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.

[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.

[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...