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Target Rifle
buckhunterscott
Member Posts: 13 ✭✭
I am interested in purchasing a target rifle. I am trying to decide what would be the best package. I am looking at a Savage or Remington Varmint, stainless, fluted, heavy barrel. I am also looking at a minimum of a 20 power scope. It will mostly be used for target shooting. What do most of you shoot? 308, 260, 243, 223, or 22-250 are the calibers that I am looking at. I am leaning towards 243 or bigger just in case I want to take it to a power line and shoot a deer with it. What do you all recommend? Scope, rifle, caliber
Thanks,
Thanks,
Comments
Need some advice.
Looks like I'm gonna buy another
target rifle sooner than I
thought(got the bug real bad)
I'm gonna buy a remington 700 VLS
but I don't know whether to go 7mm-08
or 243. Looking for some answers to issues
about accuracy , felt recoil.I've had some
experience with the 7mm-08 but to be perfectly
honest I don't remember much about it.
If the 7mm-08 is a tack driver like my 308
and the 243 is so-so ,I guess my questions
and concerns would probably be answered.
I love my hvy bbl 223 but I NEED another caliber
and I don't want to break out my 308 or 270,
too much recoil
Thanks ever so much.
ps please don't tell the boss(wifey)
For strictley a flat shooting reaching out there type of cal the 22-250 is quite a surprise. I have a friend who has a browning with a 1000 yard scope and its a scary accurate rifle.
Of the rounds you have listed the best ballistics will be found with the .243 and the .260. the .22 don't have enough weight to make a very ballistically efficient bullet out past 600 yds. the .243 just gets into that realm. The .260 sits right smack in the middle of about the best ballistically efficient bullets.
As for rifles, The only way to gaurantee super accuracy is to have one custom built. You can get lucky though, as I have some very accurate rifles off the shelf but nothing like what I have seen custom built shoot. Since you mentioned Savage, I think they are about the best deal as far as off the shelf accuracy. Some people will say that Remington holds that title still. Anyhow I was looking at a 25-06 Savage 112BVSS or a 7mm-08 in the 12BVSS. With the right bullets either will easily go out to 1000 yds. I say 1000 because you seem to want to be able to shoot long distances accurately. I have seen a few custom long range rifles in 30-06, .300 WSM and Win mag. and in .338 Lapua. They will go the distance but they do have a bit of recoil associated with them.
I don't recommend the .308 as 1st anymore. I used to be enamored with it because I saw it in action when I was in the service. However, after shooting one a while and comparing it to the .25's, 6.5's and 7mm's I've found that bullets made for the latter three are generally more efficient. The .308 is a good round but isn't quite big enough to push the better .30 cal bullets fast enough. Something to consider along this is how much drift you will encounter. Drop on any given day can be comensated for. Drift will drive you nuts if you are shooting lighter bullets fast in changing winds. The key there is heavy enough bullets with the ability to push them fast enough. The 6.5's center on good speed vs. heavy bullet weights.
There will be a bunch of different ideas come along. read through and hope it helps you decide where to start.
If you are going for short range(100-300 yds) The .223 or .22-250 would be more than adequate. Again the custom idea comes up again in that you might be able to find a 6PPC or 6mmBR out there for that.