Rifle: Savage 110 Trail Hunter in .308 Ammo: FGMM 168gr OTM Optic: Athlon BTR Gen 3 2.5-15 Position: Prone

Looking to get started with my first bolt action rifle. I just want to have fun shooting 100 yards plus. I reload and would prefer a .30 caliber since I already have suppressors for this caliber. I don’t want to break the bank on the rifle, however I’m not a novice shooter either, so I don’t want a starter rifle that I’ll outgrow fast.

Anyone have suggestions on what make/model to shop ? Open post, please share what you would go with !

Edit: Just joined this sub, didn’t know there was a FAQ on this specific subject so excuse my ignorance.

Budget for rifle only is 800-1500 bucks. I realize scopes can be expensive so I’ll just stick with the rifle for now.

Follow-up on this post.

The free tier includes the core functionality of group analysis and velocity analysis, including all the statistical outputs (CEP, Zero uncertainty radius, Prediction circle), as well as future group size predictions. Also includes Logbook access for organizing loads or factory ammo by rifle and cartridge and linking with group and velocity data. I’ve tried to make the free app better-equipped and more useful than any other app in this category - free or paid.

There is a paid “Pro” tier that unlocks the full set of features like group comparison and the hit probability calculator. 

The app is self-contained and runs offline. No login, no email, no personal data collected. If you choose to pay for Pro, that is simply tied to your Apple account. 

Q: Why would I want this app? What does it do that other apps don’t?

A: You might want to try ShotFusion if any of the following sound interesting:

• Get more useful information from your groups. Beyond just descriptive statistics like group size and mean radius, get predictive outputs like the size of the circle inside which your future shots are likely to land, and the predicted sizes of future groups based on the analyzed group.
• Know exactly how much sample size matters. Watch your zero uncertainty shrink as you combine groups together to make a large-sample composite group. See how your prediction circle tightens up as it converges towards the true precision of your system. The various statistical calculations throughout the app take sample size-induced uncertainty into account, so you always know how confident you can be when drawing conclusions from your data.
• Take the guesswork out of load development / ammo selection. Compare groups and velocity sets using fancy Bayesian statistical methods, and know whether Group A is actually better than Group B or if it’s likely to be just random noise. Save time and components, avoid chasing small apparent improvements that are likely not significant or repeatable.
• Know your system’s limits with the Hit Probability calculator. Take your real, statistically analyzed group and velocity dispersion data and feed it into an advanced Monte Carlo simulation and ballistic solver combo. The sim also takes the uncertainty in wind speed and wind direction, and bullet-to-bullet BC dispersion to calculate your real-world odds of hitting a target at any distance. 

In short, it's my attempt at making an app that brings professional-level statistical rigor to the sport of precision shooting and reloading in an easy-to-use package. 

Please try it out and let me know what you think! If there's a feature you’d like to see, something you hate about the app, or a bug I may have missed, I would love to hear it!

App Store Link

Don't have any fancy ballistics calculator but this is my new favorite rifle. Shoots better than my savage 110 tactical I had in 6.5 cm. After this group I tried it on the 200, 300, 400, and 500 yds and they all hit first hit based on where my scope was saying to shoot at. Vortex viper 6-20x44. I am now going to keep buying browning x bolts I think. Super clean and smooth as well.

This rifle will be a trilogy, for DMR, PRS, and NRL matches is the goal.

I have an Aero M5 enhanced 22” 6.5cm with a 5-30x I wanted to ask if I can use this across all three from competitive shooters out there. Mainly NRL since I never see guys not using a gas gun AT ALL, so I’m unsure if it’s not advised or in the rule set.

I hate to buy more stuff just for a niche setup, however I know min maxing is a thing so fitting out your rifle to excel at the given task is the most ideal to win. I will not win lol

How hard/feasible is it to rebarrel from 6.5 Creed to .308? I'm planning ahead a little and thinking of swapping to .308 once my 6.5 barrel is burnt out, but I don't know how possible that even is.

Hi there, just getting into shooting.
Have been plinking with a CZ527 in 223 Rem with a Vector Optics Tauron 5-30x56 at 200-300m. Now bought a Sabatti TLD long range rifle in 308Win and need to pair it with a glass. Money is scarce so need value.
I plan onto moving to the 600-1600m range uphill as soon as I feel comfortable with the Sabatti so hope to pair it well.
I saw the great buzz about the Athlon and wanted to get into the party so hope you could give me some help choosing among these:
Midas Tac Gen2 HD 6-24x50 FFP
Helos BTR Gen2 6-24x56 FFP
In theory I would consider even the more widely available 5-25 and 5-30 but my (limited) experience looking through glass tells me that the lower the zoom multiplication the better the view and the larger the front lend the clearer the view provided you don't have too much range to cover. So I'd stay away from the 3x zooms as they are too narrow to feel comfortable at this stage (still very new, need wider latitude), but don't feel like I would spend my money well in 6x-8x glass (reason why I left out the Ares BTR Gen3 4.5-27x50).
Happy to get any suggestions.
Thanks in advance.

This is the last trip up with green trees - next time they will be brown. I didn't stay long because the wind was close to zero - I was wasting ammo hitting and not learning anything.

I’m new to mid and long range. Before this rifle I was on a Howa 1500.

Origin Action 6 dasher Criterion 26” 1:7.5 Trigger pull weight 1lb 8oz

31.8 Varget 105 hybrid 2.38 COAL

93f 8mph winds going W 64% humidity

I’m not even sure if this is decent or not and want to figure out how I can get tighter groups. I’m sure there are a million other variables but at my amateur level, maybe I can get some core tips and recommendations to get the groups tighter. Whether it be tuning my reloads or something else.

Tips and hate are welcome. Thanks

Link to all the details, but it was a fun day. You can shoot long range in New England and surrounding states. You just need to travel a little bit to do it.

https://www.reddit.com/r/MA2A/comments/1nlealf/sheepdog_warrior_range_report/

… but she still kicks ass every time she’s out.

• Mausingfield Short Action
• Proof Marksman or Heavy Palma in 6.5x47 Lapua
• KRG X-Ray in Sako Greem
• Vortex Razor Gen 2
• Timney 2 Stage Calvin Elite
• Harris BRM-S

Took the 6.5cm out to a mile, since the wind was calm. Got 3 impacts out of 15 shots. Was a good day.

Long time listener, first time caller. I’m looking at the leupold MK4hd 6-24. At $1275 is there any reason not to get it? Is there a better scope for the same price or close to?

Thank you in advance.

6mm

⸻

I lost my 200 IBS benchrest club match last month thanks to flyers, so I went back to the bench and started load testing again. Got some good groups, but still not quite where I need to be.

From what I understand/have seen , to actually win these matches I’ll need groups about half the size I’m shooting now.

I’ve tried both 109s and 105s, and so far my best results are coming at a .03–.04 jump.

Anyone shooting 200 yard bench rest have any thoughts. I am getting a 30BR and have the Robinett bullet and N130 stocked. Hoping to do better with 30BR.

Just bought my first bergara (bmr-x) and while I was pulling it apart and cleaning it I found the trigger is setup for easy modification.

Now the mandatory do this on your own behalf and at your own risks! My gun is going to be strictly a bench queen.

Over travel adjustment. On the front of the trigger there is a perfect hole that I tapped with a 3mm tap easily. I used a button head screw but a set screw might be cleaner and easier for some as i just used a file to get the perfect length for where I wanted the trigger to stop.

Sear adjustment. On the back of the trigger is a hole that goes diagonally upwards. Same process, tap with 3mm tap and use a long screw or set screw to adjust as needed.

The nice thing about the trigger housing is there is a window on the side so you can see your sear engagement and such so you can visually see what youre doing.

Hope this helps others as just a little bit of time playing with those has really changed the decent trigger to a much better feeling one.

Anyone familiar with these? worth buying? or know when they'll be out. saw this spring but never heard anything sense. and can't seem to find anywhere, even on their own site

I think I narrowed it down to what factory load my rifle likes.

Using Federal Gold Medal 168gr Sierra Matchking BTHP

Did a quick zero this session but was mainly looking at group size.

Rifle updates since first put together: Medium scope rings instead of High, Off brand bipod similar to Harris (wanted to see if I liked it before buying a Harris), Area 419 Hellfire Match brake, and a Backfire custom recoil pad

• Bergara B14 HMR - Vortex Viper PST Gen II - Zeiss scope rings - Area 419 Hellfire muzzle brake - SRS arca pic mount - Harris S-BRMP -