![]() We recorded velocities using a ProChrono digital chronograph set 15 feet from the muzzle. To collect accuracy data, we fired five-shot groups from a bench using a bipod. Range Data Federal Premium Gold Match 190-gr. The match-style loads were Hornady Match 178-grain ELD Polymer Tip Boat Tail bullets and Federal Premium Sierra MatchKing 190-grain Boat Tail Hollow Points. The hunting ammunition types we chose included Federal Premium 200-grain Edge TLR Polymer Tipped Bonded Boat Tails and Federal Ammunition Non-Typical Whitetail 180-grain Soft Points. With specialized long-range equipment, you need ammunition up to the task. We could also see black bullet holes in black bullseyes easily. We used it with and without a tripod and could count the mirage waves floating out at 200 yards on a 95-degree day in North Carolina. We liked this spotter, though we would have liked the magnification rings to turn a bit easier. This spotter is straight and offered plenty of focus adjustment, clarity, and an eyepiece for the user with eye glasses. This is a one-piece spotter without a separate eyepiece. To check our work shot to shot, we used a Bushnell Tactical LMSS 8-40x 60mm spotting scope ($1300 from ). We found the Bobro could take the pounding and recoil of the 300 Win. We used this scope-mount set up on the Steyr first then placed it on the Barrett and were able to get zeroed with three rounds. Also, because we did not have a lot of Picatinny rail on the Steyr, it worked well on that rifle. We liked this mount a lot and have used it previously on AR rifles, and because the Barrett has a straight stock comb, it provided the correct eye height. This mount is designed to fit to any Picatinny rail. The Bobro Engineering Precision Optic Mount, Close Gap Ring with single lever QD mount was used with the Leapers scope. We were pleased at the performance of both scopes. In our opinion, the reticles and magnification ranges were suitable for long-range work, well over the yardage found at most public shooting ranges. The Bushnell needs to be dial to 16x, the highest magnification, and the Leapers needs to be dialed to 10x. Both scopes featured a second-focal-plane reticle, so the magnification needs to be set on a specific magnification for the reticle to be used in range estimation. It featured a mil-dot reticle with a bubble leveler, letting the user know if the rifle is canted, which could affect the shot. A black reticle can be more difficult to aim on a black target. The Leapers UTG Accushot 4-16x56mm performed similarly to the Bushnell but offered an illuminated reticle in either red or green, which some testers liked. Since the Weaver set up used separate rings, we were able to ensure the Bushnell was well attached to the Picatinny rail of the Savage. The Weaver rings are also a low-cost option that easily dealt with the recoil of the 300 Win. The magnification had just the right resistance so we could be on target and adjust magnification by feel, but not have to move out of position to make the optical changes we wanted. The eyepiece was also easy to adjust and allowed different testers to dial in sharpness for their individual eyes. We also liked the parallax adjustment, which we feel is a requirement for long-range shooting. The locking turrets were easy to use and require no tools to adjust windage and elevation. We felt this scope offered clarity and sharpness. The Engage scope uses what Bushnell calls a Deploy MOA reticle. The second was a Leapers UTG Accushot 4-16x56mm scope ($245) with a Bobro 1-Piece QD mount ($235). The first was a Bushnell Engage 4-16x44mm ($399) with Weaver Tactical Skeleton rings ($35). ![]() We went to to fit the rifles with two affordable variable-power scopes and mounts. What separated the low-cost 110 BA Stealth from the premium-priced Barrett and Steyr were features that made the premium rifles easier to shoot or were more adaptive to the user’s needs. Spoiler: We shot the smallest group with the Savage. All rifles grouped sub minute of angle, requiring us to measure to two decimal places, or hundredths of an inch, to determine the top gun in accuracy. ![]() After the dust had settled, we determined the cost of the rifle did not make much difference in its accuracy performance. We recently looked at three precision rifles in the big-boy cartridge of 300 Winchester Magnum to see what hit our wallets had to take to get in on the fun of precision rifle shooting.Īt the low end of the price range, we tested a Savage 110 BA Stealth ($1484) and two that were nearly four times the cost, a Steyr SSG 08 ($3353) and Barrett MRAD ($6000). Rifles set up for long-range precision shooting are specialized instruments with features that allow the user to consistency wring out accuracy at or beyond 1000 yards.
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