Which long range target rifle to buy

[catorres1]

Between those two I would go with the 308.......but I personally prefer the 260 or the 6.5 Creedmore. Great ballistics, accuracy, and low recoil. For targets at the range you mentioned, the 7mag is a little too much, and the barrel life about half.

Hey, thanks for that advice! I am with you on the 260/6.5. It is what I picked as 'perfect' for my needs.

That being said, unless I can work out the Savage, it's just not possible.

But it sounds like you would pick the 308, which would put me into the rifle that is, in every other way, exactly what I want. It only lacks the caliber I want.

 

[catorres1]

So I called one of the instructors at one of the shooting schools I am wanting to attend and asked him what his opinion was. He favored the 6.5's as well. But barring that, he recommended a 308 to pair with the 300 as well.

He also weighted having the two rifles being as close as possible as far as fit etc goes as a significant benefit, so that I would not be having to switch my learning between guns.

So at the moment, that's where I am leaning unless I hear compelling info elsewhere.

BTW, could not find an LRP. I did find an HS precision...not so good for me.

I did also find a short action 223, that seems to have the same M40 stock as the LR. I liked that one okay. But compared to the B&C Weatherby, well that fits me better for sure due to the cheek piece.

 

[FEENIX]

BTW, could not find an LRP.

Savage 12 LRP 6.5 Creedmoor 26" BL 4rd : Bolt Action Rifles at GunBroker.com

Savage Model 12 LRP Long Range Precision Rifle 19137, 6.5 Creedmoor, 26 in, Bolt Action, HS Precision Fiberglass Stock, Mt Black Finish, 4 + 1 Rds

Savage Arms 12 LRP Long Range Precision Rifle 6.5 Creedmoor 26in 4rd Black

Gun Library: Savage Model 12 LRP 6.5 Creedmoor : Cabela's

Savage Arms 12 Long Range Precision Rifle 6.5 Creedmoor 26 Barrel 4 Round Matte Black

 

[the shotty]

So I'll throw some more thoughts out. You mentioned your not a brake guy I get that, for a hunting rifle. For a practice gun with high round count expected I am all for the brake. This isn't about the machoness of being able to handle the size of caliber its about being effective in your practice, being able to call and see your shots impact and learn from there. I shoot with three other guys calibers ranging from .338 lapua, 308, 243, 223 and my 338 edge and 260 (savage lrp) my 260 is the only one not using a brake or suppressor and I have a heck of a time spotting my impacts. Even with the .338s I can see my impact as close as 300 yards. I have to be VERY stable and run loads much lower velocity than I prefer with the 260 in order to be able to spot impacts. Again this is just my experience but I think you will get more useful practice while using a well designed brake ( non radial I.e. muscle brake, APA, DE to name a few). I already mentioned the caliber but to add, one of the 308s we just started using re17 and the 208 amax and getting 2650 fps from a 24" 10 twist. Also all the guns mentioned earlier 6 out of the 7 are savage with only the edge being semi custom all will do 1/2 moa with 5 shots.

 

[catorres1]

Savage 12 LRP 6.5 Creedmoor 26" BL 4rd : Bolt Action Rifles at GunBroker.com

Savage Model 12 LRP Long Range Precision Rifle 19137, 6.5 Creedmoor, 26 in, Bolt Action, HS Precision Fiberglass Stock, Mt Black Finish, 4 + 1 Rds

Savage Arms 12 LRP Long Range Precision Rifle 6.5 Creedmoor 26in 4rd Black

Gun Library: Savage Model 12 LRP 6.5 Creedmoor : Cabela's

Savage Arms 12 Long Range Precision Rifle 6.5 Creedmoor 26 Barrel 4 Round Matte Black

Feenix,

Thanks for this, but what I should have been more clear on was that I am trying to find one to 'try on' so to speak. There is another shop nearby but they are closed on Mondays. I'm going to try and hit it on Wednesday if possible and see if they have one for me to hold. But I definitely want to try it for fit.

Though I must add, I still find value in training with the same I will be using...but the 6.5 is so tempting.

 

[catorres1]

I hear you on the brake, I just really dislike shooting rifles with breaks, even at the range with hearing protection. I might have to accept that in the future for this kind of shooting, ie to spot shots, I don't know. But for the moment, I'm going to hold off.

On the cartridge, I looked at your post again, and it pretty much mirrors what the instructor told me today, which is that the 6.5 is ideal for this. However, the 308 has it 'charms' as well in terms of component sharing and availability etc. His first choice was the 6.5's, but then following would be the 308.

The one thing he said, and I have been told this by many others as well, is that since I am essentially using this as a trainer for the 300, it would be a great benefit for them to share the same stock and trigger. That way, what I learn and adapt to on one directly transfers to the other.

So I am still going to go try and find an LRP to hold and feel and see how it fits. It might be too perfect to turn down. However, I will have to weigh that against the other benefits of having a matched pair, primary and trainer.

Eventually, if I find that I really enjoy the LR shooting for itself, rather than mainly as practice for the 300, I might consider a rebarrel to the 6.5. Maybe I'd even build up another...there are a few stocks out there, mainly for Remingtons I think, that I really like the feel of. One, on a Hill Country Custom, might be the best feeling stock I have ever tried. I think it was either a McMillan or a Manners, not sure. It just fit and lined up so nicely. Too bad the rifle was 5k +!

 

[the shotty]

Also what about just changing stocks? I'm not positive what b&c stock you have but I can guess. You could just do something like this
Safari Rollover

And pair it with something like this
Savage 11 Predator Hunter 6.5 Creedmoor camo : Bolt Action Rifles at GunBroker.com

And be close to what I envision you are looking for for close to your $700 mark and get you into the 6.5

 

[catorres1]

Also what about just changing stocks? I'm not positive what b&c stock you have but I can guess. You could just do something like this
Safari Rollover

And pair it with something like this
Savage 11 Predator Hunter 6.5 Creedmoor camo : Bolt Action Rifles at GunBroker.com

And be close to what I envision you are looking for for close to your $700 mark and get you into the 6.5

I thought about that one, and am still toying with that idea. I wonder what the difference is between this action/barrel and the one on the MAX 1 or the LRH. I know the Max 1 has the accustock, but the stock itself I don't care for.

Anyway, adding up the numbers, it would be 600 or a little more for the rifle delivered. The stock looks like with a pad, swivels, shipping etc....right around 200. Bedding around here will cost me 150. So I'd end up right at $950.

I'd get the caliber I like, the stock, not exact but close. The trigger would be quite different. But it looks like these are unfinished from what I can see.

It's a thought, but I much prefer synthetic. If I abandon the idea of having the same stock, the B&C medalist Varmint Tactical Style 2 is about the same price, but it lists savage 10 and 12 actions, not the 11. Not sure what the difference is.

 

[the shotty]

The difference is 11 series guns are more standard profile barrel while model 10 tend to be specialty models and most (all?) Come with heavy barrel if my memory serves me. Other than that its pretty much the same options. Need to know center feed (most 2004 and newer models I think) vs stagger feed, and action screw spacing for short action guns barring the target models ( some of the 12 series) which have three action screws. So to answer the barrel question the 11lrh has a 26" standard taper barrel while the 11 that I posted is a 22" barrel and the model 10 max is a 24" fluted heavy barrel As for the stock it was the closest thing I could find to the Monte Carlo style that weatherby tends to use. Only other thing I could find is a manners in the $550 range. Also bedding while labor intensive is not hard to do. It can easily be done for under $50. Just depends on how much work you want to do.

 

[catorres1]

Trust me, anyone that knows me would tell you to not let me try anything mechanical that might have expensive consequences

I think if I was going this way, I would want something permanent, to have for a long time and the way I want it. I like the look of the model 10 max, barrel wise. I definitely would want the longer barrel. The LRH also looks cool (but not the stock) but I heard something about bottom bolt release or something, making it hard to get a stock for it.

If I can find a synthetic weatherby style stock like I like, this might be a good way to go. But assuming it's 250 and I don't have to bed it, I am looking at 1k if I use the 10 max.

The weatherby I am looking at comes in at little less than 700, Range certified. To rebarrel puts me at 1300, but that could be done in the future, I guess.

So if I can find that style stock to fit the 10 for 300 or less, it would be worth the risk, perhaps, but only if I do not have to bed it. I say risk because it's a factory barrel. I'd have a little over 1k in it with a stock. On the weatherby, to get to 260, I'd have to throw in 1300, but with the added benefit of a Kreiger barrel.

 

[MudRunner2005]

Trust me, anyone that knows me would tell you to not let me try anything mechanical that might have expensive consequences

I think if I was going this way, I would want something permanent, to have for a long time and the way I want it. I like the look of the model 10 max, barrel wise. I definitely would want the longer barrel. The LRH also looks cool (but not the stock) but I heard something about bottom bolt release or something, making it hard to get a stock for it.

If I can find a synthetic weatherby style stock like I like, this might be a good way to go. But assuming it's 250 and I don't have to bed it, I am looking at 1k if I use the 10 max.

The weatherby I am looking at comes in at little less than 700, Range certified. To rebarrel puts me at 1300, but that could be done in the future, I guess.

So if I can find that style stock to fit the 10 for 300 or less, it would be worth the risk, perhaps, but only if I do not have to bed it. I say risk because it's a factory barrel. I'd have a little over 1k in it with a stock. On the weatherby, to get to 260, I'd have to throw in 1300, but with the added benefit of a Kreiger barrel.

VOILA!!!

Bell & Carlson Medalist

Ask and ye shall recieve. Bell & Carlson offers the Accumark stocks but fitted for a Remington 700 action.

However, it's for a LA only, but if you chose a LA caliber, then you'd be ok.

 

[catorres1]

VOILA!!!

Bell & Carlson Medalist

Ask and ye shall recieve. Bell & Carlson offers the Accumark stocks but fitted for a Remington 700 action.

However, it's for a LA only, but if you chose a LA caliber, then you'd be ok.

Thanks for putting that up! I did see that one and have been reading up on what it would take to have a good shooter in a remmy on a budget in the caliber I want.

Unfortunately, as its for Remington, it means to get the caliber I want, I have to do a barrel swap, and a fair amount of work on it, which puts the cost up much higher, I think.

Let me know if you have a different way, but the only way I could see would be find a REALLY cheap action, and I dont' know if that is realistic. To put the numbers in perspective...700 for the barrel and install and bedding, 250 for the stock. So that's 950, and I don't have an action yet. And that assumes the trigger is good to go etc., and that there would not need to be additional work to the action to make it shoot well (ie I'd be trying to fit a short cartridge in a long action, so will it feed okay?). Certainly would give me headroom to seat bullets really long, that's for sure. And that would be a nice setup. But I doubt I could get an action with decent bottom metal for under 300, and probably more than that.

Ehh, the permutations are endless. I'm going to try and look at some Savages today and then think on this a little longer.

 

[roninflag]

300 for a barrel and 150 for install. 350 for a 700 action. you are ready for a stock . i have 6 krieger and 1 hart barrel rifles. i have several factory barrel rifles they do not compare.

 

[catorres1]

300 for a barrel and 150 for install. 350 for a 700 action. you are ready for a stock . i have 6 krieger and 1 hart barrel rifles. i have several factory barrel rifles they do not compare.

Where do you get your work done for this price, and do they offer any sort of accuracy guarantee?

My local smith was going to do a rebarrel for me, I think it would have required bedding too, I assume. He said he would get the barrel for 300, then coat it and install it for another 300. I assume, since the new barrel would have a different contour, that would have included bedding.

I think that's where things start to go sideways. Barrel is 300, but I don't want plain stainless, so it's gotta be coated or blued or whatever. Then there is bedding. And truing, and....it goes on and it appears to me that it all adds up. But I don't know for sure, and I don't want to stick my toe in the water and end up losing my leg!

Probably the best thing I can do is find a few names of who I would actually have build it, and then just ask them...out the door, what will this cost me and what will you guarantee at a minimum. But the ones I have talked to so far have all quoted me prices north of 2k. And I am trying to get in under half that amount to start, and I suspect that is very unrealistic.

But if I am wrong, please show me who to talk to, because a rem 700 in 260 or 6.5, in that weatherby B&C stock with a heavy custom barrel would be pretty awesome.

If the price was right enough....I might abandon the idea I had for the RC Weatherby 300, and have the same smith build me the matched set I really want. But I can't imagine this would be possible at my price points!