Long Range Rifle

[scalce]

I was looking to pickup a 223 long barrel for long range fun but now I am thinking a 308 would be better.

What is a good first 308 bolt action?

Are the gas operated 308s any good?

Any other companies and models to look at?

If you are using a bolt action does it matter if you used polymer cased Wolf since there is no extractor and it is not cycling fast?

Someone at my range was talking about a 308 that the police and military use and it is pretty accurate right out of the box.

[beaterar]

Dude , first off its kinda an Oxymoron to ask about the ability of a long range rifle to shoot Wolf.here is a fun game weigh a box of 308 match ammo, weigh each bullet alone, then weight 20 rounds of wolf 308. For accurate shooting you will need quality ammo that is consistent, High end stuff or reloads.

The 308 carries its weight much better then 223 so it is generally more stable a bullet over the long range. 223 is subject to many outside forces that are present as the bullets travels down range. With that said it sounds like it would be a good long time before you could out shoot the 223 so it may be a cheaper option. How long is the range you shoot at and do you want the man stopping ability or just a target rifle?

If the gun is just a target rifle then I would have no problem going bolt action, but if I was to ever use it in some sort of combat or self defense I would want a semi auto. The semi auto of today can match the bolt action of today damn near side by side. Some super fancy bolt guns can hold a tighter group but that doesn't matter as it is generally beyond the effective range of the bullet.

So if its a bolt gun , Savage 110 is a great deal as is the Howa guns.

If its a semi auto, AR15, AR10, M1a1, FAL



This is just my worthless opinion.

[nsnate02]

Couldn't say it better +100

[jnclement]

My Savages all shoot great, and at a great price.

[Hooz]

I started my .308 bolt gun build with a Savage 10FP. It's a pretty sweet gun out of the box, but I'm excited to see what it'll do when it's "done".

[USMC-8154TL/DM]

first of all how much do you want to spend? that is a starting point to get opinions. 2nd is it going to be used for hunting, competition, SD while siting on the shelf, or just plinking.


I will be getting a M1a from Springfield for auto and in the same price range I would look at the McMillian's or FNH's for bolts. There is a list a mile long on which and who to buy from.

[scalce]

Thanks for the posts

I forgot to mention that I have a Bushie so I already have a 223 in 16" M4 style but it is setup more for SD and 3 gun.

The reason I ask about Wolf is I want to shoot the thing rather then have it sit at home because the ammo is so expensive. I want to have trigger time and get familiar with it.

Cost is not a huge factor if I get something that will last and I won't outgrow it.

An AR10 is enticing as I already have a scope with rail mounts.

I highly doubt that I will need a 308 for SD so it will be for plinking and range fun.

My range goes out to 300 yards.

There is a local gun show this weekend so I want to know what to focus on and look for.

[nsnate02]

Go for the Savage 110FP. It is the most accurate out of the box rifle you can get. All others will need work. Plus I've heard good things about the Accutrigger. Fully adjustable from the factory is a really cool idea. Plus Savage's are quality. I still hunt some with my great grandfathers 30-30 bolt action. Three generations with no upgrades or repairs, no rust, still accurate, and looks almost as good as the day my dad got it.

[beaterar]

IMO, you should buy an upper for the lower receiver you have all ready. Believe it or not you can get a real nice cheek weld with a 6 position stock extended to rifle length, the rest is on the upper so no worries. Its also about the cheapest way you can go about doing what you want to do. You will already have ammo so no stocking several types, you will have magazines, in some small way you will already be failure with the weapon.

My guess is that you cant outshoot your M4 so really is there a need? Just put the scope on the carbine, maybe some sort of larue or arms quick change mount and when you can hold that thing to under a inch then start looking in to something else. Its not the bow and arrow that counts, its the indian. Spend the money on practice ammo for the gun you already have, or invest in a reloader so you can shoot more.

[scalce]

I'm not saying I am an expert.

I can group 3 shots in 2" at 50 yards with iron sights and I am working on 100 and 200 yards.

My scope is not totally dialed in and the VFG is kind of a hinderance when bench resting.

Getting a long varmint upper without the fixed rear stock makes the weapon kind of unbalanced IMO.

So if I am going to buy a whole new rifle I was trying to decide whether or not to invest in a larger cal.

Why not go with a 308?