Need your opinions

[jmayton]

I'm looking for a new rifle to shoot long range (1000yds for fun) but also to hunt with when I so desire.  I'd like a .260, but given that almost no one makes a heavy barreled rifle in it, I'm looking at a .308.  I want a heavy contour barrel with or without fluting, 24" or less and no more than 8.5 lbs (so I can carry it hunting).  The top of my list is: Remington 5R Milspec, Remington LTR, SPS Tactical, Savage Precision Carbine.  There are a few others that might fit the bill, but these are the top 4.  What would you suggest and why?

[ncsurveyor]

Get the savage.  Have one of the plethora of after market barrel makers make you your 260.  A nice Douglas Barrel, or perhaps a Pac-Nor?  Anyway, someone will make you your short heavy tapered fluted 260, and you can screw it on yourself.  Save on those gunsmithing fees.

8.5 lbs? wow.  Going to be getting close when you add a decent optic especially with that heavy barrel....

[jmayton]

8.5lbs is for rifle only.  I'm expecting a total weight somewhere around 10-11lbs.

[drdougrx]

Hi j,

Why not just get a sendero??  or, a Rem VLS...

Or better...get the action you like and have ER Shaw put a heavy barrel on it. get an after market trigger and a good custom stock and you're there?

Really though....I'm not much of a savage fan...I'd get the VLS or sendero or something similar and tweak it.

[jmayton]

Thanks doug, I have two friends that have the VLS and they are great rifles, I just wanted something different.  Anyway, it looks a bit weird to cut down that 26" fluted tube.  Think about flutes all the way to the muzzle!  Anyway, it certainly is an option.  Finances don't allow for a semi-custom.  I need a good factory shooter for around $1000 or under.

[drdougrx]

Hi j,

The VLS is not fluted...the sendero is.  Shaw can rebarrel for about $400, i'd keep the stock and install a timney trigger for about $130.  Sorry... did you want to include scope and rings in the cost???  Also, I think you can get Rem barreled actions from Brownells for 400 or so and 798 mauser actions for a bit cheaper  and  build from there and keep the price under $1k.

[jmayton]

Thanks for the correction.  One friend has the VLS and the other has a VSSF.  I was thinking of the VSSF.  The barreled action might be a good option.  I have a friend with his FFL so he could order it for me.  Thanks for the input.

[SHOOTALL]

Savage has a new gun out to do just what you ask , check it out . I have not shot it only read about it ( and we all know that has to be taken with a grain of salt ) . Might be worth a peek.

[jmayton]

Are you talking about the Precision Carbine?  Because that is definitely one on my list.

[SHOOTALL]

Not sure of the name , it had a long heavy bbl and speical stock . It was ready out the box for long range comp.

[Oldshooter]

Man I bought a remington 700  6mm varmit special in the 70's to do double duty. Thought the barrel weight would not be a problem for carry, and it was not bad then. Now I rarely even carry it to the stand. That puppy is heavy! Now its a great rifle but a heavy great rifle! So fluted is something to strongly consider!

[SHOOTALL]

The Savage 112 F class and the 112 benchrest dual port . It was one of these i think .