. When you have learnt your craft sell it to fund your race gun. I love mine and I am not good enough to make full use of its accuracy. It just shoots were you point it brilliant. Just about every body in my club owns one.

[phaedra1106]

I have to say I'm very happy with my SSG-04, but then again I got it for under £900

There's no way I'd pay over £2200 for one, for that sort of money you can get a custom rifle from someone like Dolphin.

[ovenpaa]

The SSG04 was under GBP1800 last time I looked and GBP2200 does not get you a lot of Dolphin rifle either.

[phaedra1106]

Just over £2236.99 for the 308 at Sportsman http://www.sportsmanguncentre.co.uk/pro ... yr+SSG+04/

I know the basic (if I can use that word!) Dolphin single shot is around £2360 but I did say "like Dolphin" smile2

[Alpha1]

I paid £650 for my SSG P1 with the kahles scope two ten round mags two five round mags and a hard carry case and a load of reloading data. The best £650 I have ever spent I have been offered double that for it.

[Sim G]

RPA Interceptor. Single shot or magazine fed, Archer barrels, Robertson stocks and a British made action with an accuracy pedigree.....

[Andy632]

Nowt wrong with a Savage Mod 12 F/TR or Mod 12 Palma. Reasonable rifle out of the box and doesn't require the 'fettling' that a Rem 700 does.