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Posted: 3/6/2011 7:41:27 PM EDT
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Been kicking a few ideas around for a while, and can't seem to decide for myself which decision to go with. Allow me to provide a bit of background in my thought process for each.
I've got an old Remington 700P (has the older 24" barrel) that I've had for years, got a great deal on it, and for being stock it does a great job. I used to have a Leupold MK4 4.5-14x40 PR mounted on it, and I could squeeze 1/2MOA groups out of it if I really tried and used quality match ammo. Other than a super clean 3lb. trigger job, it's bone stock. I've always had a thing for precision bolt guns, and have dreams of finishing this one up with either an AICS or an McM A5, and topped off with a USO 3.2-17, NF F1, S&B, etc. An aftermarket barrel will come eventually when I shoot out the stock one, but I don't see the need to do that right now, quite frankly. About a year ago, I picked up a 20" A3 complete upper. Still has the stock Gov't profile barrel and all, but I've got it on a decent lower with an RRA 2-stage, and put a LaRue 12" FF rail system on it. I don't get to shoot regularly out at 500 yards, but I shot a 500 yard F-TR match almost a year ago with it, and pulled a meager 452-2x with it using Black Hills 75gr BTHP factory reloads. Not fantastic, but I feel that a White Oak Armament 20" SDM-R barrel with headspaced bolt plus some trigger time will get me into the low to mid 500's pretty well. It's currently topped with a Super Sniper 3-9x42 FFP, and was built more as an SPR type deal. I'd also like to mount a KAC 600m BUIS on it eventually. Now, I'm real short on funds right now. I could do one of three things, in my mind. 1) Keep both, finish the SPR first, and slowly build the 700P the way I want it as funds allow. 2) Sell the SPR build, scope and all, and use those funds to get my USO. The AICS or McM A5 with Badger bottom metal and mags will have to come later. 3) Sell the 700P and the Super Sniper, and use that money to get a USO started, which I'll pay off before it's completed and shipped, and mount that on the SPR, along with the WOA barrel, etc, and have a killer SPR rig. In my mind, if the "zombie apocalypse" ever happens, or the SHTF/TEOTWAWKI happens, a good SPR will be more useful for me. I live in an urban setting, and find it hard to believe I'd ever need to take a shot past the 500-600m I feel a 20" SPR could make with 77gr SMK handloads. It would be shorter than the 700P, allow for quicker followups, cheaper practice, faster reloads, and still be usable up close if needed. The 700P, when completed with Badger bottom metal (or if I chose the AICS route), would allow 10 rounds of .308 to head down range in short order with a great deal of accuracy, a harder hit to the target, and at farther distances using 175gr SMKs. The amount of money I have tied up in the SPR (including a case of 75gr BTHP Black Hills ammo) would be plenty to get a USO built the way I want it, or pick up a used (or even new, in some cases) one off SnipersHide that's already to my specs, or do the NightForce F1, S&B, etc. So essentially, I'm just looking for outsider input on what others would do in my situation. 
ETA: How the crap do you add a poll?! 
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Its at the point now with the ar, that if you buy a good quality barrel and ff tube, your ar can be as accurate if not more so than stock bolt actions. That combined with some of the new calibers such as the 6.5 grendel make the spr rifle an excellent all around rifle.
I personally own an 18in 6.5g rifle and love it. Sub moa and enough energy to big game hunt. Obviously it has limitations, but across the board its my most versatile and lightweight long arm. I can use it from 10 to 1000yd plus depending on what I need it for, and can hunt up to elk sized animals. I can't say enough about ditching the 5.56, especially in a spr type ar. The 6.5g. Fits that role perfectly. I run a NF NXS 2.5-10x32mm and find its the perfect fit for said rifle. Not too big, not too small, and incredible glass/reticle (npr2). So my vote is for the spr, however, its always nice to have a rugged n reliable bolt acion on stand by. Much easier to maintain and make accurate. |
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I say, "If it aint broke, dont fix it"
I say work up the AR first. A good semi-auto rifle would be great to have in your situation (urban environment). I would also suggest a 16" Lightweight upper for patroling & scavenging in a SHTF situation. By the sound of it, the 700 is already doing fine and doesnt need any help. I'm not saying to ignore the 700, I'm saying to build it when you have surplus money, as it sounds like it is already good to go. |
| I want a Grendel SPR myself, but I'm holding off until I handload. Factory ammo is salty. Since I can't hunt deer with a rifle in Indiana anyway, so I'm quite happy with my 5.56. I wouldn't want to be on the receiving end of one at 5-700 yards either, I only would be concerned about the larger caliber for humane reasons on 4 legged targets. The range of a 6.5 form a little SPR sounds sweet though! |
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First, are you comparing apples to apples? Obviously your SPR is .223, is your 700P 308 or .223? If your 700P is 308 then this really isn't a fair comparison but If I had to pick and considering your money situation, I'd say sell the 700P and use that money to finish off your SPR. I say that because a proper SPR build will cost much less then your planned precision bolt action build and obviously 223 is way more economical to shoot then .308. The SPR will allow you to shoot a lot more so IMO, that is the way to go. Another option that kind of splits the middle, sell both and build a precision .223 rifle?
Either way, I can see how you could go back and forth on this one (I've done it myself) but in the end, the only "right answer" is, which one will make you happier? |
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Thanks for the feedback so far, folks. Some different views, so thanks for that.
As for apple to apples, the answer to that would be no (which isn't making things easier, LOL). The 700P is a .308WIN, hence why I want to hold on to it. As I've stated, it's pretty accurate for a factory gun, better than I am at the moment, and would make 1000 yards once I'm ready to move up to that point. I have something like 200 rounds of BH 168gr Match in storage, and about 200 rounds of once fired brass to play with once I learn how to use my press and get it running. So it's not like I have a TON of effort or money invested in the thing, but it doesn't have the J lock or the X-Mark trigger (which, while I haven't read anything about it, I get the impression most aren't impressed with it). I got it for a song, and would likely lose money if I sold it all as a group (gun, bases, rings, ammo, etc). Back when it had glass, it was a blast to shoot. I just can't afford to top it with more glass right now unless I sell a few other toys, and even then it wouldn't be the glass I'm looking to get. I REALLY like what I'm hearing about the 6.5 Grendel, but there appears to be some "change" in the 6.5 category, so I'm reading. The 264LBC, the 6.5 CSS, etc. Lots to sort through for right now to learn the differences and make a decision. Add to that the fact that factory ammo is pretty pricey and I don't know how to use my press yet, and it's not a factor right now. Maybe down the road I'll be able (more like itching, LOL) to add one to my stable, but not right now. I do have a 16" upper for more "normal" uses, though I'm looking to sell the heavy barrel it currently wears and replace it with a gov't profile to save some weight and make it quicker on transitions. Aside from that and an Aimpoint, it's done. Though I'm not afraid of irons (currently have a BUIS on it) and can use them to "good" effect (can ring 24" steel out to 300 yards just fine most of the time), so there's no rush on the Aimpoint right now. I may just end up keeping both, LOL. The only reason I've been thinking of selling one or the other is to speed up the process in completing one of them. The SPR is servicable right now, but not quite finished, whereas the 700P is naked (no glass), so it's not usable right now. Oi, so many choices, so little time and money, haha! Maybe I'll stock up on Ramen, Mac 'n Cheese, and Bar S Hotdogs and try to scrape by so I can finish both faster?
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| The 6.5 thing is mostly title licensing. I guess I'd buy the LBC chambering as its the newest and you can shoot the 6.5x39 in all three (LBC, Grendel and CSS). You can buy wolf for about 12.99 a box or less and it shoots sub moa out of mine. Its good for paper and anything elk and below with the numbers to back that up. You may want to just hold on to all of it and if your just starting out think cheap glass then get a nice scope when you have the cash. I usually point people in the Wonder optics Falcon and similar priced scopes for long range optics to get used to ranging and mid range shooting. In the end we can just give you suggestions but its you that need to be happy as posted above. Research well and be aware that I've always thought I found the perfect round and then I've changed my mind many times so you may too. The 6.5 is in my house to stay though. |
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Quoted:
The 6.5 thing is mostly title licensing. I guess I'd buy the LBC chambering as its the newest and you can shoot the 6.5x39 in all three (LBC, Grendel and CSS). You can buy wolf for about 12.99 a box or less and it shoots sub moa out of mine. Its good for paper and anything elk and below with the numbers to back that up. You may want to just hold on to all of it and if your just starting out think cheap glass then get a nice scope when you have the cash. I usually point people in the Wonder optics Falcon and similar priced scopes for long range optics to get used to ranging and mid range shooting. In the end we can just give you suggestions but its you that need to be happy as posted above. Research well and be aware that I've always thought I found the perfect round and then I've changed my mind many times so you may too. The 6.5 is in my house to stay though. Thanks for the info, and if I chose to go 6.5, I'll take it into account!
As for optics, etc. I've never been able to spend much time past 300 yards, but I'm not necessarily new to "higher end" optics. For a few years, I had a Leupold 4.5-14x40 PR on the rifle, and it was pretty good glass for what it was. Granted, Leupold's been behind the game for some time now in regards to the type of scope I have an interest in. For what it's worth, my SPR (as it sits right now) has a Super Sniper 3-9x42FFP on it, which I'd consider to be a lower end optic, price wise. They get rave reviews everywhere I look (SnipersHide being the "big" one), so I picked one up about a year ago and have enjoyed it greatly. That being said, I'd rather save my pennies for a while and just go right for a quality optic up front. I've been burned a few times already when it came to buying lower quality to "get into the game now," rathre than just waiting. As they say, buy once, cry once. So at this point, the 700P will remain naked, LOL. Someday she'll be topped with a nice USO, NF F1, S&B, or maybe even Hendsoldt, and then I'll be happy. 
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