Some of you may have seen my numerous threads lately about picking a rifle and optic. Well, my choices have been made, so I thought I would tell you what I did. I will also relate some of what I learned, and how I could have done it on a smaller budget. I sold a rifle, and had $1300. My goal was a gun that would be an excellent hunting rifle, but also excellent for shooting long range. 1000 yards was not my goal, but I did want it to be possible. Easy to carry in the field, light enough to walk around all day with (your definition of this may vary, but I hunt with an M1 Garand and typically walk a few miles while hunting) and most of all, I wasn't looking to skimp on stuff. The most I had ever spent on an Optic before was $179... All that being said, I could easily have spent the $1300 on just an optic, or just a rifle. So my goal was to not skimp, but stay on budget. I pestered a couple of people for advice, and really appreciate the feedback I got. I pm'd one guy several times, and he was a ton of help, you know who you are, THANKS!
First, the rifle.
Years ago I had a .223 heavy barrel Savage 10fp, with a 20 inch barrel and a BSA scope. I sold it to get an AR, and don't regret it, but do miss it. I did learn one thing, the two 24" heavy barrel guns I had in the past were tough to shoot offhand. Dropping 4" of barrel makes a world of difference.
I knew I wanted a Savage, but didn't want to rule out anything. Bud's Gun Shop had several really nice options. One was a Remington, the others where Savages. I really didn't like the Remington Hogue stock (got to handle one at Sportsworld) and had been told the Savage Accustocks were way better than the old ones that I had used before had been. There was a cheaper Savage option, but I really like the fluting, and slightly shorter barrel of the more expensive option, so I went with this:http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/411552143
For a scope, after a bit of online research and asking questions on here, one brand stood way out. Vortex scopes seem to have an awesome reputation, and really stand by their products. I wanted a Mil/Mil setup, with exposed turrets and was going to buy this one:http://www.midwayusa.com/product/18...us-1-10-mil-adjustments-mil-dot-reticle-matte
It was on backorder, which turned out to be good for me. I put up a wanted to buy, and got very good deal on a better scope. I paid the same for this:http://www.midwayusa.com/product/15...ide-focus-illuminated-ebr-1-moa-reticle-matte
That I would have paid for the other one.
Those two purchases got me right at $1236. That left me a bit short on money for rings and a base. So I went with the cheaper Weaver 20MOA base, and a set of Weaver Tactical rings. A buddy has those on a rifle of his that he has shot a lot without any problem, so here's hoping for the best. I figure a .308 isn't a real hard recoiling rifle so with a bit of blue locktite I should be ok. If not, new rings and a base aren't crazy expensive so I will save up for them.
All in all, this build is literally $1324. So I went $24 over budget. I could have gotten a cheaper but probably equally capable rifle http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/...ts_id/70992/Savage+10FPSR+LE+308+THREADED+BBL
And saved about $130. I did think long and hard about it, and could have used that money for nicer mounts, ammo, a bipod, nicer scope, or any number of other things. I could have saved a bit of money on a scope as well, and still got a very nice and capable Vortex. I chose to go ahead and spend the extra money on the main components because..... well they were what I wanted, and I already have a bunch of .308 components to get started playing with.
Baby number 6 is due within a month, so shooting time is going to be very limited till Feb.-March ish, so I figured the smaller purchases could trickle in over time.
I will post pics when everything comes in and is assembled, can't wait to also be posting range reports. Hope this might help anyone who is looking to do something similar. I have a buddy of mine who is looking to build a rifle for around six grand, and while my rifle might not be as fancy, I think it will be able to hold it's own, and be a great learning tool.
First, the rifle.
Years ago I had a .223 heavy barrel Savage 10fp, with a 20 inch barrel and a BSA scope. I sold it to get an AR, and don't regret it, but do miss it. I did learn one thing, the two 24" heavy barrel guns I had in the past were tough to shoot offhand. Dropping 4" of barrel makes a world of difference.
I knew I wanted a Savage, but didn't want to rule out anything. Bud's Gun Shop had several really nice options. One was a Remington, the others where Savages. I really didn't like the Remington Hogue stock (got to handle one at Sportsworld) and had been told the Savage Accustocks were way better than the old ones that I had used before had been. There was a cheaper Savage option, but I really like the fluting, and slightly shorter barrel of the more expensive option, so I went with this:http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/411552143
For a scope, after a bit of online research and asking questions on here, one brand stood way out. Vortex scopes seem to have an awesome reputation, and really stand by their products. I wanted a Mil/Mil setup, with exposed turrets and was going to buy this one:http://www.midwayusa.com/product/18...us-1-10-mil-adjustments-mil-dot-reticle-matte
It was on backorder, which turned out to be good for me. I put up a wanted to buy, and got very good deal on a better scope. I paid the same for this:http://www.midwayusa.com/product/15...ide-focus-illuminated-ebr-1-moa-reticle-matte
That I would have paid for the other one.
Those two purchases got me right at $1236. That left me a bit short on money for rings and a base. So I went with the cheaper Weaver 20MOA base, and a set of Weaver Tactical rings. A buddy has those on a rifle of his that he has shot a lot without any problem, so here's hoping for the best. I figure a .308 isn't a real hard recoiling rifle so with a bit of blue locktite I should be ok. If not, new rings and a base aren't crazy expensive so I will save up for them.
All in all, this build is literally $1324. So I went $24 over budget. I could have gotten a cheaper but probably equally capable rifle http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/...ts_id/70992/Savage+10FPSR+LE+308+THREADED+BBL
And saved about $130. I did think long and hard about it, and could have used that money for nicer mounts, ammo, a bipod, nicer scope, or any number of other things. I could have saved a bit of money on a scope as well, and still got a very nice and capable Vortex. I chose to go ahead and spend the extra money on the main components because..... well they were what I wanted, and I already have a bunch of .308 components to get started playing with.
Baby number 6 is due within a month, so shooting time is going to be very limited till Feb.-March ish, so I figured the smaller purchases could trickle in over time.
I will post pics when everything comes in and is assembled, can't wait to also be posting range reports. Hope this might help anyone who is looking to do something similar. I have a buddy of mine who is looking to build a rifle for around six grand, and while my rifle might not be as fancy, I think it will be able to hold it's own, and be a great learning tool.
