getting a 5r - what things to do first?

[mark501w]

Buy as much glass as you can afford & go shooting.

[dskit]

You should adjust your scope down, and to the left.

[Ding126]

Rem 700 5R 300 win mag here.

Can anyone recommend a shop to add a knob and muzzle break in the SF / Sacramento area. Anyone heard or use Spartan Precision in Concord, Ca ???

Feed back please

[NordicDave]

First, get your reloading gear together. You need excellent dies, good case prep tools, and some measuring tools so you can get your seating depth, case neck thickness, and run-out under control. You need to learn to use this stuff in the most effective manner.

Second, get a highly functional scope for your intended purpose, and solid rings and base. The brand is not important as long as the quality is at least good. There are some good moderately priced scopes out there, but don't be deluded by an attractive price. You can save a few bucks on the rings and base by staying away from the Internet Commando Approved Flavor Of The Week, but not as much on the scope itself.

Third, shoot it enough to figure out if the stock fits you and the way you shoot. The H S stock is very good quality and works well, but it fits some shooters better than others. An ill-fitting stock is like wearing the wrong size shoes. You can function, but you are definitely doing something wrong!

Fourth, fiddle with the trigger to figure out if it is time for a replacement, yet.

Through the whole process, test the gun and your own skills by shooting off a bench with a solid rest, often enough to test your results. This is the only way to really evaluate your reloading skills, and it is relatively cheap. The Caldwell Rock Jr. and rear sandbag cost no more than lunch with your wife, and they will suffice for most shooters. Shoot at at least 100 and preferably 200 yards so you can start figuring out if you are getting the accuracy that your circumstances call for.

Khromo had the best advice in the thread and +1 to the others who said shoot it as-is, buy the right quality glass, and reload and shoot more.

These guns are amazing right out of the box. There is always someone with a miracle story about extra machining. Eliminate yourself and the ammo as the barrier first. When you can shoot it repeatably 100% of the time with .5-6moa groups for a couple of years, then look to investing more.

More than once I've talked to people who were cursing their rifle with a 5 moa at the range. Once they see resting it on a sandbag with practice, they see the same gun shoot 1 moa. Coopers "Art of the Rifle" book is a great reference.

It's us old timers who give out this advice, because we have been there. It's an exceptional individual who can out shoot a 700 5R or 700P/700LTR.

Get experience with the rifle - lots of experience - before doing anything. Stuff like adding a detachable mag have consequences, like no longer being able to reliably single load the rifle.

Did not mean to preach, just don't like to see people spend money on hardware when they could be out having fun.

-NordicDave