Ruger Precision Rifle vs. Remington 700 for Beginner .308?

[JeffersonKim]

Just my opinion here; however, from the tone of your thread, I feel that you are not totally committed to this purchase. I would recommend you link up with some folks that are close to you and go to the range and shoot a few rifles and see for yourself before you buy one. If you did buy one, the 5R, 700P, or the RPR are going to give you the best "out of the box" function because if you go the SPS route, you will need to change out the stock first. As you have no idea what you might like, you have a high probability of purchasing a stock you may not like. One word of advise, don't shoot anything that is out of your price range. In other words, don't be thinking of a starter rifle and then try someone's Accuracy International at the range.

Ok, makes sense.

The 5R looks to start at around $1,142

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=remington+5r&x=0&y=0

The 700P looks to be about $977.00

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=remington+700p&x=0&y=0

So would you say spending $999.99 for a RPR is more "bang for your buck" of the three options?


I understand after-market parts for RPR are more limited, but if I want to super commit to the sport, I'd imagine I would have a better idea I like by then, and can more knowledgeably customize a R700 from base.

[JeffersonKim]

kind of like buying a Moped VS a Sport bike if you wanted to try racing

So would you characterize the base R700 SPS as a "moped" and the RPR as closer to a "Sport Bike"?

[milotrain]

The RPRs stock is fine, the 5Rs stock is fine too but not adjustable.

You don't really need aftermarket, it's going to take you a year or two of real solid practice and competition to be close to outshooting the RPR, and at that point you'll be able to sell it to another new guy who is just starting. You can then build the gun you want based on your two years of playing the different games.

The 700P still needs a decent stock and magazine bottom metal to play most of the different rifle games so it's actually more expensive than the 5R for less rifle. The RPR is hard to find, that's its only fault. Get the RPR in 308 and if you feel limited by the cartridge later (you won't be, even if you think you are) you can buy a 6.5 barrel and just spin it on.

No need for analogies, just don't buy the SPS.

[ASD1]

So would you characterize the base R700 SPS as a "moped" and the RPR as closer to a "Sport Bike"?

the 700 sps you posted is a moped

The rpr wants to be an entry level sport bike but it has yet to be seen as their have been problems with some of the first batch. This is Rugers first attempt at a precision rifle.
Will they stay in the game ? unknown

[Dave626]

Get the 700 and you can do a lot of upgrade down the road.

trued action
upgrade barrel
a lot of chassis to choose from.

[Hairball]

Not to say the RPR is "more" bang for the buck as it all depends on what "bang" you are looking for. The cost of the rifle is only the start of the expense and while you may spend 1k on a rifle, you need scope, rings/mount, maybe a bipod and a lot of ammunition to practice with. If you set up a 700P, you are looking around 3k for a decent, not the best, setup to get your rifle going. Sure, you can find a scope for a few hundred but they are crap and not worth it. Now, if you just plan to go to the range a few times a year and shoot 20-60 rounds through it each trip, it does not matter what rifle you purchase. No, you wont be shooting .25 MOA groups with it but you don't spend a lot of money on something you don't really use either.

[glockman19]

I was thinking the standard answer is to simply purchase the Remington 700 for about $800 or so, but then I discovered the Ruger Precision Rifle for a couple hundred more.

There seem to be some extra "upgrades" that the Ruger has over the Remington 700 that would seem to make the Ruger worth paying $999.99 for.

Some "features" that are included with the Ruger are:

- Detachable 10-round magazine
- AR-15 Part interchangeability
- Adjustable trigger
- Adjustable stock

I'm sure there are more things too.

Can anyone shed some light on where the Remington 700 would outshine the Ruger Precision Rifle?

One thing I'm also wary on, is that with the Ruger Precision Rifle being so new, it hasn't been as time tested as a Remington 700. I'm not sure if that should be a concern or not.

Get the Remington. IMHO, you grow into a Remington 700 and out of a Ruger.

[TMB 1]

Get the Remington. IMHO, you grow into a Remington 700 and out of a Ruger.

If you're still growing, Ruger's RPR comes with an adjustable stock. It will grow with you.

[milotrain]

5R with the magpul hunter stock is the only 700 that does most of what the RPR does for anywhere near the money (in terms of adjustability). But I like the 700 better and I'd buy a 700. Just going to cost much more to go that way.

[killshot44]

Take the good advice here of trying to get behind and shoot a couple of rifles (and calipers if poss) to actually see what feels "right".

Barring that, if a stone-cold new-to-rifles friend was asking me? I'd say get the Ruger in 6.5CM.

Buy a scope, rings, bipod and ten boxes of ammo and go shoot.

If you don't dig it or decide you want to go big later, you'll get most of the purchase price back given how hot they are right now.

[killshot44]

If someone wants a RPR in .308 NIB, better be quick:

http://forum.accurateshooter.com/index.php?topic=3887363.0

[JMP]

Can anyone shed some light on where the Remington 700 would outshine the Ruger Precision Rifle?

If you goal is distance, the factory barrel on the RPR is 20", which is no good for a 308 unless you want to primarily shoot at short to intermediate ranges. Of the factory offerings, a 24" or 26" barrel is the way to go. Alternatively, you could look at the RPR in 6.5 or .243.

I'd go with an R700 since it is so common, but either way, it isn't a decision that will have cataclysmic implications for a beginning shooter.

[JeffersonKim]

Now, if you just plan to go to the range a few times a year and shoot 20-60 rounds through it each trip, it does not matter what rifle you purchase.

Correct. Since the long ranges are quite a drive from me, I don't imagine I'd be going more than a few times per year.

So, for a first time long-range shooter (or one that doesn't practice often enough), would I notice much of a difference between a $564 basic Remington 700 SPS .308 vs. a $999 RPR without any extra modifications?

For 100 Yards, 200 yards, up to 600 yards?

I'd imagine in the RPR the 10 round magazine , trigger pull, and adjustable stock may be some extra benefits I'd value. Beyond that, are there any other advantages a beginner would find advantageous compared to a very basic Remington 700 SPS?

[JeffersonKim]

If you goal is distance, the factory barrel on the RPR is 20", which is no good for a 308 unless you want to primarily shoot at short to intermediate ranges. Of the factory offerings, a 24" or 26" barrel is the way to go. Alternatively, you could look at the RPR in 6.5 or .243.

I'd go with an R700 since it is so common, but either way, it isn't a decision that will have cataclysmic implications for a beginning shooter.

The maximum range is around 600 yards in the Los Angeles / Orange County area that I'm at. Is that what you mean by "distance"? or do you mean like 1000 yards +?

[JeffersonKim]

From shooting clay from 12 guauge, and #8 birdshot, there does reach a point where shooting becomes painful from my soft shoulder. I'm usually bruised the next day.

It seems as though the stock on the RPR has a recoil tube and buffer spring built into the RPR (same as AR-15), which seems to be advantageous to the standard stock on an R700?

EDIT: Nevermind. I realized I was wrong. No recoil spring.