I need help building a sniper weapon??

D

DocSWAT

New member
My wife just informed me that my Christmas present this year will be a SNIPER WEAPON of my choice...and then she added the words within reason...so there went the PSG-1. But for $4000.00 (I may be able to squeeze a little more...) this leaves some room to play.

Here is what I desire.

WEAPONS (1):

Sauer SSG3000
Blaser R 93 Long Range Sporter 2 Rifle
Steyr SBS Tactical McMillan

SCOPES (1):

Kahles
Zeiss
Swarovski
NightForce
Schmidt & Bender


.308 caliber
Scope - Varible w/Bullet drop....the works
Rings
Hard Case
Bi-pod

Appreciate your assistance ans suggestions.
 
While the rifle is mostly preference (all you listed are good), I CAN make a scope rec.

NIGHTFORCE NXS. Reason is not only the superb optics, but the features and toughness of the scope. The adjustments are repeatable (shoots boxes well), the adjustments are very positive tactile clicks (you KNOW when you make an adjustment, and how much), and the knobs feel good---no slipping. The tube is the thickest in the industry (you ain't gonna crush it).

Get the NP-R2 ranging reticle or the Mildot. If you use a Mildot master, good. If you don't, the NP-R2 reticle is simple enough to do ranging calculations in your head. Also, it doesn't clutter.

My Nightforce survived the trunk of a cruiser for 2 years, and I have a habit of breaking things (like Leupolds).

I also love the illuminated reticle. In low-light, it makes all the difference. The side-adjust on the Nightforce is comfortable to use as well.

I've used most of the scopes listed, and the Nightforce is the only one that has ever inspired fanaticism in me. Go to snipercountry.com for a review on the scopes. A guy used a Nightforce to drive nails, then mounted it and tested it. The only problem was the scratched finish. The test had been reccommended by Lightforce. Whoa.
 
First off, what's a SNIPER Weapon? ;) All I have are precision tactical rifles?

On the scope side of things I would agree that the Nightforce NXS w/ R2 ranging reticle is very tough and versatile. I have one on my AICS Remington.

For the rifle, on the otherhand, you list all factory rifles. From the three that you listed, the Blaser R93 would be my choice.

Another option would be to have a custom rifle built. For the price of a custom jobber, you'd have some $$ left for accessories. George Gardner of http://www.dennysguns.com/denny/precision.html
or Jerry Rice of http://www.norcalprecision.com

Here's a pic of one of my Gardner guns, I can reach 1000 yards with it using 175 gr SMKs

remright2.jpg
 
Bill Shehane is who you should talk to. He produces some of the finest 1000 yard TARGET rifles out there. I recommend his version of the 6.5/284 cartridge. He's also a Nightforce dealer.

Disclaimer: I shoot benchrest, and I'm biased.
 
DOD have Snipers who use a highly modified rifle (note 1) in an offensive manner.

Law Enforcement have Counter-Snipers/Sharpshooters who use a highly modified rifle (note 1) in a defensive manner.

Civilians have Precision Marksman* who use a highly modified rifle (note 1) for Precision Target shooting.

Note 1 - Rifle modifications are "standarized" for high precision/repeatability of shots and are not "application" specific but can be interchanged.

* Unless they are shooting a Sharps 1874 which would, in fact, make them a Sharpshooter in the truest sense of the word.

In my opinion of course :D :D
 
Thanks for your replies

Thanks for all the constructive replies about the weapons and scopes.

As far as definitions I know what a sniper weapon and precision markmans......is. I AM a Sniper in the Military ("still" AM, though now I'm in the reserves....retirement is almost here) and Markmans in the LEO.....so please stick to the question at hand.

I have shot and own several Weapons of this Type now and just have an opportunity to purchase another one.

Thanks
 
Seriously, talk to Shehane - You know those little girls who've been kickin' butt at 1000 yards up at Camp Perry? They're shooting 6.5 rifles...

Otherwise, look up a guy named Baer - Tell him you want a .308 Baer, and get ready for some recoil...

If you're spending that kind of money, don't even think about a factory action - Go for one of the big Halls or something of the sort...
 
Check out the Chandler Sniper Rifle at http://www.ironbrigadearmory.com
I doubt you will find a better rifle at any price. Be careful with the European scopes that they have enough vertical adjustment for 1000 yard shooting. I have owned two Night Force scopes and those things are just too darn big for me. I have not used the NXS, but the earlier models while optically excellent are HUGE! Too bulky for a tactical rifle.
 
Watch, they may be SLIGHTLY larger, but worth it. All the adjustment in the world, light transmission so good that all you need is some moonlight, and TOUGHNESS. For me, it's better than those little Leupolds the other guys use.

"OP1, do you have a visual?"
"OP1, negative. Light's gone."
"OP2, do you have visual?"
"OP2, negative, gone black."
"OP3, do you have visual?"
"OP3, affirmative."

Need I say more?


By the by, I concur on the Iron Brigade rifles. Those guys KNOW what they are doing, and they're great to deal with, too.
 
NXS

I, too, break things but I don't really worry about the Nightforce NXS. I can also recommend the NP-R2 reticle. Even though I seem to be the low man on the rifle totem pole here:)...mine's mounted on a Remington 700 PSS .300 Winchester Magnum. Well, it'll get upgraded as time goes by.
 
Here is my take....

Since a few people already comment on this topic, I will just mention something different.

1st, maintenance. You list several european bolt guns. All of them are great right out of box. Since you live in GA USA, and all highpower rifles will need some repair sooner or later, you need to get one that's very easy to maintain. Styer SSG barrel is pressed-in, few, and I mean few, US gunsmith is able to perform this operation. Most of them will simply cut and drill out the barrel and thread the action. R93 doesn't have an "action" at all (bolt locks directly into the barrel). Remington 700 is by far the most popular and accessible action here in the US.

2nd, what do you expect? Modern rifles shoot great right out of factory, but few are true "target" guns out of box. To get a really consistant 1/4moa shooter, some sort of work is needed and this can bring the total cost very high. A custom action might be a better choice to start with.

3rd, how are you going to use it? Position shooting or bench only? A heavy system is more stable and "maybe" more accurate, but with a 20 pounder you ain't going anywhere. PSG-1 is nice, but it's very bulky (~ 48in AOL)

4th, your commitment. Stay away from something too fancy unless you are willing to commit. A US Optics scope is by far the best in the market (it better be! they cost $1,200 and up for custom design). A wildcat might give you that extra punch at 1000 yards, but it also means that you have to handload every single round.

You have months before X-Max, I suggest you to really thing throughly before making any dicision.
 
Spatula,

The last time I checked on a US Optics, it was around $3K to start. I'm gonna have to check taht link. Hmmmmm.....I might be getting ANOTHER scope. Then I'll need to build another rifle.....OH BOY!!!!!
 
Ari,

The illuminated reticle is actually quite a nice feature. Keeps the reticle nice and clear even on dark surfaces in twilight.

I've got a Canjar single-set. The main is set to three pounds, the set is four ounces. Gives me a LOT of flexibility.

A large bell is no problem if the person mounting the scope knows anything at all about optics. As to cheek weld, that's why God created adjustable stocks and stocks with high combs. Again, no problem.

I agree that the best accuracy comes from a handload, but not everyone is willing to deburr the flash hole, process the primer pocket, inside/outside turn the neck, trim and chamfer the case. This is after segregating by weight. Some guys are more passionate about shooting than loading. Those that aren't end up like me (about $6K in loading equipment, and no social life).

Springfield Armoury used by LE/Gov't???
(slam edited to be nice)

You're missing the point. Doc's looking for a TACTICAL rifle, not a bench gun. lots of differences between the two.
 
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