Budget mid range target rifle

[Ruskiquas]

A few weeks ago I got a chance to shoot someone's $6000 precision long range rifle, (my first time shooting a bolt action) and got 0.9 to 1.25 inch groups at 100 yards with bipod and sandbag (bench). Now I want to put together my own, but on a much lower budget ($2000 or less). A $6k rifle probably gets around 0.25moa, I would be happy with 0.75 to 1.0 as I doubt I will any better then that for a long time. Since this is my first rifle input would be highly appreciated I am going for a mid-range (800 yards or below).

Do stores like Dick's, BassPro, or Cabela sell assembled bolt-action uppers from Remington or Savage without the stocks if you want to pick out your own stock? Can you order the uppers from the manufacturer and have them shipped to a local gun store? Here is what I am thinking:

>> .308 Remington 700 SPS Tactical upper (20' heavy barrel, not as long range as a 26' but more rigid, should be pretty accurate). How much would something like this go for if the fully assembled rifle with basic stock is ~$750?

>> Bell & Carlson Tactical Medalist Style 4 Series 1000 stock (I have read good things about this, it is rigid (no issues with free-floating even when firing off a bipod), and easy to install a Remington 700 upper. Is about $250.

I think that should give me about 0.75 to 1.0 MOA depending on luck.

>> Nikon Monarch III scope (6-24x) , it only has 20MOA adjustment which will be an issue if I ever shoot past ~700 yards, but overall it seems to be well reviewed. $680.

>> Harris Bipod (swivels). $108

>> sand bag (not sure what brand, hopefully picking out a bag of sand won't be too complicated )

>> I am not sure what kind of scope mounting system to get. What brand/model would match the rest of the rifle components in terms of quality?


Are these good parts, will I get the rifle I want?

Thanks for your input!

 

[sierracharlie338]

Budget mid range target rifle

Bro spend the money on a Manners or McMillan stock. Stock is a very important part of a precision rifle. You can find them on here reasonably cheaper than buying brand new.

In all honesty if I were you. I would go buy a Rem 700 SPS varmint and learn to shoot it. So you can spend more money upfront on glass (leupold or Vortex Viper) then later on when you have some experience shooting a bolt gun start customizing!

Good luck hope this helps.








Sierracharlie out....

 

[BoilerUP]

I think by "upper", you mean barreled action.

I think a 20" SPS Varmint or AAC-SD dropped into a Bell & Carlson M40 Medalist would suit you just fine. They aren't an HTG or MCS-T but they are a very good value.

I'd opt for a different optic, especially for your listed budget...that Nikon doesn't have NEARLY enough elevation. Personally, the new Viper HS-T 4-16x44 would be high on my list, along with the SWFA SS 3-15x42 and the Weaver 3-15x50 EMDR and the Bushnell Elite 3-12x44 G2DMR. I used to like high magnification too; went from a Monarch 5-20x to a Bushnell 4200 8-32x to a Bushnell 4200 Tactical 6-24x and now am very happy shooting 5-15x scopes. I'm also *big* fan of the Weaver GS Tactical 3-10x40 mil/mil offered by Midway; its great at $300 and I've shot my two to 900yd. At the price point they are clear, bright, and track VERY well.

Get a Harris S-BRM and a decent 20MOA base and set of low rings to fit your optic and go shoot!

 

[s002wjh]

these should be gtg

Sniper Central - Howa 1500 Entry Package
Rifles and Rifle Accessories | Red Hawk Rifles
Sniper Central - Remington 700 Entry Package

 

[565fitter]

like said above Remington varmint. or what I did. go to walmart get you a .243 adl for $419 then get a manners stock. t4a new was $740(I think) then get the vortex pst ffp $899. that's shy of $2100. pull the scope and rings that came on the gun and sell them on ebay to make up for the $70 over budget. then save your pennies and get in on the longrifle group buy and buy you a barrel.

start practicing until your name gets called then send it in.

 

[tt66]

I ordered a rifle from Russell at Scout Supply Co. I ordered a SPS Tactical Stage 2. I replaced the factory Hogue stock with a Bell and Carlson light tactical and I could not be happier. Russell is a super guy to deal with as well.

SPS Tactical Stage 1 | Scout Supply CompanyScout Supply Company

 

[Danco411]

Read this thread.

http://www.snipershide.com/shooting...ing-buy-build-500-yard-bolt-action-rifle.html

Savage is the budget build King.

 

[Archer762]

I'm not seeing where that nikon scope only has 20moa of travel. I have the 4-16x42 and it has 40moa of travel + I use a 20moa base. That gives me more than enough for 7mm RM out to 1500yds.

 

[Sinus211]

Maybe grab one of these: Howa Targetmaster Package 20" Hvy BBL 308 Green Hogue Stock $699.00 SHIPS FREE

Sell off the scope/rings/bipod/stock and upgrade to quality components. Gives you a 10rd DBM, adjustable trigger, hbar .308 for much less than you'd pay for a Rem700.

The Howa 1500/Vanguard action is about the second or third most common action behind the Rem700's and parts/stocks are plentiful.

Just a thought, good luck with your shopping!

 

[bunsen27]

Savage 12 LRP =$900 at grab a gun
Vortex PST = $950 (shopping around could yield lower price)
Vortex precision rings (made by Seekins) = $120
Harris 6-9" swivel bipod w/notched leg = $95 at Amazon

I exceeded your budget by $65.

The 12 LRP comes in a HS Precision stock and has the Savage detachable bottom metal. It also should come with an EGW rail. Granted it is not factory available in .308 Win, but you can swap a large shank replacement barrel on if you must have .308 Win. Jim at Northland Shooter Supply can help you with the barrel. 6.5 Creedmoor or .260Rem will serve you well for target or tactical precision type matches and if you don't reload SW Ammo or Copper Creek both have match ammo available. Add another $100 for a Darke Eagle Customs 10 round mag and you have a turn-key match rifle. Down the road you can always upgrade the barrel and stock as your needs/wants/budget allow.

 

[armorpl8chikn]

I have a full on custom Savage I will sell you, 223 caliber. It is .5 capable and better. I have over $1600 invested in the gun, can't give a Savage away.

 

[pawprint2]

I'm not seeing where that nikon scope only has 20moa of travel. I have the 4-16x42 and it has 40moa of travel + I use a 20moa base. That gives me more than enough for 7mm RM out to 1500yds.

I believe you are 100% right on- in fact I pulled this from their web site:




Specifications

Magnification

4-16x

Objective Diameter
42mm

Exit Pupil
2.6-10.5mm


Field of View
6.3-25.2 ft @ 100 yds


Tube Diameter - Other
1 in


Eye Relief
4in


Objective Outside Diameter
49.3mm


Eyepiece Outside Diameter
44mm


Weight
19 oz


Overall Length
13.5 in


Adjustment Graduation - Other
1/4 in


Max Internal Adjustment *************************************
40 MOA


Parallax Setting - Other
50 yds - ∞


Side Focus
Yes


Waterproof/Fogproof
Yes


Spot On Custom Turret
Yes


Parallax Adjustment
Yes


Matte Finish
Yes


Use

Centerfire Short/Mid Range
Centerfire Long Range

Reticle

Mildot

Supplied Accessories

Flip-Up Scope Covers
Micro-Fiber Cleaning Cloth

 

[bradthemarine]

I'm a big fan of starting with the SPS Tactical or Varmint with the Bell and Carlson M40 style (BCS1000) stock and going from there. You should be able to put this together for $850-900 and that leaves you at least $1100 to spend on a scope and rings. IMHO, I'd save money on the stock and spend as much as you can within your budget on the scope. If you so desire, stocks are easy to upgrade down the line.

As far as scopes go, I'd definitely go with something that has "tactical" style dials as these will make adjustments quicker and easier. Furthermore, I've become a big believer in first focal plane "horus-like" (H-58/58, G2DMR, etc...) reticles, but that's just me.

If you haven't seen it already, check out the budget precision build youtube series from the 8541 Tactical guy. Good luck and let us know what she looks like.

700 SPS Tactical AAC-SD $626 at Bud's
B&C M40 style $220 at Red hawk Rifles
$846 plus FFL transfer

 

[BoilerUP]

I'm a big fan of starting with the SPS Tactical or Varmint with the Bell and Carlson M40 style (BCS1000) stock and going from there. You should be able to put this together for $850-900 and that leaves you at least $1100 to spend on a scope and rings.

Don't forget a trigger...

 

[Travis S]

Look for an old Winchester stealth. Comes in a good stock and most these days will come with a20moa base already. Our better just buy a700p and be done with it. Will put shoot you atleast until it's time for a new barrel. Will leave you plenty for a scope and reloading set up.

 

[slm9s]

Biggest hint I can give you if you're on a budget is to buy used. You won't have to take the huge depreciation hit of buying new. Most people selling custom rifles have to sell them for hundreds less than they paid. That's hundreds you'll save. If you don't know enough to know what to look for, ask for help. Many here would be more than happy to look at used rifles for sale and tell you whether they'd be good for you or not. If you're going to be happy with 1MOA, any used Savage 10fp would make you smile all day. But, I think you're going to want better accuracy than that after you get a few groups downrange.
For $2000, you can find a custom action compelte rifle if you look hard enough. But there's nothing wrong with a trued Rem 700. If you buy used and buy smart, you'll use the rifle for awhile and when you want to upgrade, you'll sell the rifle for exactly what you paid for it. Don't skimp on the scope. Buy at least the Vortex PST/Sightron SIII level. Used Nightforces hold their value VERY well.

 

[Phil3]

I have done exactly what you are trying to do, so let me share my experience and will include approximate costs.

1) Howa barreled action in 223. Bull barrel. Blued. $500.
2) Bell & Carlson Tactical Medalist (style II) stock. $225.
3) Murphy Precision stainless steel (colored black) scope rail. $125.
4) Vortex Viper PST 6 - 24 x 50 scope. $700.
5) Burris Signature Zee rings. $60
5) Bradley Cheek Rest - BUL model. Outfitted with thinner pad to fit stock. $70.
6) Bedding of Stock - $250 (with shipping).
7) Fees for bringing in Howa action to a gun dealer. $100.

This comes in just over $2000. If I add a bipod, that is another $100. If I add the Howa detachable magazine kit, that is another $100, or $200 if I use a CDI brand kit, plus inletting.

I found that the stock comb is too low and had to get a cheek rest. An unexpected cost, but necessary. The scope rail needed to be bedded (slightly high at front), but that was a few dollars in epoxy. I did not expect the bedding of the stock as the B&C has an aluminum bedding block that supports a drop-in install. My stock and action were not touching one another at the recoil lug, so this had to be remedied. I had to ship the gun as nobody local could or would do the job at the time that I knew of. It can add up and hopefully the numbers above, you can see how.

Phil

 

[Niles Coyote]

A couple I put together on the cheap.

http://www.snipershide.com/shooting...56-update-243-remington-sps-varmint-105s.html

http://www.snipershide.com/shooting...846-308-remington-tactical-work-progress.html

 

[Sinus211]

If I add the Howa detachable magazine kit, that is another $100, or $200 if I use a CDI brand kit, plus inletting.



Phil

I have the Howa brand bottom "metal" (it's plastic) on my .223 rifle. I was originally a bit disappointed to see that the trigger guard/magwell piece are made of plastic but after 1k+ rounds its still in one piece. If you're choosing between the $100 Howa metal or an aftermarket that will cost 3x more and require inletting, just get the howa kit.

This rifle feeds smoother and has a tighter mag fit than the AICS on my 5R. Mags may be $40 a pop but that's cheap compared to AI mags

 

[shooter.dm]

You can't beat the howa 1500 for the price it will out shoot a rem 700 all day long and its a lot smoother

 

[Bruno]

Remington 5R is a great starter rifle, it's what I started on and was extremely accurate out of the box. Has a good HS stock, and a good barrel. Would be my choice. Check the for sale section here for some good deals.