[CageFighter]

ok guys, im looking to buy a rifle for some benchrest shooting. not sure when the SSR is coming out or price, but was thinking about transfering another 17S to long range duty. long range to me is approx 300yds (local range) with eventual some trips to the 600yd markers (3+ hr drive) that has a 1k yard max. i would designate this rifle to a MI SSR rail extension, bipod, G trigger and a larger mag scope. i would be happy with hitting 8" round targets @ 300 & 12" at 600.

...or should I scrap this idea and just put together a bolt gun? all comments encouraged.

 

[Offroadie]

The SCAR is capable of your goals. 300yds is a picnic. 600yds is certainly atainable. I'm sure it will do 1000yds. (Though 800 is the most I've seen so far)

Besides… you end up with a better multi-purpose weapon than a bolt action can provide.

 

[DrToyHoarder]

I can hit a beer can at 300 yards, and Kam can hit an iphone at 400 with the 17. It's as accurate as my 16.5 in bolt action at range.

 

[dtrump]

My first time at any distance past 200 the 17 was ringing 12 inch steel at 600 and i am no bench shooter. This was in a bone stock configuration with a 200$ 4-12. If you were doing 1000 regularly id say wait for the ssr. But for 300-600 with an occasional 1k attempt, the 17 will do ya fine.

 

[KameronTKelly]

 

[DAWGfan1980]

I say if you want one do it... If you want a bolt gun... get one of those as well...

Found this vid...

 

[CageFighter]

thats some nice shooting in the videos!!

 

[fnfalman]

Get a bolt gun for benchrest shooting.

 

[reddot]

I'm setting my SCAR 17S up for the same purpose as the OP. Got the Geissele Super SCAR trigger, Vortex Viper PST FFP 4-16x50 with ADM Delta QD mount. Go for it!

 

[marko]

Others have posted better, but this is 100. I didn't stretch this load, but have gone under 1 moa at 300.

 

[CageFighter]

Others have posted better, but this is 100. I didn't stretch this load, but have gone under 1 moa at 300.

cant really ask for much better groups.

 

[samnev]

cant really ask for much better groups.

I agree, nice shooting.:?

 

[Dobe]

Must agree, great shooting.

 

[Gos]

I'd personally be concerned about change in POI as the barrel warms up (or cools off). The thinner barrel will change temperature more quickly than more-typical bull barrels on long range guns.

You can definitely lob .308 rounds to 1000 yds with a 16" pencil barrel, but I'm not sure I'd call it enjoyable. At/near sea level, you're going to have a lot of problems with stability at those distances.

 

[marko]

I'd personally be concerned about change in POI as the barrel warms up (or cools off). The thinner barrel will change temperature more quickly than more-typical bull barrels on long range guns. You can definitely lob .308 rounds to 1000 yds with a 16" pencil barrel, but I'm not sure I'd call it enjoyable. At/near sea level, you're going to have a lot of problems with stability at those distances.

That distance I don't know, but I'm amazed at how little the SCAR barrel moved as it heated. Those are back to back groups with about 2 minutes from start to finish, and there were 5 before to warm.

 

[fnfalman]

Everybody has a different idea for bench rest accuracy. To me bench rest accuracy begins at 1/2-MOA and lower.

 

[DAWGfan1980]

Obviously a 17 can't compete with a bolt gun at extreme distances but based on what he stated he wants to do... I think a 17 can easily handle even when the barrel heats up...

 

[marko]

As accuracy ebbed and flowed I was really thinking of a bolt gun for accuracy, but then I really thought about it and the reason I bought the 17 in the first place. I write this for the OP as the goal in mind should dictate your rifle and as fnfalman stated, what one has in mind for benchrest is different from others. I'll never compete and like the process more than the outcome, so this is more fun and fits my goals better (which is either nothing, or trying to make a battle rifle as accurate as I want). Not only could I run around blasting crap like a Rambo lunatic, I can sit on the bench and try to make smaller holes--like two guns fun in one. But as I started this near pointless musing, I pictured myself spending another 2k to make those holes even tighter, and thought, what for? Then I'd really be pissed if I couldn't shoot that group. For some that's just great, but usually you chase the Nth degree of anything, it becomes more work than fun.

 

[SONYtec]

Why not??? It holds it's own.

 

[OldRanger]

I shoot my 17 out to 600 yards and enjoy the challenge of it. If you truly want a benchrest gun tho, get a bolt gun. A guy at our range put 10 shots in a 1.6 inch group at 1000 yards. If you want that kind of accuracy you'll never get it out of a scar. Or any .308. But if you are happy just hitting a big steel plate (like I am) the scar is a fun gun. I have a geissele trigger and a vortex 6-18 on it and have a blast. The folks I'm shooting with look at me funny cause they all have custom bolt guns and consider my rapid firing to be too hillbilly for them. Personally I consider this a mid to longish range battle rifle and its great at that.