Thinking about a "tactical" bolt action in .308

[jb octane]

then why bother with "tactical" anything, hmm? combat requires a lot more THOUGHT than just wasting time and money on group shooting.

You keep talking about combat while OP wants a paper puncher. Why bother with "tactical" anything? Well let's look at what a "tactical bolt action" is,


rifleshootermag.com

Tactical rifles are usually characterized by heavy barrels, detachable box magazines, stocks that accommodate positional shooting, and calibers that offer good terminal performance

Each of those things brings a convenience to shoot at the range. If anything, OP is being very reasonable with his requirements and very honest about the rifle's function. And please leave the Glock vs 1911 for a different thread.

[FromTheGrave]

Tactical rifles are usually characterized by heavy barrels, detachable box magazines, stocks that accommodate positional shooting, and calibers that offer good terminal performance

^^^^ Yep

I would add an oversize bolt-handle and "tactical" turrets.

[cc426]

if you've really ingrained the cocked and locked, good trigger pull of the 1911, u'll hate the grunch of the Glocks trigger pull (at real speed). and there' no reason to waste all that training and switch, really. if you're staying out, u can just learn the glock from scratch, and settle for not being quite as good, while working at it harder. in order to have a more durable, more reliable, lighter, more compact, more rust resistant gun.

Why are we talking about 1911s and glocks on a bolt action rifle thread...

And to clarify I put "tactical" in "quotation marks" because the quotation marks signify irony which you can tell because I'm not actually quoting anybody by using a single common language word such as tactical.

Also in this context a "tactical" bolt action is not a sniper rifle as we here in the first world have no justifiable cause to shoot a person at 500 yards away even in a possible or imaginary SHTF scenario. In context, a "tactical" bolt action would just be a bolt action rifle typically chambered in 308 or larger, with a heavy stock, with a vertical pistol grip, with a heavy barrel, box mag, and preferably with an adjustable comb.

So the reason the word "tactical" is used is because it helps describe the type of rifle I'm looking for due to context and standard industry verbiage without having to write out all the details in the title of a forum post which can then get long and unwieldy because of internet formatting.

Thank you everyone for staying tuned in during our commercial break, and now back to or regularly scheduled program

[jb octane]

no he doesn't, he wants a TACTICAL rifle and that DOES mean combat. if it's just for paper, why bother with all the combat style goodies, hmm? In fact, if it's just for paper, why not use a .177 pellet gun? same thing, just fantasy and practice at 10 year old kid simple benchrest stuff.

You are delusional beyond help.

[vliberatore]

no he doesn't, he wants a TACTICAL rifle and that DOES mean combat. if it's just for paper, why bother with all the combat style goodies, hmm? In fact, if it's just for paper, why not use a .177 pellet gun? same thing, just fantasy and practice at 10 year old kid simple benchrest stuff.

Newsflash, tactical does not mean combat.

Please turn off your computer and join us here in reality.

[CK_32]

Yea I'm going to have to agree with the 700 part due to parts avalible. Also will be quickly recognized by other "tactical" shooters.

That said, with $2k you can buy/build a serious shooter. Have you looked into a custom action? 700's also have some nice offerings at the high dollar price point like the 5r.

[Packy14]

http://www.snipercentral.com/remington-700-milspec-5r/

It's ok for what it is but once you get a better stock and better trigger and true the action.. You might as well get a better gun.

[Shakey]

Yeah, I was looking at the different tikka rifles... Are they all the same action and barrel with just different stocks?

If they are I was thinking maybe pick up a cheaper tikka and drop it into a McMillan stock and still come in under $1500 or so

All of the T3 actions are LA, Tikka swaps bolt stop and bolts for different guns. The barrels come in several different lengths and profiles. The cheapest T3 that has a heavy profile barrel is the $950 CTR, all of the $600 T3s have a lightweight barrel. I think only guns with the 24" heavy barrel are the Tac and the Sporter

You could definitely buy a CTR and drop it in a McM, and that will probably put you right up at $2k if you do the bedding yourself. If you get a chance try the Sporter. It's a very good stock for the $$$, you get the 24" barrel, and save $500 over going aftermarket. Or not, its your $$$.

Oh, and ignore slakey, he's off his meds.

[ElvenSoul]

Check this build! Could easily be .308 Instead of 6.5C

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=1061017

[Jarhead]

Action

http://precisionrifleblog.com/2014/11/11/best-bolt-actions-what-the-pros-use/

Caliber

http://precisionrifleblog.com/2014/10/14/rifle-calibers-what-the-pros-use/

[ar15barrels]

the 1/4-1/2 moa accuracy I'm really itching for from a bench rifle.

If that's the level of precision you are seeking, just build a custom rifle on a defiance action.
It will be much easier to get that level of precision with a bartlein/krieger barrel than with any factory barrelled rifle.

[ar15barrels]

Yeah, not so much. That's closer to the 5-7k range. The action itself is 2k without stock or barrel etc

Get a basic Defiance action with a separate lug and rail for around $900.
Then a $300 barrel blank.
Then $300 in gunsmithing to build it.
Add a $120 trigger and you are at $1650ish.
Now you need to look into stocks.
You could drop a great barrelled action into a $250 B&C stock with BDL bottom metal and it will shoot just as good as in any other stock, but it won't have the features of a $800 stock.

[Jarhead]

1/2-3/4 moa. I'd ideally like to cut that in half...

The FN A3 has a 1/2 moa guarantee with FGMM so with the A1 all is have to do is fully bed it and I'd have an A3...

Right now I'm leaning towards the FN with consideration for the Tikka...I just don't have any experience with anything tikka

I'm sure one of the Pro's used an FN, I don't think any of the Top Shooters use a Tikka .............why not a TRG22?

[cc426]

I'm sure one of the Pro's used an FN, I don't think any of the Top Shooters use a Tikka .............why not a TRG22?

TRG 22 is double my budget...

[LynnJr]

Listen to Randall if your after 1/4 inch groups. Despite what I just read here you won't find any 10 year old kids shooting 1/4 inch groups using benchrest gear and no skill.
I would like to see the poster of that comment come to a match and show the top dogs just how easy it truly is.

When your looking for 1/4 inch groups 22 and 6mm ppc 6 BR 6Grendel 6x47 6 Dasher 220 Beggs 6mm Beggs 222 and 308 winchester all come to mind.
If you can't budget in a BAT or Borden action buy a plain 700 action only not a complete rifle and build it from the ground up.

I did get a kick out of the statement 1 moa is all you can get in the field. If you can get 1/4 moa off of a bench I guess laying across a rock ruins your accuracy by 3/4 moa?
And forget you ever heard accuracy and semi auto in the same sentence they are mutually exclusive.