.308 Remington 700 for beginner?

dakota.potts · March 10, 2013, 09:13 PM

We went out today to buy my brother a .22 rifle for his upcoming birthday. I've been interested in long range shooting and my dad's been researching it. So, long story short we came home with a Ruger 10-22 (my brother), a Smith & Wesson M&P15-22 in pink and black for my mom, and a Remington 700 in .308 for my dad and I. He also got a nice Nikon 4-12X scope.

Anyways, he qualified the highest marksman rank in the navy with an M14 and even had to qualify with it on full auto, so he's well aware that he can handle a .308.

I, on the other hand, have never shot a rifle above a .22lr.

Moving from our .380 handgun to his compact .40 S&W I psyched myself out for a while until I actually pulled the trigger and found that the big recoil was kind of fun (I still lose my weak hand grip on it sometimes though). I don't want to develop any kind of flinch shooting a rifle that's too large. I guess I'm just wondering if it's too big a round or if I'm psyching myself out like I did with the .40.

shootniron · March 10, 2013, 09:17 PM

The .308 is very soft shooting round and you will make the transition with no problems. That was a good choice in caliber and the rifle will be acceptable, as well.

dakota.potts · March 10, 2013, 09:22 PM

Awesome, that is great to hear. I can't wait to try it out. It feels awesome.

If anybody is reading this who is left handed (or in my has a dominant left eye and shoots left to accommodate) how do you get best results using a right handed rifle?

And I just realized I may have put this in the wrong forum.

Jack O'Conner · March 11, 2013, 08:05 PM

.308 is a keeper!

Jack

sigcurious · March 11, 2013, 10:21 PM

i am cross dominant(right hand left eye), and while shooting pistols maintaining right eye focus is difficult, with rifles it's not an issue for me. You might find it similar for yourself.

Either way though, have fun with the rifle!

WWWJD · March 11, 2013, 10:27 PM

I grew up left handed right eye dominant, shooting left handed left eyed. When I took my CCDW, for kicks, I shot right handed. Didn't do bad at all. Now I shoot right handed or left handed. Why pick sides?

trg42wraglefragle · March 11, 2013, 10:38 PM

308 is a very manageable round in must rifles, in a lightweight like a Tikks they have a bit more punch though.

You should be fine, just remember if you are shooting off bags that it still has a fair boot if you don't keep it in your shoulder properly.

dakota.potts · March 11, 2013, 11:53 PM

I figure if it's a scope I can probably do some eye switching. I've been doing some exercises at home and it seems doable.

Thanks for all the advice guys. I'l probably shoot it standing at first (to get a feel for it) and later off a bench.

alex0535 · March 12, 2013, 10:49 AM

I have the same hand-eye thing as you. I consider myself right handed but I am left eye dominant.

This will probably help you as far as cycling a right handed bolt action with your left hand.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DyZztvmoyl4

I tend to just cycle it with my right hand if shooting prone or on a bench.

gundog5 · March 12, 2013, 12:09 PM

You may want to start off with 150gr rounds as they have less recoil.

Carlsbad · March 12, 2013, 02:28 PM

So are you going to try to make the 308 as accurate as possible? If so what is your break in strategy and plan?

Boomer58cal · March 12, 2013, 04:28 PM

I am ambidexturous but left eye dominant. I have several left handed muzzleloaders but prefer a right handed bolt gun because I don't have to remove my trigger hand and then replace it for follow up shots. It's the way I learned and I'm glad I did. Just watch the sniper in Saving Private Ryan. He's a lefty

As for going form .22 to .308. My dad found a dummy round(not loaded but with a dead primer) and I practiced trigger pull. You learn muscle memory that way and stop thinking so much. You should pull the trigger so softly and smoothly it almost surprises you.

Boomer.

dakota.potts · March 13, 2013, 02:22 AM

I'm not sure what you mean by make it as accurate as possible. Do you mean like special handloads or something?

Carlsbad · March 13, 2013, 01:55 PM

Yes, since you were talking about marksmanship I thought you might be looking at target shooting. Things to make your gun as accurate as possible include stock upgrades/betting, optics and optics mounting systems and care and feeding of your action/barrel. --Jerry

Buzzcook · March 13, 2013, 03:18 PM

The Remington 700 is a fine rifle in whatever cartridge you choose.

Slap on the scope, zero it in and start shooting.

Get some lessons along the way.

dakota.potts · March 14, 2013, 01:02 AM

We will be looking at target shooting. We do have a scope and scope mount. It's a Nikon 4-12 something or other. Other than that we'll just experiment with factory loads unless one of us gets really serious or fairly heavy into competition shooting and then upgrading the action, stock, handloading etc. might be further options.

WNY_Whitetailer · March 14, 2013, 01:16 AM

See how tight your group are at first and then consider upgrading different items. If your groups are acceptable, then no more work is needed. If you want tighter groups, reloading might be an option. I would probably upgrade the stock first.

dakota.potts · March 15, 2013, 05:57 PM

Got to shoot the rifle today. Shooting a .308 should be considered a contact sport

. Anyways, after getting the hang of a couple of shots I did alright with it. We zeroed it (kind of) and ended up shooting about 4 inches low at 50 yards. I had 3 rounds touching each other and a couple on either side with one about 3 inches high (think we changed ammo at one point). Not great but manageable and a lot of fun.

Metal god · March 15, 2013, 09:56 PM

You said you are left eye dominant ? are you left handed ?

I ask cus I'm left eye dominant but right handed . The only time it screws with me is when shooting hand guns . When shooting rifles I have always shot right handed and the left eye , right eye dom thing does not matter to me cus with a rifle I can't look through the sights with my left eye while shooting right handed .

What handed did you shoot today ?

When I'm at the range for long periods of time and shooting many rounds of 308 . Later in the day I can feel when I'm starting to anticipate the shot or muscle the rifle around . When that starts to happen I put the 308 down and pick up my 22 and work out the kinks , then jump back on the 308 more relaxed and ready to go .

I do have a huge trigger flinch and really have no idea how I shoot as well as I do .

I always start with my 22 then move up to the 308 . I equate it to being in the on deck circle . Just taking some light swings gitting my timing down .

dakota.potts · March 15, 2013, 11:59 PM

I shot left today although over time I'l probably learn to "switch hit". When using both eyes on the scope I could actually watch my eyes switching dominance as one got tired. I've been training myself to be able to switch eye dominance as well.

March 10, 2013, 09:13 PM	#1
dakota.potts Senior Member Join Date: February 25, 2013 Location: Keystone Heights, Florida Posts: 3,084	.308 Remington 700 for beginner? We went out today to buy my brother a .22 rifle for his upcoming birthday. I've been interested in long range shooting and my dad's been researching it. So, long story short we came home with a Ruger 10-22 (my brother), a Smith & Wesson M&P15-22 in pink and black for my mom, and a Remington 700 in .308 for my dad and I. He also got a nice Nikon 4-12X scope. Anyways, he qualified the highest marksman rank in the navy with an M14 and even had to qualify with it on full auto, so he's well aware that he can handle a .308. I, on the other hand, have never shot a rifle above a .22lr. Moving from our .380 handgun to his compact .40 S&W I psyched myself out for a while until I actually pulled the trigger and found that the big recoil was kind of fun (I still lose my weak hand grip on it sometimes though). I don't want to develop any kind of flinch shooting a rifle that's too large. I guess I'm just wondering if it's too big a round or if I'm psyching myself out like I did with the .40.

March 11, 2013, 08:05 PM	#4
Jack O'Conner Senior Member Join Date: July 11, 2005 Location: Manatee County, Florida Posts: 1,976	.308 is a keeper! Jack __________________ Fire up the grill! Deer hunting IS NOT catch and release.

March 11, 2013, 10:27 PM	#6
WWWJD Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2011 Location: Central KY Posts: 552	.308 Remington 700 for beginner? I grew up left handed right eye dominant, shooting left handed left eyed. When I took my CCDW, for kicks, I shot right handed. Didn't do bad at all. Now I shoot right handed or left handed. Why pick sides?

March 12, 2013, 04:28 PM	#12
Boomer58cal Senior Member Join Date: February 18, 2013 Location: closer than you think Posts: 967	I am ambidexturous but left eye dominant. I have several left handed muzzleloaders but prefer a right handed bolt gun because I don't have to remove my trigger hand and then replace it for follow up shots. It's the way I learned and I'm glad I did. Just watch the sniper in Saving Private Ryan. He's a lefty As for going form .22 to .308. My dad found a dummy round(not loaded but with a dead primer) and I practiced trigger pull. You learn muscle memory that way and stop thinking so much. You should pull the trigger so softly and smoothly it almost surprises you. Boomer. __________________ The number one cause of death in the 20th century. 290,000,000 citizens were first disarmed and then murdered by their own governments. This number does not include those killed in war. We're from the government, we're here to help

March 14, 2013, 01:16 AM	#17
WNY_Whitetailer Junior Member Join Date: March 11, 2013 Posts: 10	Re: .308 Remington 700 for beginner? See how tight your group are at first and then consider upgrading different items. If your groups are acceptable, then no more work is needed. If you want tighter groups, reloading might be an option. I would probably upgrade the stock first.

March 10, 2013, 09:17 PM	#2
shootniron Senior Member Join Date: April 16, 2011 Location: Georgia Posts: 1,599	The .308 is very soft shooting round and you will make the transition with no problems. That was a good choice in caliber and the rifle will be acceptable, as well.

March 10, 2013, 09:22 PM	#3
dakota.potts Senior Member Join Date: February 25, 2013 Location: Keystone Heights, Florida Posts: 3,084	Awesome, that is great to hear. I can't wait to try it out. It feels awesome. If anybody is reading this who is left handed (or in my has a dominant left eye and shoots left to accommodate) how do you get best results using a right handed rifle? And I just realized I may have put this in the wrong forum.

March 11, 2013, 10:21 PM	#5
sigcurious Senior Member Join Date: May 25, 2011 Posts: 1,755	i am cross dominant(right hand left eye), and while shooting pistols maintaining right eye focus is difficult, with rifles it's not an issue for me. You might find it similar for yourself. Either way though, have fun with the rifle!

March 11, 2013, 10:38 PM	#7
trg42wraglefragle Senior Member Join Date: April 21, 2008 Location: new zealand Posts: 856	308 is a very manageable round in must rifles, in a lightweight like a Tikks they have a bit more punch though. You should be fine, just remember if you are shooting off bags that it still has a fair boot if you don't keep it in your shoulder properly.

March 11, 2013, 11:53 PM	#8
dakota.potts Senior Member Join Date: February 25, 2013 Location: Keystone Heights, Florida Posts: 3,084	I figure if it's a scope I can probably do some eye switching. I've been doing some exercises at home and it seems doable. Thanks for all the advice guys. I'l probably shoot it standing at first (to get a feel for it) and later off a bench.

March 12, 2013, 10:49 AM	#9
alex0535 Senior Member Join Date: November 4, 2012 Location: Georgia Posts: 908	I have the same hand-eye thing as you. I consider myself right handed but I am left eye dominant. This will probably help you as far as cycling a right handed bolt action with your left hand. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DyZztvmoyl4 I tend to just cycle it with my right hand if shooting prone or on a bench.

March 12, 2013, 12:09 PM	#10
gundog5 Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2013 Posts: 116	You may want to start off with 150gr rounds as they have less recoil.

March 12, 2013, 02:28 PM	#11
Carlsbad Member Join Date: January 26, 2013 Posts: 22	So are you going to try to make the 308 as accurate as possible? If so what is your break in strategy and plan?

March 13, 2013, 02:22 AM	#13
dakota.potts Senior Member Join Date: February 25, 2013 Location: Keystone Heights, Florida Posts: 3,084	I'm not sure what you mean by make it as accurate as possible. Do you mean like special handloads or something?

March 13, 2013, 01:55 PM	#14
Carlsbad Member Join Date: January 26, 2013 Posts: 22	Yes, since you were talking about marksmanship I thought you might be looking at target shooting. Things to make your gun as accurate as possible include stock upgrades/betting, optics and optics mounting systems and care and feeding of your action/barrel. --Jerry

March 13, 2013, 03:18 PM	#15
Buzzcook Senior Member Join Date: November 29, 2007 Location: Everett, WA Posts: 6,126	The Remington 700 is a fine rifle in whatever cartridge you choose. Slap on the scope, zero it in and start shooting. Get some lessons along the way.

March 14, 2013, 01:02 AM	#16
dakota.potts Senior Member Join Date: February 25, 2013 Location: Keystone Heights, Florida Posts: 3,084	We will be looking at target shooting. We do have a scope and scope mount. It's a Nikon 4-12 something or other. Other than that we'll just experiment with factory loads unless one of us gets really serious or fairly heavy into competition shooting and then upgrading the action, stock, handloading etc. might be further options.

March 15, 2013, 05:57 PM	#18
dakota.potts Senior Member Join Date: February 25, 2013 Location: Keystone Heights, Florida Posts: 3,084	Got to shoot the rifle today. Shooting a .308 should be considered a contact sport . Anyways, after getting the hang of a couple of shots I did alright with it. We zeroed it (kind of) and ended up shooting about 4 inches low at 50 yards. I had 3 rounds touching each other and a couple on either side with one about 3 inches high (think we changed ammo at one point). Not great but manageable and a lot of fun.

March 15, 2013, 09:56 PM	#19
Metal god Senior Member Join Date: April 10, 2012 Location: San Diego CA Posts: 6,876	You said you are left eye dominant ? are you left handed ? I ask cus I'm left eye dominant but right handed . The only time it screws with me is when shooting hand guns . When shooting rifles I have always shot right handed and the left eye , right eye dom thing does not matter to me cus with a rifle I can't look through the sights with my left eye while shooting right handed . What handed did you shoot today ? When I'm at the range for long periods of time and shooting many rounds of 308 . Later in the day I can feel when I'm starting to anticipate the shot or muscle the rifle around . When that starts to happen I put the 308 down and pick up my 22 and work out the kinks , then jump back on the 308 more relaxed and ready to go . I do have a huge trigger flinch and really have no idea how I shoot as well as I do . I always start with my 22 then move up to the 308 . I equate it to being in the on deck circle . Just taking some light swings gitting my timing down . __________________ If Jesus had a gun , he'd probably still be alive ! I almost always write my posts regardless of content in a jovial manor and intent . If that's not how you took it , please try again .

March 15, 2013, 11:59 PM	#20
dakota.potts Senior Member Join Date: February 25, 2013 Location: Keystone Heights, Florida Posts: 3,084	I shot left today although over time I'l probably learn to "switch hit". When using both eyes on the scope I could actually watch my eyes switching dominance as one got tired. I've been training myself to be able to switch eye dominance as well.