Getting "back into" a precision .308...

[Trumpet]

308 off-the-shelf is a great option. Fed Gold Medal Match is almost a no-brainer.

If you can find an older 700 Varmint Synthetic (either the carbon or fluted stainless barrel with an H-S stock) and add a decent trigger (CG22 or Jewell or another that might fit your preference and style) you really can't go wrong.

A 5R is a decent barrel but tends to be heavier than a Varmint (if my dinosaur memory serves that the 5R is in M24 profile). Great for shooting itty-bitty groups from a bench but a pain in the ass if you're taking it into the woods and actually moving over terrain.

You can spend thousands to get benchrester-type performance or you can shoot the thing until you wear out the first barrel, then upgrade.

Remingtons are the start point as there are so many different after-market accessories you can add as you go, or spec later. Savage 110s are supposed to be very good as well, but you're more limited in your accessories availability.

Since you've already owned 700s and a GAP you're going to have to review what you want the rifle to do -- especially since you're limited to a 200-yard range and not competing yet.

At 100 and 200 yards you can try 125, 135, and 155-grain bullets to shoot tiny bench rest groups and see what you and the system are capable of. Big-ass plates, IPSC targets, and E-types will be comparatively huge after that.

In the end it's still just a rifle (regardless of make). You want it to fit your shooting style, requirements, and budget.

Plain old 700V, upgraded over the years (still sporting the factory barrel whish was set back a quarter-inch). Ten-shot 100-yard group, and last season's 354-yard kill.

Thanks Dave. Good points everyone. I had NO idea that 6.5CM was priced about (or lower) the same as .308 match. The only thing is the availability of "blasting" ammo. Yeah, I know it's not the obvious choice, but it's nice to have that as an option, and as far as I know (unless you reload, which I don't) there is no such thing for 6.5. It's crazy to me that match 6.5CM is cheaper the match .260, but oh well.

I'm not really sweating the "local availability" thing, since I live in MD and I have yet to find a decent shop. I buy just about everything online.

[waveslayer]

Abso-freakin-lutely!

On calm wind days, the Rem 700 5R in .223 is the easiest gun to get hits for us at 1000 yards. No joke. The recoil is nothing, and with a can it's like a pellet rifle. So much cheaper and funner to shoot than a .308. Out to 500 yards, the dope is pretty close. Feed it nice 77 gr ammo, and it will be your favorite gun.

+1 again

[pyrotechnic]

I think right now the only factory option in 6.5 creedmore is the Savage unfortunately. As others have mentioned a .223 bolt gun might be just the ticket as well.

[waveslayer]

I think right now the only factory option in 6.5 creedmore is the Savage unfortunately. As others have mentioned a .223 bolt gun might be just the ticket as well.

Browning makes one, but shoot out the Tikka barrel in .308 then replace it with a Creedmoor

[Koshinn]

Thanks Dave. Good points everyone. I had NO idea that 6.5CM was priced about (or lower) the same as .308 match. The only thing is the availability of "blasting" ammo. Yeah, I know it's not the obvious choice, but it's nice to have that as an option, and as far as I know (unless you reload, which I don't) there is no such thing for 6.5. It's crazy to me that match 6.5CM is cheaper the match .260, but oh well.

I'm not really sweating the "local availability" thing, since I live in MD and I have yet to find a decent shop. I buy just about everything online.

Why would you waste barrel life on blasting ammo?

[Trumpet]

Why would you waste barrel life on blasting ammo?

Because sometimes that's all you have on hand? Then again, if I would go the FN route, I don't think I'd have to worry about barrel life anyway.

[Koshinn]

The FN would be what I would get if you plan to shoot non-match ammo through a precision gun.

I'd personally rather not shoot my bolt gun than to waste its barrel life on surplus or otherwise very inaccurate ammo. I have other rifles that will eat surplus .308 or .223.

[elephantrider]

So, fast forward and I'm ready to get a .308 bolt gun again....except NOT on a bachelor's budget anymore . I'm not looking to compete (yet), and I only have access (for now)to a 200 yard range. I don't reload, so that keeps me at .308. So here are my considerations....

Remington 700 5R. IMO the best of the Remmies for the $ because if I went with an AAC model, I'd have to upgrade the stock too. With the 5R, I'd "only" have to change the trigger and bottom metal. $1100-$1200. Not including cost of scope base.

Tikka CTR. I've heard nothing but great things about them. The stock is do-able, but I'd also consider selling the stock and bottom metal (same as TRG22) and putting it in a KRG X-ray. From what I've read, fantastic smooth actions, nice triggers. $1200-ish after X-ray.

FN SPR A1. Same as Tikka, never heard a bad thing about them. Can get an A1 (although I REALLY want an A1A...$1600-$1700) for $1295. Already in bedded McMillan stock, with DBM (although it's FN proprietary). Comes with 20 MOA base (8-40). Not as smooth as Tikka, but good trigger too.

Thoughts?

As MarkM suggested, .223 is also a good choice. Take a hard look at the ballistics that long .224 bullets are capable of. Since you aren't reloading that may make .223 less appealing than a .308.
Either way, a Rem 700 5R is probably your best bet. If you have the 24" .308 then you can compete in precision rifle type comps, but you will not be competitive with the 6mm and 6.5mm shooters. You can just compete with yourself and anyone else using a .308. The local precision rifle club here always names the highest scoring .308 shooter in each match.

KRG has a good write up o the pro's and cons of the Tikka action on their website, so you can figure what you are in for with that route.

The FN can be a very capable platform, but there just aren't as many drop-in accessories and chassis systems for them. I don't think the stocks com fully bedded from the factory, but I could be wrong.

If you can find an older 700 Varmint Synthetic (either the carbon or fluted stainless barrel with an H-S stock) and add a decent trigger (CG22 or Jewell or another that might fit your preference and style) you really can't go wrong.

A 5R is a decent barrel but tends to be heavier than a Varmint (if my dinosaur memory serves that the 5R is in M24 profile). Great for shooting itty-bitty groups from a bench but a pain in the ass if you're taking it into the woods and actually moving over terrain.

Plain old 700V, upgraded over the years (still sporting the factory barrel which was set back a quarter-inch). Ten-shot 100-yard group, and last season's 354-yard kill.

I had a 26" VS .308 from the mid to late 90's production and it shot excellent. Makes me wish I hadn't messed with it.

The current 5Rs have the Rem Varmint barrel profile, same as your VS and a great all around profile.

Nice shooting.

[Trumpet]

Yeah, the FN I'm looking at comes bedded (the taccord deal).

[sinister]

The Taccord FN A4 seems to have a lot of very nice, usable features. Don't know what they're asking for as far as per-rifle price.

"POR" when it comes to anything with wheels, props, or tits probably means it's gonna cost more than you want to plunk down.

12 pounds for the rifle itself before adding a scope is also going to make it a beast to haul.