Base Rifle for Match Grade Build?

[Joshua M. Smith]

Hello,

I got some news that I'll have to spend a lot of money away from guns for a bit.

However, I've been thinking about an super accurate "sniper rifle" build, and I'm looking for a place to contemplate starting.

Though I likely could get what I want out of a Mosin-Nagant M91/30, I'd rather not sink the money into an old design. The way it headspaces (on the rim, not the shoulder) would make things a bit more complex as well I think. I've got my M44 shooting quarter sized groups at 50 yards with open sights and while standing and using a field expedient rest. I spent 50 cents for shims and cleaned the barrel well to make it do this with good surplus ammunition. That's really all I want to do to it.

On to my dream rifle:

First is caliber. This will be a "gun for fun" as Indiana doesn't allow rifle calibers for deer hunting. I could, however, take any number of varmints with it, from prairie dog to coyote. I like my shoulder to know I've shot, so while a .223 or .22-250 would suffice, I'd prefer a .243, .308, .30-06, or .300 mag. Which of these six calibers is most inherently accurate?

Second is action and receiver: I prefer a lefty bolt action. The barrel doesn't really matter, nor does stock type, as those will both eventually be changed.

I will be getting a nice wood stock, and a heavy target grade barrel to free float. There will also be a 'scope, probably variable power, included in there someplace.

So I guess what I'm looking for is the most readily modifiable bolt action, preferably left handed, in the caliber most inherently accurate out of the ones listed, with the most readily available accessories.

Help?

Thanks,

Josh <><

[SwedeSteve]

You've narrowed it down to 100 rifles. U need to be more specific... R U building a SNIPER or a VARMINT gun? Have you researched Makes that offer left-handed rifles? Which Models? In what calibers? All of this is right a your finger tips! Sniper and Varmint= 2 different discussions. PM me if you need links to get started. Others will help as well.

[toolman]

I would say either Savage or Remington, with the edge going to Savage for the ease of rebarreling and headspacing. For what you want, a .243 or .308 would be a good choice. The .243 is a bit more versatile for varminting.

[lefty o]

buy an aftermarket reciever. by the time you get a remington up to match grade specs your at the same or more money than a better one costs too start with.

[Joshua M. Smith]

What's the difference between a varmint and sniper rifle?

Thanks,

Josh <><

[billy]

about the same as the difference between a law enforcement and a target rifle.
i have a lawtargetenforcement rifle.

or you can just call them precision rifles

[lefty o]

a sniper rifle is one that is used by a sniper. a varmint rifle is used to kill varmints.

[rfc357]

Some snipers kill varmints..................

Chucky Schumer thinks any rifle that is accurate is a "sniper rifle." He was appalled to discover that some people actually sink money into factory rifles to make them more accurate. I guess his ideal would be a rifle that, when you fire it, you have absolutely no idea where the bullet will go.

Another reason to vote.

A rifle is named by the use to which it is put. A Winchester 94 in the hands of a sniper is a sniper rifle.

[Magnumsrule]

Id say the 300 win is the most accurate out of your list of calibers, but the 308 is probobly has more accesoreis available while still retaining good accuracy. However both are overkill for any of the varmits you listed as game. The 243. would be a good pick for being a varmit rifle but you loose accuracy at long ranges.

[Powderman]

Oh, dude.......

You opened up a can of worms with this one!!!

Well, let's start. First of all, consider your budget. You will need enough to not only complete your rifle, but enough to put some good glass on it. And, by good glass, I do NOT mean the Wal-Mart specials--although there are some exceptions to every rule. But, more on that later.

How accurate do you want to be? The single most important thing that you MUST have is proficiency at your chosen platform or discipline. It does no good to have the best rifle in the world if you don't have the trigger time.

You can buy an off-the-shelf rifle, fine tune the load and have a very accurate rifle. The Savage line of rifles (IMHO) offers the best balance of affordability and accuracy, outshooting many other more expensive rifles.

A step up in price can get you something like the Remington 700P. This is also a very accurate rifle out of the box--however, the Savage has a 1-10 twist, which is an optimum rate for stabilizing the heavy .30 caliber bullets, and also does a good job at the 168 and 155 grain bullets. The Remington and the FN Police rifles have 1-12 twists.

The FN rifles are nothing more than Winchester Model 70's with a different name. They also deliver good accuracy--and can be had with a chromed bore which can significantly increase barrel life. These are all good choices for an off-the-shelf rifle.

Want even more accuracy? You'll pay to have the rifle blueprinted--simply meaning that the tolerances are tightened and that the bolt lugs and face are re-machined to be perfectly square with the centerline of the bore. This prevents flexing to either side when firing.

You can also have the rifle re-barreled. There are many rifle barrel makers out there, however I am familiar with only six of them.

Douglas makes air-gauged barrels that can be had for a reasonable price. These are button rifled--but they are NOT poor quality barrels. If you choose a Douglas barrel, you will have a premium piece of machinery.

Shilen barrels have a reputation for outstanding accuracy, as well.

Pac-Nor barrels are gaining ground as a premium barrel maker; you'll find them on a lot of tactical precision rifles.

However, for the accuracy seeker, two names in barrel making stand out--Kreiger and Obermayer.

Both make their barrels in the same way--single point-cut rifling. Neither will straighten a barrel, either--if it doesn't come out right, it's scrapped. This method of rifling does not impart stress to the barrel, and lots of folks swear by them.

Don't forget the stock, either! You would be hard pressed to do better than a McMillan or HS Precision stock, properly glass bedded on your rifle.

For the ultimate in a precision rifle, you'll probably want your own action. You can pick an old beater, maybe a Remington or Winchester that has seen better days, and have it rebuilt. Or, you can go with a specialized action.

The best that I know of are made by companies such as BAT Machines, Stolle, Nesika Bay, and Dakota Precision. Stolle and Nesika Bay are the actions you'll see on the line in benchrest competitions, where winning is often measured in the thousandth of an inch. As a matter of fact, the current 1000 yard record was set with a rifle with a Nesika Bay action, Kreiger barreled in a McMillan stock. The five shot group measured less than four inches.

Now, you have to think of optics. You need GOOD glass. For a good precision rifle, the lowest I would go would be a Burris scope. These are fine scopes, especially the XTR scopes. Made of steel--and made in America! They're as clear as scopes that cost a ton more.

The next up the line (IMHO) is the Leupold, specifically the LR/T line of optics.

The NightForce line of scopes are VERY good optics indeed. The rifle used to set the record mentioned above carried a NightForce 12-40x56 scope on it.

You can also look at the good European scopes--Zeiss, Swarovski and Kahles. All have clear, clean glass, and are some of the best scopes in the world.

A vastly (IMHO) underrated scope is the IOR Valdada. Formerly stuck behind the Iron Curtain, they have come out in a big way.

The two that I consider top of the line have excellent reputations and are top quality. Schmidt und Bender are riflescopes for serious business. Their line ranges from low power for high recoiling dangerous game rifles, to the Police Marksman series. The Schmidt und Bender 10 power fixed scope is now the USMC standard scope for their scout snipers.

The top of the line, however, is US Optics. They are made entirely in the United States, and offer many, many custom features. There are none stocked--they are custom built to your specifications. However, quality is NOT cheap. Expect to pay at least $2000 for a US Optics--and it gets worse from there. As a matter of fact, budget at least $1600 for a good scope for your rifle.

As far as the rifle goes, to have an accurate rifle built will cost you at least $1200. To have one built from a Nesika Bay, Stolle, or BAT action, McMillan stocked with a good clean trigger, expect to cough up about $4000.

So.....have I confused you yet?

By the way, why a "sniper" rifle?

[Elarski]

You've been given some good food for thought so far, but I'd like to give you a bit more to think about.
You mentioned several calibers, but do you reload? If you do there's a slough of other calibers that will suit your needs. By reloading, I can produce better accuracy out of all the rifles I reload for, specifically my bolt action rifles, and my AR-15. I don't bother with my Win. Mod.94, or surplus Mausers. To me if you want the most out of your rifle, reloading just makes good sense.
I would seriously look into a used rig that somebody else had built. A lot of people have rifles built, and over time, sell them because they "outgrew" them, or they just want something different. In order to upgrade to something new, many people sell off their older rigs to finance their new rifles. And when I say old, or used, I'm not talking ancient, and abused. Compare it to someone buying a year old used car; someone else has already paid for the depreciation, and you get a nice ride for a lower price than new. Check out the For Sale Forums over at Sniper's Hide for some good deals. Only thing is you have to be patient; good deals don't last long at all.

Well, good luck. Let us know what you get.

[Pumpkinheaver]

Build your rifle on a remington model 700 short action and chamber it for the great .308 winchester cartridge.