Which Rifle?

[jsbcody]

I have my choices narrowed down to:

Accuracy International AE MkII with a 20 inch barrel
http://http://www.accuracyinternatio.../ae_series.php

for about $3400 with what I want on it

or

Tactical Rifles M40
http://http://www.tacticalrifles.net/tactical_m40.asp

for about $3800 to $4000 depending on options.

[carbinero]

You didn't say what's the intended use. Is weight a factor? Lots of good choices at that price. Look at GAP, too. Check out the EE at snipershide.

[jsbcody]

Use will be primarily range and some competition (if I can get good enough), also training. I am leaning toward the Tact Rifles M40 or even a Tac Ops Tango right now. I like the AI rifles but yes, the weight may be a factor against.

[uscbigdawg]

For $4k, either get a DTA-SRS (from Freedom Gunworks) or get a rifle from George Gardner at GA Precision.

You'll not find finer rifles...period.

Rich

[ICANHITHIMMAN]

Im on my 5th custom bolt gun as of now. Dont do what I did the first time and waste money. Buy a rem 700 pss in a LA caliber ( I say 300 win mag) and spend the rest on good scope and hand loading supplys. After 1500 to 2000 rounds when the barrel is dead rebuild the sucker in to what you want.

You will have learned alot in the mean time trust me. There are some real nice rifles for sale over at longrangehunting.com right now.

[Fringe]

Im on my 5th custom bolt gun as of now. Dont do what I did the first time and waste money. Buy a rem 700 pss in a LA caliber ( I say 300 win mag) and spend the rest on good scope and hand loading supplys. After 1500 to 2000 rounds when the barrel is dead rebuild the sucker in to what you want.

You will have learned alot in the mean time trust me. There are some real nice rifles for sale over at longrangehunting.com right now.

This is good advice. I started with a Remington 5R with Leo scope and quickly fell in love and ordered a full custom GAP. Did I need to get the GAP? Hell no, the 5R shoots great out the box like crazy. But I would not sell my GAP and even though it was EXPENSIVE, like many have said before, the GAP is WAY more than the sum of its parts.
Get the above or a 5R.

[uscbigdawg]

My 700 SPS-V with Leupy Mk4 LR/T is just over $2k as it sits. About $3k with the rifle (traded it for a shotgun I wasn't shooting).

Point being, you can get a solid 1k rifle for less than your budget. However, like others, if you're going to spend the money, get a solid rifle (700 5R is a sick rifle for cheap), good base & rings (EGW) and then drop the big coin on quality glass (NF 5.5-22x50 w/ NPR-2 reticle is pretty awesome and affordable) and you're probably going to have a rifle that will last a VERY long time and shoot better than you to start.

Get it in 308, since all the load data in the world is available and then when you're ready to switch to a hot rod caliber, and the 308 barrel is burned out, you can go to 260, 243, 6.5 Creedmoor, 6XC and it doesn't hurt with the short action.

Rich

[Alaskapopo]

Im on my 5th custom bolt gun as of now. Dont do what I did the first time and waste money. Buy a rem 700 pss in a LA caliber ( I say 300 win mag) and spend the rest on good scope and hand loading supplys. After 1500 to 2000 rounds when the barrel is dead rebuild the sucker in to what you want.

You will have learned alot in the mean time trust me. There are some real nice rifles for sale over at longrangehunting.com right now.

I sold my GAP AR10. I still have my Nightforce Scope. Which I am trying to sell but no takers so far. So I am tempted to buy a bolt gun. The 700 PSS you recommend and do just what you recommend. What kind of accuracy can I expect from a stock PSS?
Pat

[Watrdawg]

This isn't necessarily a long range tactical rifle but I had a Rem 700 .300 Win Mag, that I paid $700+/-, rebarrelled with a Lilja barrel and bedded in a HS-Precision stock. The barrel is slightly larger than a magnum contour barrel. The trigger was switched out for a Jewel trigger. I had the work done by Hill Country Rifles. I think I spent about $1400 or so maybe less. This rifle consistantly shoots .5" groups at 100 yards. I can easily shoot MOA groups at 300 yards with it. I'm shooting Federal 165gr Triple Shock Bullets. Regular hunting ammo.

[MOA]

Likely a 5r will be a 1/2 moa gun at 100 yards. I see no real benifit to the 5r over the PSS. Some say the stainless barrel last a little longer, but probley not much.
Think before you go with a 300wm. It is a great round. Its what I shoot. Gets to 1000 yards easy and 1500 can be done. But if you are not used to a rifle with a little recoil it can cause a flinch. I can fire 80 round comps day in and out, but I have been long range shooting since i was 16. Started with a winchester custom shop 300wm a guy I new was selling because he said it wouldn't group. Turned out this vetrain shooter had developed a flinch from it. I am not recoil sensitive in the least, but if I plan to shoot more that a couple boxes I break out the PAST pad.
why doesnt anyone ever mention the Sendero's? It what I shoot now, a solid reliable 1/2" gun, stainless, and its fluted(That helps in the comps when you are firering 20rnds over 20 minutes, your rig will get hot, so I fire 5 as fast as the board comes up, wait a few and do it again). I know the senderos are a little longer with the 26" barrels, but with a mag round thats a good thing. just anouther option.
If you are thinking Tac-Ops do it and never look back. best rifle made. No offence to George at GAP, I love his work too, but Mike nows what hes doing just as well. if you want something a little differnt tho George is the man. Honestly its whos name you want on your gun at that level of work.
Last thought. if you reload you might look at some of the other rounds. 6xc, 6.5x284, 7mmwsm, 300wsm, 6x47, and plane old 284. All offer exalentbullet selection, ballistics, and use less powder to get there.