3 new production class PRS rifles

[meketrefe]

So a FN SPR is no good for competition because it lacks consistency and repeatability? You lost me there. It's a very well-built rifle...not a custom-built, but certainly good enough for competition and LE/military work. I'm sure the same results can be wrung out of a stock Remington 5r and RPR.

You could take some of these factory rifles apart and true them, but quite honestly these stock rifles are capable of greater accuracy than is the average, or even above average, shooter. Meaning that in most cases, the operator behind the rifle will be the limiting factor, not the rifle itself.

You don't need to break the bank to "get into" long range precision shooting. You don't need a custom rifle. You don't need to spend above $2k on a scope. You don't need every component to be fine-tuned by a gunsmith.....you just don't unless you are at the top tier of competition. Arguably the average person is better off spending more money on ammo rather than spending it on a high-end rifle.

My opinion has nothing to do with this. Things are the way they are.

FN SPR is about one of the worse rifles just because of the lack of service unless you are on a Mil or leo contract for equipment.
The rifles are not bad but most likely need to be worked on for serious work.
This doesn't mean they cannot use for patrols, in fact they are used for patrols but then when it comes to competition or serious duty you don't see many
and specially you don't see any outside a contract and/or armorer service loop.

I think a lot of the civilians refuse to get into rifles that do not have a good aftermarket and specially adequate parts and support for civilian.
If the rifle is from military or LE contract FN will suck dick but if one is a civilian then good luck because the FN road is long and twisty
and they do not give up parts. Several of us have been there before.
Go to a professional forum (not FN forum obviously) and post this concern if you want and you will see.

One can get into long range with anything one has.
One can go to a place with targets spread all over the horizon and then try to hit them every single time. Good luck with that.

Or simply go and put a target at 200 yards and shoot with a 22LR.

Nothing should prevent anyone from having fun if one doesn't need to compete or anything serious.

More times than not the folks do not even have the glass properly mounted and setup so unless one has started with some decent training and study then
the rest is secondary.

Training is the most important part and rarely mentioned.

 

[Upstate43]

My opinion has nothing to do with this. Things are the way they are.

FN SPR is about one of the worse rifles just because of the lack of service unless you are on a Mil or leo contract for equipment.
The rifles are not bad but most likely need to be worked on for serious work.
This doesn't mean they cannot use for patrols, in fact they are used for patrols but then when it comes to competition or serious duty you don't see many
and specially you don't see any outside a contract and/or armorer service loop.

I think a lot of the civilians refuse to get into rifles that do not have a good aftermarket and specially adequate parts and support for civilian.
If the rifle is from military or LE contract FN will suck dick but if one is a civilian then good luck because the FN road is long and twisty
and they do not give up parts. Several of us have been there before.
Go to a professional forum (not FN forum obviously) and post this concern if you want and you will see.

One can get into long range with anything one has.
One can go to a place with targets spread all over the horizon and then try to hit them every single time. Good luck with that.

Or simply go and put a target at 200 yards and shoot with a 22LR.

Nothing should prevent anyone from having fun if one doesn't need to compete or anything serious.

More times than not the folks do not even have the glass properly mounted and setup so unless one has started with some decent training and study then
the rest is secondary.

Training is the most important part and rarely mentioned.

I think you're letting your myopia get the best of you.

Just because FN SPR's aren't as common as Remington 700-derived bolt action's doesn't mean they are no good for competition or LE/military work. Arguably the FN SPR is one of the better factory rifles out there. As for servicing, if you can find a gunsmith who has experience with mauser-based actions (CRF) then you're fine. That basic design is common enough in the hunting community that there are plenty of gunsmiths out there who know how to work on them...it's not rocket science.

I'd also point out that aside from an eventual barrel replacement, there is not much work that a FN SPR truly needs to be a capable shooter. Adjust the trigger slightly, make sure the scope is properly mounted and 3/4 MOA should be easy to achieve with the right ammo. Contrary to the hype that surrounds long range shooting, you don't need to do a lot of work to your rifle for consistent performance.

 

[Podmonkey]

Y'know, all this minutiae is putting me right off precision rifle stuff. I have reasonably accurate duty carbine with a really nice scope that seems to be mounted true as far as I can tell, certainly well enough for my purposes.
I am confident that I can hit targets out to a distance that 5.56 can reasonably be expected to and magazines that give me 30 chances at it. Or 60 if I am feeling particularly frisky.
If all this pain in the ass detail is what precison rilfes are about I think I'll just stick to duty spec stuff and focus on my own personal marksmanship.
Did Simo Hayha worry about all this stuff?
Since he eschewed the use of scopes I'm guessing not.

 

[Edwardteach72]

Y'know, all this minutiae is putting me right off precision rifle stuff. I have reasonably accurate duty carbine with a really nice scope that seems to be mounted true as far as I can tell, certainly well enough for my purposes.
I am confident that I can hit targets out to a distance that 5.56 can reasonably be expected to and magazines that give me 30 chances at it. Or 60 if I am feeling particularly frisky.
If all this pain in the ass detail is what precison rilfes are about I think I'll just stick to duty spec stuff and focus on my own personal marksmanship.
Did Simo Hayha worry about all this stuff?
Since he eschewed the use of scopes I'm guessing not.

Nice name drop

 

[Vapor]

Honestly, I think you should give a reasonably priced rifle a go. Probably in .308.

Sometimes I think all obsessive precision shooters are on the spectrum....Again, they are knowledgeable,mean well, and probably a good people...

I'm telling yah, you can have a lot of damn fun with a Ruger rpr, Bergara, Howa, or even Savage model ten. The Asbury models have a decent rep. Tikka is another nice option. With the right rifle, you can be using your own bullet holes as a challenging target.

I've owned a gaggle of savage rifles. Not a one has failed to produce moa 5 shot groups. Even the lowly Axis if i let the barrel cool.

That being said, good rings, bases, and a few tools help alot. I have a couple of torque wrenches, some leveling systems, etc. ,but I don't run a plumb bob and get into that.

What I'm saying is, don't let the bastards get yah down. Try one out, even a cheapo, and give it a wirl.

if you lived closer, I'd offer to let you barrow my tools, or just mount the scope for you. It takes 30 minutes at worst.

 

[squib]

IMHOP the PVA John Hankock is a ringer for the PRS Production class.

 

[meketrefe]

I think you're letting your myopia get the best of you.

Arguably the FN SPR is one of the better factory rifles out there. As for servicing, if you can find a gunsmith who has experience with mauser-based actions (CRF) then you're fine. That basic design is common enough in the hunting community that there are plenty of gunsmiths out there who know how to work on them...it's not rocket science.

I'd also point out that aside from an eventual barrel replacement, there is not much work that a FN SPR truly needs to be a capable shooter. Adjust the trigger slightly, make sure the scope is properly mounted and 3/4 MOA should be easy to achieve with the right ammo. Contrary to the hype that surrounds long range shooting, you don't need to do a lot of work to your rifle for consistent performance.

Y'know, all this minutiae is putting me right off precision rifle stuff. I have reasonably accurate duty carbine with a really nice scope that seems to be mounted true as far as I can tell, certainly well enough for my purposes.
I am confident that I can hit targets out to a distance that 5.56 can reasonably be expected to and magazines that give me 30 chances at it. Or 60 if I am feeling particularly frisky.
If all this pain in the ass detail is what precison rilfes are about I think I'll just stick to duty spec stuff and focus on my own personal marksmanship.
Did Simo Hayha worry about all this stuff?
Since he eschewed the use of scopes I'm guessing not.

Precission shooting is whatever you want it to be. We should dissociate from this idea of high end competitive shooting and that the rifles we are talking about have much tobdo with it in the first place.

I would say there is no end to it since one should focus more in having some proper training and studying and then apply that to the practice and see one grow understanding the discipline/s, rifle the ammo and the equipment.
Some people are happy producing minute cheery picked groups at known distances in paper tsrgets and others want to score in alternating steel targets in a given time frame all the way to 1500 yards incliding moving ones and in an endurance cycle.
And of course anything in between.
The fun is in the doing something and learning with the best stuff one can afford w/o being a total waste of ammo and time.

One doesnt have to be an olympic swimmer to have fun at the pool but perhaps one will find it rewarding progressively learning how to swim better and feel good about it.

Certain considerations will assure one will learn well ( like proffñessional assisrance) and make it an enjoyable experience. Like getting into a group one can do things together with.

There is no external prescription for fun, you decide what is fun and what not doing ones best and having reasonable expectstions.

 

[Podmonkey]

IMHOP the PVA John Hankock is a ringer for the PRS Production class.

It certainly seems like an awesome rifle.
The action is compatible with Rem 700 parts but uses a Mauser 98 style extractor and a Springfield 1903 style ejector and a Savage style barrel attachment. Which all sounds pretty damn neat. The KRG Bravo chassis seems to be a well like piece and from what I have dug up on the internets Patriot Valley Arms is a well regarded rifle maker. The owner is active in PRS comp himself. Being a local company to me is also nice. The other rifles are very nice too.
That Badrock one, I like its chassis better and it uses the Defiance action (based on the 700 pattern but likewise with controlled round feed and fixed ejector) which I understand is one of the more popular custom actions used by the top competitors. I haven't turned up to much on the Seekins rifle, seems to be of its own thing and it's new so not a lot out there about it yet.

 

[meketrefe]

I think you're letting your myopia get the best of you.

Just because FN SPR's aren't as common as Remington 700-derived bolt action's doesn't mean they are no good for competition or LE/military work. Arguably the FN SPR is one of the better factory rifles out there. As for servicing, if you can find a gunsmith who has experience with mauser-based actions (CRF) then you're fine. That basic design is common enough in the hunting community that there are plenty of gunsmiths out there who know how to work on them...it's not rocket science.

I'd also point out that aside from an eventual barrel replacement, there is not much work that a FN SPR truly needs to be a capable shooter. Adjust the trigger slightly, make sure the scope is properly mounted and 3/4 MOA should be easy to achieve with the right ammo. Contrary to the hype that surrounds long range shooting, you don't need to do a lot of work to your rifle for consistent performance.

The SPR would not be my choice but is a good rifle. It is a good out the box choice . Just make sure you can use the winchester parts and dont need anything from FN because if you do, and younare not militarybor fbi contract, etc... then expect anything. Do a search and read the fiascos with FN alledged support.
Winchester pre64 is not the strongest action but it is a good controlled feed action.

If you like it and that is what you want go for it. Online opinions should not sway anyone from their passions.

For a budget scope the weaver 3-15 ffp mil mil tactical is possibly the best value for something thst actually works. All jap. Made.

 

[Podmonkey]

The SPR would not be my choice but is a good rifle. It is a good out the box choice . Just make sure you can use the winchester parts and dont need anything from FN because if you do, and younare not militarybor fbi contract, etc... then expect anything. Do a search and read the fiascos with FN alledged support.
Winchester pre64 is not the strongest action but it is a good controlled feed action.

If you like it and that is what you want go for it. Online opinions should not sway anyone from their passions.

For a budget scope the weaver 3-15 ffp mil mil tactical is possibly the best value for something thst actually works. All jap. Made.

I agree that the Weaver Mil Tactical looks like a solid scop . Unfortunately it has been discontinued.

 

[meketrefe]

I agree that the Weaver Mil Tactical looks like a solid scop . Unfortunately it has been discontinued.

It must be your lucky day. Here....
Weaver Tactical Rifle Scope - 4-20x50mm SF Mil Dot Reticle Matte Black

 

[meketrefe]

My buddy just got his rifle back with this action. A very good and strong action in deed.

Mausingfield Bolt Action

 

[Podmonkey]

How do we feel about Howa rifles?

I think the GRS stock is really cool, this model MSRPs at $1200 but the street price seems to be $900-$1000. Pared with the scope @meketrefe linked to the total cost of the rig would come in less than the Hancock rilfe alone.
Since I am not planning on competing at this time and since 300 yards is all the farthet I can regularly shoot I think I would opt for the .308 version but 6.5 Creed, 6mm Creed, .243 Win and .223 Rem are also available. Given the distances and volume I shoot I was seriously considering the .223 but it's a 1:9 twist and I prefer 75/77gr bullets for the caliber.

 

[meketrefe]

Their actions are weak. Several teported broken actions in Sh, LRH and other forums.
The same problem like other sctions derived from hunting platforms.
The forensics concluded thst it was due to several factors but mainly stress fractures at the baseof the breach due to impurities in the alloy and poor heat treating.
While these events are rare they reveal that this design and QC has some flaws.
This also doesnt mean they are bad rifles but obviously cannot sustain the same torque and pressure loads as other well dtablished actions.
They can be pretty accurate but probably not a top choice.
In the past we had posted pics and detailed explanations about different actions including pros and cons. I could find the posts if anyone is interested.

 

[Podmonkey]

Their actions are weak. Several teported broken actions in Sh, LRH and other forums.
The same problem like other sctions derived from hunting platforms.
The forensics concluded thst it was due to several factors but mainly stress fractures at the baseof the breach due to impurities in the alloy and poor heat treating.
While these events are rare they reveal that this design and QC has some flaws.
This also doesnt mean they are bad rifles but obviously cannot sustain the same torque and pressure loads as other well dtablished actions.
They can be pretty accurate but probably not a top choice.
In the past we had posted pics and detailed explanations about different actions including pros and cons. I could find the posts if anyone is interested.

So of the mainstream production actions, which do you like best? Tikka, Bergara ect. I'm talking best put of box. If I wanted to spend a bunch of time and money on it I would rather get a custom action like that Mausingfield one.
I really like the GRS stock, thinking about getting a barreld action and plopping it into one.

 

[meketrefe]

So of the mainstream production actions, which do you like best? Tikka, Bergara ect. I'm talking best put of box. If I wanted to spend a bunch of time and money on it I would rather get a custom action like that Mausingfield one.
I really like the GRS stock, thinking about getting a barreld action and plopping it into one.

We are blessed with a decent assortment of pretty nice actions including some pretty decent budget options.
The mausingfield is a great controlled feed very robust but still proprietary and overkill so I would leave that for when you compete perhaps in the future.
I like the usual suspects just because of the track record and unparalleled support like a Savage 10 or rem 700 actions but I also like Winchester pre 64
for a control feed type of action or an actual mauser but nothing less than a 98 large shank, Dumoulin, CZ or Zastaba for a budget option.
But in reality I don't need anything but a good R700, Savage or Winchester like 99% of the people and in order to keep things simple and consolidated.
I enjoyed the AI actions but in the end they didn't do anything I could not achieve with a well built 700 blueprint action or a Savage LRP so years ago
I started to consolidate in those 4 brands and those are the ones I have today, some that I built in stubbed actions for quick barrel and caliber swaps.
Savage and remington will give faster lock times vs mauser type action but then you have the controlled feed option. It is a trade off.
The Styer is another pretty good action but in the end it is not needed.

Like I said before the best deal is probably the Bergara, even an entry one because the way they are made and put together and for being a R700
blueprint it offers some new features and quality not found in the factory Remington and only in actions costing 3 times more.
Integrated recoil lug, external bolt release, timmey trigger, ball bearing loading extractor at a perfect 44-43 degree angle (IMO even better than the badger ordernance claw retrofit). AI magazine bottom. All true and treated. Nothing else needed.

Then you have the Savage 12 LRP short action that is essentially the same action section as the Savage12 target but milled for feeding and ejection and the same used in the lapua mangum (very strong) but with the small shank threads and obviously short action that makes it even stronger plus you have a floating bolt head and all other things compatible with the Savage10. The Predator and other tactical series used this action (excluding the XP) cut that is compatible with the chassis that support the AI magazine bottom that is pretty much the best and the standard right now.

I like the Tikka too. My cousin likes them. But, once again, there is nothing they can do better vs. the ones above that have the largest following
of parts and aftermarket including endless stocks, chassis, triggers, ergonomic options, rails, add ons, etc...

But in reality you don't need any of that right now. Get the factory setup and a stock and go shoot. Other than properly bedding, installing and stacking some steel rails and rings for a decent scope.

When I say strength and rigidity of these actions you know what I am talking about right? R700 and S10s have been brutalized with HP testing that has proved they are in fact very strong and one will have to make a huge mistake to blowup one of those actions.

Read this thread....

Cheapest, Good Quality .308 Bolt Gun

 

[Podmonkey]

We are blessed with a decent assortment of pretty nice actions including some pretty decent budget options.
The mausingfield is a great controlled feed very robust but still proprietary and overkill so I would leave that for when you compete perhaps in the future.
I like the usual suspects just because of the track record and unparalleled support like a Savage 10 or rem 700 actions but I also like Winchester pre 64
for a control feed type of action or an actual mauser but nothing less than a 98 large shank, Dumoulin, CZ or Zastaba for a budget option.
But in reality I don't need anything but a good R700, Savage or Winchester like 99% of the people and in order to keep things simple and consolidated.
I enjoyed the AI actions but in the end they didn't do anything I could not achieve with a well built 700 blueprint action or a Savage LRP so years ago
I started to consolidate in those 4 brands and those are the ones I have today, some that I built in stubbed actions for quick barrel and caliber swaps.
Savage and remington will give faster lock times vs mauser type action but then you have the controlled feed option. It is a trade off.
The Styer is another pretty good action but in the end it is not needed.

Like I said before the best deal is probably the Bergara, even an entry one because the way they are made and put together and for being a R700
blueprint it offers some new features and quality not found in the factory Remington and only in actions costing 3 times more.
Integrated recoil lug, external bolt release, timmey trigger, ball bearing loading extractor at a perfect 44-43 degree angle (IMO even better than the badger ordernance claw retrofit). AI magazine bottom. All true and treated. Nothing else needed.

Then you have the Savage 12 LRP short action that is essentially the same action section as the Savage12 target but milled for feeding and ejection and the same used in the lapua mangum (very strong) but with the small shank threads and obviously short action that makes it even stronger plus you have a floating bolt head and all other things compatible with the Savage10. The Predator and other tactical series used this action (excluding the XP) cut that is compatible with the chassis that support the AI magazine bottom that is pretty much the best and the standard right now.

I like the Tikka too. My cousin likes them. But, once again, there is nothing they can do better vs. the ones above that have the largest following
of parts and aftermarket including endless stocks, chassis, triggers, ergonomic options, rails, add ons, etc...

But in reality you don't need any of that right now. Get the factory setup and a stock and go shoot. Other than properly bedding, installing and stacking some steel rails and rings for a decent scope.

When I say strength and rigidity of these actions you know what I am talking about right? R700 and S10s have been brutalized with HP testing that has proved they are in fact very strong and one will have to make a huge mistake to blowup one of those actions.

Read this thread....

Cheapest, Good Quality .308 Bolt Gun

Well Savage has a GRS equipped model, I should probably just get that. I'm still thinking 308 for my purposes. But 6.5 Creed has gotten down there in price also.

 

[meketrefe]

Like always with firearms, there is no perfect caliber and no perfect action, only trade-offs of some sort.
If you go savage, even a budget one is a good way to change calibers and even stocks between seasons but if
you want to leave it zeroed for precission work then it will do too. Personally I like the strength and rigidity of the model 12 LRP carbines.
I don't like the bolt release system as much as other brands but it is a small price to pay for all the other benefits. PTG has bolt heads
for different calibers cut from a solid billet.
Check deals of tactical models too. They come out and sell them all right away but some might be found. It depends on the urgency.

I would wait for the fall with the preseason specials. Big savings. Bergara was on sale last year.

 

[Podmonkey]

@meketrefe, so I would probably do my own little entry level custom gun with a barreled action in a GRS stock. Problem is I would prefer the Bergara but there don't seem to be naked barreld actions available. What would be the cheapest stocked model with a heavy or medium heavy barrel contour? Is there any difference in the trigger or action itself between the HMR or target chassis models and their more plain hunter models? Also considering a Tikka as I know I can source barreled Tikka actions.
The GRS is designed to be a simple bolt in stock, much like a chassis system.

 

[meketrefe]

You have two options spend a bit more and go with one out of the box good shooter or get a basic one and then upgrade what you need.

Just keep in mind that when people they say "bu¡lding" a rifle this means little more than replacing stocks, perhsps some bedding, upgrade a trigger and install and bed scope mounts. So when it comes to rebarrel or true and action or even chambering most folks do not have the tools or know-how to do it.
The good news with the bergara you do not have to true the action as they are near perfect but you will need someone to break the barrel and/or rebarrel if the deal you found is in another caliber.
There are no loose actions but you probably are better off with a deal on a complete entry rifle that is the same action anyway. Just make a budget and dont do everything at once unless you have to rebarrel.
Savage has actions alone on sale but still a budget rifle might be a better deal to use parts and recycle or sell the others.
The advantage of savage is that if one is a bit handy one can buy the barrel wrwnch and rebarrel oneself.
Also with the 700 and bergara, once the barrel is broken away from the action you can opt.for a.barrel nut to use a nut for the savage tool or other tool but you need tonunderstand how to properly assemble the barrel, headspace, etc... plus other considerations to make and accurate rifle. But at leadt the foundation is there with a good action and trigger.
What is your preference a cold or warm chasis? What about wegonomics? Any disabilitoes, hands, neck, face or vision or left hand considerations?

 

[MilesTeg]

I hate to do this to you Pod, but I got my long distance itch scratched today. It had been a couple years since I made it out to shoot this type of shooting. It was a lot of fun and the other guys that were there had some impressive gear. But here'sthe part your not going to like, one had a begara and I got some time behind it. I'm 100% sold I will be buying one in the future. I liked it more than a couple costume rifles that were twice the price. The hard part for me will be picking a model.

 

[meketrefe]

I hate to do this to you Pod, but I got my long distance itch scratched today. It had been a couple years since I made it out to shoot this type of shooting. It was a lot of fun and the other guys that were there had some impressive gear. But here'sthe part your not going to like, one had a begara and I got some time behind it. I'm 100% sold I will be buying one in the future. I liked it more than a couple costume rifles that were twice the price. The hard part for me will be picking a model.

Now that you tasted the good stuff it is going to leave a sweet taste and it is addictive!
what model did you shoot?

 

[Podmonkey]

I should just get that Bergara HMR and call it a day.

 

[meketrefe]

I should just get that Bergara HMR and call it a day.

For around 1K or under there is the Bergara HMR and the Savage GRS Police or LRP that are the best possible value
and based on actions time and battle tested ...but even better than those in terms of innovative features and quality
all out of the box.

When building one can get a tad below 2K before optics and that is for a good rifle w/o going to a top professional builder that will be 3 or 4 thousands (or more) depending on what one needs or wants.

 

[Podmonkey]

For around 1K or under there is the Bergara HMR and the Savage GRS Police or LRP that are the best possible value
and based on actions time and battle tested ...but even better than those in terms of innovative features and quality
all out of the box.

When building one can get a tad below 2K before optics and that is for a good rifle w/o going to a top professional builder that will be 3 or 4 thousands (or more) depending on what one needs or wants.

What's the word on Savage extraction issues? Every time your read a thread about Savages someone pipes up with some kind of complaint.
The Bergaras seem universally loved.

 

[meketrefe]

What's the word on Savage extraction issues? Every time your read a thread about Savages someone pipes up with some kind of complaint.
The Bergaras seem universally loved.

The word is weaning. All they need is a simple strip cleaning and then if one uses a large case they can be polished in specific areas.
Nothing bad at all although the bergara they do something pretty cool, they use similar extractor but offset 2 to 4 degress so it lifts
the case at the perfect angle. The extractor is based on savage but with a very small angle. Overall I feel is near perfect and I like it
better than the sako type extractor or Badger ordinance retrofits that are expensive. All the features in the receiver are only found in actions costing 3 or 4 times more. Did you read the thread link I posted earlier? There are more.

But the savage then has the floating and replaceable bolt heads including PTG from a billet.

If you like the Bergara go for it. Amazing gun. I have yet to find one that doesn't shoot well or someone disappointed with the value
they got.

 

[Podmonkey]

The word is weaning. All they need is a simple strip cleaning and then if one uses a large case they can be polished in specific areas.
Nothing bad at all although the bergara they do something pretty cool, they use similar extractor but offset 2 to 4 degress so it lifts
the case at the perfect angle. The extractor is based on savage but with a very small angle. Overall I feel is near perfect and I like it
better than the sako type extractor or Badger ordinance retrofits that are expensive.

But the savage then has the floating and replaceable bolt heads including PTG from a billet.

If you like the Bergara go for it. Amazing gun. I have yet to find one that doesn't shoot well or someone disappointed with the value
they got.

Well I ask because I really like the Savage model 10 GRS. If I bought the HMR I might be tempted to plop it in a GRS Berserk stock.

 

[meketrefe]

Well I ask because I really like the Savage model 10 GRS. If I bought the HMR I might be tempted to plop it in a GRS Berserk stock.

Do a search on the forum with the word Bergara and another with the Savage LRP, GRS, police... etc..
lots of threads and tests about those.

Hunting Rifle

Also regarding the caliber if you are going to shoot long range occasionally and want a more versatile, powerful and capable cartrige, the 308 does everything most people need. Even in the extreme long range it does comparable trajectories and range as the 6.5 calibers if one uses 30 caliber
CNC bullets that are more expensive. So I would suggest reloading since nothing for serious work, is going to be cheap anyway. Still can take down
a Grizzly with a 308 in an emergency. **do not suggest a 308 to hunt the largest animals but just to say the 308 with 180gr bonded bullets has some
level of cojones that cannot be done with 6mm or 6.5mm target bullets.


here a home made build based on a simple savage with one of the best calibers ever devised. .5 moa....

Thinking of building up a target rifle and looking for input

 

[Podmonkey]

Do a search on the forum with the word Bergara and another with the Savage LRP, GRS, police... etc..
lots of threads and tests about those.

Hunting Rifle

Also regarding the caliber if you are going to shoot long range occasionally and want a more versatile, powerful and capable cartrige, the 308 does everything most people need. Even in the extreme long range it does comparable trajectories and range as the 6.5 calibers if one uses 30 caliber
CNC bullets that are more expensive. So I would suggest reloading since nothing for serious work, is going to be cheap anyway. Still can take down
a Grizzly with a 308 in an emergency. **do not suggest a 308 to hunt the largest animals but just to say the 308 with 180gr bonded bullets has some
level of cojones that cannot be done with 6mm or 6.5mm target bullets.


here a home made build based on a simple savage with one of the best calibers ever devised. .5 moa....

Thinking of building up a target rifle and looking for input

Oh believe me, I research my purchases exhaustively. Neurotically almost.
What I would really like would be the Bergara HMR in the GRS stock from the factory. That said I would probably go with the HMR since Bergara rifles are so beloved by so many. Perhaps I will save the GRS stock for a custom Mausingfield build someday.

 

[Podmonkey]

Again, the Tikka CTR costs the same as the HMR.