Looking into Tactical Bolt Actions - Where do I start?

[Skyyr]

Hey guys...

I've decided that I need a bolt action to complement my collection. I've shot them before, but I've never actually looked into them seriously. At this point, I really don't know anything about them besides the differences between some calibers requiring a long vs short action and that the Remington 700 is collectively considered the best all-around starting point, bang for buck.

I've looked high and low for a rundown of bolt action rifles and, unlike the wealth of information on AR15's, I can't seem to find a good intro to what I'm looking for... and I definitely can't seem to find chart-like comparisons that we've been spoiled to have here on M4C.

That being said, I'm looking to build a 1000yd MOA-or-better rifle, preferably in .308. .300 and .338 seem attractive to me, but I've never shot them and they seem to reportedly be expensive. I like the "tactical" functionality over the traditional, barrel-only hunting bolt actions. I noticed that I really like the AI stocks, as well as their complete rifles. I want to build the most accurate combat-capable (read: sniper-esque) rifle up to the point of diminishing returns of cost vs accuracy.

For what it's worth, cost isn't too much of a concern (not that I'm made of money - I'm not, but I want to objectively go after what would best suit me, regardless of cost, and work from there). I don't mind dropping $2,000, $3,000, or even $5,000 on a rifle (or more if needed) if that money is proportional to the performance I'll get out of it. What I want to avoid is putting an extra $1,000 into a gun and only getting .05 MOA more accuracy out of it. I'm looking for a very accurate combat rifle, not a benchrest spacegun.

Any help that can be offered would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[jsbcody]

I am in a similar situation and did a lot of research into this. I limited my caliber choice to .308. There are a couple of great companies for the higher end rifles (Tactical Ops. GA Precision, Desert Tactical Arms, etc) and a few "starter" rifles (Remington 700 Tactical series, Tikka Tactical, Steyr SSG rifles).

I liked the Desert Tactical SRS for the fact you could quickly change barrels and calibers going from .308 to .338 Lapua Mag. In the end I decided to go with Tactical Ops Tango rifle, once I get the money.....after paying off a couple of other "toys" and getting stuff done for the house.
http://www.tacticaloperations.com/

Good luck on the research and your final choice!

[ICANHITHIMMAN]

I consider myself fairley versed in the world of bolt guns I have 4 at present all built to my liking. I would be happy to awnser your questions.

I also have 2 rigs for sale at present they are in the marketplace under all other long guns. I shot the rem 700 yesterday at 875 yards and printed a 2" group. If you live in NY I would be happy to let you stop over and shoot them.

Jon

[Surf]

...the Remington 700 is collectively considered the best all-around starting point, bang for buck.

I agree here. There are cheaper options but a Rem700 is where you should be looking.

That being said, I'm looking to build a 1000yd MOA-or-better rifle, preferably in .308. .300 and .338 seem attractive to me, but I've never shot them and they seem to reportedly be expensive.

For .308 you are nearing the outer limits at 1000 yards. The .300wm and .338 Lapua can go quite a bit farther, but quality factory match ammo is not cheap in any caliber but the .300 and .338 get very expensive.

I want to build the most accurate combat-capable (read: sniper-esque) rifle up to the point of diminishing returns of cost vs accuracy.

For what it's worth, cost isn't too much of a concern (not that I'm made of money - I'm not, but I want to objectively go after what would best suit me, regardless of cost, and work from there). I don't mind dropping $2,000, $3,000, or even $5,000 on a rifle (or more if needed) if that money is proportional to the performance I'll get out of it. What I want to avoid is putting an extra $1,000 into a gun and only getting .05 MOA more accuracy out of it. I'm looking for a very accurate combat rifle, not a benchrest spacegun.

Hitting .5 MOA is very reasonable within the $1500 - $2000 range. Now this is where things start getting exponentially more expensive when it comes to accuracy. There is a saying with cars that applies to precision rifles. "How fast do you want to go", often relates to "how much money you got". A few tenths of a second may cost hundreds if not thousands of dollars. If we use our $1500-$2000 .5MOA rifle, you can easily spend $7-$10K on a .25MOA rifle. One of those rifles has been mentioned above.

I own and shoot a few Remington based rifles in different calibers and two of them fit into either end of the price spectrum in a .308. The high end, .25MOA version is issued, the others are mine. Now if it were my money, would I pay several thousand dollars for an added .25MOA? Probably not, but if you are going to purchase the rifle of my choice and issue it to me, then I know where I am going.

You might want to check out this thread a couple posts down.
http://m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=53957

[Surf]

I am in a similar situation and did a lot of research into this. I limited my caliber choice to .308. There are a couple of great companies for the higher end rifles (Tactical Ops. GA Precision, Desert Tactical Arms, etc) and a few "starter" rifles (Remington 700 Tactical series, Tikka Tactical, Steyr SSG rifles).

I liked the Desert Tactical SRS for the fact you could quickly change barrels and calibers going from .308 to .338 Lapua Mag. In the end I decided to go with Tactical Ops Tango rifle, once I get the money.....after paying off a couple of other "toys" and getting stuff done for the house.
http://www.tacticaloperations.com/
Good luck on the research and your final choice!

If you want a TacOps rifle I suggest that you contact them at least 1 year ahead of time. If you are not LE, you might want to add another 6 months or so. Unless if they have speed up production recently.

[ramis]

This article has some good info.

http://demigodllc.com/articles/pract...equipment/?p=1

[mkmckinley]

You can get a barreled custom action like a Surgeon, Stiller or Lawton and drop it into an Accuracy International AICS for less than $3000. One build I'm considering on a Stiller is more like $2300. I'm not experienced with full customs but it seems like you can get into the top tier for a little less than I expected. If anyone's interested I can email you a spreadsheet I made budgeting different builds, just PM me your email.

[FromMyColdDeadHand]

A buddy clued me in to something about guns that has served me well. Buy a gun for a specific, real purpose- or else it will just sit in a safe. FInd a competition that you want to particiapte in and build the gun for that. Don't be one of those wankers with a kick ass rig and then justs shoots 100 yard groups at the range one Saturday a year. Horses for courses and guns for a purpose (couldn't get anything to rhyme).

The other thing is you didn't mention glass. I'd rather spend $2500 on a nice USO, Premier, or S&B scope and put it on top of a $500 Remington rifle, than a $500 scope on a $2500 rifle. You are cursed if you can't get a Glock 19 to run or your Remington 700 shoots over an inch.

If you are waiting for the latest in tacti-cool, the new AI AX and Remington chasis are coming out. I don't know if I'll try one of those, or pick up a used AICS stock on THe Hide when people start to switch.

I really like Zak's articles.

[longrange18]

Don't really want to take members away but you could look at SniperCentral.com or Snipershide.com. Look in both forums and you will find lots of info on bolt action rifles moving out to long ranges.

[Roneski]

Been shopping around a little myself. I'm looking real hard at a Sako TRG 22.