I'd like to at least try it out before I condemn it.
If it is a 1.5 MOA barrel it will be coming off promptly.
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I've been shooting pretty regularly for over 32 years. I can probably tell if it's shooter error. I've been loading my own ammo for over 20 years. I'll try quite a few loads and if none of them show any promise and I'm pretty certain I'm not the problem then I'll lean towards the barrel being an issue.
I had a Savage many years ago that I could consistently shoot groups below 1/2" inch at 100 yards. Most were usually around 3/8". I just never stretched it out past 100 yards.
You re-answered as i was posting....
eh, if you aren't planning on shooting specific matches, and therefore have deadlines to deal with, I see no reason not to run the barrel that's on it to at least check it out and get a feel for things. It's not like you can't re-barrel later.
Although if you do end up re-barreling it, I'd strongly recommend a more effective LR cartridge, because honestly, 308 sucks in comparison to the 6mm and 6.5mm cartridges in the LR game. And sooner or later, you'll buckle to the peer pressure and get your tail out to some of the matches we're all shooting [Coffee]
Thanks. That's pretty much what I had in mind. Try the factory barrel, hopefully it's good enough for me to learn on, and if it looks like I am really going to get into it then probably swap the barrel for something in 6 or 6.5 mm.
As far as any of the matches, I don't expect to be out at any of them this year. Maybe next year.
[Beer]
You should really plan shooting some of the local matches. We are there to help, not ridicule, new shooters. There will be a learning curve for sure. You just got to come on out and do it. I think you will be surprised at how well you do.
^^^ This, You'll learn more in a couple of days of shooting with Guys like Dino, Hoser, Timk, etc than you will in a LOT of time behind the rifle by yourself at a range. I know this first hand, the first ever match I shot was Hoser's Prairie dog match in October of 2013. Since then, I've gone full retard and shot nearly every Raton match, nearly every one of Hoser's matches (PD and the new field match) Snipers Hide Cup, Steel Safari, The Thunderbeast team challenge, and am planning on all of them and more this year.
Those guys helped me a TON, and I'd have burned down my first barrel without knowing half what I do now if it wasn't for them. There's been a lot of others along the way that have taught me a lot as well that aren't members here, but needless to say, the LR competitive community are truly a pleasure to be around and very helpful to others.
Hell, I drive right by you on my way to Pueblo and Raton, If you decide you'd like to give it a whirl, PM me and you can ride down there with me if you'd like. (excluding this month in Raton as I'll be on vacation and won't make that match.
Look on the bright side you'll probably outshoot me on your first time out! But you'll have a hell of a lot of fun.