Savage rifle dealer? 22-250 or 223 for 500 meters and more.

**Arnold** · 01-02-2011, 13:48

Between the 243 and 308 the cost difference per round will be negligible {Depending on components you could shoot 308 for less than you can 243, but in general the 243 would be a little less expensive. Maybe 50c~R1 per round less? the only price difference will be the bullet you use.}

The 308 will have a longer barrel life, maybe 2X or 3X as long as the 243?

I would recommend a Rem 700 VLS (26" bull barrel, laminated stock), if you opt for a shorter barrel I would choose the Howa varminter (24" bull barrel, laminated stock)

**hagar** · 02-02-2011, 04:32

If you are going to do this on a regular basis, get a Savage 223 with 1 in 9 twist, and shoot the 75 AMax. You should get between 5000 and 6000 accurate rounds out of the barrel. Either a 22/250 or 243 will be pretty much toast by 2000 rounds.

Having shot my flattop 1 in 8 twist AR15 at 1000 yards numerous times, 500/600 yards/meters are a piece of cake. I can tell you that the 223 with the right twist and bullet can do amazing things. At 500 yards I could hit a 3 inch spotter at will. I once shot a 45 round match at 500 yards, shot a 446/450 and my spotter had more than 30 rounds through it. I have seen guys shoot 223 Savages at 1000 yards and do very well with them. If you shoot any 22 caliber with 1 in 12/14 twist you are wasting your time past 400 yards.

**Sean-ThV** · 02-02-2011, 12:04

Thanks Hagar & Arnold.

Thats extremely helpful. You have convinced me not to go with the 22-250 or 243 due to barrel life, I want a barrel that will last.

I think I may have found the perfect gun for the range with your help.

Either the Savage Model: 12 F/TR 308 WIN or Savage Model: 12 F/TR 223 REM

They both are monsters with 30" barrels, but i dont mind at all as i will mostly be at the range.

**Arnold** · 02-02-2011, 12:37

The FTR is not a hunting rifle. In this case for target shooting I would choose the 223 Rem shooting a 75gr A-max above the 308Win shooting a 155gr palma type bullet. You should have more or less the same trajectory out to 900m, but with less recoil and cheaper shooting on the 223.

**Speed_Freak** · 02-02-2011, 13:54

Kalahari Arms has stock of some Savage rifles. You could do well to go speak to them and see what they suggest.

I have both a 223 and a 308, both well made old (and I stress old) Remingtons, 223 is a 700P and the 308 is a 700VLS.
I bought the 308 to learn to shoot out to 1000 meters, since the 223 will not fair all that well at that kind of range.

I agree with you in that barrel life is very important, so much so that I have to rethink the Savage 6.5x284 I was drooling over! There is rumour that they need barrel setback as often as every 1000 rounds, which means resighting in etc etc....
The 308 will give you decent life, though I think the 7.62mm bullet is outmatched by the far more efficient 6.5mm bullets.

Another factor and this is something I can't personally stress enough, buy a very decent scope, speand nearly as much on the scope as the rifle if needs be, that way you will wring out the best of your chosen rifle. I could recommend the Bushnell Elites, Millet LRS (Have one myself), Leupold, and if money is no problem the Nightforce

**Sean-ThV** · 04-02-2011, 15:06

Originally Posted by Speed_Freak

Kalahari Arms has stock of some Savage rifles. You could do well to go speak to them and see what they suggest.

I have both a 223 and a 308, both well made old (and I stress old) Remingtons, 223 is a 700P and the 308 is a 700VLS.
I bought the 308 to learn to shoot out to 1000 meters, since the 223 will not fair all that well at that kind of range.

I agree with you in that barrel life is very important, so much so that I have to rethink the Savage 6.5x284 I was drooling over! There is rumour that they need barrel setback as often as every 1000 rounds, which means resighting in etc etc....
The 308 will give you decent life, though I think the 7.62mm bullet is outmatched by the far more efficient 6.5mm bullets.

Another factor and this is something I can't personally stress enough, buy a very decent scope, speand nearly as much on the scope as the rifle if needs be, that way you will wring out the best of your chosen rifle. I could recommend the Bushnell Elites, Millet LRS (Have one myself), Leupold, and if money is no problem the Nightforce

That is one tough call Speadfreak! Ive been reading about the 6.5x284, this thing kicks almost anythings ass at the 1000m range from what f-class shooting people have told me. I was temted to get the Savage Target version 6.5x284 with the 29" barrel. BUT, i dont think the barrel life is worth it. The 223 or 308 is the way to go. I was dying to get a 243, but ive changed my mind.

As far as the scope is concerned, I shall also get the Millet LRS. Ive been reading good things about a scope most people havent heard of, and its not too exspensive. Its the Sightron 10-50x60. Im drooling over the nightforce though...maybe one day when im big and rich..lol

---------- Post added at 15:06 ---------- Previous post was at 15:05 ----------

Originally Posted by Arnold

The FTR is not a hunting rifle. In this case for target shooting I would choose the 223 Rem shooting a 75gr A-max above the 308Win shooting a 155gr palma type bullet. You should have more or less the same trajectory out to 900m, but with less recoil and cheaper shooting on the 223.

Thanks Arnold, i agree with you. I think this is the perfect gun for me for now.

**Speed_Freak** · 04-02-2011, 21:38

[QUOTE=Sean-ThV;144959]That is one tough call Speadfreak! Ive been reading about the 6.5x284, this thing kicks almost anythings ass at the 1000m range from what f-class shooting people have told me. I was temted to get the Savage Target version 6.5x284 with the 29" barrel. BUT, i dont think the barrel life is worth it. The 223 or 308 is the way to go. I was dying to get a 243, but ive changed my mind.

As far as the scope is concerned, I shall also get the Millet LRS. Ive been reading good things about a scope most people havent heard of, and its not too exspensive. Its the Sightron 10-50x60. Im drooling over the nightforce though...maybe one day when im big and rich..lol[COLOR="grey"]

The 223 will manage the 500m shoots but it'll be a lot tougher at that range should there be any wind abouts. A mate of mine was recently telling me that he took his Weatherby 308 Varminter to a 1000m range and said that hitting plates out at 500m was near cheating when compared to his old rifle :)

Not a bad choice at all on the Millet LRS, just remember it's a 35mm tube so rings are not all that easy to get hold of. So make sure that whoever you buy the scope from can supply you rings that will keep the scope as close to the bore of the barrel as possible!

**IndianLima** · 08-02-2011, 17:50

As far as I remember I got my 35mm rings with my Millett LRS. Just make sure though. It is not nearly as clear as the Sightron.
Another thing, I tried shooting competitively with a 6mm at 900m for a couple of months, and feel for the pour soul who has to do it with a .223

**Speed_Freak** · 09-02-2011, 08:51

Originally Posted by IndianLima

As far as I remember I got my 35mm rings with my Millett LRS. Just make sure though. It is not nearly as clear as the Sightron.
Another thing, I tried shooting competitively with a 6mm at 900m for a couple of months, and feel for the pour soul who has to do it with a .223

The LRS does come with 35mm rings, sadly current new stock is coming in with HIGH rings, should you be lucky enough to get the older stock, you could well get the low rings, it's just something you should check and be aware of.

+1 on the 223 at 900m :)