Decisions, Decisions...

[TattooedGun]

OK, So I've been shooting full bore for a year now, I've got my RPA Ranger (Quadlite .308) and its set up with Diopters - and I'm learning to shoot jacketted and slung, as I do weekly smallbore... its lots of fun and I'm learning a great deal about just how to shoot.

Now when I signed up for my FAC, I kept a slot open in .223, because at the time I wanted a straight pull AR15... now the lust for one is still there, but I know I can get much better accuracy from a bolt action, and well, I'd rather shoot the centre out of the target than hope to be near the bull based on the accuracy of the weapon.

But thats not really my dilemma. Since taking up full bore I've got into reloading and I've developed loads and bought the equipment. Now I know its not really that expensive to get some new dies for .223, but I'm wondering if I should change my spare .223 slot for another .308 and just stick with the one calibre. After shooting one of the other guys AICS stocked remi last shoot, I'm stupidly tempted to say screw .223 and go with the heavier .308 as it'll buck the wind more efficiently, but generally I only shoot between 300-600 yards.

But theres so many options!! I have no idea what to do.

Its an invariable mine field out there. I'd really quite like to build something like an M24, so a decent stock (HS?), magazine fed (I know, not quite as accurate as a solid action, single fed), Timney Trigger? Harris Bipod, and a scope (I've been looking at Millett LRS-1 6-25x56 35mm - looks quite good for the price).

So calibre? .223 should be accurate for what I need. But then I couldn't take that rifle out to 1000 yards and expect to do any good with it, whereas a .308 I could.

I missed out on a savage .223 on guntrader the other day. would have been an excellent starting position at only £500, but someone already put a deposit on it before I could get there (it was when the snow had hit).

What do we reckon, go with my first choice of .223, bite the bullet and grab the dies and loading equipment I'll need for the smaller cartridge (aswell as the fact I can't get cheap (free) brass for .223, whereas I can for .308). and learn to read the wind on that calibre, or stick with .308 all round and put in for variation?

I just don't know what to do. Anyone want to list some pro's and con's of both?

[TattooedGun]

I realise This whole post may not make any sense, but if you think its hard to read, try living in this brain!!

[Sim G]

I realise This whole post may not make any sense, but if you think its hard to read, try living in this brain!!

Well, it wasn't too bad till you said;

So calibre? .223 should be accurate for what I need. But then I couldn't take that rifle out to 1000 yards and expect to do any good with it, whereas a .308 I could.

Too bleeding right the .223 can go out to a 1000 and be bleeding good at it as well! Stop blathering man!! Get that .223 and be done with it....... Oh and only a Savage will do!!

[Mike357]

Lots of good 223/Savage stuff in previous editions of TS!

[TattooedGun]

I realise This whole post may not make any sense, but if you think its hard to read, try living in this brain!!

Well, it wasn't too bad till you said;

So calibre? .223 should be accurate for what I need. But then I couldn't take that rifle out to 1000 yards and expect to do any good with it, whereas a .308 I could.

Too bleeding right the .223 can go out to a 1000 and be bleeding good at it as well! Stop blathering man!! Get that .223 and be done with it....... Oh and only a Savage will do!!

I shoulda taken you up on yours last year! Stupid really :(

Where to start then? Savages are soo overpriced in this country :(

[John25]

Get the .223.

Also get a couple at least,spare slots on the certificate.

Don't swap your .308 until you know that you can outshoot it, or the barrel wears out.

:cheers:

[20series]

Where to start then? Savages are soo overpriced in this country :(

And everything else isn't!! Ring Suart at Osprey Rifles and have a chat, he was doing some deals at the shooting show I'm sure he'd be will to haggle a bit!!

get on with it! :shakeshout: :shakeshout:

Alan

[TattooedGun]

Get the .223.

Also get a couple at least,spare slots on the certificate.

Don't swap your .308 until you know that you can outshoot it, or the barrel wears out.

:cheers:

Unfortunately I am at my limit (The cabinet used to be classed as a 10 gun cabinet when my dad had it, but the FEO said it was max of 5 when he came and saw it.... a joke, even when I questioned it!).

My .308 was bought with the intention of never needing to swap it out. Brand new barrel to start with, so should see me for a few seasons yet, and then swap barrel again when shot out... but the rifle is accurate enough to win the imperial... it's me thats not!

I think I need to decide on exactly what I want before I can ring and Haggle anything at the moment... I def want mag fed, and a decent length barrel (26" enough for .223?), scope rail would be necessary, I guess the rest I dunno?!

[AHPP]

OK, So I've been shooting full bore for a year now, I've got my RPA Ranger (Quadlite .308) and its set up with Diopters - and I'm learning to shoot jacketted and slung, as I do weekly smallbore... its lots of fun and I'm learning a great deal about just how to shoot.

Now when I signed up for my FAC, I kept a slot open in .223, because at the time I wanted a straight pull AR15... now the lust for one is still there, but I know I can get much better accuracy from a bolt action, and well, I'd rather shoot the centre out of the target than hope to be near the bull based on the accuracy of the weapon.

I doubt you can outshoot a decent rifle of any design. Black guns are cool. If you want one, get one.

But thats not really my dilemma. Since taking up full bore I've got into reloading and I've developed loads and bought the equipment. Now I know its not really that expensive to get some new dies for .223, but I'm wondering if I should change my spare .223 slot for another .308 and just stick with the one calibre. After shooting one of the other guys AICS stocked remi last shoot, I'm stupidly tempted to say screw .223 and go with the heavier .308 as it'll buck the wind more efficiently, but generally I only shoot between 300-600 yards.

.308 isn't particularly good in the wind. If you stoke up heavy bullets it'll be better but kick like hell. Heavy bullets in a .223 will do well in the wind and won't do for your shoulder.

But theres so many options!! I have no idea what to do.

Its an invariable mine field out there. I'd really quite like to build something like an M24, so a decent stock (HS?), magazine fed (I know, not quite as accurate as a solid action, single fed), Timney Trigger? Harris Bipod, and a scope (I've been looking at Millett LRS-1 6-25x56 35mm - looks quite good for the price).

Sniper rifles are cool. Various M24 or M40 incarnations, AI, Sako TRG, DTA and so on or just a tacticool somethingorother of your own design.

So calibre? .223 should be accurate for what I need. But then I couldn't take that rifle out to 1000 yards and expect to do any good with it, whereas a .308 I could.

.223 will go to 1000. So will .308. So will other calibres.

I missed out on a savage .223 on guntrader the other day. would have been an excellent starting position at only £500, but someone already put a deposit on it before I could get there (it was when the snow had hit).

What do we reckon, go with my first choice of .223, bite the bullet and grab the dies and loading equipment I'll need for the smaller cartridge (aswell as the fact I can't get cheap (free) brass for .223, whereas I can for .308). and learn to read the wind on that calibre, or stick with .308 all round and put in for variation?

I just don't know what to do. Anyone want to list some pro's and con's of both?

Suggest you get a .223 and a slot for another .308 (can later be changed free of charge to a different calibre if you want).

As for the gun cabinet, put 5 rifles and 5 cricket bats in there next time a firearms bod is coming to look at it.

[HeatherW762]

You could always have a dual purpose 308 for the longer distances, just remove target sights (depending on which ones you have - I could remove both front & back sights easily on mine) and put a scope on it. Then you get the 223 and have 3 guns for the price of two!! :shakeshout:

Heather