Had the oppertunity to shoot a lot of SR-25s, military rifles.so,etching about the semi auto sniper grade doesn't work for me.until a couple gents showed up with La Rue ar-10s. O my they just worked for me. Only shot a few mags thru each, which was 175 g, mil issue ammo. I was really really really impressed.
You asked about tripods. My spotter is on the Vortex quick collapse unit. It's lite weight, but solid, works fully extended, or off of the ground.
The a twist lock, as long as your twist is effective they works well.ive never had any side of the tripod collapse.
Wanted to,talk about ammo selection for a second. I roll my own, got,a green machine and a room dedicated to loading and stereo storage, and it's a mess right now. Seriously any single stage press is a fantastic way to build your own bullets.
My RCBS " green machine" has served me well for thirty years. I do have a Dillon 650, I've never even considered loading precision rounds on it.
I've got power dumps for each caliber, but for the past 15 years I've used the RCBS 1500 electric powder dump. I use to load five rounds then measure the grains in ever sister bullet. Over the years I've found the 1500 to be sooooo accurate, that I no longer worry about it. The weighing is done via rcbs's digital scales, simply put a fantastic tool.
Admittedly I've gotten a bit sloppy over the years, the power I use for .308 is Varget, at 24.5 g for the Sierra 175 g bullet, or the Berger 175g bullets. I've gone back to the sierras, I can purchase 500 bullets for what Berger gets for 250.
I use to strive for sub minute MOA, like 1/2. Easily done, but I'm retired now and for the money the Sierra's do everything sub MOA, and if I buckle down I can get to the 1/2 MOA, accuracy.
It's a moot exercise 1 MOA or 1/2 MOA, the targets history either way. While I enjoy the 1/2 MOA stuff, I enjoy shooting twice the amount for the same cost. It's a matter of economics, anymore.
I've got roughly 1600 308 cases I need to prep and load. I'm tough on brass, via inspection. My loads are not overly hot at 24.5 g of Varnets.
I generally get 19000 rounds out of a barrel. But then I'm buying what I consider to be the best barrels on the market. I exclusively use Krieger#9 barrels, with no lightening groves, or spirals. Looks like a piece of heavy lead pipe threaded for a can.
I'd like to suggest a little shop here in Klamath whos building some awesome rifles, the quality of their rifles is every bit as good as the high end shops across the nation. I have rifles built by all the top smiths, and find these two young men's builds to be actually a bit better. Their attention to detail is u real. I attribute that to both being OCDC. Lol.
Northwest Rifle Actions, started in Portland. Then the boys moved home. Evan and Mason, if your wanting a stick built. At least call the boys and talk to them. They did my last build, for 3200.00, the big boys would have charged 7/9000.00
For the same build.
Again I have rifles built by a lot, " not all" but a lot of the gun builder personalities in theUS. Buy with confidence. I will warn you their backed up, may take a year to get your rifle. I work with these guys, and they are my racing sailboat crew,, my rifle even being close to them still goes into the rotation. I'm fine with that. I'm just another shooter, nobody special.
I'm a gun guy, if you can't tell. I've been very blessed. I got into firearms as a young man.
My concern is when I pass, my kids just are not into guns. But I see quality gums as money in the bank, guns are a solid investment. Should I sell I'll not loose anything, in fact I'd make money, but I don't sell guns. I keep em clean lubed and enjoy pulling the one I rarely shoot out just to feel them.
Merry Christmas.
Mike, have a look at the NW rifle actions web site. If your considering a build, they just might be the ticket. I like them for the simple fact that I get the rifle done exactly the way I want it.
Dirk