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ahiaring
Optics Apprentice Joined: January/21/2011 Location: Boise Idaho Status: Offline Points: 157 |
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Posted: February/16/2012 at 18:36 |
I was talking with my elk/deer hunging buddy today who just happens to be ex military, marine corp scout sniper for 8 years...We were talking about hunting and shooting and we came to the 1 setup (rifle, caliber, optic discussion)
Having used S&B for most of his time, he is a strong proponent and his experiences and reccomendations is where I get my liking for them. He said that for 99 percent of what he would be doing shooting wise for the rest of his life - big game hunting (no dangerous game) long range shooting competitions, and (other contract stuff - i didn't ask) He would be set with an accurate .308 with a proper s&b optic.
So I was thinking, if I was to adopt that philosphy, sell all or most of my rifles and buy a Schmidt Bender Police Marksman say 3-12X50, badger rings, 20 moa base, and mount it on a Remington 5r in .308 that would just about give me a "civilian version" of his idea....
What you guys think???
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Alan Robertson
Optics Master Joined: October/31/2009 Location: Oklahoma Status: Offline Points: 1763 |
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Your friend is on it with his estimation of one rifle for his reasons, and your equipment selection is great. I've no idea how the threadedheaded wonders operate, but Army snipers have a whole range of calibers and weapons available to them.
My idea of a single all- purpose rifle isn't as heavy as your idea. Also, I'm not sure that just one rifle will fill the needs of every situation... a guy really needs a whole bunch of rifles to let the barrels cool while you keep knockin' down zombies. There's a similar discussion in this thread: http://www.opticstalk.com/topic32037.html |
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"Garg'n uair dhuisgear"
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anomad
Optics Apprentice Joined: May/23/2011 Location: Salt Lake City Status: Offline Points: 148 |
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I love "one gun" guys. I worked with a guy in Alaska and another guy in Idaho. Both had one rifle (except maybe a 22 in the closet) in 300 win mag. Both were very accomplished hunters.
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Sapper524
Optics Apprentice Joined: January/25/2010 Status: Offline Points: 218 |
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shot placement is king ... 308 will kill anything in the lower 48 and the variety of 30 cal bullets makes things even better. 300 WIn mag would work great as well, just a little more to shoot and a little shorter barrel life. My 20 inch 308 with is one of my favorite rifles. I would "guess" his affection towards the 308 and S&B optics has a lot to do with being able to run the system in his sleep and knowing 308 ballistics like we know the ABC's
There is a LOT of merit to the "one rifle" setup. Become one with the system and spend more time putting rounds on target than building a better mousetrap. I am in the process of selling off a few more rifles and sliming down the herd and consolidating calibers. The big draw for me on this was the cost of Optics. I can't afford high end glass on all my rifles and having to keep multiple sets of reloading supplies on hand got old. Sliming down to 338/308/223 and calling it good. Im kicking around going to a DTA SRS and having the 338 and 308 bolt setup on the same chasis. If I could only have one centerfire though ... it would be a 308
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rustic
Optics Master Joined: September/30/2011 Status: Offline Points: 1461 |
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I agree .308 for me. |
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RotoReuter_DM
Optics Apprentice Joined: December/09/2011 Location: WI Status: Offline Points: 296 |
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I love the 308 and that S&B is top notch! I'd never spend that much but hey! Used it in the Marines aswell. I'm good with a fixed SS!
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Old Mil ftw
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silver
Optics Master Joined: November/04/2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 2291 |
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Stuff like a 20 moa base screws up your short game. You will have more short shots than far ones. If you are doing one gun then remember that short is more important than far. You also need to think 24/7-365 and crap weather.
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"If we weren't all crazy we, We would go insane." Jimmie Buffet
WWW.formitch.com |
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Alan Robertson
Optics Master Joined: October/31/2009 Location: Oklahoma Status: Offline Points: 1763 |
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There's an old saw: "Beware of the man with one rifle".
Too bad you youngsters never heard of a .30-06. I guess I love 'em, I sure have a pile of 'em, but nary a .308. Bubba said, "I already have a .30-06, why would I need another rifle?" |
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"Garg'n uair dhuisgear"
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Sparky
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: July/15/2007 Location: SD Status: Offline Points: 4569 |
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I like your setup but I would omit the 20MOA base. Plus I would replace the trigger on the 5R. My 5R has a different trigger and I went with a Nightforce 3.5-15x50. I just was not up for spending around 3K on a scope. But if I did get rid of at least the majority of my other rifles I would have enough for a Schmidt & Bender or maybe a Premier Heritage 3-15x50 DT. |
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Sapper524
Optics Apprentice Joined: January/25/2010 Status: Offline Points: 218 |
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GREAT point ... Sits right in the gap between the 308 and 300 ballistically, same 30 cal bullet selection, easy to get factory ammo ... |
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jason miller
Optics Apprentice Joined: February/05/2007 Location: W Laf, IN Status: Offline Points: 229 |
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What qualifies for "youngster"? I'm 28, and finally have the one rifle I have always wanted and will not sell- a Win 70 30-06...
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Alan Robertson
Optics Master Joined: October/31/2009 Location: Oklahoma Status: Offline Points: 1763 |
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Good job, jason.
.30-06 dressed in M70 is ever so cool. cutoff's 29 |
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"Garg'n uair dhuisgear"
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Wapiti1
Optics GrassHopper Joined: February/06/2012 Location: Indiana Status: Offline Points: 20 |
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For me the conversation comes down to where I am going to lug this perfect rifle and what it will be shooting. If I only get one (what a terrible thought, I like variety), it needs to be packable for dall sheep, powerful enough for elk, yet suitable for prairie dogs (low recoil, accurate).
I would define it as a rifle that weighs 6.5-7 pounds fully loaded with scope and sling. 24" barrel in 6.5/284. It would have two scopes: lightweight 2-7 or 3-9, and a tactical/target style for varmints and range work. My father has used one Remington 30/06 for over 40 years with zero complaints and I can't remember him taking more than one shot. A great rifle/cartridge for sure, but perfection varies greatly among the masses. |
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Your Truly,
Cotton Game animals were probably harmed whenever I did whatever it was that I did. |
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Kickboxer
MODERATOR Moderator Joined: February/13/2008 Status: Offline Points: 23679 |
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To keep this "on track", need to ID which ONE rifle scope you would choose for your ONE rifle...
This is the "Rifle Scopes" thread...
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Opinion,untempered by fact,is ignorance.
There are some who do not fear death... for they are more afraid of not really living |
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300S&W
Optics God Joined: January/27/2008 Location: Burlington,WV Status: Offline Points: 10592 |
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I don't know what brand I'd choose right off but it would be near the configuration of the "only one" scope I used for 25+yrs. 3.5-10x40
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"I ain't got time to bleed!"
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Bitterroot Bulls
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: May/07/2009 Location: Montana Status: Offline Points: 3416 |
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I think one of the new high-erector ratio scopes would be the way to go on a just-one scope. Maybe a 2.5-25 March?
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-Matt
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jonoMT
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: November/13/2008 Location: Montana Status: Offline Points: 4853 |
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Yes, we should keep it on track, but I gotta question a 20 MOA base "screwing up your short game." Sorry, but the worst case scenario is that you might be ~ 1.5" low @ 10 yards. While that might be a problem if you're trying to shoot through a loop hole 10 yards away, it's not going to make a game animal or zombie feel any better to get shot in the lower part of the heart instead of the center.
ahiaring, you could do just fine in many scenarios with a .308 Win (or 7mm-08) and a 3-12 S&B would be my second choice of scope after the Premier LT 3-15 (.25 lbs less weight, 3X more on the high end and $500 less). You're right on to get a quality base and rings. I'd also consider Seekins because they're a bit lighter. I had a 5R, which was a great rifle, but was sacrificed to do a custom .308 Win. If I was buying one again, I'd just go with the 20" barrel. While I could have gone with any short-action cartridge for the new build, I stuck with .308 Win because ammo is widely available and there are bullets like the 175 gr. Berger OTM that have very good ballistics and can be loaded to mag length.
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Reaction time is a factor...
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Wapiti1
Optics GrassHopper Joined: February/06/2012 Location: Indiana Status: Offline Points: 20 |
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Sorry to get a bit off track. As Bitteroot Bulls mentioned, the March Compact 2.5-25X42is very appealing based on size,weight and features. Lower priced options might be a Pride Fowler RR800, or SS 3-9X42. Though these may be less functional as long range competition scopes.
Most tactical style and target style scopes are large and heavy. Not my cup of tea for an all around setup. |
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Your Truly,
Cotton Game animals were probably harmed whenever I did whatever it was that I did. |
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Kickboxer
MODERATOR Moderator Joined: February/13/2008 Status: Offline Points: 23679 |
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IF I TRULY could "only have one", as much as I love the big bores, I think I would have to go with the FNH FNAR with a March 2.5-25... OR... the BAR 30-06 with the same scope. I probably lean a little toward the 30-06, but it would be a "last minute pick up and run" decision. If the zombies are coming, definitely the FNH FNAR... the March is just an incredible scope. I'm thinking of trading my Hensoldt in on one...
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Opinion,untempered by fact,is ignorance.
There are some who do not fear death... for they are more afraid of not really living |
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3_tens
Optics Jedi Master Joined: January/08/2007 Location: Oklahoma Status: Offline Points: 7853 |
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What will your wife think...It's not the choice, its the work she put into it.
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Folks ain't got a sense of humor no more. They don't laugh they just get sore.
Need to follow the rules. Just hard to determine which set of rules to follow Now the rules have changed again. |
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