Some advice, please! First bolt action rifle

[brianlpowers]

Hello all! I have been reloading for and shooting longer range 308 for several years now (out to 1000-1200 yards). Previously I had been using my LR-308 AR-10 build, semi-automatic with good success, but now I'd like to get a little more precise. I made the jump into bolt action with the acquisition of a Savage 10 FCP McMillan.
I am looking for some advice or random tidbits of information that you've picked up after shooting a bolt action rifle for much longer than I have.
If anyone has this rifle in particular, I'm all ears! Otherwise - what do you now know that you wish you would have known when you first picked up a bolt action rifle?

[BigDave]

You will want to get the $104.41 Wheeler scope mounting and lapping tools kit. It has everything you need (even a DVD for instructions!) except epoxy which you may need for bedding your scope rail.
http://www.amazon.com/Wheeler-Scope-...ywords=wheeler

That comes to the second point: Bedding in general. You will want to check your scope rail for being true (straight) on you action. There are many you tube videos on this that are quite clear. Ignore the one video where the guy takes a grinder to his rail. Try and find videos from channels dedicated to firearms. Watch ALL the videos you can find and glean the best points out of all of them. I never seem to find one perfect video. To get the whole picture watch as many as you can find and make up your own procedures based on what you determine to the be best way. I have had extremely good luck doing this. NEVER rely on one single video, no matter how good the guy is. Chances are he has left out some fine points that you will pick up in another video. Find videos on BEDDING your action to your MC Millan stock. Its a procedure. Not rocket science. I recommend investing 40 dollars in the smallest can that Devcon makes for Devcon 10110 Plastic Steel Epoxy Putty (1 lb) 43.90 with free 2 day shipping for prime members on Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/Devcon-10110-P.../dp/B00065TMTO Some guys use Marine Tex. Some use JB Weld. Both work. there are really a lot of choices. I have determined that Devcon 10110 (NOT any Devcon steel putty that come in small tubes. Only this one in the 1lb can) is the high standard for a reasonable price. The tensile strength and shrinkage rate are perfect for even the heavy calibers. Extremely suitable for your rifle. The wheeler kit is here:
http://www.amazon.com/Wheeler-Scope-...ywords=wheeler

Bipods are tricky. Got a big budget? Get an Atlas and never look back. Medium budget? Get a Harris that swivels and tilts(cant). Small budget? Some of the UTG Bipods are really not bad. Look on Amazon.


Last item, but not the least would be a good stock pack. There are many good ones on the market. IMO, there is only one GREAT stock pack and that is the Triad Tactical Modular Stock Pack. I believe your Mc Millan stock could take the large size which gives you a much bigger zippered storage compartment. Triad packs are extremely popular and sell out as fast they get stocked. There is a new shipment coming in of 500 units. Right now they dont have squat for choices if you want a specific color. Make sure you order a RIGHT handed one if you are a right handed shooter and visa versa. Here is the link. They are SO versatile and come with material to build up your cheek weld if your scope height needs that. The soft material makes it MUCH nicer than a bare fiberglass cheek weld.

Look at all 11 images to see exactly all the options and colors available. Order ammunition holder strips, mag holder strips separately to customize the MODULAR pack to you own needs. It is so well thought out. NOT cheap at $50 plus any add on strips plus shipping. Worth every penny and then some. Trust me.

If you ever plan on taking any kind of instructional course for long range shooting you will benefit greatly by having a scope that has Miliradian Turrets and a GOOD miliradian reticle like a G2. Some places REQUIRE a Mil/Mil scope!


If I had your rifle I would put this scope on it:

Bushnell Elite Tactical G2 FFP Reticle Riflescope, 3.5-21x50mm

http://www.amazon.com/Bushnell-Tacti...=bushnell+hdmr

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4B2_RFmfcws




$1200 is too much? Buy it and only cry once. Cant swing it? No money left over? Try this:
Falcon Menace 5.5-25x50 Tactical 30mm Riflescope
Stock # - FALM2550B

$449.95


or Falcon Menace 5.5-25x56 Tactical 30mm Riflescope
Stock # - FALM25B

$449.95


Why dont they just say $450.00????? Sheesh. Besides that, its a great value. Good Japan optics, decent Chinese one piece tube and internals, and assembled in the UK. 10 year warranty. SWFA is dealer for the US.

Make sure you get their B20 reticle. Both models above have that.
Hope this helps.

[RatMag]

I have to both agree, and disagree with the above points. I have my own set ideas, and they are from buying and trying and wearing and tearing and ultimately breaking or selling stuff to get exactly what I need and what works. Above all else, get the absolute best that you can afford if you decide to do any matches or tactical competitions at all, otherwise, you are already putting yourself in a situation of playing catch-up. You will save yourself a ton of funds in the long run...

1) Get you a set of Seekins Rings, and don't touch them with a lapping bar.
2) Get the Wheeler Tool, and you can do all of the work on the rifle with it.
3) Devcon Plastic Steel... Absolutely a must!! The best you can get to do the job right.
4) Bipods... the above mentioned are spot on.
5) Stock Pack... the above mentioned is spot on.
6) As far as a scope... the Vortex Razor HD 5-20 is the 1st on my list, the G2 above is the 2nd choice... This is the last place you will want to cheap out on.

Yes, the above is just my $0.02 worth, but, it is the stuff that works. You will save yourself a lot of heartache if you get the goods to begin with.

DK

[BigDave]

Mmmm... Seekins Rings! Sweet. I will see those rings and raise you one Ken Farrell FG-Force steel 20 MOA base with .25" adjustable locking lug. Nothing better or more expensive either...I think. Close to $150 shipped.

http://www.kenfarrell.com/index.php?...product_id=162

We hardly disagree. You are spot on. Vortex Razor is a formidable scope with best in the business support. Looks like you are way ahead of the curve and barely need any advice. :D

I got a 10 FCP-SR because I am poor and wanted a 10 round AICS type mag. I cant afford Mc Millan but i can afford a $275 Bell & Carlson Medalist stock. I think that should better than OK. I dont care for my Accusstock dimensions at all. It doesn't fit me very well. I am pretty sure I can get a couple bucks for it.

OK, do you want something with a bit of a challenge? Try completely stripping the inside of your bolt and polishing everything you can get to. There is a very good YouTube on this. Sort of. he does not show how to re assemble the firing pin collars and springs and set the correct protrusion to the pin. It is adjustable for depth. But if you measure the over all length carefully with a micrometer, then re assemble it to exactly the same length. I will find out the recommended firing pin protrusion and measure that as a double check. Or I can measure that before I take anything apart.

Taking the bolt apart is a easy. My spring has an irritating squeak when the bolt is cocked. There is a little interference on the retaining cam washers too. It needs to be radiused flush. I even put teflon grease in the firing pin assembly and its still noisy!! I can FIX that!

The lift effort is way too hard. I would rather polish everthing than cycle the bolt 1000 times. I would polish taking the usual care not to remove metal in any critical area. I have increased the function of countless firearms by deep fluff and buffs. Just go slow and dont heat up any parts. I keep my RPM low.

This video isnt perfect. But not bad. I like the way he sized his buffing wheel to fit inside one of the collars. That made me smile. This is very much worth watching.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BoPtHPjt2c8#t=433

[BigDave]

Yes, the above is just my $0.02 worth, but, it is the stuff that works. You will save yourself a lot of heartache if you get the goods to begin with.

DK

Cry once instead of twice? I believe in that.

[Mach2]

Hello all! I have been reloading for and shooting longer range 308 for several years now (out to 1000-1200 yards). Previously I had been using my LR-308 AR-10 build, semi-automatic with good success, but now I'd like to get a little more precise. I made the jump into bolt action with the acquisition of a Savage 10 FCP McMillan.
I am looking for some advice or random tidbits of information that you've picked up after shooting a bolt action rifle for much longer than I have.
If anyone has this rifle in particular, I'm all ears! Otherwise - what do you now know that you wish you would have known when you first picked up a bolt action rifle?

At distances you have been shooting at I doubt many folks can add to what you know. Geez! 1200yds? Woow

[brianlpowers]

At distances you have been shooting at I doubt many folks can add to what you know. Geez! 1200yds? Woow

Shooting 1000-1200 yards exclusively with a gas gun - a very accurate and well built gas gun :-)
That being said, I don't know much of anything about bolt action rifles. For example, it took me a minute to figure out that I had to hold the trigger down just to release and remove the bolt!

Thus the reason for the post - I'm looking for any knowledge and insight that people have gleaned over the years about their bolt action rifles!

[brianlpowers]

I should add to this post that I'm using the same optic from my other rifle - it is a Leupold Mark 4 LR/T 16x 40mm
I've been very happy with it! If I had to get really picky, I might sell that one and get something with a little bit bigger objective, adjustable zoom to ~20-24x and have the same quality and clarity of glass.

[BigDave]

IDK if anyone was interested in polishing their bolt internals. Anyway, I did find all the specs and procedures for Firing Pin Protrusion measurement and adjustment. The Search Box is your friend!

http://www.savageshooters.com/conten...rotrusion-Data