What should be next for my 308?

[Jasonaspears]

A Timney trigger was a fantastic upgrade to my 700. Invest in as much trigger time as you can and since you reload, you could start seeing your group sizes shrink with practice. I started neck sizing only which helped with accuracy as well.

What distances are you wanting to shoot at? Upgrading your scope and bipod might be a smart move as well. If you can't hold steady, repeatable accuracy will be elusive

[Xtracrispy]

Eventually I would like to be able to shoot out to 6-800yds or so, but that's down the road. In the shorter term being more realistic I'd be happy with repeatable accuracy at 100 up to say 4-500yds, as that is probably as far as I can go at local BLM without going out to the desert.

[Jasonaspears]

Eventually I would like to be able to shoot out to 6-800yds or so, but that's down the road. In the shorter term being more realistic I'd be happy with repeatable accuracy at 100 up to say 4-500yds, as that is probably as far as I can go at local BLM without going out to the desert.

Good fundamentals at 100 yards will translate to better groupings at further distances. Become a marksman at 100 and you'll be happy

[Khromo]

Your current rig is fine for now. My suggestion would be this:

1. Training. This is a tough one. Not many choices in and around San Diego. If you could find a legit mentor, that would be best, even if it costs. It's always good to get the benefit of a trained eye up front, before you start burning bad habits into your muscle memory.

Make friends with the best shooters at the range. Hang their targets for them, pick up their brass for them, wash their cars, do whatever you have to do.

Failing that, maybe try one of the David Tubb books. Absolutely worth the cost, even if a lot of it is not really relevant to the type of shooting you want to do. No need to try and re-invent the wheel. He's already done that, and made it better!

2. Practice. Focused, disciplined, practice with a purpose. Create a plan so your practice accomplishes something every time. Every shot should count for something.

3. Reloading components. Buy good stuff, keep a log, and use the FGMM to check your progress. If you can't at least equal the FGMM after a little tinkering, you are probably doing something wrong, and you should seek assistance.

4. Replace your trigger. No rush here.

5. Replace your Caldwell bipod. No rush here either. It's probably starting to loosen up and flop around by now anyway. It has served its purpose, it doesn't owe you a nickel.

[CobraRed]

I think that's a fantastic low budget rig, I would have gone different bi-pod but everything looks good to me.
Agree that the biggest difference would be trigger time, then after that maybe getting into reloading.

If you ever find your way into LA I can give you a range lesson (I've given dozens), or next time im shooting in SD I can pm you.

[Xtracrispy]

I think that's a fantastic low budget rig, I would have gone different bi-pod but everything looks good to me.
Agree that the biggest difference would be trigger time, then after that maybe getting into reloading.

If you ever find your way into LA I can give you a range lesson (I've given dozens), or next time im shooting in SD I can pm you.

Yeah I wish I had gone with a better bipod when I got it, but it's on the list.

Thanks for the offer, I might take you up on that if the opportunity ever arises! :cheers:

[postal]

Go to one of the pendleton monthly matches and watch/ learn, ask questions.

Then, go to the next monthly and shoot it.

Competition is THE FASTEST way to learn besides private lessons from someone who knows what they're doing.

Also, if you're reloading, you should be using 175g smk.