best rifle for 500yds in a 308

[nearly there]

Hi can anyone suggest a good rifle to shoot at 500yds targets.id be shooting factory ammo to start.im just looking for a good first rifle thanks.also any suggestions for optics

[gbal]

Hi can anyone suggest a good rifle to shoot at 500yds targets.id be shooting factory ammo to start.im just looking for a good first rifle thanks.also any suggestions for optics

OK-we all start somewhere,but given the rather large choice available,it might help to confirm you mean eg 1moa bull targets(5 inches at 500y) or whatever;and some kind of price range-separately for rifle and scope.If factory,some cartridges might be out,or expensive (6BR eg),even though they would be superb-or are you definitely set on the jack of all trades,308-which has too much needless recoil really for comfortable 500y shooting....

You will get more useable advice if you can be a bit more specific......

 

Gbal

[The Gun Pimp]

The 308 Savage FTR is a remarkable rifle for the money and well up to the job of competing in F Class. There aren't many other cheaper 'out of the box' options.

[MrCetrizine]

Does it have to be .308? It's overkill for 500yds and not a comfortable calibre to shoot for extended periods.

[Offroad Gary]

Simple, buy an AI AE, all you will ever need (until you get an itch that needs to be scratched, an expensive itch at that).

[terryh]

For mid range the heavy barrelled Howa's do very well with good quality Milsurp. (GGG, MEN etc.).

 

Will not break the bank and leaves more for the scope - which is more important IMHO

 

Terry

[nearly there]

Thanks guys for replying.i have a 223 and 308 on my fac but thought the 308 would be better at that distance but could be wrong.also im looking to spend about 1500 in total for rifle,sight and bipod.also it be 1moa targets.i normally shoot at 200yds then move back to 500yds so a good all rounder would be good.thanks again

[tackb]

308 is a very versatile round and more is known about it and loads for it than probably any other round in existence !

 

for my money I'd go with a remmy 700 , and then mod it to my spec as reqd , I'd say that there is more after market go faster goodies for the 700 than any other make with the exception of the ruger 10-22 ? although tikka/howa and sako are catching up in that department.

 

good luck and have fun !

[247sniper]

Thanks guys for replying.i have a 223 and 308 on my fac but thought the 308 would be better at that distance but could be wrong.also im looking to spend about 1500 in total for rifle,sight and bipod.also it be 1moa targets.i normally shoot at 200yds then move back to 500yds so a good all rounder would be good.thanks again

Fast twist .223 shooting 75/80 grain AMax or 80 grain Bergers, check out them ballistic against a standard .308, and all from under 25 grains of powder!

 

Check it out mate.

 

Steve

[tackb]

Fast twist .223 shooting 75/80 grain AMax or 80 grain Bergers, check out them ballistic against a standard .308, and all from under 25 grains of powder!

 

Check it out Sir.

 

Steve

 

the 223 is a mighty impressive little round but it doesn't rival the 308 in versatility plus it's a specialist rig to get the best from it at range and realistically a reload only proposition for the extreme range stuff.

[gbal]

OK...let's check it out.....

 

223 77SMK (BC .39) @ 2750: 200 0/3.6 300 8.6/8.4 400 25.1/15.7 500 51.3/25.8

 

308 155AMax(BC.435)@ 2750 200 0/3.2 300 8.3/7.4 400 24/13.8 500 48.7/27.5

 

Zero is 200,commercial loads,so not hot,approx similar BCs(choose very different BCs and you can get bigger disparity,of course).500y only as that is the OP stated max useage....at 1000 of course the typical 223 is a non starter,and 308 only 'adequate for club use.'

 

I can't see much in it ballistically,while agreeing that 223 is much more pleasant to shoot,and uses less powder,and somewhat cheaper bullets.Both are readily available in non expensive rifles,some at least 'adequate'.Ditto 'mil surp' ammo-but you get what you pay for there.

 

A 6BR (eg) would outshoot both,more so as distance increased,but not available at the lower end of the price range,and is for most,a reloading proposition costwise.

 

Gbal

[MrCetrizine]

If I were buying my first rifle all over again, it would be a .243.

[Scotch_egg]

Everyone one should have a .308 they work plain and simple. But so does a .223 when all things are equal. But you cant take a .223 out on the biggir species of deer if you get the opportunity.

 

Use Cheap mil surp and when you eventually do reload it is not fussy in load development.

 

 

As for the rifle. No brainer Tikka T3 varmint in blue to keep cost down. There are plenty of after market parts available when you are ready. But I importantly it needs nothing out of the box.

[nearly there]

Thanks for the options guys