Sub MOA sub $700

[ViP]

Starting a thread similar to one started by Potss for$1000 rifles. This thread is for lower priced ones as the title shows - sub $700. The spin is thatbit has to be sub-MOA.
Potts, I hope you don’t mind me quoting some of your selection ctiteria. Thanks.

WAIT! Before you post "this has been answered X number of times" read the whole post. I have a few specific criteria, and new rifles and actions are coming out all the time.

Looking for the most accurate sub-MOA bolt gun (production or custom, custom as in a Frankenstein rifle) for $700 or less. Basically I could throw in a few hundred more if the accuracy bump was substantial enough. Only requirements are that it has a threaded barrel and comes in a caliber you can buy loaded ammo for at a somewhat reasonable price (so 6mm Creedmoor counts but 6x47 does not) - 6.5 Creedmoor is preferred.

It will be used for long range practice (1550y is current max range, usual is 650y and it doesn't need to be terminally effective much beyond that), loaner rifle, occasional long range hunting from a blind (very little hiking, weight is almost a non-issue), and printing the smallest groups possible closer in.

 

[cumminsdsl]

Bergara HMR in 6.5 creedmoor or 300 win mag can be had in the few hundred more price range when you can find one in stock.

Bergara b-14 Ridge may be a good option as well.

 

[...]

Remgton 700 5R in 300 win mag
https://www.eurooptic.com/86499-Remington-Remington-700-Police-5R-300-Win-Mag-26--Barr.aspx

+

Magpul Hunter 700L
https://www.magpul.com/products/hunter-700-la-stock-remington-700-long-action

 

[Codiekfx400]

I had a Ruger American Predator 6.5 Creedmoor that would fit your description. They are in the sub $500 range and the one I had was 5/8” moa rifle. I got rid of it because I couldn’t stand the stock and thought it was pointless to spend $500 on a chassis for a $450 rifle. If it was my money I would be looking for a gen 2 ruger Precision Rifle. https://grabagun.com/ruger-72.html I have got one of these and the accuracy is impressive the chassis is great and the rifle comes with a muzzle brake and 10 round mags right out of the box.

 

[DXT_Shooter]

Tikkas are nice I had a .243 and now I am going to get the CTR in 6.5 I have the Bravo stock, AICS 5 round Mags and Sterk bolt handle and shroud now just need to buy the gun...slowly getting there.

 

[Scott_RAP]

I can vouch for the Ruger American Predator in 6.5 Creedmoor. I paid $420 for mine, paired it with a Falcon M18+ 4-18X scope ($450), Leupold rings ($30), and a VG6 Gamma muzzle brake ($65). With Hornady 140gr ELD Match ammo, it consistently holds sub-MOA accuracy out to 200 yards (the extent of my local range).

I attended the NRA Dallas convention this year, and while I obviously didn’t actually shoot the rifles, I was impressed by the fit and finish of the Mossberg Patriot. For the money (equal to or slightly less than the RAP), I would definitely consider it if I was still in the market.

 

[Aimsmall55]

Remgton 700 5R in 300 win mag
https://www.eurooptic.com/86499-Remington-Remington-700-Police-5R-300-Win-Mag-26--Barr.aspx

+

Magpul Hunter 700L
https://www.magpul.com/products/hunter-700-la-stock-remington-700-long-action

I’ve had several 700 .300 Win mags. The 1st being a 700 Police that was totally “factory” except for a Badger Thruster brake. It was 1/2 moa at 1200 yards. With hand loaded 208 amaxs, I was able to shoot tighter groups at 1,000 yards than 2 GAPs and one Surgeon. ( I was behind all the rifles )

The second one I had was a 5r milspec .300 Win mag. It was fitted with a jewell trigger and badger brake. The only thing I didn’t like about it was the thick palm swell on the hs p stock. It shot the Hornady 178 amax ( factory loads) like nobodies business.

Both rifles had 1:10 26” bbls.

 

[hereinaz]

$800 bucks for everything. .5 moa with match ammo. 6.5 creedmoor.

Cabelas special Savage 12FV watch for it to go on sale. Even better with a rebate. Or, the Cabelas 10T.

 

[goosed]

$800 bucks for everything. .5 moa with match ammo. 6.5 creedmoor.

Cabelas special Savage 12FV watch for it to go on sale. Even better with a rebate. Or, the Cabelas 10T.

THIS^^^^

There are a several factory rifles that will give you sub MOA right out of the box. If you're ultimate goal is pure accuracy on a budget though... Savage is still your huckleberry.

Don't get me wrong Savage's have their down falls as a clunky non-robust action and low trigger weights are always a reliability tuning challenge, but in terms of pure accuracy a Savage model 12 with quality pre-fit barrel dollar for dollar is very tough to beat consistently. The 12FV is $420 everyday at Cabelas, with sales regularly around $360. If you can wait for the Savages yearly $100 rebate... That's a $260 rifle and $500 for barrel/lug/nut for accuracy rivaling many multi-thousand dollar customs.

 

[patriot07]

If you're willing to live with Savage cycling issues, almost any Savage you buy will shoot MOA or better.

If you want good cycling and accuracy, buy a Tikka. If you can't shoot MOA or better with a Tikka 6.5 creedmoor and Hornady 140 ELD-M, then it's most likely an operator error. Great accuracy, great trigger, great cycling reliability, great fit & finish, and smooth operation.

 

[SuperSneakySniper]

Another vote for either a Tikka or a Ruger American Predator. You can buy Bugnut barrels for either rifle now, and both have aftermarket stocks available

 

[10ring1]

THIS^^^^

There are a several factory rifles that will give you sub MOA right out of the box. If you're ultimate goal is pure accuracy on a budget though... Savage is still your huckleberry.

Don't get me wrong Savage's have their down falls as a clunky non-robust action and low trigger weights are always a reliability tuning challenge, but in terms of pure accuracy a Savage model 12 with quality pre-fit barrel dollar for dollar is very tough to beat consistently. The 12FV is $420 everyday at Cabelas, with sales regularly around $360. If you can wait for the Savages yearly $100 rebate... That's a $260 rifle and $500 for barrel/lug/nut for accuracy rivaling many multi-thousand dollar customs.

When does Savage usually have the rebate?

 

[goosed]

When does Savage usually have the rebate?

The $100 rebate hits around Dec/Jan and lasts for 2 or 3 months. There is usually another smaller rebate before deer hunting season.

 

[strat81]

Here's what my Ruger Predator will do with factory ammo at 100 yards:

The OEM stock is serviceable but kinda lame. You'll need to hog out the barrel channel with a dremel to free float the barrel and it needs a cheek riser because the comb is too low.

 

[Olen_4504]

if that was my budget i'd be looking at the savage 10 FCP-SR 24" in 6.5c
$619

 

[lennyo3034]

Here's what my Ruger Predator will do with factory ammo at 100 yards:

The OEM stock is serviceable but kinda lame. You'll need to hog out the barrel channel with a dremel to free float the barrel and it needs a cheek riser because the comb is too low.

Damn! That's pretty good for $450.

I take cherry picked groups with a grain of salt but this shows the true accuracy of the gun.

 

[silentheart]

Here's what my Ruger Predator will do with factory ammo at 100 yards:

The OEM stock is serviceable but kinda lame. You'll need to hog out the barrel channel with a dremel to free float the barrel and it needs a cheek riser because the comb is too low.

It is the Indian, not the arrows.

 

[ThePretzel]

I have a Savage 12FV that cost me $260 after a $100 mail in rebate. I slapped an Athlon Argos BTR 8-34x56mm ($380), a EGW 20 MOA rail ($15), and some Burris rings ($60) on top of it for a grand total of $715 for the rifle plus optic.

Here's the kind of grouping it shoots at 400 yards with Hornady American Gunner 6.5 Creed:

Here's a few more groups at various distances with American Gunner and hand loads that I'll just give links to so that the thread isn't flooded with pics.

.88 MOA
.29 MOA (only 3 shots)
1.01 MOA w/ 10 shots

Overall I'd say it averages somewhere in the neighborhood of a little bit better than 3/4 MOA, which is great for the price. The low budget also means you can just order a threaded Criterion or Shilen pre-fit and stay under $700 with even better accuracy, or you could just pay a gunsmith $50-100 to thread the barrel for you.

 

[strat81]

Same gun and same day as above, but these are at 200 yards.

I appreciate the vote of confidence Silentheart, but I'm a dirt shooter. (@jlficken can attest to that.)

Some more info - my Ruger had the barrel cut to 16.75" and rethreaded. It shot well before I had the barrel shortened, but "full disclosure" and all that. I've noticed slightly better groups without my Omega mounted to the gun but none that I've photographed. I rarely shoot it without the can on because the brake is crazy loud on that short barrel.

While the stock kinda sucks, it works, and the recoil pad is quite comfortable. It's very light, and with the short barrel, the gun is very handy. With a lighter scope, it'd be great for hiking around.

My only gripe with the gun is the magazine. I have the older version, with the plastic rotary mags which suck. The original mag worked fine, but the one I got from Midway wouldn't feed correctly. Ruger replaced it, no questions asked, and the replacement will feed a round or two fine then will jam and double-feed.

Alas, dear reader, all is not lost. The aftermarket addressed this with two different solutions, the MDT LSS chassis and CDI bottom metal. Ruger also released a "Gen2" of the American that uses AICS mags. Rumor has it the Ruger American .450 Bushmaster mags work with the 6.5CM. I have one on the way to see of it will work.


I have a Tikka T3x CTR 20" and the Ruger is its equal in terms of accuracy, if not better.

 

[patriot07]

I have a Tikka T3x CTR 20" and the Ruger is its equal in terms of accuracy, if not better.

You must have the worst CTR ever built if it won't shoot any better than the groups above. Not saying there is anything wrong with those groups - the Ruger American Predator is a fantastic value and a fine rifle, but a CTR should be able to do better than that.

I guess what I'm saying is that I'll take that problem child CTR off your hands for a hefty discount.

 

[strat81]

You must have the worst CTR ever built if it won't shoot any better than the groups above. Not saying there is anything wrong with those groups - the Ruger American Predator is a fantastic value and a fine rifle, but a CTR should be able to do better than that.

I guess what I'm saying is that I'll take that problem child CTR off your hands for a hefty discount.

With both guns, I get .75"-1" 4-5 shot groups at 100 yards. (Why 4 shots? Because that's what the Ruger mag holds.) I don't think that's terrible accuracy for either gun, and it's what Tikka claims it will do.

I am probably leaving some accuracy on the table by not shooting hand loads or loads from Federal, Prime, etc. And I'm also not the greatest shooter either. The CTR has had around 125 rounds through it, so it might settle in a bit. I've also noticed it appears to have a preference for the 143gr ELD-X Precision Hunter load.

That said, I think the new Ruger Predator with the new OEM AICS-compatible stock and $50 cheek riser is the best bargain blaster you can get these days.

 

[Hawk in WY]

And the sleeper of the lot is a Howa 1500 barrelled action from Brownell's in the KRG Bravo chassis soon to be released.

Howa guarantees 1 moa with quality factory ammunition.

Takes ten minutes to put it together and you have a fine rifle for around $700 all in.

 

[hereinaz]

For a little more assembly, NSS sells Remington actions and Criterion "remage" prefit barrels. Get a used stock or chassis, and wow. Add a trigger later.

The Savage rebate has usually been toward the end of the year. I picked up a Cabelas special Savage 12 FV for about $225 total after rebate. The Cabelas special Savage 10 T-SR is another great buy at about $400 or less.