What rifle would you get?

[canoeguy]

I had a Remington 700 PSS rifle in .308 caliber, with a Leupold Vari-X III Tactical scope on it that was extremely accurate. Developed a handload using a Sierra 168 grain HPBT bullet that would shoot 1" groups at 200 yards.

It looked cool, all of my friends wanted to shoot it, don't know why I sold it...

 

[Joe in SC]

Call Kelbly's up in North Lawrence Ohio and have them build you a rifle on their Stolle Panda Action. If you can reload get a 6 PPC, otherwise specify a factory produced cartridge and ask for a SAMMI minimum neck.

Go to benchrest.com and look around at their classifieds and also look under complete rifles in the left hand column on the home page. There you will find a list of gunsmiths that will build you a rifle beyond any accuracy expectations you have ever had.

If 3 grand+ is more than you want to pay then consider a used rifle. Look at Bob White's Shooters Corner web page that can be found at Benchrest. com's web page under complete rifles also. Click on complete rifles and you'll find him there. Then click on "the list"

Before you write off currently manufactured rifle's by the US makers check out Savage Arms long range precision rifles and their target rifles.

As for scopes any of the top makers 36X target models with fine crosshairs or a target dot will suffice. On the low end (400.00 bucks +/_) Weaver makes a satisfactory product as well as Sightron. From there the sky's the limit.

 

[redsfan2]

An older Remington 700 BDL heavy barrel in .308 would work well for 200 yard shooting. A nice one shouldn't be too expensive. Add a Timney trigger and a good scope and you're good to go.

Charlie

Have to agree. Read the posts before I chimed in, but you're not going to go wrong with the Remington 700. The trigger ... scope .. and a walnut stock and you've got a classic that won't take a 2nd mortage to pay for or feed.
Militaria .... M1a1 ... just a personal favorite since I carried one.

Have fun .. thats the main thing.

 

[Fishslayer]

I want something to be proud of. Something that will get other shooters to admire, as the did my Winchester model 52 on the 100 yard range. I'm open to calibers, something BIG, something collectable. What do snipers use? I want to hit a 50' .22 target dead center from 200 yards.

M1A National Match. .308 goodness. Bring money. Lots & lots of money.
Hitting with iron sights is more impressive.

 

[bmcgilvray]

Don't worry about the other shooters. Just have a nice rifle for the fun of it. If you like classic Winchesters than any pre-64 Model 70 will do.

A good .220 Swift is hard to beat for something different that is super accurate at 200 yards. Great fun for handloading. A .22-250 is nearly the same breed of cat if your going to shoot only factory fodder.

Here's a Winchester Model 70 from 1937 and a Ruger Model 77V from 1972 and both are chambered for the .220 Swift.

 

[ohiococonut]

I've got a pair of .308's that are absolute tack drivers and both wear a Leupold MK4 6.5-20x50 LR/T. One is a Kimber 8400 Tactical and the other is a Savage Palma with a 30" barrel, adj butt stock and a target trigger. You had better be ready when you touch it since it's set for 3oz. Bought both off the rack and didn't have to do anything to either of them.

If you want top of the line re-read what Joe in SC posted and start with a Stolle Panda Action.

 

[tyusclan]

I appreciate all the input, I am partial to Winchester. Please keep my options coming. I'm hearing of rifles I've never heard of before. I'm kind of considering .270 or .30-06

If you like Winchester get a Model 70, pre-64 if possible, (more impressive ) but the later ones are still very good. Can't go wrong with a .270 or .30-06. The .30-06 will give you a wider range of bullet weights in factory ammo, but other than that it's just personal preference.

 

[redsfan2]

M1A National Match. .308 goodness. Bring money. Lots & lots of money.
Hitting with iron sights is more impressive.

It's a thing of beauty. Would definitely be my one indulgence ... if I cold afford it.

200 yds just isn't that much of a reach for that rifle tho .... 500 is still good shooting but at 200 x's should be obliterated.

 

[Kelly Green]

This is my 2 cents. I don't care if others admire my rifle or not. Putting rounds spot-on is what I care about. My Finnish Tikka T-3 in 7mm-o8 Remington is the most accurate rifle I own. It's a tack driver at 300 yards. It shoots flatter than a 30-06 with recoil like a 243 Winchester. Great for target, varmit and big game.

 

[GatorFarmer]

Get a pre1899 Krag Sporter - eh, later made if you must. The pre 99 ones will ship direct in most states, saves an FFL fee.

Anyway, the ammunition is still loaded commercially or you can reload for it. Cases last a long, long time.

Scopes? Eh.

Get an old Krag like mine with an ancient and complex rear peep sight with a lot of adjustments. Just learn to use it.

Good optics would cost more than the rifle. Though a scope mount of good quality can be made, I think the compay is S&K, if you simply must put glass on it.

Lebels and Berthiers of various types would fall into the same category.

The Krag is a bit modern though, being a repeater and using smokeless powder. You might want to look for something more proven, like an old Italian Vetterli that has been converted to centerfire.


Should run you 400 or so.

If you want to cut that price in half, try to find a 6.5mm chambered Italian Carcano, preferably one of the '91 "long" rifles. These sell for as little as a hundred dollars.

 

[Waldo]

I would buy some form of AR15 in .223. I would buy whatever barrel length appealed to me. I would get a flat top upper so I had a choice of iron sights or some kind of optical sight. The reason I would buy this is so that I could also buy a .22 Long Rifle conversion kit or .22 upper. You could shoot the .223 at 200 yards when you felt like it. Or you could shoot the .22 long rifle as much as you want at 50 feet or 50 yards and really improve your marksman a lot cheaper then shooting .223 at 200 yards. Then as you get more experience you could make an informed decision on what you want or need. I am sure that as you spend more time at the range and talk to other shooters and see what they are shooting , you will develop your own ideas or preferences.

 

[venomballistics]

200 yards is child's play for any decent rifle.
at 200 the need for a scope is really a coin toss.
personally, unless your eyes are failing, opt for some decent iron sight upgrades and keep an element of challenge to the 200 yard line.

 

[Fishslayer]

at 200 the need for a scope is really a coin toss.
personally, unless your eyes are failing, opt for some decent iron sight upgrades and keep an element of challenge to the 200 yard line.

Back in the day I qual'd with the M16 at 200 yds. Nowadays I don't know if I could find the target at that range without glass.

 

[W.E.G.]

Colt 6940

 

[venomballistics]

Back in the day I qual'd with the M16 at 200 yds. Nowadays I don't know if I could find the target at that range without glass.

I hear you ... I can still find the paper at that distance, and hit it too. making the result look different from a load of buckshot .... That im not as sure about

 

[617X10]

I'd get an 1873 Winchester or copy just to be different from all of the bolt action and AR guys.

 

[peyton]

I think a winchester model 70 in 270 or 308 with a good scope will last a lifetime!!

 

[cmort666]

Truth be told, 200 yards isn't much of a test for a rifle or a shooter with good fundamental skills.

Unless you're planning to get into benchrest, I wouldn't sink a LOT of money into a rifle for 200 yards.

If you want a bolt gun, Savages are both highly accurate and very reasonably priced. I've got two, a heavy barrel 112BVSS in .30-06 and a heavy barrel 10FP Sniper in .308. I have no opportunity to shoot rifle now, but I rarely shot them closer than 600 yards, as I considered them wasted at closer range.

If you want a semi-auto, any of the name brand AR15 types would do, such as Bushmaster, Colt, DPMS, etc.

If you're not doing it now, seriously considering handloading. GOOD rifle ammunition is expensive and often hard to find.

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

It certainly shows. You missed the target all three times

Yes I know... I have a lot to learn. While I was shooting, a couple guys at the club suggested that accuracy might improve if I sit at the bench using sand bags or a bipod to steady the rifle rather than standing and shooting off hand. I'll have to try that sometime.

 

[redsfan2]

Yes I know... I have a lot to learn. While I was shooting, a couple guys at the club suggested that accuracy might improve if I sit at the bench using sand bags or a bipod to steady the rifle rather than standing and shooting off hand. I'll have to try that sometime.

Just my 2 cents worth ... but I would take their advice. I would also enlist the help of someone to watch you shoot. I don't think accuracy is your problem.... you have a good group, you just need to move it over onto the target. Your problem is either a sight adjustment ( stabilize the rifle to see ) or a movement you're not aware of while you're shooting. ( coaching ). Either should be easy enough to fix and add to the fun of shooting. Good luck with it.