So I got a scope, now its time to save up for the rifle

[danielson]

Ive had the plan for a longer range rifle for some time, probably a Savage, just because I dont have alot of money, and Savage, it seems, gives you alot of rifle for the money. I have an excellent tack driving 22 from them and it pretty much sold me. Not that Im not open to others opinions on the matter.

I always figured Id get the rifle first, then the scope. But my uncle just gave me an AWESOME scope. It was given to him, and he has no use for it. Its a NIB Leupold Mark 4 M3-10x40mm LR/T
and as far as I can see, its a pretty damned good scope, and I gotta say, Its probably the most expensive thing anyone ever gave me.

So, since I burned up my savings in the move, once I get back on track, the saving begins for the rifle.

Heres the scope(from google as my camera phone isnt very good)
Leupold Optics Mark 4 LR/T 10x40mm (30mm) M3 - | Leupold Optics

I have been considering .308, 30-06, and 300wm. Of course, Im sure the 300 is the best of those options, but the ammo is quite expensive I would imagine.

Whats INGO think about my plan?

 

[jrh84]

Nothing wrong with being given something like that...at all.

As far as caliber choice...it all depends. How much do you plan to shoot? What are you planning to shoot, and at what range? There's nothing in Indiana that can't be taken with a .308, and it's by far the most common and cheapest of what you listed. 30-06 is a great compromise...relatively inexpensive to shoot, won't completely beat you up to shoot 20 rounds in a session, and more range than .308. .300 Win mag is expensive, a little tougher to find, and is going to beat you up in a hunting-weight rifle without a brake.

My suggestion? 5.56/.223, unless you are dead set on a .30 cal. If you are, .308. Unless you are planning on routinely shooting past 600 yards, or hunting for big game, you'll be set with 5.56/.223. Easy to find, low recoil, huge variety of ammo, about half of the cheapest .30 cal round. If you're dead set on a .30 cal, will be shooting mostly inside of 800 yards and hunting animals smaller than elk, .308 will be fine.

 

[churchmouse]

Man....putting that optic on a Savage (I have one of their .22's) is like putting a diamond ankle bracelet on a pig......No knock on the Savage but that is a really nice optic. Save some dough and get at least a Rem. 700 in your desired caliber.

 

[danielson]

See, from what I read years ago when I bought that 22, similarly priced Savages are better than Remington 700's

It will be a fun gun, Im not a hunter, and, while Id like to go out to 600 yards, I dont really have any place to shoot farther than 300. I think practicality will cause me to get the 308 or the 30-06. I thought of getting a 223, but I figured it wouldnt be very exiting to shoot, and it probably has quite a drop at 300 yards. I bet the wind pushes that 55gr bullet around alot too.. I dont know. Ive never had any longer range experience, but I want to get some... lol

 

[churchmouse]

See, from what I read years ago when I bought that 22, similarly priced Savages are better than Remington 700's

It will be a fun gun, Im not a hunter, and, while Id like to go out to 600 yards, I dont really have any place to shoot farther than 300. I think practicality will cause me to get the 308 or the 30-06. I thought of getting a 223, but I figured it wouldnt be very exiting to shoot, and it probably has quite a drop at 300 yards. I bet the wind pushes that 55gr bullet around alot too.. I dont know. Ive never had any longer range experience, but I want to get some... lol

'
I have a savage .22 and it is as you say a tack driver. I also have owned a few 700's that were on point. I had a Savage in .308 but sold it before I used it.........it just seemed clunky and not well fit.
Get what your budget allows you to have. That is just a very nice optic. Seems it needs to sit on top of a very nice rifle.

 

[danielson]

The scope came with BDC rings for .308 168gr, 300winmag 190gr, 30-06 180gr, and 223 55gr

Those are all calibers I had considered anyway.. hmm... I got some thinking to do on this one. Thankfully, (or not) considering the low amount of money I make, I have plenty of time to figure it out before I buy the rifle...

 

[jrh84]

See, from what I read years ago when I bought that 22, similarly priced Savages are better than Remington 700's

It will be a fun gun, Im not a hunter, and, while Id like to go out to 600 yards, I dont really have any place to shoot farther than 300. I think practicality will cause me to get the 308 or the 30-06. I thought of getting a 223, but I figured it wouldnt be very exiting to shoot, and it probably has quite a drop at 300 yards. I bet the wind pushes that 55gr bullet around alot too.. I dont know. Ive never had any longer range experience, but I want to get some... lol

Federal's ballistic calculator shows 10.5" of drop at 300 yards for a .223 55 gr fmj, 13.6" for a .308 150 gr fmj.

500 yards, 51.1" drop for the .223, 56.3" drop for the .308. Wind will affect the .223 more, and the .308 will catch up and pass the .223 on drop around 600-700 yards I believe.

 

[churchmouse]

The scope came with BDC rings for .308 168gr, 300winmag 190gr, 30-06 180gr, and 223 55gr

Those are all calibers I had considered anyway.. hmm... I got some thinking to do on this one. Thankfully, (or not) considering the low amount of money I make, I have plenty of time to figure it out before I buy the rifle...

Budgets are what we have to live by. I do a lot of "Extra" things to subsidize my hobby/passion/addiction. If I relied on my fixed income it would be a lot different.
Look at some used bolt guns before you make the move. I had a Mossburg 30-06 that was a fair rifle for the money. I liked it more than the savage offerings I have owned and shot.

 

[M67]

Man....putting that optic on a Savage (I have one of their .22's) is like putting a diamond ankle bracelet on a pig......No knock on the Savage but that is a really nice optic. Save some dough and get at least a Rem. 700 in your desired caliber.

We really saying a rifle from Freedom Group is better than a Savage? Anymore I don't trust anything that comes out of Freedom Group.

One of the Savage 10FCPs in 308 would be just fine with that optic on it.

Or for about the same price....a CZ 550 Tacticool in 308

 

[danielson]

I have heard good things about CZ rifles...

 

[churchmouse]

Was referring to a used 700 as opposed to anything new.
Heard CZ's are good for the money as well. Not shot one as yet.

 

[Expat]

I have a Savage 10 FCP w/5r rifling in .308. I think it is an outstanding rifle for the money that I paid for it.

 

[danielson]

Yeah, I guess old Remington rifles are like old Remington shotguns, just way way better...

 

[MTN]

There's a savage model 10 in .308 in the classifieds on the first page.

 

[Thor]

Don't forget the used market...there are a lot of good lightly used rifles out there for the price of new. I've got a Winchester Mod 70 in -06 that I bought used. It's served me well for hunting and shooting since the mid 70's and is worth more now than what I paid for it even adjusted for inflation.

 

[AllenM]

I have a Savage 10 FCP in 308 with an SnS accurizing package, pretty close to this stock photo.
It is anything but clunky Love this rifle and I am in it less then $1000.00 minus the scope of course

 

[churchmouse]

I have a Savage 10 FCP in 308 with an SnS accurizing package, pretty close to this stock photo.
It is anything but clunky Love this rifle and I am in it less then $1000.00 minus the scope of course

The Savage I had was not anywhere close to that piece. Nice gun there.

 

[42769vette]

I don't see any reason not to put that scope on a 22. Most shooters spend the most time behind their 22's. Why have your best equipment anything but your most used rifle?

If you decide to get into long range rimfire (IMO the most fun that can be had behind a rifle, and definitely the best training tool) you will need a lot of internal travel. 75OMoa will get you 300yds from 20 MOA base. 300yds is long enough range to start your education.

 

[danielson]

The Savage I had was not anywhere close to that piece. Nice gun there.

It was probably an axis. They're pretty low end, I hear they're pretty good for the money, but their flagship rifles are much much better. Though that one AllenM has has been upgraded abit.

 

[jrh84]

I don't see any reason not to put that scope on a 22. Most shooters spend the most time behind their 22's. Why have your best equipment anything but your most used rifle?

If you decide to get into long range rimfire (IMO the most fun that can be had behind a rifle, and definitely the best training tool) you will need a lot of internal travel. 75OMoa will get you 300yds from 20 MOA base. 300yds is long enough range to start your education.

This. This right here. Learn to read wind and make 3 or 4 hits out of 5 on an 8" plate with a .22 at 250-300 yards. and 600 yards with a .308 will be a piece of cake. Match .22 is still available, and still cheaper than match .223 and way cheaper than .308.