I need convincing

[thawein1856]

So I am thinking about moving to rifles to augment my handgun love affair. Couple of issues that I need help with:
1. I live in poway, where the heck do you take a rifle to do any long range shooting? Don't want to travel down to the boarder as I spend an hour each way just driving.
2. Age old question of what. Looking at either a savage 10fcp-k or m1a. I know two completely different guns but I haven't decided if I want bolt or not and if I want .308 or .223.
3. I doubt there are any ranges that are going to be over 300 yards ( if I'm lucky) so how good a scope do I really need? If I get the savage ($790) does it make sense to put $1,000 glass on it for not likely ever going beyond that distance?

I'm a bit concerned with costs. I can cover the m1a but it would but glass out another 6 months or more. I reload already so not concerned with ammo costs either.

Thoughts and comments appreciated. Finding it hard to justify a long range gun without knowing of a long range near by to stretch it's legs on. 25 yards just ain't going to cut it.

Thx.

[NorCalK9.com]

Semi auto is funner so I guess my vote would be m1a you can always find somewhere to shoot.

[Vacaville]

3. I doubt there are any ranges that are going to be over 300 yards ( if I'm lucky) so how good a scope do I really need? If I get the savage ($790) does it make sense to put $1,000 glass on it for not likely ever going beyond that distance?

Thx.

See this thread. Guy wants to glass an M1A.

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=466093

[ZX-10R]

I was bolt action before I had my PSL and then never went back. Though my next rifle is coming down to the Savage and equal Remy. My Remy XR100 was in .223...It was the best shooting gun I have ever shot. New it was more than the M700 and FCP-K...However, it was single shot only. I prefer the accuracy of a bolt action due to more moving parts in a semi but a semi as NorCal said is more fun to shoot if fast groupings is what you are trying to achieve. I already have 4 semi auto rifles so a replacement for the XR100 I should have never sold is coming soon...Xmas gift.

You need to find a range that is over 100yrds. My range is 400yrds with paper up to 300. That is in San Luis Obispo.

As far as the guns...Yeah 308 will win but 223 is no slouch and if you are only ever going to shoot 100yrds then 308 might be too much for ammo. As for glass, if I decide on the Savage or Remy it will get a Millet LRS-1...My buddy has one and it cost about $450...It is great glass for the price and fits his needs and then some...He can shoot golf balls at 100yrds and group very easily to 250yrds...After that it is just too long to walk up the hill to post a target at times hahaha. I would like a Nightforce but for that price I can get another dirtbike...I have more hobbies than shooting and when something costs the price of a track bike or dirtbike, I would rather get the motorcycle every day of the week.

[thawein1856]

Thanks. Think I'm trending to the M1A. Anyone know of rifle ranges in San Diego towards north county area?

[Bowhunter_619]

There is a range down by Pala, I think you can shoot on Mondays and Fridays for a fee a couple of times before they will ask you to become a member and I believe they have ranges over 500 yards.

[Whiterabbit]

semi-auto is the most boring. More fun when you lose your sight picture due to cycling the action.

But honestly, if you need convincing, maybe now is not the time. Aren't there ways to be parted from your hard earned cash right now that don't need convincing?

[thawein1856]

White rabbit: there are always other means but I've had this itch for a while and feel like it's about time to scratch it.

[Whiterabbit]

Then why do you need convincing?

[hcbr]

I'd go with .223 to start off, it's cheaper and you can do some decent long range shootings. I'd look at just building your typical AR or mini 14 in .223. Once you get good at that, and ready for the longer ranges, then go for M1A in .308!