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DJM,

a couple of years ago, I got the desire to learn how to shoot accurately at 1000 yards. I read a lot of articles on long range shooting (for lack of a better term, sniper competition) to see what those guys are using. One thing that I did see was that just about all of them are now using some form of a 6.5 caliber, not a 308 because of the superior ballistic coefficient of the 6.5. Just about all of them have custom rifles and optics that total around $10K in cost. That was way out of my price range as a beginner at this so I asked some of my shooting buddies that shoot F class benchrest where to start (F class is 1000 yard prone bench rest). They all said the same thing, get a Savage. I ended up getting a Savage Long Range Precision in 6.5 Creedmoor. The cost of the rifle was a little over $800.00. I put a Leupold 6.5 X 20 Extended Range Scope (30 mm tube) on the rifle with a TMR. The scope was about $1400.00 plus another $180.00 for rings and base. This rifle will easily shoot 1/3 MOA or better and is very accurate out to 1000 yards. I plan to shoot this combination for some time to see how it works for me. Maybe (and that is a very big maybe at this time) I might go with something better at some point in the future but at this time, I don't see how I can justify a custom rifle the way this thing shoots. I will be going to a training class to learn how to use this rifle/scope and will be asking a lot about equipment at that class (am 1st alternate on Paul Howe's Long Range Hunter Class later this month, hope I get as he does not offer that class again until next year). You may want to look at a less expensive option to start out and grow from there.

John