Ruger Target Grey Stainless M77 Frontier rifle

[michael_aos]

Seems like I'm perpetually searching for a "handy" little rifle / carbine that I can shoot a lot. I played with a friends M1 Carbine a while back and thought it was really fun (although not a huge fan of the sights or the trigger).

I spent a little time looking for a Marlin 1894CBC in .38 Special, but they're hard to come by. And it'd be another caliber to reload.

Stumbled across this Olympic K9GL, which is a darned near PERFECT plinker out to ~150yds. Except at 9.33lbs, it really is heavy.

My new SDI SR-15 (essentially a CAV-15 Trooper) isn't too far off the mark, except those little .223 holes are awfully hard to see on paper, and it just punches right through clay pigeons. .223 also has a tendency to "eat" my steel targets at <100yds.

With a 2.5x "scout" scope, I'd think with this I would be able to "if I can see it, I can hit it" -- and know I hit it (out to maybe 300yds). I'd prefer it in .243, but that blows the "cheap factory ammo" factor, so it would have to be .308.

http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Corporate/images/News-11-02-2005D.jpg

[Hoser]

I'd prefer it in .243, but that blows the "cheap factory ammo" factor, so it would have to be .308.

But you own a reloader... What does caliber matter?

A 308 will kick a lot more than a 243.

Both calibers will poke holes through clay birds. Its a function of velocity more than anything. Same with chipping steel targets.

I bet if you take all that weaver rail, flashlight ninja stuff off your AR in 9x19, you could easily get it around 7 pounds.

[The1andOnlyKC]

I have been on the search for a 308 or 30-06 bolt action rifle lately. Just havent decided which one to get.

[michael_aos]

I'd prefer it in .243, but that blows the "cheap factory ammo" factor, so it would have to be .308.

But you own a reloader... What does caliber matter?

A 308 will kick a lot more than a 243.

I can buy Wolf or even Lake City .308 for less $$$ than I can load .260.

My .260's (AR-10 / 700P) are capable of AMAZING groups at long distances, but at $.50/pop I'm not so inclined to just "screw around" with them.

Mike

[michael_aos]

Both calibers will poke holes through clay birds. Its a function of velocity more than anything. Same with chipping steel targets.

I was thinking maybe there'd be enough velocity-loss with the 16.5" bbl in .308 that it wouldn't be so tough on the targets.

I'll take a look at that Hertenberger 9mm +P+ SMG ammo again. Might be just the ticket in this K9GL.

Mike

[michael_aos]

A 308 will kick a lot more than a 243.

Yeah, that concerns me too. An accurate, lightweight 7.62x39 would probably suit me better.

I probably won't wind up buying yet another rifle. Just cut that Olympic K9GL down a little, shave off some weight and shoot it another year. I bought 2K of that Winchester 9mm when it was on-sale at Garts. Lots of plinking potential there!

Mike

[michael_aos]

But you own a reloader... What does caliber matter?

A 308 will kick a lot more than a 243.

1:9" twist means no heavy match bullets.

I quick scan of .243 bullets @ MidwayUSA does reveal a few choices <$.10. Those 123gr Scenar were $.156 + shipping.

Maybe $.08 worth of Varget and Remington .243 brass....

gr qty each
Remington 100 2000 $0.067
Remington 100 1000 $0.068
Remington 100 500 $0.069
Remington 80 2000 $0.070
Remington 80 1000 $0.071
Remington 80 500 $0.073
Remington 100 100 $0.073
Winchester 80 2000 $0.076
Winchester 80 1000 $0.078
Winchester 80 500 $0.082
Remington 80 100 $0.084
Speer 70 5000 $0.085
Winchester 80 100 $0.086
Hornady 75 100 $0.094
Speer 70 750 $0.094
Remington 80 2000 $0.094
Speer 70 2000 $0.095
Speer 80 2000 $0.095
Remington 80 1000 $0.097
Speer 80 4300 $0.098
Remington 80 500 $0.100
Speer 100 3500 $0.100

[michael_aos]

I was thinking the Winchester Model 94 Timber Scout in 30 WCF, but I think the Frontier would suit me better.

http://www.winchesterguns.com/prodinfo/catalog/images/534119m.jpg

[Hoser]

Any of these bullets can be had for well under .15 each and will work in a 1 in 9 twist.
Nosler 95 gn Ballistic Tip. (My 6-284 loves them, coyotes dont)
Sierra 85 gn HPBT. (Killed a lot of prairie dogs with these way back when)
Hornady 87 V-Max. (Shoots great in my Tubb)

Add maybe .10 for powder and a primer and you are shooting for under .30 a shot.

Dont go crazy with the speed and resizing (neck size only for bolt guns) and you should get 6-10 reloads from your brass.

Good luck finding decent quality or match 308 ammo cheaper than that.

[michael_aos]

Good luck finding decent quality or match 308 ammo cheaper than that.

I don't know what kind of quality to expect, but the Lake City surplus / new Wolf .308 is around $.18/rd.

What do you think of this bolt-action Scout with a $250 fixed 2.5x forward-mounted scope in .243 as a general-purpose, do-it-all, target, beater, fun-gun? Thinking 0-300yds.

I've got the AR-10 and 700P for long-distance precision stuff, and that Olympic K9GL for 0-150yds.

Or I could just load up some 77's for my AR-15...

:o

[michael_aos]

Add maybe .10 for powder and a primer and you are shooting for under .30 a shot.

I can probably get to $.30 for my AR-10. Once-fired Lake City brass, 140gr Core-Lokt bullets.

But with the 43" OAL and 12.21lbs, it's not really "handy".

Mike

[michael_aos]

I bet if you take all that weaver rail, flashlight ninja stuff off your AR in 9x19, you could easily get it around 7 pounds.

I'm at 9.20lbs with the GG&G sling-thing, Magpul stock, Trijicon Accupoint, Armalite 1pc mount. PRI BUIS and cheap vertical forend. 8.02lbs without the scope (BUIS only).

It really is a SWEEEEEET shooter. Grace always complains that she "doesn't like shooting long-guns", but she's always grinning ear-to-ear after she empties a magazine.

Mike

[michael_aos]

This SDI SR-15 has 1/9" twist, so 69gr's should be ideal.

It weighs 6.67lbs with a Leupold 1.5-5x20mm and 6.96lbs with a Leupold 3-9x40mm.

The 1.5-5x20mm seems better suited, but at <4x, I can still see the fixed gas-block. No problem with the 3-9x, even at 3x.

33.75" OAL, and awfully "handy".

Maybe I don't really need another rifle...

:shock:

[Hoser]

This SDI SR-15 has 1/9" twist, ...

What the hell is an SDI SR-15? Pics?

[Marlin]

This SDI SR-15 has 1/9" twist, ...

What the hell is an SDI SR-15? Pics?


+1 on pics.

[michael_aos]

SS&S has the 2005 model (blue bbl) in .243 for $599.

Mike

[michael_aos]

I've thought a little more about the problem I'm trying to solve.

Lets say the premise is if you shoot more, you become a better shot.
And lets presume if it costs less to shoot, I'm able to shoot more.

I've got a "match" AR-15 (20" floated JP bbl, McCormick trigger, ACOG). Weighs 9.42lbs and 39.75" OAL. Over $2K spent. Shoots XM193 for practice and capable of utilizing "match" ammo.

I've got a "match" bolt-gun. Lilja bbl, trued action, HS precision detachable box magazine, Nightforce scope, badger rings & rail. Weighs 12.92lbs and 45" OAL. Over $3K spent. Shoots only "match" ($.50)handloads.

Each is purpose-built, and I think they're about perfect for their respective purpose.

Neither one seems quite "right" for camping, hiking, loaning to a friend, shooting rocks, prairie dogs, crows, random targets of opportunity.

So I think what I want is a general-purpose "practice" rifle shooting "practice" ammo. If these are "top fuel dragsters running nitro methane", then I'm thinking a "Ford Taurus" for the equivalent of daily driving.

But then they say "practice like you play", so then I'm right back where I started.

I've also got that AR-10 in .260, SDI 1/9" SR-15, and an 8lb Ruger K10/22T.

Mike

[michael_aos]

The Ruger Frontier is appealing for a few reasons...

.243 is right between .223 & .264.
Lightweight & short
Relatively inexpensive
Simple & unmodified or customized
Inexpensive 2.5x fixed scope

Downsides
Another purchase (I could shoot a lot of "match" ammo in an existing rifle for the cost of another whole setup).
No cheap factory ammo
Yet ANOTHER caliber to reload
Accuracy is unknown
"different" than either the "match" AR-15 or "match" bolt-gun[/b]

[Gman]

It's funny how these decisions kind of wander. I was looking for a Remington 7615 pump .223 that accepted standard AR mags. I wanted a cheap repeater for plinking and a bit more reach than my handguns. Then I priced a 7615 and it made more sense just to get the AR.

[michael_aos]

Hauled a ton of crap to the range today, and as suspected I didn't use 1/2 of it.

I think the "scout" concept with a 2.5x fixed-power scope isn't going to work for me. I set up an MGM "prairie dog" auto-popper at 300yds. I'd say about 6x was the minimum I needed just to tell what it was. I don't think I ever did even hit it at 6x. 9x was MUCH better.

So I think my "general purpose" rifle would have at least a fixed 6x scope, or something like 2.5-8x, 3-9x, 3.5-10x.

I'm still leaning toward 7-8lbs scoped and around 1m OAL is probably right.

Mike

[Gman]

I saw a guy with an AR setup that was pretty slick over at ARFCOM. It had a new 6x Leupold scope with a reflex that sticks up from the scope tube for short range targets. I had never seen one like that before.

http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=118&t=262306

[michael_aos]

Nosler 95 gn Ballistic Tip
Sierra 85 gn HPBT.
Hornady 87 V-Max


MidwayUSA prices, respectively:

$8.99/50
$13.99/100
$15.29/100

[SNAFU]

Well SHOT show had some Grendel uppers from DPMS and Sabre Defense,,under 600,,Wolf has brass non corrosive ammo,,26rd mags now availible,,reloading dies ,, brass availible,,6.5 range of bullets for reloading,,,all for a AR15 lower,,easy switch out,, see my post under other calibers

[michael_aos]

Psychologically, I tend to think a bolt-action rifle is more conducive to becoming a better marksman.

I hear that 6.5 Grendel calling me, but I'm going to try and resist and just buy a simple .243 Winchester.

http://www.remington.com/images/products/firearms/centerfire/lgsil_700lss.jpg