$600 Rifle Budget (What To Buy)

[Kwfranklin88]

I’m looking at getting my first long range rifle. I can’t decide which path to take. I want to keep things as cheap as possible.
I’m debating on:

1. Howa barreled action with krg bravo

2. Remington 700 sps with krg bravo

3. Savage 110 tactical use factory stock

4. Get a tikka ctr and use factory stock (May have to sleep in the dog house for awhile)

I want to get the savage and save money but I know if I enjoy prs I will never be happy with it. I will basically be paying $600 for nothing. If I get the Remington or Howa I’ll end up spending more on upgrades than the tikka cost. If I get the tikka I’ll never need to upgrade other than stock and barrel. I’ll just be doing this for a fun hobby. Is the tikka ctr stock ok to use for prs?

What would you do in this situation? My wife really doesn’t want me to buy the tikka. She thinks all guns are the same. I hate to buy the tikka in case I don’t enjoy prs. That’s a lot of money to try something out.

 

[PBWalsh]

Not much to upgrade with the Howa either. Prefits are available for all. Howas also come with a 2 stage trigger if you like those, along with a three position safety, and an integral recoil lug.

If your heart is set on a Tikka, consider saving another month and get some hard budgeting. Don’t eat out, don’t buy coffee, etc. It’ll add up and allow you to get what you want. Also check the PX and some vendors have “demo” rifles for cheaper.

 

[Kwfranklin88]

Not much to upgrade with the Howa either. Prefits are available for all. Howas also come with a 2 stage trigger if you like those, along with a three position safety, and an integral recoil lug.

If your heart is set on a Tikka, consider saving another month and get some hard budgeting. Don’t eat out, don’t buy coffee, etc. It’ll add up and allow you to get what you want. Also check the PX and some vendors have “demo” rifles for cheaper.

I can afford the tikka I just don’t want to regret buying a $1k rifle that I don’t use much. If I end up not liking prs. So you think the Howas are good to go with a decent stock? I always thought they were equivalent to a Remington 700.

 

[Big Bo]

Ruger

 

[PBWalsh]

I can afford the tikka I just don’t want to regret buying a $1k rifle that I don’t use much. If I end up not liking prs. So you think the Howas are good to go with a decent stock? I always thought they were equivalent to a Remington 700.

I am going off of reputation and initial feature set. My only experience with Tikkas or Howas are dry firing both actions in store. The 700, in general, will be a tad rougher. Neither of the three will hold you back.

Bright side is if PRS ain’t your thing, you can always sell it here or else where and recoup a good bit of your money.

 

[waspocrew]

The CTR is a great rifle. My brother’s 24” stainless 6.5 CM shoots lights out with the factory stock and factory ammo.
I don’t think you’ll regret it.

Do you have access to another rifle to try a PRS match out first?

 

[Kwfranklin88]

Ruger

I was thinking Ruger also. I forgot to add that.

 

[spife7980]

I was thinking Ruger also. I forgot to add that.

I think it’s worth saving an extra month and getting one of these for the heavier barrel and better stock. Hopefully a bit more upfront leaves you wanting to upgrade more in the future.

Ruger American® Rifle Hunter

ruger.com

RUGER AM RFL HNTR 6.5CR Flat Dark Earth 5RD

Features: Free Floating Barrel, Scope Rail;Rifling: 1-8 RH, Marksman Adjustable Trigger

www.budsgunshop.com

 

[Kwfranklin88]

The CTR is a great rifle. My brother’s 24” stainless 6.5 CM shoots lights out with the factory stock and factory ammo.
I don’t think you’ll regret it.

Do you have access to another rifle to try a PRS match out first?

I do not. I know I will like prs. I don’t know if I will have time to compete regularly.

 

[stello1001]

How would you have to upgrade the Howa?

I have one that shoots lights out and it's all in its factory configuration. I believe there are some that come in a Hogue stock. If those Hogue stocks come with bedding pillars, the action should have a decent mate to the stock. It's not the best stock ever but it will work and it will get you shooting.

 

[3-0-hate]

Practice can be just as fun as actual competition btw.

I do not. I know I will like prs. I don’t know if I will have time to compete regularly.

 

[b6graham]

save and wait for the ultimatum defacto barreled action and throw it in a KRG Bravo

i'm afraid to ask about your budet for a $300 atlas, $70 mags x 2, $200 rings on a $800-$1500 scope

 

[3-0-hate]

My suggestion was the Howa in a KRG Bravo. I dont have one, but I have some experience with Howas and they have always impressed me. The Japanese really know how to build a rifle and rifle barrels. My Browning X-Bolt is a tack driver and its made in Japan.

I still think that a Howa in a KRG is probably as good of a value/performer as the Tikka CTR.

Last on my list for a PRS rig would be a tie between the Savage and the Ruger American Predator (I have one and in a chassis, they never seem to feed great from an AICS pattern mag)

How would you have to upgrade the Howa?

I have one that shoots lights out and it's all in its factory configuration. I believe there are some that come in a Hogue stock. If those Hogue stocks come with bedding pillars, the action should have a decent mate to the stock. It's not the best stock ever but it will work and it will get you shooting.

 

[Kwfranklin88]

How would you have to upgrade the Howa?

I have one that shoots lights out and it's all in its factory configuration. I believe there are some that come in a Hogue stock. If those Hogue stocks come with bedding pillars, the action should have a decent mate to the stock. It's not the best stock ever but it will work and it will get you shooting.

I assumed they were equivalent to a Remington 700. I’ve never handled a howa. I’m glad to hear that though. I’m thinking about getting the barreled action and putting it in a krg bravo.

 

[Kwfranklin88]

W

save and wait for the ultimatum defacto barreled action and throw it in a KRG Bravo

i'm afraid to ask about your budet for a $300 atlas, $70 mags x 2, $200 rings on a $800-$1500 scope

hen is that coming out?

 

[stello1001]

I assumed they were equivalent to a Remington 700. I’ve never handled a howa. I’m glad to hear that though. I’m thinking about getting the barreled action and putting it in a krg bravo.

Totally different level. Howa barrels pretty much shoot like match grade barrels and are just as accurate as benchmark, bartlein, Pac nor, and all those high end barrels. I really don't think you will be disappointed.


This is @700 with factory ammo.

This is @500, I had a flier

 

[Flatwater77]

Another vote for the Howa.

 

[Kwfranklin88]

Totally different level. Howa barrels pretty much shoot like match grade barrels and are just as accurate as benchmark, bartlein, Pac nor, and all those high end barrels. I really don't think you will be disappointed.


This is @700 with factory ammo.
View attachment 7234575



This is @500, I had a flier

View attachment 7234577

Awesome thanks! Is it the howa 1500 barreled action?

 

[Gobears16]

Save up for the tikka ctr... my 6.5 CTR shoots the Hornady American gunner factory ammo .5 moa alllll day out to 800. The only upgrade I’ve done is trigger spring and put it into a bravo stock but the factory is just as good. I shot the same group size in factory and bravo set ups. I saved the factory stock for when I take it hunting.

I’ve shot Howa’ sand they are nice factory rifles. But the smoothness of the action makes it worth the extra money in my opinion.

 

[stello1001]

Awesome thanks! Is it the howa 1500 barreled action?

Yes it is. Mine is a 6.5 creedmoor. Buy whatever cartridge you want, all Howa 1500 rifles will be just as good. Buy the barelled action and put in a bravo or stock/chassis of your choice.
It's going to work really good for and even allow you to stay within budget.

 

[sierra2]

I have a Howa .308 barreled action that I dropped into an XLR Element Gen 2, and it shoots lights out with FGMM 175s and almost as good with the 168s. That being said, I have read of problems getting consistent tight groups with the Howa in 6mm Creedmoor.

 

[stello1001]

I have a Howa .308 barreled action that I dropped into an XLR Element Gen 2, and it shoots lights out with FGMM 175s and almost as good with the 168s. That being said, I have read of problems getting consistent tight groups with the Howa in 6mm Creedmoor.

Care to share or cite sources on those problems?

 

[Codiekfx400]

I am going to recommend the Tikka CTR in 6.5 Creedmoor. I have had 3 Howas and none of them shot worth a damn. Get the Tikka and try to get your wife involved with some shooting maybe she will enjoy it with you.

 

[Kwfranklin88]

I am going to recommend the Tikka CTR in 6.5 Creedmoor. I have had 3 Howas and none of them shot worth a damn. Get the Tikka and try to get your wife involved with some shooting maybe she will enjoy it with you.

What issues did you have with the howas? Was it just grouping?

 

[Codiekfx400]

Yes I had a 308, 22-250, and a 204 Ruger and none of them shot better than 1 Moa consistently.

 

[gopherslayer]

Yes I had a 308, 22-250, and a 204 Ruger and none of them shot better than 1 Moa consistently.

Mine is opposite of yours. Everything under 1 moa. 7RM, 243, 308, 30-06. Wish I still had the 7RM.

 

[sierra2]

Care to share or cite sources on those problems?

The guys on The Gun Collective and Gavin on Ultimate Reloader all had issues getting consistent right grouping, and the suspicion was a long jump to the lands. Trying to think of one other review that I read, but it’s not coming to me at the moment. Again, I’m extremely impressed with my .308, and I’ve got another Howa action (sporter barrel) that I plan to rebarrel soon. I’ve read great things about their 6.5 CM. Maybe others have had better luck with the 6mm.

 

[UNKBOLTGUNGUY]

I can say that I do not have any experience with the others you’ve listed, however, I currently am running a Remington 700 sps tactical in a magpul hunter stock and have had good luck with it. It shoots sub minute at 100 yards with federal gold medal match and have shot sub half minute groups with my hand loads.

 

[UNKBOLTGUNGUY]

This is a five shot group I shot, the flyer is the cold bore shot, the other 4 shots in the same hole at 100 yards. This was shot with a Remington 700 bone stock barreled action, in a magpul hunter stock with handloads.

 

[Gobears16]

I’ve already posted my thoughts on going with the tikka ctr 6.5. I just found a picture of the first two groups down the pipe, and figured I should post them up. I believe these are the norm not the expection with these rifles... this with American Gunner factory ammo!!