Full Build - $2000 Budget

[JollyJerp]

I wanted to get some ideas on how others would spend a $2000 budget for a full rifle build (stock, action, barrel, bipod, scope, mount, rings). I’m currently in this boat, looking to build a rifle for NRL22/long range target practice (300 yards).

Currently, I’m thinking:
- Bergara b14r steel actioned barrel
- KRG Bravo
- Vortex Strike Eagle 5-25 or Athlon Ares BTR 4.5-27 (mil discounts)
- Harris bipod
-unknown mount and rings

 

[MarkCZ]

I have 2 B14R in factory stock ( I love the factory stocks )
Trigger Tech diamond trigger
Vortex Strike Eagle 5 X 25
EWG 20 MOA rail
Burris XTR Signature rings
Harris bipod

 

[bubbaokie]

I agree you have it going right direction, just add the diamond trigger

 

[Lightning8]

If going Bergara B14R I would go traditional steel barrel and use the OEM stock/chassis thereby avoiding feeding issues.
Agree on TT trigger
Look at Vortex Venom as well as the Strike Eagle
Agree 20 MOA rail possibly 30 MOA rail
Add Area 419 ARCA rail - either the universal or weighted to the OEM stock
UTG PRO 34mm rings (really - made in USA - not UTG, UTG PRO)
Harris bipod with Warne ARCA adapter

I did all the above then moved to a RimX

 

[Thesepaperwings]

B14R steel barrel
L3I heavy steel rail
L3I 10 mil base
Arken EP5
L3I zero sucks mag
Triggertech special
Atlas bipod

 

[FuhQ]

I wanted to get some ideas on how others would spend a $2000 budget for a full rifle build (stock, action, barrel, bipod, scope, mount, rings). I’m currently in this boat, looking to build a rifle for NRL22/long range target practice (300 yards).

Currently, I’m thinking:
- Bergara b14r steel actioned barrel
- KRG Bravo
- Vortex Strike Eagle 5-25 or Athlon Ares BTR 4.5-27 (mil discounts)
- Harris bipod
-unknown mount and rings

Despite the BS you read on the internet, my CA Ranger 22 has been an amazing rifle. Not 1 single issue with mine. Here's a link to my thread chronicling the journey...

Christensen Arms Ranger 22

Well… Got off work early, and drove to the local outdoor store… That’s always a mistake. Like going to the grocery store hungry. 🤣 All the guns, all these years, I’ve never personally owned a bolt-action .22LR… Dad has a few, but I’ve never had one. Well, I figured now that I have my Dead...

www.snipershide.com

So my recommendation is this... And you'll come in WAY under your budget, and have a real tack-driver.

Christensen Arms Ranger 22 (uses Ruger 10/22 mags)
Christensen Arms 20MOA base
Arken EP5 5-25x56 VPR MIL scope
Seekins precision 34mm Low rings
Atlas bipod

The Arken EP5 has real Japanese ED glass, and IMO, the glass is better than my Strike Eagle 5-25x56 EBR-7C. And the Arken is only $565.

EP5 5-25X56mm FFP MIL VPR Reticle

www.arkenopticsusa.com

 

[4O6shootist]

My gf shoots a lefty bergara b14r. Took it out the factory stock as you'll need put 5# of lead in front to get balance in front of magazine. I put an ats tuner on the muzzle and regular prints sub moa groups at 100y. The bolt lift is heavy, lots of unnecessary cock on close and trigger is so so. I have a b14r as well in right hand and will be selling soon as my rimX should be done before too long. The factory trigger can be tuned/modified to feel a lot better. The cock on close can be eliminated, its 90% fixable and they do shoot well. I don't like the uber short barrel as it's tough t9 get a good balance, but a light chassis with weights out front does do the trick. I think they're worth the 600$ price for the barreled action.

 

[Tortuga]

Sounds like you have a sound plan. What's great about the B14r is most upgrades can be removed and applied to a Vudoo or RimX if you ever move up to them.
I started with:
B14r barreled action
Grayboe Ridgeback Stock
Arca Sawtooth Rail
Trigger Tech Diamond
EGW 20MOA Rail
Seekins 0.92" 34mm rings
Harris Bipod

Later additions include:
Anarchy Outdoors bolt handle
EGW Bolt Knob
L3i Magazines
Atlas Bipod
RRS BTC-Pro screw knob bipod clamp

 

[King_beardsly]

B14R barrel action in steel
KRG Bravo
TT special
Area419 weight arca
Atlas PSR
Athlon Ares BTR Gen2
Hawkins precision rings

I think that’s around 2K, but quickly got bite by the rimfire bug and built a RimX in a PRS1 to match my centerfire rig.

 

[Thesepaperwings]

Find one of the L3I solid steel rails, cheaper than a weighted rail and heavier. I'd also be on the lookout for a base coming that might fit the ejection port like a vudoo.

 

[FuhQ]

Despite the BS you read on the internet, my CA Ranger 22 has been an amazing rifle. Not 1 single issue with mine. Here's a link to my thread chronicling the journey...

Christensen Arms Ranger 22

Well… Got off work early, and drove to the local outdoor store… That’s always a mistake. Like going to the grocery store hungry. 🤣 All the guns, all these years, I’ve never personally owned a bolt-action .22LR… Dad has a few, but I’ve never had one. Well, I figured now that I have my Dead...

www.snipershide.com

So my recommendation is this... And you'll come in WAY under your budget, and have a real tack-driver.

Christensen Arms Ranger 22 (uses Ruger 10/22 mags)
Christensen Arms 20MOA base
Arken EP5 5-25x56 VPR MIL scope
Seekins precision 34mm Low rings
Atlas bipod

The Arken EP5 has real Japanese ED glass, and IMO, the glass is better than my Strike Eagle 5-25x56 EBR-7C. And the Arken is only $565.

EP5 5-25X56mm FFP MIL VPR Reticle

www.arkenopticsusa.com

CA Ranger 22 - $800
CA Ranger 20MOA base - $60
Arken EP5 - $565 (+$25 if you add the precision pack w/ rings and use the code "NSF$170" right now)
Seekins Precision rings - $150
Atlas Bipod - $300
Dead Air Mask HD w/ stamp & SS Trust - $685

Total: $2,585 (or you can get the Harris bipod and save $200 off the cost of the Atlas)

If you went with an Arken SH4 Gen2 6-24x50 on sale w/ the pack is only $325, so your total would be $2,320

If you went with the Arken SH4 Gen2 w/ the precision pack that includes the Arken rings (which are pretty good) instead of the Seekins Precision rings, and you went with the Harris bipod over the Atlas... You could have a really nice setup, WITH A SUPPRESSOR, for $1,970... Which is just under your budget goal of $2000.

 

[WeeHooker]

Sounds like you've done your homework . You'll need to address the trigger though. Diamond Tech seems to be the trigger of popular choice but a Timney HIT will get you a crisp 8 oz for less $. ( You can also just modify the factory trigger for $6 to get around 1#) If you need to make up that trigger cost, consider the Vortex Venom vs SE. Same glass and retical for about $300 less. Another way to squeeze a few more $ out of your budget is to shop in the classifieds here. You won't have to wait long on a KRG Bravo at a discounted price. FWIW, here is my B14R in a Bravo with Venom. Shoots better than I can.

 

[FuhQ]

Sounds like you've done your homework . You'll need to address the trigger though. Diamond Tech seems to be the trigger of popular choice but a Timney HIT will get you a crisp 8 oz for less $. ( You can also just modify the factory trigger for $6 to get around 1#) If you need to make up that trigger cost, consider the Vortex Venom vs SE. Same glass and retical for about $300 less. Another way to squeeze a few more $ out of your budget is to shop in the classifieds here. You won't have to wait long on a KRG Bravo at a discounted price. FWIW, here is my B14R in a Bravo with Venom. Shoots better than I can.

The Venom is NOT the same glass as the Strike Eagle. And they are not the same scope, minus a few options. I used to think that, but after closer examination, they are not the same. The Strike Eagle is actually a much better scope over the Venom...And worth the $300 difference.

 

[Aussiedan]

Leaving the b14r in the factory stock will save you a chunk of change to put towards better glass etc.

Then watch the PX for a used Bravo if you must.
Personally I think the b14r stock is 100x better than the Bravo, that's just my preference though.

I have the strike eagle in xtr rings on my vudoo, does the job out to 400yds, certainly isn't holding me back at the moment, will definitely upgrade the scope when I finish some other projects.