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9/11/2002 4:56:14 AM EDT
I've been thinking about what I want to do, I want a Bushmaster rifle of some kind, and I don't know which to get. Here are my choices.

XM-15 or whatever they call it 20" standard rife and possibly a 700 Varmint down the line...

or get both of what I want in one rifle with...

Varmint or Varmint Special with a bipod and a Tasco (possibly) high-po scope...

Does anyone know how much each of these guns run exactly? The 20" compared to the Varmint? Thanks
9/12/2002 5:10:41 PM EDT
[#1]
Hi. Can you narrow your search just a little more? Will you be using the Bushmaster for competition, or just plinking?
The Varmint Rifle, what caliber, for what use?
You could get a Bushmaster configured to use in competion as well as double as a varmint rifle. I have 1 Colt lower and 2 uppers. One upper is in the HBAR 1/7 twist with carry handle and target sights and is legal for DCM/CMP competition.
The second upper is HBAR 1/9 twist flattop with Leupold scope for varmint hunting. I can switch them about as I please.
This way for me, I can have my cake and eat it too on a limited budget.
The Remington bolt guns are fine rifles and the chioce of many an experienced markman. Look around and settle on what you really want/need and how much you are willing to spend first.
As far as Tasco, I understand they are out of business. I started out with little to work with and traded up as I moved along. With the help of friends and their input I have what I have now and I thank them for that. Good Luck.
IMHO
9/12/2002 5:14:00 PM EDT
[#2]
Yeah thanks man. What it looks like I'm gonna do is get 1 standard XM15 and buy either a varmint, or v match upper and put a high power scope on it... I think it'd be more versatile that way than with 2 rifles... I'm just talking about standard target and plinking, no competition or anything. .223
9/12/2002 6:16:43 PM EDT
[#3]
Consider the ammo you'll want to shoot before you buy.  Heavier, e.g. 62 gr. stuff like the SS109, requires a faster twist (1:7) to stabilize.  Regular 55 gr. stuff (surplus, Remington, etc.)can be used in the 1:9 twist.  If you shoot a lot of rounds at a time and want to retain accuracy, get the heavy barrel, with free floated handguard to eliminate 'barrel droop'.  I like the XM15 E2S V Match 20" myself.
9/12/2002 6:23:04 PM EDT
[#4]
I don't really shoot alot at a time, I'd probably put 100rds per each upper each time I took it out. Would the Varmint upper be worth the extra 200.00 over the 24" V Match?

About the scope, I want something with more than a 3-9 zoom for Gods sake man! The only reason I considered the Tasco was the zoom range, and the price tag. I don't want to go out and spend 800.00 on a Leupold when I could get night vision or something sweeter...
9/13/2002 4:15:08 PM EDT
[#5]
Hello again. I have been there with the 24" barrel and done that. If there was any advantage over the 20" I could not tell as far as accuracy. It was a pain to carry around to the range and all in a small pickup however. Remember that if you start off with the  "less expensive" barrel, you can change them out later with the better and more expensive. It's not that big a deal to change barrels with the proper tools. As far as the ammo, I say stick with what will shoot the 55 grain loads. As far as scopes with high magnification in a "affordable" price range, look at the BSA line. Midway offers allot of specials on these scopes www.midwayusa.com as well as other shooters suppliers as well. Hope this helps.
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