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To the rifle experts
#4732982
11/09/13 01:50 AM
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 21,274
East
OP
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OP
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Lets say I have 2k to spend. But I want it on a 700 SPS tactical 20" platform. What needs to be done next, include optics in this.
Go................
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Re: To the rifle experts
[Re: East]
#4733112
11/09/13 02:47 AM
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,732
HorizonFirearms
Pro Tracker
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Buy a new stock or stiffen and bed this one, Re-barrel the rifle with a custom barrel and blueprint the action. Tune the x mark trigger, Get the best scope you can. In your price range I would look at a leupold vx 3 with the target turrets or one of the CDS scopes with the side focus.
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Re: To the rifle experts
[Re: East]
#4733121
11/09/13 02:49 AM
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2,856
30378
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First of all consider the purpose of the rifle which will dictate caliber, twist rate, length and choice of applicable optics. Get it to a good gunsmith and listen to him when considering your choices. True the action. Get rid of the factory barrel and opt for a Krieger, Bartlein or Broughton barrel. Jewell trigger. Consider a McMillan stock or one of the aftermarkets that has an aluminum bedding block. That will give you a start.
NRA Benefactor Life Member - Free men should not be subjected to permits, paperwork and taxation in order to carry a firearm.
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Re: To the rifle experts
[Re: 30378]
#4733255
11/09/13 04:10 AM
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,981
DFWPI
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
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Buy a gun with all the goodies and put some good glass atop it. Get out a shoot.
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Re: To the rifle experts
[Re: DFWPI]
#4733526
11/09/13 01:07 PM
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 35,644
Brother in-law
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Gun $650 HS precision or BC stock $350-400 Timney 1.5 lb trigger Optional bolt knob Zeiss conquest 4x16x50 TT - redhawk rifles $600 Bases and rings
I had a similar set up and it shot tiny groups with anything 165-168 gr
For the money they are the most accurate out of box rifle I've seen
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Re: To the rifle experts
[Re: Brother in-law]
#4733679
11/09/13 02:51 PM
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Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 100
aandrew610
Woodsman
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Woodsman
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New stock for sure Timney trigger is a must And a nice scope
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Re: To the rifle experts
[Re: aandrew610]
#4733702
11/09/13 03:02 PM
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,085
Don Dial
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Add $600-$800 and by a SAKO TRG that will have more features than you can add on a SPS ( I own both) and will outshoot about anything you can build. Last month playing with 175 gr. SMK loads and IMR 4064 I shot a 5 shot group, 1 hole and a dime covered it all. Off a junk plastic forend rest. It's the most forgiving rifle I've ever shot in more than 50 yrs of shooting and reloading
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Re: To the rifle experts
[Re: Don Dial]
#4733774
11/09/13 03:37 PM
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Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 15,928
TexFlip
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Add $600-$800 and by a SAKO TRG that will have more features than you can add on a SPS ( I own both) and will outshoot about anything you can build. Last month playing with 175 gr. SMK loads and IMR 4064 I shot a 5 shot group, 1 hole and a dime covered it all. Off a junk plastic forend rest. It's the most forgiving rifle I've ever shot in more than 50 yrs of shooting and reloading A TRG and halfway decent scope would double his budget. I have had 4 SPS Tacticals and their weakest element is the flimsy stock. Get a nice bedded stock and spend the rest of your budget on glass and rings.
Last edited by TexFlip; 11/09/13 03:38 PM.
Just to make sure that it is done thoroughly, I go both ways.
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Re: To the rifle experts
[Re: Don Dial]
#4733777
11/09/13 03:39 PM
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,336
Korean Redneck
Extreme Tracker
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First of all, I love OP's like this. You give some parameters and see what people think. If it were me in the situation u listed...
Disclaimer: I would consider the below as a long term project that will continue to morph over the years. So to me I want to get parts and mods that will be useful moving forward and really require upgrade. I also assume u want a tacticool
About $900 on a 6-24x50 FFP in either a Bushnell Tactical Elite or Vortex Viper PST Rifle on 308 $650 One piece pic base talley for 55 About 100 on rings of choice $130 timney trigger (IMHO no point in tuning factory)
Also I'm no rifle expert. This is how I would start knowing what I know now.
I'm a dude who likes long barrels!
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Re: To the rifle experts
[Re: Korean Redneck]
#4733786
11/09/13 03:44 PM
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 21,274
East
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KR and BIL thats pretty much my thought process so far. It wont be all done at once just a project over time. It will primarily be used for hog hunting, I dont do much bench shooting.
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Re: To the rifle experts
[Re: East]
#4734059
11/09/13 06:47 PM
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,336
Korean Redneck
Extreme Tracker
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I hear what you're saying about the hot hunting and not much of bench of guy and I wasn't either. But once I realized my rig can go out to 500+ yards, then I started being a "bench" guy because it honed my shooting skills enough that in the field I was a much more pro efficient shooter. My favorite trick is shooting 12oz come cans at 400+ yards.
I know it's sort of counter intuitive but the rifle is not as important as I thought it would be. I suppose the ore helpful info rather that exactly how much to spend on what piece, here is order in which I'd go with
Higher end glass 700 sps tactical 20" 308 One piece base Nice tactical style rings Trigger Proper cleaning kit with one piece rod and bore guide (cheaper than u think and totally worth the cost) Good ammo after about 100+ rounds of shooting cheap stuff
__________________________ Above is immediate just haves. I've learned there is no point in spending a ton on a rifle that is 1000+ yard capable with poor glass and ammo and then ruin the barrel with piss poor cleaning rods.
Stock, I'd go to a full aluminum bedded instead of bedding the sps stock Barrel, this would be low on the priority list after 1200-1500 rounds and probably changing calipers by that point. Gun smithing
I'm a dude who likes long barrels!
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Re: To the rifle experts
[Re: Korean Redneck]
#4734125
11/09/13 07:28 PM
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 21,274
East
OP
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Thanks KR thats the plan. In all the places I hunt as of now the longest shot I need to be taking is max 600 yards. I had an AR10 with the 24" bull on it that I was comfortable making those shots but sold it cause I think is weighed 93 lbs.
So basically I want to go with this to keep weight down and on top I wanna be able to swing it quick when in the woods in close quarters.
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Re: To the rifle experts
[Re: East]
#4734271
11/09/13 08:46 PM
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Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 348
Nighteagle
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Nov 2012
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Check out snipers hide used rifles and gear section. There is always .308 rifle setups for sale and no reason to buy new as u will get a serious rifle that's already been depreciated in value.
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Re: To the rifle experts
[Re: East]
#4734293
11/09/13 08:59 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 43,112
J.G.
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Korean Redneck did a fine job.
One thing of note is the .308 Win does not forgive the man that can't read wind perfectly, heck I can't do it 100% of the time and I shoot a whole bunch. With a max BC of .495 and velocities of 2700 fps, on the high end, it just doesn't cheat the wind like a 6.5mm or 7mm bullet will. 6.5 Creedmoor, 260 Rem, and 7mm-08 all rank higher, in flight efficiency than the 308.
The guys I compete with all agree that the man shooting the 308 is at a disadvantage. Barrel life is awesome, but that's the best thing it has going for it. I'm not a 308 hater, I still have my 308 barrel, but it's just sitting in the safe. Take that as you will.
I second, a quality scope is paramount. There's plenty of off-the-shelf rifles I could hit steel at 1k if I put one of my scopes on top of it.
![[Linked Image]](http://www.precisionriflehunters.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/garvey.jpg) 800 Yard Steel Range Precision Rifle Instruction Memberships and Classes Available
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Re: To the rifle experts
[Re: J.G.]
#4734343
11/09/13 09:32 PM
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 35,644
Brother in-law
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Tikka tacticals handle good in the store, I don't know how they shoot
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Re: To the rifle experts
[Re: Brother in-law]
#4734389
11/09/13 10:03 PM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,644
Revoman
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My last build I bought a Remmy SPS 22-250 at Academy and took it straight to my smith. We put a SS match Shilen barrel (6mm) 12 twist and built a 6BR. I found a Remmy laminate stock and glass/pillar bedded the rig. Found a Burris 4-16 scope and had one heck of a varmit rig under 1500. This is one sweet calling rig that is super accurate.
Call'm an Kill'm
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Re: To the rifle experts
[Re: Revoman]
#4734401
11/09/13 10:10 PM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 9,549
scot
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
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If you can find one of the older 700-LTR they will come with the HS stock and a timney comparable trigger. Flutted so it's a bit lighter. And mine shot multiple 1/3" groups with federal gold match. Wish I would have held onto it.
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Re: To the rifle experts
[Re: scot]
#4734716
11/10/13 01:26 AM
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 35,644
Brother in-law
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If your not buying now I would do a tikka and a # 3 or 4 for handiness. My sps was a touch heavy
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Re: To the rifle experts
[Re: Brother in-law]
#4735133
11/10/13 04:55 AM
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 21,274
East
OP
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OP
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I already went down the Tikka road. One of the best guns I ever owned but I want the durability of the 700 barrel off the bench
But that 25-06 was slick, I regret selling that one big time
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Re: To the rifle experts
[Re: East]
#4735135
11/10/13 04:56 AM
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 21,274
East
OP
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OP
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Does Tikka make a 20" model?
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Re: To the rifle experts
[Re: East]
#4735331
11/10/13 12:53 PM
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,085
Don Dial
Veteran Tracker
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My SPS is one of the first, LH .308 with the old trigger. I couldn't get consistent groups when I first got it so I put my old syn BDL stock on it and lapped the bore plus did a trigger job and got it to 2 lbs.. It will shoot 3/4 in groups with Barnes 150 gr TTSX and 1/2 in with conventional projectiles. Mine is a 26 in Varmit wgt bbl. I only have really the cost of the weapon in it but it is no where near in a class with the SAKO TRG. It's easier to pack because of wgt but we hunt mostly from blinds so I think I can walk up the stairs with an additional 4 lbs.
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Re: To the rifle experts
[Re: East]
#4735407
11/10/13 01:48 PM
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 12,816
wp75169
THF Celebrity
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Does Tikka make a 20" model? They do or at least did. My tikka CTR (compact tactical rifle) has a 20" barrel. It will consistently shoot .5" five shot groups with most anybody behind the wheel. Better if the shooter does their part. The only Thing I don't like about it is that's it's right handed and I shoot left. Heavier barrel though. .875" at the muzzle.
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Re: To the rifle experts
[Re: wp75169]
#4735425
11/10/13 01:58 PM
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 12,816
wp75169
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A little info on the one I got. 
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Re: To the rifle experts
[Re: wp75169]
#4735839
11/10/13 05:51 PM
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Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 588
Poke81
Tracker
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Tracker
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Sps tactical $600. Used HS precision stock or new BC stock $250, no bedding needed as it just works both ways. NF base and rings $200-$250. Mk4 4-14x40 with covered turrets $750. Basix trigger $150ish.
I have owned, shot, modified a ton of sps tactical rifles with good success. Have also been down the tikka road with decent success. On the used market the tikka can be found at a bargain.
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Re: To the rifle experts
[Re: Poke81]
#4749649
11/14/13 11:18 PM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 657
DRT1
Tracker
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Tracker
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Wouldnt chng barrel right off.. have found a couple of these that could shhot lights out.. just a thought
In God I trust.. all others are suspect. ;))
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