Ruger or ????

[TargetMagnum]

I am looking for a right out of the box target rifle. I am new at this but I am looking for a rifle that I could do a lot of target shooting with. I am looking at a .204 by Ruger but I would like all of your professional advice on a good rifle to get my feet wet in target shooting.
Thanks for all of your advice.
TM

 

[Eddie Harren]

Well, I'm going to hang my A$$ out here. If I were looking for an "out of the box" rifle to "Target Shoot" with, I'd go with a Rem XR 100. At some point in time, you are probably going to make a move towards a custom rifle or just give up on "Target Shooting". Which ever choice you make, the Rem will give you the option of, selling and re-couping some of your money or, building up your Rem to mkae it more accurate. The abundance of after market items, for the M700 series of rifles, makes it a logical choice for a base to build from. JMHO.

 

[TargetMagnum]

Ok, I am convinced that the .223 is the way to go. Thanks.
So now I have two more questions:
What scope would work best and what power should I use?
Also can you tell me what is the difference between a target type rifle and a Varmint rifle is?
Thanks Again
TM

 

[Asa_Yam]

By target I mean one that's designed to be shot from a rest on a bench.
...
Of course this is another "It depends". There are a lot of different target disciplines.

Very true.

When I'm shooting, the closest my target rifles get to a bench is normally 2-1/2 below the bench top. Most of the time, I'm not using a scope either.

Different strokes for different folks.

Find the type of target shooting you want to do FIRST, then build the rifle around that activity. Otherwise, the results can be less than ideal. For example, trying to shoot a 50 lb. benchrest rifle from a sling supported prone position generally doesn't work so well.