I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on a bolt gun for dual-purpose target and varmint use. This is NOT about optic selection, just the gun.
Here are my "requirements" (in quotes to reflect I could change my mind if a well reasoned argument is made). Rifle itself has to be under $1500 hard max with less being better, which should cover almost any production model and rule out all customs.
-- 6mm caliber. Preferably .243 or 6mm CM. Why? Versatility. Speed with light bullets, range with heavies. Low recoil with all. Barrel life blah blah. I'll worry about that if I ever kill the original barrel.
-- DBM mag, preferable AICS compatible similar.
-- Decent Stock or Chassis that will work off a rest/bag and prone. Not necessarily manners or AI, but not a Savage Axis, either.
-- As accurate as can be achieved with handloads (I will be loading for it).
-- At-home barrel replacement with a barrel block, vise, and wrench. (like savage).
-- Faster twist to handle 105s and 110s.
Here's what I'm looking at so far:
--Ruger Precision Rifle: Duh. Obviously this is a solid rifle for the money. These are under $900 all day now, and a tremendous buy. I don't like the bolt being captive until the stock folds, but this isn't a deal breaker.
-- Savage Stealth Evolution. This is obviously Savage's answer to the RPR. But at a street price of $500 more? I really like the chassis it uses and the look. I'm partial to Savages. Factory trued action. Ugly muzzle brake on a 6mm is not cool. But $1400 on gunbroker? Bonus: real PRS gen 2. AICS mags.
-- Savage 10 GRS. Awesome GRS Berserk Stock in the tried and true Savage side release model 10 action. Factory trued action as well. AICS mags also.
-- Savage 110 desert tactical: not sure I want to jump into the "new shiny" of the new Savage 110, but this is a heck of value at $600 street in 6CM. Same AICS mags. Cheap stock, but not necessarily bad or inadequate. Exact same barreled action (minus "truing") as 10 GRS.
What else is out there worth considering? It seems like 6CM is the way to go for heavier bullets like the new 110SMK, as they come with fast twists. With most .243s I'd be limited to 95s or so. And I don't think I'd be giving up much at the light bullet end with the 6CM (I can load longer if needed).
Ruger is all-in on 6CM vs .243 as you don't see much .243 left in their lineup. RPR is moved to CM, as is RAR. Savage is offering some of each. Most others are sticking by .243.
Here are my "requirements" (in quotes to reflect I could change my mind if a well reasoned argument is made). Rifle itself has to be under $1500 hard max with less being better, which should cover almost any production model and rule out all customs.
-- 6mm caliber. Preferably .243 or 6mm CM. Why? Versatility. Speed with light bullets, range with heavies. Low recoil with all. Barrel life blah blah. I'll worry about that if I ever kill the original barrel.
-- DBM mag, preferable AICS compatible similar.
-- Decent Stock or Chassis that will work off a rest/bag and prone. Not necessarily manners or AI, but not a Savage Axis, either.
-- As accurate as can be achieved with handloads (I will be loading for it).
-- At-home barrel replacement with a barrel block, vise, and wrench. (like savage).
-- Faster twist to handle 105s and 110s.
Here's what I'm looking at so far:
--Ruger Precision Rifle: Duh. Obviously this is a solid rifle for the money. These are under $900 all day now, and a tremendous buy. I don't like the bolt being captive until the stock folds, but this isn't a deal breaker.
-- Savage Stealth Evolution. This is obviously Savage's answer to the RPR. But at a street price of $500 more? I really like the chassis it uses and the look. I'm partial to Savages. Factory trued action. Ugly muzzle brake on a 6mm is not cool. But $1400 on gunbroker? Bonus: real PRS gen 2. AICS mags.
-- Savage 10 GRS. Awesome GRS Berserk Stock in the tried and true Savage side release model 10 action. Factory trued action as well. AICS mags also.
-- Savage 110 desert tactical: not sure I want to jump into the "new shiny" of the new Savage 110, but this is a heck of value at $600 street in 6CM. Same AICS mags. Cheap stock, but not necessarily bad or inadequate. Exact same barreled action (minus "truing") as 10 GRS.
What else is out there worth considering? It seems like 6CM is the way to go for heavier bullets like the new 110SMK, as they come with fast twists. With most .243s I'd be limited to 95s or so. And I don't think I'd be giving up much at the light bullet end with the 6CM (I can load longer if needed).
Ruger is all-in on 6CM vs .243 as you don't see much .243 left in their lineup. RPR is moved to CM, as is RAR. Savage is offering some of each. Most others are sticking by .243.