I think Im in love.

[parishioner]

I just recently stumbled across the precision rifle world and I havent stopped drooling. I think Im in love. The longest shot I have ever even attempted was a deer I dropped at 290 yds with a .270 win. Shooting and making hits out to 500, 600, and 800 yards really sounds like a thrill.

Lets just say I wanted to get into long range shooting. What is a good rifle to get started on. Im already familiar with the different types of glass like S&B, nightforce, USO, and Leupold but Im not on the up and up with bolt guns.

I know the army and marines use the remington 700 action on their sniper systems so would remington be a good start?

Pardon my ignorance, but I am really just burnt out over analyzing the minutiae of the AR platform. The thought of studying a new weapon system from the beginning makes my head want to explode. I mean, eventually I will but I guess Im just looking for a push in a good direction and when the time comes I'll dive right in.

Thanks.

[Thomas M-4]

This company has been highly recommended to me on a project that I was considering. And they are in your neighborhood http://www.louisianaprecisionrifles.com/
I would give them a call about any questions or ideas that you have.

[rat31465]

I bought a used Benchrest rifle a long time ago and shooting it the first time made something go terribly wrong inside my head.

Suddenly I found myself seeking the "Unicorn" of rifle shooting. I wanted to shoot a five shot group whose center to center spread was in the zero's. In other words a bughole group with an extreme spread of less than 1/1000th of an inch.

I spent all my spare time and extra money building, buying and shooting precision built Varmint class Benchrest rifles and still love the thrill (or agony....depending upon how you look at it.) of seeing four shots land into the tiniest of holes only to have the fifth and last shot land outside the others.
Precision rifles are alot of fun...just be prepared for what you are getting yourself into....oh yeah and have fun with them.:D

And Yes, there is nothing wrong with beginning with a Rem 700 action rifle...so long as you are ready to have the action blue printed and trued, the bolts lapped into at least 80% contact, Bedded properly (Even with the PSS or VS models.) and the chamber checked and trued. Check out these links for some other options.
http://www.ammoland.com/2009/05/19/kelblys-panda-action-bench-rest-scoped-rifle/
http://www.bryantcustom.com/rifles/benchrest_rifles.htm
http://www.kelbly.com/rifles.html
http://www.longshotriflesllc.com/rifle-gallery/600-2000-yard-benchrest.php
http://www.shilen.com/faq.html

[parishioner]

Thanks for all the links. I looked at GAPs website.....whoa. Just when I thought ARs was the most expensive hobby. Anyway I was reading about surgeon actions and these seem to have a good reputation but they are over a grand. If the remington action is trued and fit properly to ther barrel, is there any noticeable difference in performance between it and a surgeon action?

[Thomas M-4]

Thanks for all the links. I looked at GAPs website.....whoa. Just when I thought ARs was the most expensive hobby. Anyway I was reading about surgeon actions and these seem to have a good reputation but they are over a grand. If the remington action is trued and fit properly to ther barrel, is there any noticeable difference in performance between it and a surgeon action?

Rem 700 actions have been used for years in benchrest when properly blueprinted now you have company making very fine actions that are based on the rem700 that require no blueprinting at all they are perfect from the factory and they come with different options sako extractors M-16 style extractors flutted bolts on and on and on.
check out this site http://www.6mmbr.com/index.html
They list custom action manufactures.
Look at there guns of the week page some very nice rigs in there
They also have good articles to read.

Stillers / Vipers actions makes a Tac 30 action that supposed to cost less than buying rem 700 action and having it blueprinted.
http://www.viperactions.com/

[rat31465]

Thanks for all the links. I looked at GAPs website.....whoa. Just when I thought ARs was the most expensive hobby. Anyway I was reading about surgeon actions and these seem to have a good reputation but they are over a grand. If the remington action is trued and fit properly to ther barrel, is there any noticeable difference in performance between it and a surgeon action?

First off I am a fan of the Remington 700 Action for Varmint Rifles...They are reasonably priced and with a little investment you can get a very accurate rifle out of the deal. But, when it all comes down to it, you get what you have paid for. You still have a Commercial grade action that you have spent a good chunk of change on to bring it up to target grade accuracy. If you ever go to sell it..plan on selling it as a stock 700 action because in most cases you won't get your money back on it.
However with a purpose built action such as the Stolle, Panda, Shilens old DG or the Surgeon (which I have no experience with) you have a purpose built action that will not need all the extra work done to it like you would with a Rem 700, Winchester 70, Browning or any other commercially built rifle.

In my opinion....if you want an accurate shooter for punching paper or shooting prarie dogs that will do a good job then go with a Rem 700. If you want an accurate shooter for long range competition or even bad guy hunting...go with the custom or semi-custom actions.

[Thomas M-4]

Glen Harrison of http://www.boltactions.net/index.php Phoenix Machine and a founder of Nesika Bay is the person that recommended me to Louisiana Precision Rifles he also recommended G.A.P.

[jpipes]

If I had it all to do over again, I would buy an FN SPR action from CDNN for $350, a DBM system and McMillan A3 (If he has any more in stock) from CDI precision, and take your pick of quality barrel makers...Brux is running 2-3 weeks. Send it to William Roscoe as mentioned above, and shoot the hell out of it.