Hunting Rifle & Scope setup

[soonerborn]

Thanks!

For the mods, that all depends. There are "self-lapping" kits available that are just cartridges that have the bullets coated in varying grits of lapping compound. You just follow the instructions and fire them in a certain series with cleanings in between sets and the bullet laps it for you. They can be had for around 40 bucks and I have seen some no bs reviews that say they work. Not as good as having a gunsmith hand lap, but close enough. The real thing is that the difference in price from the 40 DIY to the 100 buck gunsmith job just isnt big enough to justify the cost.

You can also bed the stock yourself. Thats a little bit more tricky but if you handy its no problem. If your a little shy around tools though you can search around and find some very reasonable prices from gunsmiths I am sure. I believe the DIY kits for this cost around 50 bucks or less also. Just read up on it online first.

The trigger tuning will cost you the most because its one place that you should leave to a good gunsmith. I know it seems like it would be nothing to take it apart and polish up places with a dremel and shave a little here and there but its very tricky. You have to know alot about that particular trigger and if you make a mistake you might wind up with a gun that is extremely dangerous to use. This will run about 50-100 bucks depending on what the gunsmith will have to do. You may also just decide to go with a drop in trigger. Most modern guns have aftermarket trigger groups that can be just swapped out for the old one. They can run anywhere from 100-300 bucks. Just make sure you get one that doesnt require fitting or you will be back at the gunsmith paying him 75 bucks to install a 100 trigger when he could have tuned your original for half that.

Well the reason I like the ruger is that its a controlled feed. It has a real claw extractor, the finish is better, the bolt cycles smother and seems to "fit" better. But of course my ruger is a mark I and I have heard the new hawkeyes are 2 steps down. They do now have an intergral scope mount which is the absolute best way to put mounts on a gun. The ruger is also better balanced and I like the weight better. Really its all subjective and its up to you.

Here is a great website thats got tons of info on buying the right gun for the job.
CHUCKHAWKS.COM: Motorcycles and Riding Online; Naval, Aviation and Military History; Travel and Fishing Information Guide; Photography and Astronomy Information Guide; Guns and Shooting Online.

[Ron AKA]

I would do some careful research on the subject of barrel lapping and the gunsmith if you decide to do that. Controversial subject.

For bedding, yes it will likely cost about $50 to do it yourself. The biggest cost is the Devcon Plastic Steel Putty ($30) which is the best material to use. Here are a good set of instructions on how to do it.

On the triggers you can self adjust the Savage Accutrigger down to 6 oz on some target models, and more like 1.5-2 lb on other models. However, there are methods to get pull down well below that. I have my rimfire Accutrigger adjusted down to 12 oz and zero creep. The cost is essentially zip. You just need the knowlege of what to do and perhaps a couple of drill bits - but that is optional. The ease of adjusting the Savage Accutrigger is a big selling feature. Remington has come out with an adjustable trigger, but they claim you have to go to the authorized dealer to have it done. The Accutrigger comes with the tool and instructions on how to adjust it within factory limits. Probably for hunting you won't find much value of adjusting it beyond factory limits. Don't know the deal on the Ruger.
Ron

[wirehunt]

Originally Posted by soonerborn

I wont really say too much about a brand except to say I have a good deal of experience with remington and ruger and for rifles I pick ruger hands down. I havent had a savage but I am interested in getting one of the accutrigger models. I do know that for all the reading on rifles and talking with people, most people recommend ruger, remington, browning or weatherby. Then some mention savage, sako, marlin. I rarely hear kimber. I have seen some bad reviews on tikka so I would stay clear of them. Another thought is to go with a single shot NEF. They are cheap, you only get one shot, but they are tough and I have seen some very positive reviews on them.

For a scope I would absolutely go with one of these Burris signature select, Bushnell elite 4200 or a Sightron SII. I would avoid leupold, not because they make bad scopes but because they charge way more than either of those 3 for the same quality. They do have a lifetime no hassle warranty, but so does Sightron. I would probably go with a variable 3-9 x 42. I rarely use anything but the 3 setting when hunting, but its nice to have when you do need it. Just get good quality mounts and rings, it matters.

A few other things you may want to save a little of that money for. You may find that the gun you wind up buying might need a little work. Lapping a rifles barrel, bedding and trigger polishing are all very economical ways to make a good rifle into a great rifle. Those 3 provide the most bang for the buck for tightening up your shot groups.

As for the variable scope changing your shot placement, I wouldnt worry about that. Have never heard or experienced it but I guess its possible with a cheap scope. Your grip, elbow placement and shoulder placement will affect your shot much much more than different power settings on a scope anyways. Just changing the way you use the sling and your finger placement, or how hard you squeeze the handguard can deflect your shot groups by several inches at 100 yards. Hence the desire to free float your barrel and bed your stock.

Sorry but I laughed reading your post, nothing against your post either. I run a Kimber as do several people I know, we all KILL deer (and lots of them) and love the Kimber for the job. Tikka over here are known for doing the job, I don't like them but.....

I own Kahles scopes in fixed power, as do deer killers all over here......

[soonerborn]

never said a kimber wouldnt kill deer. I just havent heard of many people having them and nobody I personally know does...

[turner]

Originally Posted by soonerborn

never said a kimber wouldnt kill deer. I just havent heard of many people having them and nobody I personally know does...

I used to have one....wasn't even close to as nice as other .308s I already owned (along with the one I bought to replace it). So, it doesn't live here anymore. Likely no other Kimber ever will. Not at all what I'd hoped for. And, here's a couple of reviews that might help explain my point:

http://www.chuckhawks.com/subscriber...00_montana.htm

http://www.chuckhawks.com/subscriber...4m_classic.htm

Mr. Hawks talked about a Hawkeye like a dog! My Hawkeye .338 Fed shot 3/4" out of the box. My used $375. sporterized M98 in .308 shoots better than my new 84M did. I'm no fool and realize all rifles are individuals, but, I expected, and continue to expect more than 2+" accuracy out of a rifle with a match grade "anything", never mind, chamber, barrel and trigger, that runs $1,000 +. Period!
My next experiment will be the model 85 Sako. I will let all know what I feel about it, promise!

[soonerborn]

Originally Posted by turner

I used to have one....wasn't even close to as nice as other .308s I already owned (along with the one I bought to replace it). So, it doesn't live here anymore. Likely no other Kimber ever will. Not at all what I'd hoped for. And, here's a couple of reviews that might help explain my point:

http://www.chuckhawks.com/subscriber...00_montana.htm

http://www.chuckhawks.com/subscriber...4m_classic.htm

Mr. Hawks talked about a Hawkeye like a dog! My Hawkeye .338 Fed shot 3/4" out of the box. My used $375. sporterized M98 in .308 shoots better than my new 84M did. I'm no fool and realize all rifles are individuals, but, I expected, and continue to expect more than 2+" accuracy out of a rifle with a match grade "anything", never mind, chamber, barrel and trigger, that runs $1,000 +. Period!
My next experiment will be the model 85 Sako. I will let all know what I feel about it, promise!

I havent heard much good about kimber but like I said, I really dont have any personal experience with them.

I have heard good things about Sako and I have liked some older Sakos I have handled very much. I think you will find them to your liking.

[turner]

Originally Posted by soonerborn

I havent heard much good about kimber but like I said, I really dont have any personal experience with them.

I have heard good things about Sako and I have liked some older Sakos I have handled very much. I think you will find them to your liking.

I must admit to absolutlely loving an older Sako FN in .270 that I recently aquired. Maybe the finest of almost 100 rifles I've owned. I'm hoping the mod 85 is simply, almost as nice.

[CroMagnum]

I believe most of the issues with the Kimbers were with the Montana's. The wife has an 84M Classic in 7mm-08 with a beautiful wood stock, something you won't see on any other factory rifle. That rig shoots like a dream and is as light as a lot of custom rifles. I plan on owning a Montana in 7mm-08 and will be using it as my mountain rifle chasing sheep and goats.