Yet Another Gun Thread
#5641
I've been unable to sell my AR10 despite a very competitive price. I figured I don't need a 20" 6.8spc and a 16" .308 semi-auto for hunting, so it's on the block.
I thought about building a legit 6.5 Creedmoor upper for it, but a legit barrel alone costs as much as a new Ruger American Predator... which I have discovered is the new hotness for budget precision. I've pretty much decided on the RPR in 6.5CM and throwing it in an MDTAC LSS chassis. I'll be in for the whole gun with a stock and Atlas knockoff bipod for about $900. I'm waiting on Athlon to release their new scopes at Shot Show and see how they compare. Their Argos 6-24x model is about $350 for a full-featured FFP scope... reviews are great for the price, so this summer when I'm looking to buy, some people will have had them for a year and with a few more data-points.
I'm also looking very hard at getting a Savage action and using a drop-in barrel. The RPR is only a 22" barrel, and the sweet spot for 6.5CM is 24"... and that'll put me at around $1100 for the gun if I go the Savage route. However, the Savage Stealth is only about $900... but I like the idea of "building" my own gun rather than buying it. 1st world problems.
I thought about building a legit 6.5 Creedmoor upper for it, but a legit barrel alone costs as much as a new Ruger American Predator... which I have discovered is the new hotness for budget precision. I've pretty much decided on the RPR in 6.5CM and throwing it in an MDTAC LSS chassis. I'll be in for the whole gun with a stock and Atlas knockoff bipod for about $900. I'm waiting on Athlon to release their new scopes at Shot Show and see how they compare. Their Argos 6-24x model is about $350 for a full-featured FFP scope... reviews are great for the price, so this summer when I'm looking to buy, some people will have had them for a year and with a few more data-points.
I'm also looking very hard at getting a Savage action and using a drop-in barrel. The RPR is only a 22" barrel, and the sweet spot for 6.5CM is 24"... and that'll put me at around $1100 for the gun if I go the Savage route. However, the Savage Stealth is only about $900... but I like the idea of "building" my own gun rather than buying it. 1st world problems.
Never really liked the 6.8 to be honest. Have you considered 6.5 Grendal? I LOVE my 16" 308.
#5642
For $400 or less, MDT has the market cornered for a budget chassis. Since the damned thing is only a piece of aluminum you bolt your receiver to, I really don't know why there aren't any competitors trying to get in even cheaper for a basic chassis. The AR parts compatibility is a no-brainer for most people getting started.
#5643
Coincidentally, around 400yds is where factory .308 hunting ammo runs out... long barrels and handloads can get your 1000ftlb distance out to 500+yds, but you're upwards of 70"+ of drop and not going there.
Perhaps if Alexander Arms hadn't been the Sony of "It's mine and you can't have it" proprietary caliber bullshit, they'd have won the "halfway between .223 and .308 game"... but they lost. True, the Grendel has a small long-range advantage because 6.5mm... but in all actual legal/ethical hunting scenarios, they are both out of gas at 400yds and the 6.8 has more sectional density. My long kill on deer with my 20" 6.8spc was 360yds with a 120sst at a 120lb doe... and although I was fully confident, I think I'd pick up a bigger gun or go for smaller deer if much further than that.
Just wait until the HPA gets passed... the entire domestic firearms market will be turned on it's head... my prediction is that over-the-counter suppressor availability will have a huge benefit to the long-range hobby.
#5644
I know the HPA is going to have a huge effect on suppressors. RIght now they're a huge PITA to deal with in the factory because of the laws. Being able to use a baffle in an as cast or as mim condition (without having to have the casting or mim completely in house) or even having a stock on through hole in the cast/mim blank would really make the whole thing easier to deal with.
#5645
I know the HPA is going to have a huge effect on suppressors. RIght now they're a huge PITA to deal with in the factory because of the laws. Being able to use a baffle in an as cast or as mim condition (without having to have the casting or mim completely in house) or even having a stock on through hole in the cast/mim blank would really make the whole thing easier to deal with.
If it gets the attention I'm hearing in rumors, it will be a late summer item in Congress. Within 18 months, the initial rush will be over and the gaps in industry will be filled by a few dozen startups... spurring innovation and competition. Aluminum rimfire stuff will be down in the $50 range, and quality small-caliber steel stuff down in the $200 range. The fancy top-of-the-line titanium stuff will still cost more, but economy of scale drives prices... you can do a really nice full tit Form1 direct thread solvent trap with modern baffles for about $450... so expect those to be down near $300.
Everything will need to come threaded... which means a lot of tooling investment in industry... plus a new huge demand for replacement barrels, both aftermarket and factory
Gunsmiths will be backed up for years with (literally) millions of barrels that suddenly need to be threaded.
Hunting laws will change too... no more noise worries on Sundays if you hunt suppressed... in fact, perhaps an early "suppressor" season for rifles in hi-density areas.
New model lineups with factory "integrally suppressed" barrels from all the major manufacturers.
Suppressor give-aways with package deals... or "free suppressor with $300 rimfire gun purchase".
New rules for shooting ranges... "suppressor only days"... "suppressed only before 12:00 on weekends"... "mandatory suppressors on all 5.56 semi-autos and magnum rifles"
The reloading industry will have to adapt as well as there will be a shift towards heavier bullets and the need for clean-burning powders for subsonic stuff.
... it's going to be very big.
#5646
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Interesting.
I will preface my question by admitting that I have not read or done much research on it (because it does not effect me) but if they become standard 4473 items does that mean that there now exists the possibility of private manufacture for personal use?
I will preface my question by admitting that I have not read or done much research on it (because it does not effect me) but if they become standard 4473 items does that mean that there now exists the possibility of private manufacture for personal use?
Last edited by EO2K; 01-04-2017 at 12:52 PM.
#5648
More shooting tonight, I'm starting to look at bolt rifles for when we finish this course in two months. Sadly restricted to centrefire bolt action rifles or rimfire. Some semi-auto rimfire rifles too I think. Will only be used for target shooting, indoors 30 yards and outdoors up to 1200 yards on a range nearby. Can usually get .22 and .308 (and .338LM if I can get a mortgage). Are the Savage rifles still most bang for buck?
#5652
getting my model 11 scout how I want it
removed the dumb & heavy plastic cheekrest and replaced with a comfy (but expensive) hornady rest/pouch. removed muzzle brake and rear sight to save weight too. homemade strap.. cheapy bipod that was just on for sighting it in
removed the dumb & heavy plastic cheekrest and replaced with a comfy (but expensive) hornady rest/pouch. removed muzzle brake and rear sight to save weight too. homemade strap.. cheapy bipod that was just on for sighting it in
Last edited by babydriver; 01-04-2017 at 03:39 PM.
#5654
More shooting tonight, I'm starting to look at bolt rifles for when we finish this course in two months. Sadly restricted to centrefire bolt action rifles or rimfire. Some semi-auto rimfire rifles too I think. Will only be used for target shooting, indoors 30 yards and outdoors up to 1200 yards on a range nearby. Can usually get .22 and .308 (and .338LM if I can get a mortgage). Are the Savage rifles still most bang for buck?
I know you're in the UK, but bear with me...
The Savage 10 that CALTEG linked is probably the best bolt-action .308 you can buy for the money if you're going to do mostly bench-shooting. Box mag, bull'ish barrel, quality rail, heavy bolt ****, decent trigger... there's literally nothing else out there for under $600 like it. The Ruger American Predator loses 2" on a thinner barrel, but granted is $200 cheaper... and the stock Ruger trigger isn't as good as the Savage Accutrigger. OTOH, Timney for either is only $100 and you can DIY the trigger guts yourself to something very acceptable.
For a .22lr, the Savage MkII is the only way to go unless you can step up the cash for a CZ455. Here in the states, the bare-bones CZ is $300, while the comparable Savage MKii F is only $150 after the perpetual $25 rebate Savage has run for years now. I have the MK FV-SR and it shoots 1/2" groups at 50yds with CCI Standard Velocity not counting the 1 in 10 flier.
At least he's done the scope right.
#5655
hey weight is part of the equation too! I was a little suprised when i got the gun how heavy it was so i had to do what i could.
that is a great deal on that model 10 but a 24 inch barrel seems crazy to me. I dont think thats necessary. Ive read studies where your accuracy returns diminish quickly after 16" on phone or id look it up
that is a great deal on that model 10 but a 24 inch barrel seems crazy to me. I dont think thats necessary. Ive read studies where your accuracy returns diminish quickly after 16" on phone or id look it up
#5656
hey weight is part of the equation too! I was a little suprised when i got the gun how heavy it was so i had to do what i could.
that is a great deal on that model 10 but a 24 inch barrel seems crazy to me. I dont think thats necessary. Ive read studies where your accuracy returns diminish quickly after 16" on phone or id look it up
that is a great deal on that model 10 but a 24 inch barrel seems crazy to me. I dont think thats necessary. Ive read studies where your accuracy returns diminish quickly after 16" on phone or id look it up
#5659
There are a couple manufacturers of reasonably priced rifles that are generally recommended when people ask "best out of the box"... Savage, Tikka, and Howa. The new Ruger American is quickly gaining ground but the others have been around awhile.
I know you're in the UK, but bear with me...
The Savage 10 that CALTEG linked is probably the best bolt-action .308 you can buy for the money if you're going to do mostly bench-shooting. Box mag, bull'ish barrel, quality rail, heavy bolt ****, decent trigger... there's literally nothing else out there for under $600 like it. The Ruger American Predator loses 2" on a thinner barrel, but granted is $200 cheaper... and the stock Ruger trigger isn't as good as the Savage Accutrigger. OTOH, Timney for either is only $100 and you can DIY the trigger guts yourself to something very acceptable.
For a .22lr, the Savage MkII is the only way to go unless you can step up the cash for a CZ455. Here in the states, the bare-bones CZ is $300, while the comparable Savage MKii F is only $150 after the perpetual $25 rebate Savage has run for years now. I have the MK FV-SR and it shoots 1/2" groups at 50yds with CCI Standard Velocity not counting the 1 in 10 flier.
At least he's done the scope right.
I know you're in the UK, but bear with me...
The Savage 10 that CALTEG linked is probably the best bolt-action .308 you can buy for the money if you're going to do mostly bench-shooting. Box mag, bull'ish barrel, quality rail, heavy bolt ****, decent trigger... there's literally nothing else out there for under $600 like it. The Ruger American Predator loses 2" on a thinner barrel, but granted is $200 cheaper... and the stock Ruger trigger isn't as good as the Savage Accutrigger. OTOH, Timney for either is only $100 and you can DIY the trigger guts yourself to something very acceptable.
For a .22lr, the Savage MkII is the only way to go unless you can step up the cash for a CZ455. Here in the states, the bare-bones CZ is $300, while the comparable Savage MKii F is only $150 after the perpetual $25 rebate Savage has run for years now. I have the MK FV-SR and it shoots 1/2" groups at 50yds with CCI Standard Velocity not counting the 1 in 10 flier.
At least he's done the scope right.
I usually manage a 1" group at 30 yards, bench rest and iron sights with a 40 grain lead bullet.