Help me plan/purchase my first LR build/buy

[Delfuego]

I would recommend:
Savage 10/110 w/heavy barrel
Remington 700 SPS Tac is 20" heavy; ACC is 20" w/heavy & threaded and add a Bell & Carlson stock
Remington 700 5R w/HS Precision stock (good barrel, ok stock) Check them out at Mile High Shooting Accessories!
Tikka are supposed to be real nice, but not a lot of aftermarket stuff

All would do fine for what you are looking for and leave you money for glass (and bipod/LRF/Spotter).
You can add detachable mags, triggers and tons of other parts as you see fit.

[MarkCO]

I only really started 3Gun in 2006 and I still have some to do, but I will tell you this...3Gun and LR are both expensive and consuming. Doing both at once is probably asking for a train wreck. I've built low end (a Rem SPS AAC in .308 with a Burris MTAC on it) and mid-grade (Rem 700 with good aftermarket parts in .260 sitting in an AICS with Atlas parts and a Vortex PST on top) LR rigs that will both take a good suppressor. I spent a good chunk of time on a AR-10 .260 that I eventually sold after realizing some big differences between bolt guns and ARs, so I think you are good in sticking with the bolt to start. I know I will wade slowly into LR eventually, knowing full well it will signal the end of any improvement in 3Gun. There is obviously gain to be made with handloads, but with .308, depending on purpose and volume, there is some very good "custom grade" factory ammo with great performance.

The advice I have heard from some top LR guys has been consistent over the years...Get a good .308 and wear out a barrel with some mid-grade glass before you go plunking down shiny coin on the really good stuff. I did buy the TB 30P suppressor before I built either rig BTW.

[mtik00]

I'm definitely no expert... here are my thoughts:
The Savage vs Rem 700 debate will go on forever. The way I see it is this: You can get a more accurate "out of the box" rifle from Savage than you can from Remington (assuming we're talking about Rem700 vs Savage 10/110). That can save you the head-ache of upgrading. As far as aftermarket upgrades go, there is no comparison. Rem 700 wins that all around. I can only assume that you spend extra money on a Rem700 that will best the Savage. I have absolutely no data to back that up.

Last year I built the following for just a hair under $2,000
Savage 10 FCP-K in .308
Vortex Viper PST 5-24x50 FFP
low to mid grade rings
Bipod
Misc accessories and doo-dads

I'm happy with this configuration. I'm new to bolt guns, but I'm getting out on occasion and having fun. I may never outgrow this (especially according to my group sizes!).

I also have a reloading setup, but I haven't done .308 yet. That's coming this year once I shoot up all my factory ammo and assuming I can find components.

This is perfect for me because I didn't want to spend a billion dollars on a Surgeon or AI with $5,000 glass.

To each their own.

[ColoFarmer]

I went through the same thing recently, see my thread about the gun. It is a 7mm not 308, which I chose because I reload and was set up for 7mm. The only rounds I have are .223/5.56, 6mm Rem and 7mm Rem Mag. https://www.ar-15.co/threads/95017-H...t-new-quot-gun

I don't have quite that much in it, I think it's about $1400 or so. If I was going to spend a little more, it would be on the scope. The Viper I got doesn't have target turrets and isn't FFP, but it's a good start and is amazingly clear for the money. Look for a Viper PST like the previous poster has. If you can find a builder action and a gunsmith you trust, throw a little money at it at a time and spread it out if you need to. Keep an eye out on sniper's hide and long range hunting websites and you can pick up barrel blanks pretty reasonably, keep an eye out for a good deal on the scope, and have your gunsmith put it all together.

[clark]

I put together one for about 2 grand, seems like a good combo and works well, gun and optics are much better than I am at this point.

Savage 10 FCP 308 HS PRECISION, $950
Vortex viper pst 6-24x50 Is first focal plain and cost about $950
http://www.opticsplanet.com/vortex-v...130426161100:s

There are better optics out there but this is one of the best bang for the bucks for a quality scope.

It is one hell of a setup and to date the gun is much better than my abilities, though I am working on that.

[Delfuego]

The Viper PST is a good scope, but my SWFA 5-20HD blows it away (I own both). http://swfa.com/SWFA-SS-HD-5-20x50-T...pe-P51653.aspx
The SWFA scopes are quite a deal and they have a "trade in" program. I sent in my Leupold and the gave me a very reasonable credit on a new purchase. You can then buy those used optics from their "sample list".

Swing by a match in Pueblo or at CRC. You can see all the gear you have only read about, and I'm sure that people will let you finger f*** their rifles too...

[d_striker]

Check out this link for a "budget" precision build using the Remington 700 AAC-SD. His total spend was around $1200.

http://8541tactical.com/budget%20pre...%20article.php