This is all great information. I've been thinking about building something off of the Remington 700 platform. I would love a 1000 yard gun that still has some punch when it hits its target. Any recommendation on caliber, scope, etc, with the goal in mind of keeping it around or under $2000.00?
I think it just really depends on what you would consider a 1000 yard gun. If all you want to do is to be able to a 24"x24" then many firearms would fit that bill.
My suggestion? Find a good used 700 without the x trigger. Don't worry about the barrel. I would get something in 7mm, 243, 308, 260, anything that uses a .308 bolt. This isn't terribly important, you can find bolts everywhere. Have a quality smith add on a premium barrel, there are plenty of reviews out there.
I wouldn't worry about truing the action unless it is inexpensive with your smith, or if you need the razor edge of precision.
Have him chamber it in .308win. It is one of the cheapest ways to get to 1000 yards and I think it is one of the best rounds for a beginner. It doesn't fight the wind like many other calibers, so you'll have to learn how to shoot.
You want something that would be close to 200gr. The higher the BC the less that air effects it.
Then get you a Vortex (PST) or Bushnell (Go to the high middle to the higher end, low end isn't much) or a Super Sniper. The main thing is to get a reticle that matches the turret. It can be MIL/MIL or MOA/MOA, it doesn't make any difference. Don't get a plain duplex (Probably anything with "plex" in the reticle name) scope, it would be a hindrance. The Horus style reticles are nice, and you would get use to them but they're usually only on the higher end scopes, and cost a bit more.
I would also suggest NOT to get 1/8moa or .05 mil. You'll be dialing a lot and not getting much more out of it. Few firearms are precise enough to warrant a 1/8moa/.5mil scope. A 1/4moa will always get you to 1/8moa from actual impact.
You probably will go over the $2000, but I think you'll be close.
In long range shooting, spend more on your scope than on your gun. Buy just ONE scope for any given parameter, you can always mount it on a different firearm.
Just remember, this is can be an expensive hobby. Mainly because it is hard not to want to keep going.
Lastly, I am one of the least experienced person on this website. So I may be wrong about things, but I do my best to always be correct.