avboiler11
Master
I'm a Savage guy...both of my bolt-action precision rifles (223AI and 260) are built on Savages with McMillan A5 stocks.
That said, one of those Remington 700 ADL Varmint rifles in 308 that Dick's Sporting Goods is going to have for $350 after rebate on Black Friday would be a REAL good place to start. Get a 20MOA base, a quality optic and a good set of rings along with many boxes of Federal/Black Hills/Southwest/Copper Creek 175gr ammo and go shoot!
Otherwise, a Remington 700 Tactical or AAC-SD, or a Savage 10FP-SR (or even the 11 Hog Hunter) in either 223 or 308 would be fine choices for getting into the precision rifle game. Depending on your budget (a HUGE factor in this), going with the Savage 10FCP-McMillan is a great choice!
As for caliber...308 is the "standard" because "that's what military snipers use"...even though there are dozens of other chamberings that flat spank a 308 in terms of drop, drift and energy at long ranges. That being said, lemme expand on the option of starting your precision rifle learnin' with a 223.
Lots of folks poo-poo the 223 at anything beyond 300m, probably because they're used to AR-length barrels and 55gr ammo. The 1:9 twist that the 700 Tactical or any Savage comes with will shoot 75/77gr ammo well with PLENTY of pep to punch holes in paper or ring still to 1000yd, let alone 600...and will do so 1. with less recoil and report, and 2. at a lower per-round cost, which means more practice, which means improving your skills faster.
Hornady 75gr Steel Match ammunition is a FANTASTIC choice for a "budget precision" rifle in 223...it runs <$25 per box of 50 and has shot MOA or better for me in a Savage 12FV bolt gun and a 1:8 18" AR15.
That said, one of those Remington 700 ADL Varmint rifles in 308 that Dick's Sporting Goods is going to have for $350 after rebate on Black Friday would be a REAL good place to start. Get a 20MOA base, a quality optic and a good set of rings along with many boxes of Federal/Black Hills/Southwest/Copper Creek 175gr ammo and go shoot!
Otherwise, a Remington 700 Tactical or AAC-SD, or a Savage 10FP-SR (or even the 11 Hog Hunter) in either 223 or 308 would be fine choices for getting into the precision rifle game. Depending on your budget (a HUGE factor in this), going with the Savage 10FCP-McMillan is a great choice!
As for caliber...308 is the "standard" because "that's what military snipers use"...even though there are dozens of other chamberings that flat spank a 308 in terms of drop, drift and energy at long ranges. That being said, lemme expand on the option of starting your precision rifle learnin' with a 223.
Lots of folks poo-poo the 223 at anything beyond 300m, probably because they're used to AR-length barrels and 55gr ammo. The 1:9 twist that the 700 Tactical or any Savage comes with will shoot 75/77gr ammo well with PLENTY of pep to punch holes in paper or ring still to 1000yd, let alone 600...and will do so 1. with less recoil and report, and 2. at a lower per-round cost, which means more practice, which means improving your skills faster.
Hornady 75gr Steel Match ammunition is a FANTASTIC choice for a "budget precision" rifle in 223...it runs <$25 per box of 50 and has shot MOA or better for me in a Savage 12FV bolt gun and a 1:8 18" AR15.