Advice on $600 low budget long range rifle

[TwoNiner]

A buddy of mine wants to get into rifle shooting...but...the one caveat is he is really strapped for cash. He was originally going to get a cheap rack grade Mosin, however, being this is his first rifle (his only other firearm is a .22 pistol) and I've pretty much talked him out of it because anyone who has shot a Mosin prone knows it has way too much recoil to be comfortable for long shooting sessions, and its not conducive to optics. Anyways he wants to be able to shoot 300-700 yards at steel/paper. He doesn't care about hunting/terminal ballistics.

My first thoughts were the old go-to .308 or .243. I happen to have a bunch of .308 brass, along with primers and dies, so I can get him some quality match ammunition without too much expense. However, pertaining to the rifle, most of the budget .308s I've found have very cheap $2 molded hunting-profile plastic stocks that look like they will warp in heat (he will be shooting in the Mojave desert).

If you guys had a budget of $600 or less, what would you build/buy as your first long range rifle?

 

[rdinak]

Remington made a run of .308 and .243 heavy barrel rifles in laminated wood stocks. That would work nicely

 

[bogeybrown]

In that price range without customizing the rifle, might look at the Savage LE series with accu-trigger (if the choate stock isn't an obstacle). The Savage shooters swear by the "out of the box" accuracy and you can get some nice upgrades standard on some of the models like the tactical bolt knob, bull barrel, extra sling stud for bipod etc, and the accu-trigger is user adjustable and really pretty nice overall.

 

[Defusion]

I'd say anything heavy barreled with laminated stock as well.
Possibly even get something with a plastic stock, and get a take-off laminate stock or something like the boyd's tacticool ($100 or so).
You could always just see how it works out with the plastic stock before going for the laminate one. If it works well enough you could save the $100 for now, and go for something better.

However, is this with or without the budget for optics? Will he be borrowing a scope from you for the time being?

 

[TRTAC]

600 with scope or without?

 

[cast1]

Find a savage in .243 or 308 at a pawn shop for $200. Spend $188 on a choate ultimate varmint stock from midway. $200 bushnell elite tactical 10x40 mil dot scope. Get a criterion barrel somewhere on down the road.

 

[AKA-Spook]

......Howa

 

[fdkay]

Howa Targetmaster from Buds.

This is an incredible deal: rifle, one piece base, scope, bipod AND a 10 round DBM for 700 bucks.

Not a great scope, but serviceable, it will get him shooting with everything but ammo.
Howa Targetmaster Package 20" Hvy BBL 308 Black Hogue Stock $699.00 SHIPS FREE

 

[grayghost]

+1 on savage LE rifles, great accuracy with factory match ammo and even better with the right hand loads.

 

[Dick D]

Stevens 200 series or Howa 1500 series in .308 caliber. Prefer wood stock over the molded plastic one. Both great buys. Best optics he can afford.

 

[dieselgeek]

Find a savage in .243 or 308 at a pawn shop for $200. Spend $188 on a choate ultimate varmint stock from midway. $200 bushnell elite tactical 10x40 mil dot scope. Get a criterion barrel somewhere on down the road.

I don't think factory 243s come in the twist rate wanted for heavy projectiles.

 

[lash]

Wow, talk about coincidence...

I finished reading this thread and then saw this posted in the "for Sale" section (for $600):

http://www.snipershide.com/shooting...rmint-target-rifle-brand-new-zero-rounds.html

That there's your answer.

To be clear, I have no affiliation, nor do I even know the seller, I just saw this here for sale. Good luck with your hunt (so to speak).

Does not include scope.

 

[Myanmar Shave]

Thanks for the free plug! I shot F-T/R at 1000 yds with an identical rifle (different stock). This one was to be my backup rifle. I have since bought an AI-AE, so don't need them anymore.

 

[s002wjh]

howa usually around $450 so still has room for scope

 

[turbo54]

Howas are one of the most underrated rifles out there. They're excellent.

Hate to admit it, but the Japanese know a thing or two about quality.

I wouldn't hesitate to rock a Howa.

 

[shooter1054]

For an inexpensive rifle, the Thompson Center Venture is pretty good. I have one in 243 and the out of the box accuracy is good. Shot a 3/4" group at 200 yds with Winchester silver box 100 gn. soft points. I now regularly take it out to 600 yds. I could take it out to 1k if I had some different glass. (Nikon Prostaff 4-12x40) It's a hunting rifle for me that works part time as another long distance rig. The one downside to the T/C is the lack of aftermarket parts. If a 20 MOA base was available for it, 1k wouldn't be a problem even with the Prostaff.

T/C Venture $479
Nikon Prostaff 4-12x40 $169(got it on sale)
Rings $25
Caldwell bipod $35

Total $708

It's certianly not Tier 1 but it works well for what it is.

 

[Cobracutter]

Tikka T3 is without a doubt the best sub $1000 rifle you will find. All you need is optics. You can always updgrade it down the road..... and its light years past shitty remington quality.

 

[EasternNChunter]

Savage probably gives the best bang for your buck.

 

[BoilerUP]

Savage 10TR
Savage 11VT (Dick's Sporting Goods)
Savage 10T (Cabelas)
Savage 11 Hog Hunter
700 ADL Varmint

 

[Delta4-3]

It is physically impossible to get a better gun for the money than this. Mine shoots with my custom sticks. Quality wise it smokes a remmy or any other sub $1k gun for that matter...


Tikka Bolt-Action Varmint Rifle : Cabela's

 

[Delta4-3]

Tikka T3 is without a doubt the best sub $1000 rifle you will find. All you need is optics. You can always updgrade it down the road..... and its light years past shitty remington quality.

Probably the wisest quote ever posted on the Al Whores Internet.

 

[ranger1183]

Howa - Savage - Tikka. They are all great ways to start.

 

[surfr716]

savage model 10 fcp for a rifle under a grand cannot be beaten, by cz or anyone else. picked one up in 308 used for 600 cash and without doing anything but torquing the action screws and mounting some glass it outshoots every remington Ive ever owned or even shot. also easy to tailor a load for. id have thought i just got lucky but a friend of mine picked one up from dicks sporting goods recently and its damned nearly as good. those model 10s are just tack drivers, as are the 11 and 12s

 

[Cobracutter]

Yes it can... its called Tikka. Most of your post is banter.

Savages have shortfalls that dont lend themselves to heavy use, tacical rifles.

 

[Randoman5]

It's unfortunate that Tikka doesn't sell a T3 with a heavy barrel in the US anymore for less than $1000.

 

[Cobracutter]

It's unfortunate that Tikka doesn't sell a T3 with a heavy barrel in the US anymore for less than $1000.

Your right... it would dominate the market.

Tikka scout in .260 and 6.5C would sell like crazy here. Drop it into a WC3 chasis and for under 2K you have one hell of a rifle.

 

[BoilerUP]

Can ya'll imagine a 700 AAC-SD and SPS Varmint in 260 Rem with 1:8 barrels?

Yeah, me neither.

 

[Thecelt]

this is just what i was going to suggest as its a tremendous deal for that money. howa rifles are sub moa out of the box with good ammo which makes them more capable then many shooters, especially new shooters. as for the scope, it may not be a big name scope, but i decided to give one a try but i went with the nikko stirling targetmaster 5-20x50 and its actually a really good optic (at least im extremely happy with it with zero complaints). since there werent many reviews on them i decided i would risk my $ to give it a try, i was going to go with a millet lrs for a few more bucks but figured what the hell if it sucked then id sell it and then spend the money. at this point i have no reason to sell it as it does what i need it to.

Howa Targetmaster from Buds.

This is an incredible deal: rifle, one piece base, scope, bipod AND a 10 round DBM for 700 bucks.

Not a great scope, but serviceable, it will get him shooting with everything but ammo.
Howa Targetmaster Package 20" Hvy BBL 308 Black Hogue Stock $699.00 SHIPS FREE

 

[Beyschaefer]

I can recommend the Tikka as the best, smoothest action.
But the Savage still has more aftermarket goodies for it (but the T3 is catching up).
Both are excellent rifles that fit the budget.
No experience with the Howa, but that looks like a good deal to me.

 

[MosesTheTank]

My first recommendation is to hold out a little longer and save up a few more $. Mostly for better glass. If that is a no-go then I will cast my vote for the Howa. Go .308. Reflecting what another poster said, available twist rates for .243 won't support the longer cartridges needed to reach out there. If they were I would suggest taking a look at .223. Good luck and let us know how things shape up as there is always someone looking for an econo setup and his may help others decide.

 

[Downzero]

I would get a savage.

 

[Delta4-3]

Probably the wisest quote ever posted on the Al Whores Internet.

It's unfortunate that Tikka doesn't sell a T3 with a heavy barrel in the US anymore for less than $1000.

I just posted a link above for a heavy bbl tikka under $600 ( only $0.22 under, but who's counting?) or are you thinking of a heavier bbl yet? Dealer price on t3's is insane. Not sure how they are making money.

 

[Randoman5]

I just posted a link above for a heavy bbl tikka under $600 ( only $0.22 under, but who's counting?) or are you thinking of a heavier bbl yet? Dealer price on t3's is insane. Not sure how they are making money.

Where is this rifle?

 

[Petrov]

Look, if your buddy is strapped for cash have him look into 308 and not 243. 308 barrel lasts a long time compare to what I read (no personal experience). Simpler to find 308 components and dies too(used that is).

 

[Delta4-3]

Where is this rifle?

Cabela's. They are out of .308 but they are marked down ALOT. They are less than dealer. I wish I had some extra money, I'd buy two.

 

[Randoman5]

Cabela's. They are out of .308 but they are marked down ALOT. They are less than dealer. I wish I had some extra money, I'd buy two.

If they don't have .308 what do they have?

 

[Delta4-3]

If they don't have .308 what do they have?

Looks like they've just got .223 and .22-250 now. If the twist was fast enough on the 22-250 it would make an interesting 90g slinger.

 

[Bo Ployhar]

I would go with a remington 700 in 308, that way if he ends up liking to shoot he would have a good action to build on! Always nice to have the option incase you develop an obsession!

 

[gjantzer]

The Tikka T3 for $600 is a no brainer. Savage fans have a really hard time accepting the fact that there are much better rifles out there; and yes, even better values. In my opinion, those Savages make very nice front rests for a Tikka T3.

 

[BoilerUP]

The Tikka T3 for $600 is a no brainer. Savage fans have a really hard time accepting the fact that there are much better rifles out there; and yes, even better values.

That's true of just about any shooter who has "their" brand.

As a Savage guy, I'm well aware they aren't the only or best mousetrap though; to be honest, I've been in a LOT of gun shops across this entire country and the only place I've ever seen a Tikka was Shooters in Lafayette, LA. Never seen one in a Cabelas or Bass Pro...

 

[upjeeper]

First off i'd suggest .308, being a military round (technically 7.62 is) ammunition is plentiful

My typical suggestion would be to pick up a Stevens (same manuf as Savage with slightly lower quality stock / trigger) then go about replacing the trigger, the stock, and the barrel.
Recently I picked up a tricked out Mauser that needs some finishing for $500. I'm VERY happy with that, it's a beautiful piece and I can't wait to finish it (but like i said someone put a ton of money into it and lost interest). Your buddy may even find a Rem700 within his budget.

 

[earthquake]

Tag for a buddy that's in the same boat. Lots of good info here!

 

[gjantzer]

That's true of just about any shooter who has "their" brand.

I agree completely. Could you tell I am partial to Tikka? All of the guns mentioned are going to shoot very well with good ammo. Upgrades are pretty readily available for any of them so little is lost there. For me the decision came down to 2 things: 1) The Tikka has the smoothest operating bolts I think that you could possibly find from a factory rifle, and 2) Tikka offers a 1 MOA guarantee on all of their rifles. An incredibly smooth rifle with guaranteed accuracy? Yes please.