if I were just starting to get into the LRH game. I'd WAY rather have a $1000 gun (CTR or RPR) and $1000 optic (LRHS, SS, SHV)..... and $3000 worth of rounds to shoot.... than five grand in gun and glass. You truly don't 'know' schitt till you sent a couple thousand rounds.... that's the most 'expensive' part of the game.... rounds, and the time to shoot them.
I see $5000 rigs all the time..... Eight outta Ten of their drivers couldn't hit the ground if they fell outta the truck. Why? Because they don't shoot/hunt them.... they're too pretty.... or too expensive.... or too heavy.... or there's vaginal scaring.... etc. I've seen a few of those rifles solidly whip my ass too.... but it's typically because said owner had invested in actually shooting it.
If you want a $5000 pseudo-cock to impress your ignorant friends..... then there are plenty of options from a GAP to a TRG to a full-custom with the girth and length all specified by you. If you wanna learn to shoot stuff at extended range.... then spent primers, not cool rifles, are the ultimate tutorial.... and that's where I'd sink at least half the budget.
Thanks DS this is what I was thinking as well ,and this was my post in response to an FTR shooter suggesting he build a $2000+ custom Savage for FTR shooting.
Or some sub $1500 production rifles. I believe that if a guy is starting out shooting long range they can learn a lot before they even need to drop money on customizing a rifle. It's too easy to get caught up thinking you need to spend a lot of money for a LR rifle. If I were to do it all over again I'd buy a decent factory rifle with a stock built for prone shooting, excellent optics (more people cut corners on this myself included), and a ton of ammunition or quality reloading components.
In the OP's case I'd rather spend $2000-2500 of his budget on the rifle and optics. Then the other $2500 on ammunition. He'll learn a lot more sending lead downrange, than he will spending $5K on a rifle and scope.
I tried explaining to the OP how I spent $1600+ on building a fast twist .243 Savage but bought cheap optics. I learned to shoot it okay to 600 yards, which was all the range I had. In the end I punted, and sold the whole rifle off, my job had gotten in the way and I was moving around TX, KS, & CO to avoid furlough.
I'd love to try and get back into it, and give the SRM a try since I only live four hours from Raton. However right now I can't walk (shattered ankle), or drive, and I'm out of work for 6+ months so I probably shouldn't spend the money either. I really enjoyed your post on using the RAR Predator at the SRM.
