I recently posted here about 'factory' 6mm rifles. I jumped in a little too deep with that one, let me step back from that and ask more general questions.
I've been getting more and more interested in target shooting recently and I'd like to purchase a rifle better suited to target use than my existing Rem 700 CDL in .30-06. Its a remarkably accurate rifle, considering it's very lightweight barrel and the fact that it was designed to kill large animals, not shoot at paper targets.
But even though I'd like to buy a new rifle, primarily for target shooting; I'm not ready for a custom 'target' or 'benchrest' rifle. I'm leaning toward your basic "heavy varmint" or "tactical" type 'factory' rifle; something with a synthetic stock, mid-length heavy barrel,24", maybe 26", no longer) and chambered for something smaller than my current .30-06 and larger than the ubiquitous .223.
A few questions:
1. while I know that the Rem 700 action is a remarkably combination of accuracy and low cost, I've already got one of them and I've been really impressed with Mauser or old Winchester "controllled feed" actions with their ultra reliable extract/eject mechanisms. ,yeah, my 700 has failed to eject a few rounds....). Short of spending over $1,000 for a Nesika or other high end controlled feed action, is it possible to get Rem 700 quality accuracy from a factory rifle with Mauser / old Winchester type action? Any suggested models?
2. I've become a huge fan of the .30-06 round and if I had to pick one cartridge for all purposes, there is nothing else I'd even consider. But I really don't need that kind of "stopping power" to shoot at paper targets, and I'd like to be able to take the occasional family member / friend to the range and offer them a gun that won't knock them on their butt. That means no .308,which in my opinion offers zero advantage over my .30-06). On the other hand, I have no need to carry several hundred rounds wherever I go, and that seems to have been the sole justification for the .223 round. I'm keeping my .30-06, and I'd like the new rifle to use a more "moderate" cartridge, something like a .243win or 6mm. What would you suggest as a great round for target shooting that does not require a custom built rifle or hand loading?
3. to make it really challenging, if not impossible, now lets require left handed configuration and a $1,000 or $1,200 max price for the complete rifle, minus scope.
That's my situation and I just don't seem to be making much progress.....
I've been getting more and more interested in target shooting recently and I'd like to purchase a rifle better suited to target use than my existing Rem 700 CDL in .30-06. Its a remarkably accurate rifle, considering it's very lightweight barrel and the fact that it was designed to kill large animals, not shoot at paper targets.
But even though I'd like to buy a new rifle, primarily for target shooting; I'm not ready for a custom 'target' or 'benchrest' rifle. I'm leaning toward your basic "heavy varmint" or "tactical" type 'factory' rifle; something with a synthetic stock, mid-length heavy barrel,24", maybe 26", no longer) and chambered for something smaller than my current .30-06 and larger than the ubiquitous .223.
A few questions:
1. while I know that the Rem 700 action is a remarkably combination of accuracy and low cost, I've already got one of them and I've been really impressed with Mauser or old Winchester "controllled feed" actions with their ultra reliable extract/eject mechanisms. ,yeah, my 700 has failed to eject a few rounds....). Short of spending over $1,000 for a Nesika or other high end controlled feed action, is it possible to get Rem 700 quality accuracy from a factory rifle with Mauser / old Winchester type action? Any suggested models?
2. I've become a huge fan of the .30-06 round and if I had to pick one cartridge for all purposes, there is nothing else I'd even consider. But I really don't need that kind of "stopping power" to shoot at paper targets, and I'd like to be able to take the occasional family member / friend to the range and offer them a gun that won't knock them on their butt. That means no .308,which in my opinion offers zero advantage over my .30-06). On the other hand, I have no need to carry several hundred rounds wherever I go, and that seems to have been the sole justification for the .223 round. I'm keeping my .30-06, and I'd like the new rifle to use a more "moderate" cartridge, something like a .243win or 6mm. What would you suggest as a great round for target shooting that does not require a custom built rifle or hand loading?
3. to make it really challenging, if not impossible, now lets require left handed configuration and a $1,000 or $1,200 max price for the complete rifle, minus scope.
That's my situation and I just don't seem to be making much progress.....
give some serious consideration to the .260 Rem,aka 6.5-308) it only comes in hunting ammo from the factory, but handloaded, it takes care of all the shortcomings of the .308 and keeps the short action. It's just the .308 squeezed down to .264" and is a whiz-bang target cartridge. Handloaded, with high BC bullets like Sierra's 140 grainer.
