Looking for Advice

[LMT4ME]

I'm wanting to get into long range shooting and I have a couple of questions. Planning on doing a couple of classes in the near future. I'm thinking of max range of a 1000 yards.

I'm going to purchase a 308 Rem 700. Two options are a 24 or 26 inch barrel. The 24 could be the 700 R5 or a Police or a varmint. The 26 would be a varmint.

Is there a big difference of 26 vs 24 as far as distance and accuracy?

Would I need a new stock if I got the 700 varmint or police?

What are good stock options?

The R5 comes with a HS Precision stock - would that be a reasonable start?

Is there any benefit or minuses of a stainless rifle?

I'm thinking of a Burris xtr scope in 3x15 or 4x20 - which would be preferable for 600-1000 yards?

Also thinking about a vortex max scope budget is 1k give or take - any feed back re vortex vs Burris?

Would a 20 MOA base be sufficient or do I need taller rings also?

What is the benefit of adding a detachable box mag?

Any additional advice is much appreciated.

[highpower790]

I'm wanting to get into long range shooting and I have a couple of questions. Planning on doing a couple of classes in the near future. I'm thinking of max range of a 1000 yards.

I'm going to purchase a 308 Rem 700. Two options are a 24 or 26 inch barrel. The 24 could be the 700 R5 or a Police or a varmint. The 26 would be a varmint.

Is there a big difference of 26 vs 24 as far as distance and accuracy?

Would I need a new stock if I got the 700 varmint or police?

What are good stock options?

The R5 comes with a HS Precision stock - would that be a reasonable start?

Is there any benefit or minuses of a stainless rifle?

I'm thinking of a Burris xtr scope in 3x15 or 4x20 - which would be preferable for 600-1000 yards?

Also thinking about a vortex max scope budget is 1k give or take - any feed back re vortex vs Burris?

Would a 20 MOA base be sufficient or do I need taller rings also?

What is the benefit of adding a detachable box mag?

Any additional advice is much appreciated.

Op you should attend the mid range/long range matches at Sac Valley just to see what people use.Someone may let borrow a rifle if you use factory match ammo.This would be a great intro to what you want to do.Matches are the 2nd Sat/Sun of every month except June,where we will be shooting highpower across the course.

[bsumoba]

I'm wanting to get into long range shooting and I have a couple of questions. Planning on doing a couple of classes in the near future. I'm thinking of max range of a 1000 yards.

Attend a 600, palma, or 1000 yard match at Sac Valley like highpower mentioned. nothing like going out to a match to see what people are using.

I'm going to purchase a 308 Rem 700. Two options are a 24 or 26 inch barrel. The 24 could be the 700 R5 or a Police or a varmint. The 26 would be a varmint.

Is there a big difference of 26 vs 24 as far as distance and accuracy?

For shooting out to 1K, the longer the better. Most 308 guys are shooting 28-30" custom barrels. But, 24-26" will suffice. Just make sure to shoot 175s or better. Accuracy...no difference. the difference will come in the barrel quality. In factory rifles, it is hit and miss.

Would I need a new stock if I got the 700 varmint or police?

The police is fine

What are good stock options?

You can go McMillan or Manner stocks if you want to go the fiberglass route. Or, if you want to go chassis system, you can go XLR, AICS, J.Allen, and others.

The R5 comes with a HS Precision stock - would that be a reasonable start?

Yes

Is there any benefit or minuses of a stainless rifle?

Most people would argue that stainless barrels will be better. Most custom barrels are stainless. That being said, in factory rifles, the quality of the chamber job and bore is more critical than whether or not it is stainless, chrome moly, etc.

I'm thinking of a Burris xtr scope in 3x15 or 4x20 - which would be preferable for 600-1000 yards?

I would go a little bit more magnification and go with a Vortex PST 6-24 or Burris XTRII in 5-25

Also thinking about a vortex max scope budget is 1k give or take - any feed back re vortex vs Burris?

Both are good. I actually am testing out a Burris XTRII in 5-25x magnification. So far, so good. I also had a Vortex PST. Can't go wrong with either.

Would a 20 MOA base be sufficient or do I need taller rings also?

20 MOA base will do fine out to 1K. Just make sure to get tall enough rings so your scope clears the barrel and you will be fine.

What is the benefit of adding a detachable box mag?

So you can cycle rounds faster...

In the Sac Valley Folsom matches, it is all slow fire, so single round feed.

In the NCPPRC long range matches (also held at Sac Valley), you can mag feed, but that is a slightly different course of fire. It is more along the lines of the tactical/sniper type of shooting and you are walking with all your gear from 200 yards out to 1000 yards.

PM me if you are interested in knowing more about one or the other.

[rmfool]

Go to a local range and talk to the old timers they have a lot of years behind them. When in doubt search google

[ar15barrels]

I'm going to purchase a 308 Rem 700. Two options are a 24 or 26 inch barrel. The 24 could be the 700 R5 or a Police or a varmint. The 26 would be a varmint.

Is there a big difference of 26 vs 24 as far as distance and accuracy?

Would I need a new stock if I got the 700 varmint or police?

What are good stock options?

The R5 comes with a HS Precision stock - would that be a reasonable start?

Also thinking about a vortex max scope budget is 1k give or take - any feed back re vortex vs Burris?

Would a 20 MOA base be sufficient or do I need taller rings also?

What is the benefit of adding a detachable box mag?

Either the 700P or the 5R Milspec models come with an HS precision stock which is a completely serviceable stock.
There would be no need to immediately replace the stock that came with either of those rifles.
The SPS varmint comes with a crappy plastic stock that you would need to replace.
Between the two, I recommend the 5R Milspec as the barrels that come on those rifles are exceptionally accurate compared to most other models that Remington produces.
Bump the budget up to $1200 and snag a Bushnell 3.5-21 DMR scope with a G2 reticle.
It will be a much nicer scope than you get in the $1000 price range.
You want a 20moa scope base.
You will need medium height 34mm rings for the Bushnell DMR.

A detachable mag simply allows you to reload faster compared to the fixed magazine setup that comes on the rifle.

[kcstott]

What these guys said^^^^^^^

Solid info

Down south here our NRA sanctioned match's are slow fire single load so a DBM is only advantageous in that you can add single shot follower or in this case mag plug easy.

2" of barrel length will not show up on a chronograph except in extreme cases. don't worry about it.

I bought a Rem700 5R and love it. Good solid rifle with a very good barrel.
.5 moa with match ammo and a good shooter. i'm getting better

[LMT4ME]

Thanks for all the info. I'm in the process of selling a 700 AAC-SD in 308 with 20 inch barrel. If I went with the scope recommendations how far could i reach out with that? I got it in a trade and thought I'd start with that but I've been told that I'd be limited to < 500 yards. The classes I'm wanting to take shoot out to 1000. I've got funds for a scope but would need to sell the AAC before getting a 5R which I think is what I need based on everyone's input. Also I forgot to ask - should I also upgrade the trigger on the 5R with say a Timney trigger.

[ar15barrels]

Thanks for all the info. I'm in the process of selling a 700 AAC-SD in 308 with 20 inch barrel. If I went with the scope recommendations how far could i reach out with that? I got it in a trade and thought I'd start with that but I've been told that I'd be limited to < 500 yards. The classes I'm wanting to take shoot out to 1000. I've got funds for a scope but would need to sell the AAC before getting a 5R which I think is what I need based on everyone's input. Also I forgot to ask - should I also upgrade the trigger on the 5R with say a Timney trigger.

The Bushnell DMR on a 5R with a 20moa base will get you to 1000yds and beyond.
Your skill, target size and the wind will be your limiting factor at those distances.
A timney trigger is a very good upgrade for a 5R.

[kcstott]

Thanks for all the info. I'm in the process of selling a 700 AAC-SD in 308 with 20 inch barrel. If I went with the scope recommendations how far could i reach out with that? I got it in a trade and thought I'd start with that but I've been told that I'd be limited to < 500 yards. The classes I'm wanting to take shoot out to 1000. I've got funds for a scope but would need to sell the AAC before getting a 5R which I think is what I need based on everyone's input. Also I forgot to ask - should I also upgrade the trigger on the 5R with say a Timney trigger.

Who ever told you that was full of crap. The .308 is not going to loose that much velocity in 4" that your bullet will not make it to 1000 Yards.

Ideally you want to stack the odds in your favor. There are guys squeaking 3000 fps out of a 32" barrel. the .308 is recognized as a 800 meter cartridge as a factory round. but with a good rifle, ammo, and shooter it's a 1200 meter weapon all day long.

My advice. Keep the rifle you have and rebarrel if it bugs you that much. use it.

I Have a MK11 with an 18" barrel and I ring steel at 900 meters
When that barrel is worn out or i get tired of it. I'm going to drop in a longer barrel for sure, 22" minimum might take it to 26"

[milotrain]

Yeah, I wouldn't bother with the complexity of trading/selling and rebuying. Just get your current 700 rebarreled with a good barrel.

In all honesty you aren't going to start at 1k, you are going to shoot a lot at 600 yards before shooting commonly at 1k. That's a function of ranges available that go to 1k, matches that go to 1k and the fact that the fundamentals can (and should) be learned at a reduced range.

[LMT4ME]

Thanks for all the feedback. If I stuck with my present AAC-SD rig is the Houge stock an issue (everything I've read indicates it's a weak link)? Would a Bell & Carlson M40 be reasonable upgrade and do I need to bed it?

[ar15barrels]

Would a Bell & Carlson M40 be reasonable upgrade and do I need to bed it?

A B&C M40 stock would be a good upgrade.
No need to bed it.

[kcstott]

there's a HS precision Milspec 5R take off barrel on ebay right now for $275 buy it now price.

Milspec 5R stock

Bedding ??? well maybe maybe not, with a machined bedding block bedding is most likely not needed. Even if you did bed it, Unless there was something wrong with the stock or you are a very accomplished shooter you would not see an improvement.

[jmatt511]

It's more pricey, but a McMillan A5 stock would serve you very well. Make sure you get it configured in the barrel contour you plan for your re-barrel. Krieger makes an excellent blank.

[Kingair001]

It's more pricey, but a McMillan A5 stock would serve you very well. Make sure you get it configured in the barrel contour you plan for your re-barrel. Krieger makes an excellent blank.

4 x more pricey . . .