LCDRJGB

It's heavy and the illumination isn't daylight bright. I think that FFP is a waste on a FFP optic. The glass is ok, but eye relief isn't anything to brag about. The Gen 2 1-6 Vortex is a much better buy.

If you want a 308, all three will work. In terms of value, you won't beat the FN SPR if you get a variant w/ DBM and a threaded muzzle. It doesn't matter that it doesn't take AI mags, because if you're not going to compete w/ it you don't need a belt full of mags. The Tikka CTR would be my next choice. The reason is that it comes fully loaded ready to go out of the box. Has a pic rail, threaded muzzle, detach mag, side bolt release, good trigger, and smooth action. The Rem 700 5R is a fine rifle. Benefit is that it has lots of aftermarket support. Downside is that you're going to need to spend money on that after market support for a new trigger and for a DBM setup. A Timney 510-U trigger does not cost much, though. And CDI precision can install a quality DBM system w/ AI mags for only $200. Not a bad deal. Stock is better than than Tikka but not as good as the FN CTR. The CTR limits you on your chassis options, while the 5R will drop into pretty much anything. A 20" also has a threaded muzzle, so you can put on a suppressor or APA Gen II brake. In terms of accuracy, all of them are awash. They all have comparable weight. You need to decide what you are going to do with it afterwards. I personally have gone the 5R route, but I'm not sure I do it again knowing what I know now. Unless you're hunting, I think you're wasting your money on a 308 if your range is limited to 200 yards. Buy yourself a nice scope for your AR instead.

I wouldn't even bother. Start here instead: http://www.sniperforums.com/forum/reloading/43364-308-reloading-data-only.html The loads from Dan Newberry are tried and true. Perhaps you need to tweak them a tad, but many can just load them up and go. Maybe there are better loads available, but these definitely work. If you want to mimic the FGMM load, look here: http://optimalchargeweight.embarqspace.com/#/ocw-load-recipes/4533485759 With a bolt gun, you can use the higher nodes ... don't try them in a 308 style AR.

I think the Gen II Vortex is a much better buy. It is heavy and FFP is pretty much useless on a 1-6 optic. The eyebox isn't as forgiving as other options on the market. Glass is ok, but not on the same level as the Vortex. Don't like that the illumination isn't daylight bright either.

The budget is not long range shooting friendly. Perhaps you can find a used 700 AAC-SD and toss on a cheap fixed 10x or 12x scope. You'll need a bipod too. Look at reman ammo from Freedom munitions, but stay away from 168s (use 155s or 175s if going 800+ yards). Ideally you would get a Tikka T3 CTR and a vortex 6-24 PST and a Harris bipod, but you're going to need more than $1K for that. Another rifle to consider, if you can find one, is a Savage 12 LRP in 6.5 Creedmoor. 6.5 Creed offers much better ballistics than 308 and has cheaper match ammo options (140 AMAX). That is a good out of the box setup. Again put up a fixed 10x or 12x scope and perhaps you can rock for not much above the $1K limit.

300 Norma Magnum. It's the poor man's 338LM. Option 2 would be a 300 Win Mag with a diet of Berger 230s.

SilencerCO Harvester. If it's good enough for Wade Stuteville, who took #3 at PNTC this March, it's good enough for me. This can was made for hunting and precision rifle use.

Several nailed the problem. The sizing die isn't bumped down enough. Get yourself some Hornady headspace gauges. You will see the difference in headspace when you measure your 5.56 brass vs the 223 bolt gun brass. You should keep the 5.56 brass separate from the 223 brass. I also recommend bumping shoulder of your fired bolt gun 223 brass back 0.002". If you use this setting for your 5.56 and 223 brass, you should be GTG but your 5.56 brass will wear out sooner.

The PST is a great scope. Another option to consider would be a Bushnell 3.5-21. You can often get them used for ~ $1K. If that is still too much, the 6-24 works just fine.

New Nightforce 5-25 ATCAR F1. Or go with a 5-25 S&B. Or the Gen 2 Vortex 4.5-27. Or the Leupold Mk 8.

You have a perfect entry level bolt gun bolt gun and scope. I say you got a fair value. A steal would've been for $1K. Should work well out to 500/600 yards with that scope. I guess you got load data w/ the brass and bullets? Is the trigger stock or worked over? What do you have for rings/bases? Did you get a bipod with it? Did he skim bed the stock? Any aftermarket upgrades like a muzzle brake or oversize bolt knob? Pics would help. For upgrades, perhaps a triad or eagle stock pack to get your check weld eye level with the scope, tune the trigger if stock (or a timney 510-U), check out the APA Gen II little bastard brake ... I think the rifle is threaded 5/8x24. Definitely get a 6-9 notched leg harris bipod if you don't have one.

I agree, which is what drew me to this system. I didn't want to have to mount another piece of hardware to my bench, but just plug a die into my single stage press. Bummer is doesn't work that well. I tried reaming cases before and it just takes too much effort to do it right.

What choke does it have? I've shot slugs out of my mod choke gun, but it's neither fun nor accurate.

Many have had success getting 3100-3150 with a 6mm CM out of a gas gun. There is room to push it harder in a bolt gun, but there is little reason too do so.

I agree. Call them up and they'll hook you up with what you need. Spent ~ $85 shipped for fiber front and all black non-adjustable rear on my G41. The G41 needs the sights for the long slide.

It's a good caliber but it's just not "sexy" any more. The new young studs on the line are all 6mm and 6.5mm and the loads they are making for these are scarey accurate and very low recoil. I'm not sure about loads for the 162 AMAX in a 7-08. I've seen the numbers on a 7mm mag and they are impressive as hell, but not on the 7-08. What's your load and what kind of velocity are you getting? As to down-range energy, that may be an issue in hunting but not so much so for paper. 6MM creedmoor has just as good or even better ballistics w/ less recoil and no issues getting the round to feed w/ a PMAG. GAP made this round to mirror 243 win performance but conveniently work in a PMAG. If the gun is going to do double duty as a hunting rig, then 7-08 may be ok provided you can find any 162 AMAXs. Please let me know if you know where to get your hands on some of these in stock.

Matt thanks for posting this. I was just looking for this info ;-)

APA made their Gen II Little Bastard specifically for the 3G crowd. Although it's side ported, it doesn't need any timing or crush washers. They made 1/2 and 5/8 varieties. Fit and finish is good on my rifle.

I don't know. I think this gun works best with a laser grip sight.

I don't do it with my chargemaster because one time I dumped some Varget in with H4350, basically losing nearly 2 lbs of powder. Also, I don't like how leaving the powder in stains the plastic.

Not really local to you, but they have had good reviews on Sniper's Hide: www.ptarms.com I have never used them, but I would if I needed to have slide work done to my pistol.

I'm wholly new to 3G stuff. Since I have a pump, a G41, and a 308 AR (on the way) I think I would like to start out in HM. Would like some advise on configuring my 870 wingmaster. It's an older 12g 870 that I inherited. It has a long barrel (my guess 24-26") with a bead sight, mod choke, no threads for inserting choke tubes, 2 3/4 chamber, 5 round capacity. It's wood with blued finish. Works pretty well for shooting birds and trap, but I'm thinking it's not ideal for a HM comp. What should I do to make it competition ready? I'm not looking to dump a pile of money into it. I'm thinking of a vent ribbed, 24" barrel w/ fiber optic sight and an extension to increase capacity to 8-10 rounds. What do you recommend? Also, is a sling necessary? Thanks!

yeah, it's 300 BLK. This is the one I was talking about: http://forum.snipershide.com/firearms-sale/252813-dd-m4-isr-%242725-shipped.html I think that 300 BLK is better suited for this role than 5.56, but it's your money.

That's all I needed to know. Think I'll just get the dillon instead.

Great! Thanks for the tip!