Best Bang for My Buck???

[seifere1]

Hey guys,

First post!!


Looking to either purchase or build a solid bolt gun for as good of a price as possible. In my little research I have been heavily considering Remington 700s, either a stock Long Range model or possibly picking up a blueprinted action to build off of(although not sure how cost effective this will be).

Mindset / Goals

1. Capable out to 1000yards (I primarily shoot steel at 600)
2. Good Cost / Performance Ratio (Im not spending 2k on a rifle unless you can REALLY justify it to me. Goal is 1000 or less)
3. Caliber Choice (Fairly capable but DEFINITELY available and reasonable to shoot, 30-06 is what I had in mind)


Obviously economy is very important to me, but Ill be willing to spend money if it is really worth it. Most of the time I'll be reaching out to about 600 yards, but id like the ability to step it up to 1000 when the opportunity arises(maybe a mile, but thats definitly another animal)


Still fairly new to all this so please give me your input whatever it may be!!


Thanks!

 

[Anchor Zero Six]

Tikka T3X CTR 24" in 6.5 Creed

 

[RampedRaptor]

Tikka is good yes. However, the true best bang for your buck comes from a savage action and a prefit barrel from northland shooter supply. Hands down the most performance for the buck. Do you reload OP? Either way I would recommend you revisit the cartridge choice

 

[Supersubes]

I'll second the tikka ctr. Ditch the 30-06. A creedmoor will be more comfy to shoot, cheaper to shoot, fit the most common detach mag better, and give up nothing in drop and drift inside 1k.

 

[Tucker301]

Another vote for the Tikka.

 

[Forward543]

Just shooting steel? Go 6.5cm, 6 cm, .243, or 260 rem. $1000 and under look at ruger rpr, tikka, savage. Tikka is most refined. Ruger and savage are workhorses.

 

[powdahound76]

I am a big tikka fan based on my experience of ownjng 2.
That said, the Bergara HMR in 6.5 creedmore has a 22" barrel, AICS compatible DBM, and a chassis block stock with studs, flushcups, and adjustable cheek that feels nice, and come with a pic rail installed They are just under 1k locally. They feel very smooth cycling the bolt and the trigger felt pretty usable. They are a 700 footprint so triggers and stocks/chassis are interchangable iirc.
Just something to consider. Those Tikkas flat shoot and are awesome rigs for sure.

 

[_Windrider_]

No experience with the Tikka for me, but I hear nothing but good things. I would also recommend a Ruger Precision in .308 for you. shoot the crap out of it and customize it to your liking. then when you grow tired of the .308, rebarrel it in any caliber compatible with the bolt. just my 2 cents, but there are definatley more choices now iin the factory production market. Tikka, Ruger, Bergara, Savage just to name a few.

 

[_Windrider_]

No experience with the Tikka for me, but I hear nothing but good things. I would also recommend a Ruger Precision in .308 for you. shoot the crap out of it and customize it to your liking. then when you grow tired of the .308, rebarrel it in any caliber compatible with the bolt. just my 2 cents, but there are definitely more choices now iin the factory production market. Tikka, Ruger, Bergara, Savage just to name a few.

 

[steve123]

The best bang for your buck is finding a slightly used rifle. Basically you save a third the price of new. Years ago I bought my full custom M700 for $1900 which must have been over $3000 for the previous owner to build. BTW I sold it for the same price but had added a few things to it.

It's about which cartridge blows the least amount in the wind. 6.5 Creed for the non reloader because of the availability of relatively inexpensive "match ammo"""

 

[remington patriot]

Tikka. I cannot in good faith recommend a Remington 700. Tikka is head and shoulders above it. I recommend the Tikka T3X CTR either in 6.5 CM or .308.

 

[dannySH]

Another vote for Tikka

 

[Anchor Zero Six]

Tikka is good yes. However, the true best bang for your buck comes from a savage action and a prefit barrel from northland shooter supply. Hands down the most performance for the buck. Do you reload OP? Either way I would recommend you revisit the cartridge choice

You can go the same route with a prefit and barrel nut system for Tikka from PVA.

Know they are good rifles with lots of aftermarket support but I have never been a Savage fan.

 

[RampedRaptor]

You can go the same route with a prefit and barrel nut system for Tikka from PVA.

Know they are good rifles with lots of aftermarket support but I have never been a Savage fan.

As far as I know the tikka prefits are significantly more than the savages and the rifles themselves are more expensive. I built two nice rifles off tikka actions so you don't have to twist my arm on recommending a Tikka. I knew many would comment in this thread about tikka but the op said budget and I always try to offer my honest best bang for the buck opinion.

You can buy a savage "stevens" for 200 bucks. Buy a prefit barrel for 300 and tools for like $30. Choate, Bell and carlson or similar and you have a great shooter in the caliber you want for under 1k with an adjustable/aluminum bedded stock.

Tikka is no doubt nicer even though the accu trigger can be tuned lighter on the savage. If tikka made a rifle in the cartridge and specs that the OP wanted then it would be very hard not to go with the tikka. Going the savage route gives you a little more room for cartridge and stock options but with a not so sexy action.

Either way, they'll both get you to 1000 yards for under 1000 dollars.

 

[Anchor Zero Six]

Thought we talked him out of 30-06 lol.

My approach is get CTR shoot out barrel then replace vs starting out with a new barrel was my thought process. Love the current trend in user replaceable barrels although its a benefit Savage owners have known for years.

 

[IanHusaberg]

Tikka T3X CTR 24" in 6.5 Creed

This is the smartest move for the Money$$$$$$$$$.

 

[Delicatessen]

Yeah tikka ctr or tac or bergara is probably best if you go 6.5. Savages are fine too just personal preference leans towards the others for me.

 

[...]

if youre planning on ringing steel at 600....honestly any of the big names will be perfectly fine....Tikka, Savage, Remington......

Tikka is probably the most refined out of the box.

Savage is probably the easiest to work on and upgrade yourself

Remington has the most aftermarket parts and accessories available


personally im a fan of Remington actions......but theyll all suit you well.

if you are planning on solely ringing steel inside of 1K.....i would recommend against 30-06.....and would recommend a short action caliber, either 308 or 6.5.......whatever tickles your fancy.

not only will they be cheaper to shoot, but youll have a better selection of factory ammo over 30-06.....and it will also be easier on the steel.

if it were me, i would probably look for a Remington 5R barreled action in 308, and drop that into a Greyboe stock......this will leave you with a bit of cash left over for some odds and ends like a quality trigger and scope base..

 

[NewsShooter]

Tikka is good yes. However, the true best bang for your buck comes from a savage action and a prefit barrel from northland shooter supply. Hands down the most performance for the buck. Do you reload OP? Either way I would recommend you revisit the cartridge choice

Or just get a Savage LRP in 6.5CM, mine has over 2K rounds through it and it still shoots as good or better than my custom rifle.

 

[quickdraw]

RPR IN 6.5CM.Bolt on a scope and start shooting. Around $1,100 and readily available.

 

[Ayoung1]

Tikka without a doubt, the ctr is the best bang for the buck right now.

 

[seifere1]

OK you all have sufficiently justified 6.5 to me as a caliber choice... I will be reloading though i like the idea of having the option of ammo being available to purchase when I need it, thats part of why I had originally thought of 30-06... its a caliber ive heard of for years and should be readily available.

The outpouring of Tikka love is impressive, I must say, but what about the RPR? Everything I see about them is positive and they seem to be hovering just over the price point I was thinking.. if its worth the money then I may make that step.. thoughts? Worth the price increase?

 

[CharlieNC]

PTG should still have Rem actions they have trued and installed their bolts for less than $400 including trigger. The barrel threads are only chased such that you can use a prefit barrel from CBI; including barrel nut and recoil lug under $400. The stock is a very personal choice, and for the money I really like the Choate Tactical; including CDI bottom metal for around $400. If you like a chassis style there are options but I am not as familiar with these. So for a nominal $1200 you can get a very accurate rig which you can continue to customize over time with the abundance of parts for the Rem platform. I also own Tikka and Savage which shoot well, but this is my preference these days to get the best bang for your buck plus unless you are a top tier shooter the accuracy is tough to beat.

 

[Greg Langelius *]

I know nothing of substance about the Tikka, except that not many folks were talking about them until the last few years. Looking at actual Remington 700's, every one of thoss I have personally encountered in the 21st century has had quality control issues that affect performance. (E.g. off center chambers, bad crowns from the factory, police tactical rifles with barrels skewed so far sideways that they contact the barrel channel, etc.) The Ruger RPR is new, has many features that appeal from a marketing standpoint, but when it comes on down to performance, a Savage 11VT listing at $599 including a mildly interesting scope will generally perform with or better than the RPR.

The Savage is the reigning switch barrel platform. Period. It has a solid reputation for out of the box accuracy. It's affordable. It has a user adjustable trigger. The floating bolt head aids accuracy and can be replaced if (unlikely) a cartridge base diameter change is desired. It is factory pillar bedded or better (Accustock bedding system). I would go on, but this is the basic common denominator among a whole bunch of Savage product lines.

Every other manufacturer is copying them and straining to catch up to their lead. But Savage's rifles already do what they'd like theirs to do, and have been doing so for well over the past decade.

My bottom line, we here at SH chose the Savage action and the .260 Remington for our own first project rifle way back in 2001. I still shoot mine, although it has been periodically converted to .30BR, .308, and now back to .260, but with a better, longer 28" barrel. It has served me for several seasons of 1000yd F Open competition. I know conclusively that when I need a hit, it will deliver it.

I will push the 11VT, I shot my .223 in the Berger SW LR Nationals this past February as an MR (600yd) F T/R entry. All I did was add a bipod, switch to a more effective scope, and adjust the trigger. I shot my own handload. I recommend the 11VT here at least once a week. For you, I'd suggest the .308 as an initial choice. I have the .308 and the .223, and will soon purchase a third for service with a drop-in .260 barrel for F Open. The .223 serves as a trainer and an F T/R MR comp gun. The .308 can serve as a 1000yd F T/R gun. Including a bipod and an 8-32x44 scope, the package rounds out at about $1000 per rifle.

I see nothing here but positives.

Greg.

 

[Sendit6.5]

I know nothing of substance about the Tikka, except that not many folks were talking about them until the last few years. Looking at actual Remington 700's, every one of thoss I have personally encountered in the 21st century has had quality control issues that affect performance. (E.g. off center chambers, bad crowns from the factory, police tactical rifles with barrels skewed so far sideways that they contact the barrel channel, etc.) The Ruger RPR is new, has many features that appeal from a marketing standpoint, but when it comes on down to performance, a Savage 11VT listing at $599 including a mildly interesting scope will generally perform with or better than the RPR.

The Savage is the reigning switch barrel platform. Period. It has a solid reputation for out of the box accuracy. It's affordable. It has a user adjustable trigger. The floating bolt head aids accuracy and can be replaced if (unlikely) a cartridge base diameter change is desired. It is factory pillar bedded or better (Accustock bedding system). I would go on, but this is the basic common denominator among a whole bunch of Savage product lines.

Every other manufacturer is copying them and straining to catch up to their lead. But Savage's rifles already do what they'd like theirs to do, and have been doing so for well over the past decade.

My bottom line, we here at SH chose the Savage action and the .260 Remington for our own first project rifle way back in 2001. I still shoot mine, although it has been periodically converted to .30BR, .308, and now back to .260, but with a better, longer 28" barrel. It has served me for several seasons of 1000yd F Open competition. I know conclusively that when I need a hit, it will deliver it.

I will push the 11VT, I shot my .223 in the Berger SW LR Nationals this past February as an MR (600yd) F T/R entry. All I did was add a bipod, switch to a more effective scope, and adjust the trigger. I shot my own handload. I recommend the 11VT here at least once a week. For you, I'd suggest the .308 as an initial choice. I have the .308 and the .223, and will soon purchase a third for service with a drop-in .260 barrel for F Open. The .223 serves as a trainer and an F T/R MR comp gun. The .308 can serve as a 1000yd F T/R gun. Including a bipod and an 8-32x44 scope, the package rounds out at about $1000 per rifle.

I see nothing here but positives.

Greg.

^^THIS^^ is some great advice!

I'm a 6.5 fanboy but I'd like to know more about the intended use of this rifle. Targets or hunting or both? The OP went from every distance out to a mile. As much as I absolutely love my Creedmoors and .260s, the further out I go and the bigger the animal I shoot, the more I prefer the heavies my .30s can shoot - particularly my 300wm. Lots of solid advice in this thread but I'd like to hear more about specifics about intended uses.

As for brands, I do like Savage and Tikka - I own both - but I really like Christensen Arms' rifles. As close as you can get to a custom rifle without being custom. Especially the Ridgeline series with carbon wrapped barrel and carbon fiber stock and sub moa guarantee that normally ends up being well sub 1/2moa with handloads. The Mesa line is only $1200.

"Bang for your buck" That's a term that's very subjective, as this thread illustrates. Some people feel that term is defined by the user being able to swap barrels and gunsmith DIY style. Others, like me, define it as getting the best shooting rifle WITHOUT having to do a damn thing to the rifle. Depends on how the OP defines "best bang." I'd like to hear more from him about that and the intended use. Otherwise, it's just another thread full of 'this is what I shoot and it'd be perfect for you' threads, lol!


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[Wrong hander .243]

I bought a 700 sps doing the same thing, I ended up changing everything . I 2nd buying a ptg ordering a heavy barrel and building one. Way bettereven thoug it might take more time to do but you will be more happy in the end. I would build a .260 or 6.5 cred. Just because I got overwhelmed reloading and learn how to shoot long range. Good luck it's addicting

 

[BoilerUP]

There's a reason why the CTR, HMR and RPR have been recommended so many times. For OP's uses I doubt he could go wrong with any choice but if I were spending my money and had all three rifles in front of me, I'd probably lean toward HMR for overall value.

I also like the recommendation for 6.5 Creedmoor - more and more manufacturers are making match ammo and components and prices are still reasonable - hardest part these days is finding H4350 or IMR4451 powder due to Creedmoor's exponential popularity rise.

 

[spaniel]

I've shot a RPR, it would be as fine an option as any of the other factory offerings if you like the ergonomics.

If you like the Remington setup, you can also do a barrel nut setup on a donor action with a McGowen barrel just like a savage. Just locating the recoil lug requires a cheap tool. If you have basic skills you can screw together any of the barrel nut setups, bed it into the stock of your choice, and have the pride of having built it all yourself. I did built one custom but will not do another, it doesn't shoot any better than the ones I assemble myself.

 

[rookie7]

I'm going to be the odd man out and say a Remington 700 Magpul rifle in .260 is the best bang for your buck. The rifle can be found for as cheap as $850 online. Remington has a $150 rebate on the rifle right now. That puts you at $700 in it. Despite all the testimonies of bad quality from Remington the handful of reviews on this new rifle have been positive. Are you a gambling man?

 

[Triggered]

When I started out I knew I wanted to stick with .308 and was mostly looking at either a 700 or a Sako A7 (so basically a Tikka) when it came time to actually pick a rifle.

Very very happy I went with the Sako over the 700 out of the gate as I think the quality was much nicer and couldn't raise a single complaint about that rifle besides the magazine size of 3+1.

So as everyone has made rather clear, the Tikka would be a smart, affordable choice.

I would stay away from the 30-06 idea if you're only banging steel for the most part; since 6.5 Creed has taken off commercially in the last few years, that is a great round with tons of performance and is supported through manufacturers now.

 

[Triggered]

Follow up on that.... ^

Not sure if the Tikkas come with adjustable triggers, but my A7 did and it was a nice single stage.

If you're absolutely set on a 30 cal though, at least go .308 and save yourself some hassle.