.30 or 6mm-BR?

[bucksnort2]

Gents,
I'm thinking about getting into benchrest shooting. I'd like to start with something simple. like a Savage BR rifle. I'll be shooting at 100,200,300-yds. It seems as though the 6mm will be more economical over the .30 (since I already have .308 gear to begin with). A custom rifle, right now, is a little out of reach. Just looking for some suggestions/ideas.
Thanks, ED

 

[tenring]

Either caliber will get you to 300 yds. But reloading for the 30BR involves excpanding and fireforming 6mmBR brass. Some neck turning may be necessary. Also, Savage does not list a 30BR chamber. You would need a custom .308 barrel and have a gunsmith chamber it at a cost of around $450

 

[Terry]

Tell us more about the intended use. Shooting for fun? Shooting matches?

 

[GSPV]

Some thoughts:

1. Your generic loading equipment (press, scales, etc) will be equally applicable to the 30 BR and 6BR.

2. Your 308 loading stuff is applicable to NEITHER.

3. If you're going to shoot 100-300 off a bench, you'd do well to look for a used rifle. Either will do. If you ware wanting to stretch it further, the 6BR will do you better.

4. If you can find a used rifle on a custom action, I think you'll end up happier. If you do, there are a lot of 6PPCs around. The PPC will do also do you out to 300 yards. Norma brass is available, if you don't want to use Lapua 220 Russian.

Here is a link to one http://benchrest.com/class/index.php?a=2&b=3824 that would be in your price range.

Here is one in 30 BR for a couple hundred more than you mentioned: http://benchrest.com/class/index.php?a=2&b=3475 .

You could learn a LOT shooting one of these rifles off a bench.

5. Remember that there is a lot more to benchrest than the rifle. Optics. Front rest, rear bag, *Wind Flags*, Etc.

6. WRT Optics: The Weaver T-36 and Sightron 36 are the usual budget choices. A step up from there is a Leupold 36 BR (used).

7. If you do get into this, save yourself some trouble. Get Mike Rattigan's and Tony Boyer's books on the subject. Also see if you can find a mentor for hands on.

Best,

Greg J.

 

[MarkS]

Ed,

Like Greg said, go used custom. If you are going to shoot reg benchrest, like IBS. The Savage will not be legal with there factory stock. If you are just shppting club matches the Savage factory will be fine. I have a Savage LRPV and two used custom action guns.

Mark

 

[markr]

If you're going to try to be competitive, buy a good used custom and don't be afraid to load it up and shoot it.
I love my 30 BR

 

[tiny68]

You would need a custom .308 barrel and have a gunsmith chamber it at a cost of around $450

If you want to go the 30BR route with your Savage, you can get a Shilen pre-fit for $310 from Jim at NSS. You will have to wait in line like everyone else for 6-8 months. I have one that shoots pretty good. Is it competitive with me shooting? Nope. I never have been to a match when a 250-16X or higher didn't win my local club shoots. Only match I have shoot that barrel, I got a 14X-249. Mild of the back.

If you are starting out with target shooting for fun and want to shoot some matches, I vote a 6BR. Easy to load. No extensive brass work-up. Cheaper dies. Can buy ammo if you don't reload, but it isn't cheap.

Just my 2 cents, Tim

 

[artbosco]

I'm thinking about getting into benchrest shooting. I'd like to start with something simple. like a Savage BR rifle. I'll be shooting at 100,200,300-yds. It seems as though the 6mm will be more economical over the .30 (since I already have .308 gear to begin with). A custom rifle, right now, is a little out of reach. Just looking for some suggestions/ideas.

Ed, The Savage 6BR would be an excellent choice for various reasons, including economics, for the first venture into Benchrest shooting.

After a couple years, if you're still interested, you will have acquired enough real world experience [competitive would be the best] to know if you're ready to plunk down $3500 on a custom made rifle with a 45X scope. At some point you may decide you want to leave one plateau of accuracy, and move on to the next. And, it's not always an inexpensive decision.

No need to get in a hurry. This is not a bargain-basement $port as the competitive and accuracy levels move higher.

 

[MGYSGT]

I have a Savage 6 BR and a 30 BR on a Rem action. Started with the Savage. It shot good after break in. The 30 BR shot good from the go. It wasn't very expensive, as I already had the Rem action. Bought a Kreiger barrel in 17 twist and a very good smith cut the chamber, faced the bolt and added a new recoil lug. About $500 total. Bought a 40X stock from Numrich, or whatever they are called now and added a new trigger. I will say, that I shoot the 30 a lot more than the 6. Bigger holes, more points and X's. When the Savage barrel goes away, I will replace it with a 30 BR. barrel. The fireforming is no big deal.

Tom

 

[GSPV]

Repeat: a nice, used benchrest rifle will be closer to $1,500 than $3,500. I think I posted links to two. One is sold. I'm looking at the other one myself since hearing that Stiller drop ports are a year or two out.

 

[longbow]

The 30 BR is THEE caliber in Cast bullet Matches. So depending on the twist you may be able to shoot two different diciplins, just something down the way to think on . Cast Bullet Association ( one custom bullet cost= 8 cast bullets) Tougher game too, you make your bullet . Pete