Affordable Tack Driver

Scot Van · July 25th, 2009, 08:42 PM

I've finally gotten around to telling you all about the finest firearm purchase I've made in ten years! This included about twelve great guns, but my Remington SPS Tactical is unbelievable!!

Lemme' back up.

A few months ago, I had the pleasure of attending the Basic Sniper course at the Commonwealth Criminal Justice Academy (those interested can read the AAR I posted shortly after completion of the course). During my time in Virginia, I was talking to one of the course instructors about his recommendations when selecting a rifle.

We talked about all the high-end varieties, and I won't bore you with brand-name dropping...safe to say that the biggies were all mentioned, and rightfully so. When a skilled sniper chooses a weapon, the super-high-dollar stuff is justifiably the direction they go. However, when someone is learning, and can't afford to drop four months salary on a rifle and optics, the smart choices become a little harder to come by. The wisdom imparted to me was to select a good quality bolt action rifle, spend a little more on a high quality optic and then spend the majority on ammunition for learning how to effectively shoot at long range. Then, and only then, should I consider plunking down the change on a refined exotic.

Fortunately, Walt (owner of Classic Arms and Archery right here in Lexington) had the answer, and directed me to the Remington PSP Tactical in .308 that he had on the shelf. For $585?!

After blowing a substantial amount more on a milradian scope and a 1000 rounds of S&B ammo, I headed out the door, excited to practice the skills I had recently aquired.

So, here we are. I've finally finished shooting that thousand rounds just today. My groups have gotten smaller, regardless of range. I am much more familiar with gauging windage and distance, and am confident when I say that I am progressing well.

What occurs to me, though, is that it will be several thousand rounds more before I even consider whether my skill has gone beyond what this bolt action Remington rifle can do. I shoot regularly with friends who have $5,000 rifles...and outshoot them just as regularly. Thanks to the mechanics instilled during that first course, I am armed with the knowledge necessary to become a very competent precision shooter, and may one day have the skill that will justify spending what my peers have. But for now, I'm thrilled with the overall value of this rifle, and strongly encourage ANYONE who needs a bolt gun for hunting, duty or recreation to consider this item for the toolbox.

SIXTO · July 25th, 2009, 08:52 PM

Its hard to beat the Remington or Winchesters dollar for dollar. The current trend is swinging back towards the semi auto guns, but I still like a solid bolt gun.

Ram Rod · July 25th, 2009, 10:18 PM

I'm all for the affordable tack driver. Somewhere around ten years ago or so I found a Savage 110FP in .308 at a gun show with no mounts, and no scope for $400. Years later, with a new Bell & Carlson stock, and some custom work by the guys at Aurora Tactical, and my tried and true reloading skills for the cartridge led me on the road to having my nearest and dearest bolt action rifle I've ever pulled the trigger on that wasn't government property.

jwhite75 · July 25th, 2009, 11:53 PM

I bought my own first bolt gun after a LOT of research. The gun shop owner I bought it from is a sage old guy who rarely says much if you make a choice of purchase he wouldnt as not to offend, he might show you some better alternatives but not flat tell you not to buy it. He will however sing praises if he thinks you have bought a nice weapon. I chose a Winchester Model 70 Classic Sporter LT in .270 with no sights...mounted a Nikon Monarch 3-9x40 with leupold rings and bases and he said he was very proud to say he sold me that fine a gun. It is amazing. I shoot stock 130 gr Federal with Sierra Gameking BTSP. It amazes me how good a shot it makes me. I am decent and practice good fundamentals but it only make me looke like a great shot. I consistently outshoot friends and family at the range. You will be extremely happy for a long time with that gun. For extreme accuracy i will always use a bolt gun.

Tubby45 · July 26th, 2009, 12:18 AM

Shot a SPS in .223 Remington with a customer of mine. Five rounds of his 52gr SMK handloads snuggled in a group so tight it scared me. Five shots in three holes and no there weren't two misses. All were hits. I didn't believe him so we put a steel plate behind the bullseye so we could hear the hits. Five for five went like this: "Send it..BOOM.....CLANG"

gilliland87 · July 26th, 2009, 02:02 AM

The only draw back on my rifle is I bought it for hunting and the first 2, 5 shot groups are generally nice and tight (under 1 inch at 100) If you shoot much past that at a decent rate of fire I start picking up flyers, even off of a lead sled ( had to see if it was me) I have attributed this to the light barrel contour that heats up rather quickly and I am tossing the idea around of a heavy barreled varmint type rig to play with.

Glad you are happy with your rifle.

pcon · July 26th, 2009, 02:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SIXTO

Its hard to beat the Remington or Winchesters dollar for dollar. The current trend is swinging back towards the semi auto guns, but I still like a solid bolt gun.

Any time someone asks me about a good hunting rifle I 99% of the time refer them to bolt action. I don't know if its just personal opinion or truth, but to me, they seem more accurate for long distance shooting.

PastorPack · July 26th, 2009, 02:48 AM

That sounds like a winner! Bolts are definitely more accurate than semi's and it sounds like your training has already more than paid off. Congrats.

rottkeeper · July 26th, 2009, 03:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pcon

Any time someone asks me about a good hunting rifle I 99% of the time refer them to bolt action. I don't know if its just personal opinion or truth, but to me, they seem more accurate for long distance shooting.

A bolt action is better, they hold the pressure that the semi's use to blow back the action.

pemop · July 26th, 2009, 03:16 AM

I've never been much of a fan but seeing that they are being recommended I may try them out.

July 25th, 2009, 08:42 PM	#1
Scot Van Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Versailles, KY Posts: 830	Affordable Tack Driver I've finally gotten around to telling you all about the finest firearm purchase I've made in ten years! This included about twelve great guns, but my Remington SPS Tactical is unbelievable!! Lemme' back up. A few months ago, I had the pleasure of attending the Basic Sniper course at the Commonwealth Criminal Justice Academy (those interested can read the AAR I posted shortly after completion of the course). During my time in Virginia, I was talking to one of the course instructors about his recommendations when selecting a rifle. We talked about all the high-end varieties, and I won't bore you with brand-name dropping...safe to say that the biggies were all mentioned, and rightfully so. When a skilled sniper chooses a weapon, the super-high-dollar stuff is justifiably the direction they go. However, when someone is learning, and can't afford to drop four months salary on a rifle and optics, the smart choices become a little harder to come by. The wisdom imparted to me was to select a good quality bolt action rifle, spend a little more on a high quality optic and then spend the majority on ammunition for learning how to effectively shoot at long range. Then, and only then, should I consider plunking down the change on a refined exotic. Fortunately, Walt (owner of Classic Arms and Archery right here in Lexington) had the answer, and directed me to the Remington PSP Tactical in .308 that he had on the shelf. For $585?! After blowing a substantial amount more on a milradian scope and a 1000 rounds of S&B ammo, I headed out the door, excited to practice the skills I had recently aquired. So, here we are. I've finally finished shooting that thousand rounds just today. My groups have gotten smaller, regardless of range. I am much more familiar with gauging windage and distance, and am confident when I say that I am progressing well. What occurs to me, though, is that it will be several thousand rounds more before I even consider whether my skill has gone beyond what this bolt action Remington rifle can do. I shoot regularly with friends who have $5,000 rifles...and outshoot them just as regularly. Thanks to the mechanics instilled during that first course, I am armed with the knowledge necessary to become a very competent precision shooter, and may one day have the skill that will justify spending what my peers have. But for now, I'm thrilled with the overall value of this rifle, and strongly encourage ANYONE who needs a bolt gun for hunting, duty or recreation to consider this item for the toolbox. __________________ A man in the hands of his enemies is flesh, and shudderingly vulnerable. - author unknown

July 25th, 2009, 08:52 PM	#2
SIXTO VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 12,254	Its hard to beat the Remington or Winchesters dollar for dollar. The current trend is swinging back towards the semi auto guns, but I still like a solid bolt gun. __________________ _________________ \|^^^^^^^^^^^^^\| \|___ \| SIXTO EXPRESS---\| \|\|'\|";,__. \|_..._...___________\| \|\|_\|_\|...,] "(@)'(@)""""\|(@)(@)*****(@)

July 25th, 2009, 10:18 PM	#3
Ram Rod VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: crawford county, arkansas Posts: 8,816	I'm all for the affordable tack driver. Somewhere around ten years ago or so I found a Savage 110FP in .308 at a gun show with no mounts, and no scope for $400. Years later, with a new Bell & Carlson stock, and some custom work by the guys at Aurora Tactical, and my tried and true reloading skills for the cartridge led me on the road to having my nearest and dearest bolt action rifle I've ever pulled the trigger on that wasn't government property. __________________ RamRod-----sans remords live, eat, breathe, sleep Glock

July 25th, 2009, 11:53 PM	#4
jwhite75 VIP Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: West Virginia Posts: 2,306	I bought my own first bolt gun after a LOT of research. The gun shop owner I bought it from is a sage old guy who rarely says much if you make a choice of purchase he wouldnt as not to offend, he might show you some better alternatives but not flat tell you not to buy it. He will however sing praises if he thinks you have bought a nice weapon. I chose a Winchester Model 70 Classic Sporter LT in .270 with no sights...mounted a Nikon Monarch 3-9x40 with leupold rings and bases and he said he was very proud to say he sold me that fine a gun. It is amazing. I shoot stock 130 gr Federal with Sierra Gameking BTSP. It amazes me how good a shot it makes me. I am decent and practice good fundamentals but it only make me looke like a great shot. I consistently outshoot friends and family at the range. You will be extremely happy for a long time with that gun. For extreme accuracy i will always use a bolt gun. __________________ Friends don't let friends be MALL NINJAS. "May God have mercy on my enemies...because I won't." -Gen. George S. Patton.

July 26th, 2009, 12:18 AM	#5
Tubby45 VIP Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Making suppressors Posts: 2,406	Shot a SPS in .223 Remington with a customer of mine. Five rounds of his 52gr SMK handloads snuggled in a group so tight it scared me. Five shots in three holes and no there weren't two misses. All were hits. I didn't believe him so we put a steel plate behind the bullseye so we could hear the hits. Five for five went like this: "Send it..BOOM.....CLANG" __________________ Freakshow Manufacturing LLC Ammunition- Retail, Wholesale, Law Enforcement

July 26th, 2009, 02:02 AM	#6
gilliland87 Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: phx, az Posts: 208	Model 70 here The only draw back on my rifle is I bought it for hunting and the first 2, 5 shot groups are generally nice and tight (under 1 inch at 100) If you shoot much past that at a decent rate of fire I start picking up flyers, even off of a lead sled ( had to see if it was me) I have attributed this to the light barrel contour that heats up rather quickly and I am tossing the idea around of a heavy barreled varmint type rig to play with. Glad you are happy with your rifle.

July 26th, 2009, 02:48 AM	#8
PastorPack Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Northern California Posts: 1,124	That sounds like a winner! Bolts are definitely more accurate than semi's and it sounds like your training has already more than paid off. Congrats. __________________ God is love (1 John 4:8)

July 26th, 2009, 03:16 AM	#10
pemop New Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: europe Posts: 2	I've never been much of a fan but seeing that they are being recommended I may try them out.

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