Crap... Another "what rifle should I get?" post....

[jazzpaintball]

I know I know, these questions are asked too much, but I am going to ask it again for I am looking for some more specific information than "What rifle do you like?"

I am looking for something to give me some more consistency. I am currently shooting a Savage model 10FP in .223. I reload and am currently getting 3/4-inch groups at 200 yards (15 round groups) and about 20-24 inch groupings at 600 yards. I am looking for something to give me some more consistency with the 600-1000 meter shots. I am already reloading 30-06, but going to another caliber would not be a problem. The major thing at the moment is price. I would love to get a remington 40-x, but can not afford it at this time. Anyone have any input on a new rifle that I have not thought of or tell me a 'yea/ney' on a couple rifles I am currently thinking about: remington 700 (BDL, or the like), Savage 10FP in .308, and/or m1903.

Thank you very much for your time and opinions,
Travis Walthall

[Sean P.]

wow thats a big group at 600 yards for getting a 3/4 inch group at 200.
 At 600 yards it should be more like 2 1/2 inches
The only thing I can think of is maybe the wind is bucking the smaller/lighter bullets from the .223.
So think of a Cal. that you will be able to shoot heavier bullets that will buck the wind better.
But the heavier the bullet the bigger the case needs to be to push it.

[jazzpaintball]

I will be honest, the 20-24 inch group is counting the couple strays that are from wind. The 69gr .224 bullet does well with adjustment against constant wind, but not sudden gusts. Not counting the straglers out of my 10-15 round groups (1-3 rounds usually) the group is about 4-6 inches. Definately something that can probably be taken away with a 130+ grain bullet. I am thinking .308, 30-06, 6mm, and/or 6.5mm. Thats why I am trying to get some more opinions. I know ballistically the best would be the 6/6.5mm or the 06, but due to cost and effectiveness, the .308 is still on the board for sure

Thank you again for the reply, any others would be appreciated,
Travis Walthall

[Sean P.]

 Ya you are right as the ballistic performance of the other cartridges might be better but the one I think that would take the cake would be a 6.5/284.  As far as ballistics its just about the same as a 300 mag but just about no recoil.  It is a very accurate cartridge that people have been using to compete with for years.

[jazzpaintball]

I have been looking into the 6.5mm and the only problem I am having with it is cost. I found a high end Rem 700 BBRL in .308 that may work for me, but I am not counting anything out yet. Thank you again for your input.

Any others would still be appreciated,

Travis Walthall

[Up In Arms Designs]

Hello Travis.

If you are looking at that Remington, you can do a caliber conversion and have a good base rifle. Have you looked at the .260 Rem? Flat shooter, little recoil good round for targets.

When you say "high end" Rem 308, what is it? Custom stock/barrel, mag feed?

[SamM.]

Yes 260rem is a great cal. If u dont know what it looks like ... More like the .243 just alittle bigger. Same recoil, very close in powder gr. just u can get a 140gr bullet. Great BC.