I am new to the precision bolt gun world and I need some guidance. I have just purchased a Vortex Razor HD 5-20 x 50 EBR2 scope. From what I’ve read and have been told, “You cannot hit what you cannot see”. Since I have the glass picked out, I need help with the rifle. Also, can someone suggest a good set of 35mm rings?
My goal for the rifle is to shoot out to 1000 at some point. This is going to be a range/match gun. I will not be using this rifle for any type of hunting (not planned, anyways).
I have been pursuing a Savage 10T from Cabela’s with no avail. The 10T has all the features that I would want in a beginner gun. I am not set on the Savage brand, but are there any other companies I should be looking at? I have looked at the Remington line, specifically the LTR and 700p. I am a buy once, cry once type. The only thing that is deterring me from Remington is their shoddy QC as of late (I have purchased and sold off a 870 that would rust out, even here in Phoenix).
Since I’m looking to get a good set up straight from the factory, I am now looking at the Savage 10FCP with McMillan stock. Is this a good rifle? If you were to spend ~$1000 for a bolt gun, what would you suggest?
Please take a look around at the other threads for some insight with “base” or beginner guns and see what more than likely will be involved later on with fixing problems or “upgrading” parts-always the barrel, stock and maybe trigger for one and the gunsmithing fees typically involved. Just ask yourself what you want in the gun and maybe spend on the rifle like you spent on the scope-that Razor isn’t exactly a beginner priced scope. My take is if you don’t like being handicapped and frustrated, don’t be.
The Vortex/Seekins line is fine reference the rings.
As someone who intended to get into precision shooting a couple years back (but couldn’t justify the expense) as a beginner precision shooter, and researched the crap out of guns and optics, here’s my 2 cents on the topic of “beginner guns”.
Every sport with a gun related to it that I’ve gotten into, I always opted for the “entry level” option thinking that I’d upgrade when I got a better feel for what I wanted. I’ve regretted it every time. Because I always talk myself into something that either does less than what I want, or is exactly what I paid for, and sucks to the point of wanting to wrap it around the nearest tree… see the above quote about feeling handicapped and frustrated. I’m a big believer that with the proper research, the person always knows deep down what they really want and how to balance it with what you need.
If you have a real interest in the nuts and bolts of it all and want to build something exactly right from the ground up, then buying a base gun/barreled receiver/etc. could be a fun worthwhile project.
But if you want a gun “right” from the factory… that also performs as you want…
Here were my conclusions at the end of my researching spree;
Buy a factory gun. By the time you’ve built one, or even modded a “budget” factory model you WILL top out at what a top quality factory gun costs.
I looked into upgrading 700’s and Savage 10’s, buying receivers and a barrel, or barreled receivers, stocks, etc. By the time I had everything I wanted, or “fixed” to work how I wanted, I could have bought a GAP/AI/FN/etc… and actually saved money. Or at least broke even.
A secondhand benefit of buying a factory gun, is the ability to send the whole thing back to the company and say “fix it”. No tracking down or experimenting to figure out which part is causing problems, then getting a replacement or alternative, then having the replacement or alternative not work… and so forth.
To me, this is worth it’s weight in the extra gold you’ll spend, especially for a beginner gun… I had this happen personally when I upgraded to my second AR, and had a massive set of issues I could not have diagnosed on my own. For the record, the CS I got from DD was worth ever penny that rifle cost me over the previous one I had.
Go to Snipershide and attach yourself to the “For Sale” section like a leech. “Back in the day” on the original forum they had all sorts of stuff on there FAR above what you could buy off the shelf, for not much extra- I mean AI’s and GAPs, and all manner of other high quality factory or personally built stuff at prices that literally almost made you cry as you passed them by… So definitely do not discount buying a complete setup lightly used. With a little patience, you never know what you may snag. For example, the links Mark posted…
Finally, the answer to all your questions about which rifle to get is “buy an Accuracy International”. Literally. If your budget can swing it, just go buy an AI and call it a day. Something like the AT line posted above, or the AE MKII’s would be perfectly fine. Again, run over to SH and lurk and wait. AE MKII’s used to pop all the time over there. Sometimes with extra stuff, upgraded barrels, etc. …
And yes, I’m totally biased towards AI. After all that research I mentioned above, the AI will do all the other brands can do, as well as be as indestructible as a bolt gun can be.
My perspective is a bit different. I have a “beginner’s” gun, and I always have the itch to upgrade. You think ARs can get pricey? You ain’t seen nothing yet. I took some precision/long distance instruction, and the instructor advised me against upgrading anything until I am inside the dot at “n” yards; instead, spend every dime on match-grade ammo and range time. THEN, upgrade, when I start outshooting the gun. I do recommend the “for sale” section of Sniper’s Hide. Some real treasures from time to time.