getting a 5r - what things to do first?

[high_revs]

5r 24" coming in 10 days. been reading here and there on bolt action (even before this sub-forum was separated from all rifles). i figure...

* getting the barrel threaded for a muzzle brake (and install the brake too). not sure yet which brake
* 20moa steel base
* oversize bolt knob (badger also? or krg?)
* get action trued.

beginner here. using this as a learning platform so didn't need to splurge much. i know this will already outshoot me quite a bit until i get better. i'd like something bolt action next time out to sac valley (used the ar10 last may clinic).

i'm thinking badger rings.. scope... i have a vortex pst ffp already on my ar10 (vortex pst ffp milrad) but may get something else next level up (NF maybe). i hear NF rings aren't bad too?

[Exodus343]

I thought the R700 5R already have a threaded barrel?

anyways 20 moa base, badger knob, good glass, lots of ammo and practice

[NorCalFocus]

Congrats! I have a Badger bolt knob under the tree this I wish I could install right now, lol.

If your not wanting to splurge to much why not get another Vortex? Maybe step up to the Razor. Just a thought. But the NF scopes are super nice.

[CobraRed]

I thought the R700 5R already have a threaded barrel?

Nope, the AAC does.

I agree on lots of top shelf ammo, or invest in your own reloading - this would be my top recommendation to improve your shooting capability.
Besides that I'd say a PST FFP is plenty good for sub MOA shooting, it works for me past 1k yards.

Get a nice bi-pod, and practice practice practice

[Hank15]

No need to true the action yet, as 700s come pretty accurate from the factory. My 700 AAC-SD shot < 1" 5 shot groups at 100 yards with the Federal GMM.

I would save the truing until you decide to upgrade your barrel and swap out the stock later on.

Definitely get a good glass, rule of thumb is at least something that cost half as much as your rifle.

[CobraRed]

Definitely get a good glass, rule of thumb is at least something that cost half as much as your rifle.

That sounds like 50% of the rule of thumb

[Trapper]

Start with bases, rings, a good scope, and a new trigger. I went with a VX-3 4.5-14x40 and a Timney trigger on my 5R. Don't make any additional modifications until you have a couple hundred rounds down range.

[RobG]

5r 24" coming in 10 days. been reading here and there on bolt action (even before this sub-forum was separated from all rifles). i figure...

* getting the barrel threaded for a muzzle brake (and install the brake too). not sure yet which brake
* 20moa steel base
* oversize bolt knob (badger also? or krg?)
* get action trued.

beginner here. using this as a learning platform so didn't need to splurge much. i know this will already outshoot me quite a bit until i get better. i'd like something bolt action next time out to sac valley (used the ar10 last may clinic).

i'm thinking badger rings.. scope... i have a vortex pst ffp already on my ar10 (vortex pst ffp milrad) but may get something else next level up (NF maybe). i hear NF rings aren't bad too?

Brakes are great for reducing recoil which helps you stay on target easier. I like the RAD brake by R&D precision but there are many good ones available.
20 MOA base is the way to go. Either steel or quality aluminum will work. Any quality ring will work, too. Even the TPS steel are pretty nice, especially for the price. I like Seekins stuff myself.
Bolt knob is cool but not a necessity.
Don't bother with the action truing until you are ready to re-barrel.
The PST is nice for the price. I have used 3 of them and all have been great but, the 6-24 has better clarity over the 4-16 IMO. The NF is in another league as is the Vortex Razor. The Razor is a great optic and a cheaper alternative to the NF if you want FFP. The Bushnell DMR is a great optic as well. Its hard to beat between 1k to 1800 dollars.

If you are going to shoot out to 1k like at Sac Valley, go right to the 175/178 class bullets. A 155 will work too if you can push them fast enough.

[ExtremeX]

Grats on the purchase… if you want to get the action trued you should wait to get a new barrel the rifle then get it done.

Good base, rings, trigger, and the best optic as your finances will allow.

Buy match ammo to get started, save the brass, and invest in a reloading setup if you don’t already reload.

[vliberatore]

OP this is what you need

[Exodus343]

OP this is what you need

why is it that everyone's reloading components look so much nicer than mine?

LOL

[EminenceGrise]

Nice, I've got the same thing on the way... is "processing" the dirtiest word in the English Language or what?

[high_revs]

i got match ammo. 168 and 175 grain. priv partisan (match version), black hills and federal. i'm still working on my reloading equipment. bench's been ready for 1.5 yrs now LOL just need the press and dies for it. (ivanimal showed me the ropes a few years ago, but i got side-tracked). maybe by mid-2014, i'll finally get that all done. (may have to handload if i want to get on it sooner).

i thought the action being trued also makes movement smooth? i was thinking of another vortex but i like variety (in increments). so was thinking NF was next level (saving the 2k+ scope for a custom in the future )

i forgot about the bipod. i have 2 harris already (one with notches). i'm about to get the hblms one (9-13). shooting the ar-10 at the sac valley may clinic, i hated it when the legs dug into the ground a little. even if i used my pad, it felt too low for prone (for me).

thanks villatore. i've been saving my blackhills/federal brass. got the tumbler already (will do wet tumbling). i have a hand deprimer. got powder/primers. a few things here and there. just need the dang actual press and dies.

[high_revs]

i forgot to say.. the first bolt action i shot was a friends ar-30. i was super impressed though it felt a heavier trigger than the stuff i had. and that bolt was pretty stiff. LOL (hence asking about true'ing). am i using the wrong term to make the action smoother?

i'm all giddy! anxious! gonna be spending more $ this week.

[RobG]

i forgot to say.. the first bolt action i shot was a friends ar-30. i was super impressed though it felt a heavier trigger than the stuff i had. and that bolt was pretty stiff. LOL (hence asking about true'ing). am i using the wrong term to make the action smoother?

i'm all giddy! anxious! gonna be spending more $ this week.

Truing means squaring up the action and barrel generally. Working the bolt repeatedly will loosen it up if its stiff. Your trigger may be a 40x, which is a good one, or a Xmark which I feel sucks. A Timney 510 would work and is very nice.

For bipods the Harris S-BRM is the one to get. Adding a KMW pod lock is useful as well. The gravel at Sac is kind of a pain. Most guys use a small chunk of carpet to keep the feet from digging in.