Midrange priced rifles....?

abogue77

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Minuteman
Aug 3, 2013
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Tyler, Texas
Ok, after doing countless hours of research and reading these threads, is there anyone that builds good rifles around the 2k range? From what I've gathered there is a big grey area that I don't see anyone talking about between a factory Remmy and the 4k custom builds. I am a firm believer in you get what you pay for, but 4k just isn't doable in my near future. Any suggestions, ya'll are the experts...
 
I too have been pricing stuff in the mid range and ive found that its a bit cheaper to find a competent gunsmith and have one built off an old hunting rifle you can get cheap. or Academy sports sells them for $379...

my other reason for doing so is that no one makes a varmint contour or heavier 30-06.

that said, it more depends on what you want to do with it. if youre looking for a .308, you would be hard pressed to beat a 5R milspec or an AAC-SD in a Manners stock. would be less than 2K for quite a rifle.
 
Stevens 200 $300
sell the pos stock and barrel on local forum ($100)
Send to Robert Snyder to true the action face $125
Glass bed action into stock of choice $100
McMillan A-3 $500
26" Criterion barrel from Northland Shooters Supply $300
Precision ground barrel nut $28
Precision ground recoil lug $27
Rifle Basix Sav-1 trigger $85
CDI DBM that uses AI mags $280
EGW 20 MOA base $40
Total bill is $1685 for a rifle that will shoot 1/2 MOA or less. I know because that's what I did and that's what I got.
 
I have an FNH A3G (not a custom but 1/2MOA guarantee) and comparing it to the two identical rifle's my buddy and I built off Savage 110 into 6.5-284 with criterion barrels, those rifles are significantly better. We have about $800 into it which leaves plenty for good base/rings and optics. If you want PM me And i will send you all the specs and some groups shot including todays at 1200yds where he posted a 5.75" and i put up a 8.5" group.
 
How about this:

Bighorn Arms Short Action Receiver 1,300
Bighorn Actions
or Defiance Deviant: $1220
http://defiancemachine.com/deviant-action/


Custom barrel chambered in the caliber of your choice $700

McRee Chassis $625
Bighorn

Total: for rifle $2,445 - $2,625 for a custom rifle.


Trigger, Scope and rings ? Your choice; SWFA has some good options, and a 10x would be a good start.

The Bighorn would need a base, where as the Defiance Deviant is integrated. You'll pay a little more for the scope base but I like that you can get the base cant that maximizes your scope's vertical travel.
 
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I would go with a AAC-SD, 20" .308, Manners t2a with minichassis, PCR bolt knob, Badger Ord. 20MOA Base. should easily come in under $2K. add in a set of Badger Rings and a PST 6-24x scope and youre right around $3K complete depending on FFP or not.

what im going to do for my 30-06 is a R700ADL I picked up off Armslist for $400. Shilen #17/Remington Varmint Contour barrel from MidwayUSA for $250. Action trued, barrel installed, cut to 22" and threaded. keeping my old style Remington trigger that ive adjusted and tuned myself. will come in around $1500 tops for the barreled action including the bolt knob installed, brake installed, etc... stock will most likely be a Manners EH1 with a standard BDL bottom metal. im pretty sure I can get this done for less than $2k total. add in a couple hundred more if you want a m24 contour barrel or whatnot but its doable.
 
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How about this:

Bighorn Arms Short Action Receiver 1,300
Bighorn Actions
or Defiance Deviant: $1220
Deviant Action « Defiance Machine




Custom barrel chambered in the caliber of your choice $700

McRee Chassis $625
Bighorn

Total: for rifle $2,445 - $2,625 for a custom rifle.


Trigger, Scope and rings ? Your choice; SWFA has some good options, and a 10x would be a good start.

The Bighorn would need a base, where as the Defiance Deviant is integrated. You'll pay a little more for the scope base but I like that you can get the base cant that maximizes your scope's vertical travel.

Wouldn't he still need a gunsmith to put it together? Or can you order prefit barrels like for an AI or a Savage?
 
Midrange priced rifles....?

Wouldn't he still need a gunsmith to put it together? Or can you order prefit barrels like for an AI or a Savage?

I know some places sell "short chambered" pre threaded barrels. You just screw it in and finish it with a hand driven finish reamer, checking it slowly with go and no-go gauges. Has anyone done this?
 
That "grey area" is largely occupied by homebuilt Savages.

I've got one waiting on a McMillan HTG right now; Savage short action w/accutrigger, HTG stock, McGowen 260 barrel and Weaver 20MOA base and I'll be in it for less than $900. I've got a couple other Savages in McMillan A5s with CDI DBM that I'm into for about $1200 each.

I won't say rifles assembled in my basement shoot better than a full-on custom from a high quality shop...but they do shoot very well and for the money invested I got the caliber, barrel contour/length, and stock of my choice with accuracy exceeding my own capability.
 
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Wouldn't he still need a gunsmith to put it together? Or can you order prefit barrels like for an AI or a Savage?


The barrel cost reflects with having a smith chamber and headspace for the chosen caliber. If he wants to be able to do 100% himself a Remage barrel can be bought from McRee for around 450 if my memory is correct. The only thing is it would be in 308 WIN only.

I have no idea of the OP's armoring skills. For me assembly is easy.
 
That "grey area" is largely occupied by homebuilt Savages.

I've got one waiting on a McMillan HTG right now; Savage short action w/accutrigger, HTG stock, McGowen 260 barrel and Weaver 20MOA base and I'll be in it for less than $900. I've got a couple other Savages in McMillan A5s with CDI DBM that I'm into for about $1200 each.


I won't say rifles assembled in my basement shoot better than a full-on custom from a high quality shop...but they do shoot very well and for the money invested I got the caliber, barrel contour/length, and stock of my choice with accuracy exceeding my own capability.


I totally agree, just wrapped up a 7rm savage on an XLR. Consistently shoots under.4 Moa. I am looking forward to my next savage build, adding a degree on difficulty to it this time, trying to go from zero to done in under two weeks. We shall see, I have a choate for it but will likely get everything done in two weeks but have to wait on the xlr, be worth it.