Was looking for sage advice but I wound up here... Looking for new rifle for my nephew

Michael W

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  • Feb 17, 2020
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    Okay boys. Took my nephew out shooting this past weekend he had a great time in fact such a great time he's looking to get a long range rifle. I have a little bit of knowledge about this long-range thing not much but just enough to get me in trouble the problem is I'm kind of biased and lean towards the kind of rigs that I own. So fellas what I'm looking for is some new ideas on maybe some brands or some options I normally wouldn't look at. He'll be shooting out to about 1,500 yards at the Max I think but who knows
    Here's the criteria he has set for me.
    Remington 700 compatible( but not Remington 700) for Parts availability
    $2,000 price limit for rifle only.
    Bolt action only
    He only wants new.
    Must be in 6.5 Creedmoor
    26in Barrel
    He's not really stuck on a particular model of chassis. But he is leaning towards a chassis system. (He did like my krg chassis on my Tikka trainer . But he also liked my MPA chassis)
    He's not opposed to building one or buying one complete.
    Must shoot off the shelf ammo pretty well.
    He really doesn't want a Ruger precision. You can thank me for that.

    He's not opposed to mass produce rifles or more of a custom rifle made by a small company..
    So let's hear what you jackalopes have to say
     
    Last edited:
    Mack Bros SS Evo action: $575
    Barrel nut prefit barrel: ~$500
    "Standard" level trigger: $150
    Chassis/Stock: remaining ~$700

    ^ lower priced action leaves more for chassis/stock options (or accessories)


    Edit: Curious what his budget for scope is? Might be worth going Bergara HMR for ~$900 and the extra towards a better scope
     
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    Mack Bros SS Evo action: $575
    Barrel nut prefit barrel: ~$500
    "Standard" level trigger: $150
    Chassis/Stock: remaining ~$700

    ^ lower priced action leaves more for chassis/stock options (or accessories)


    Edit: Curious what his budget for scope is? Might be worth going Bergara HMR for ~$900 and the extra towards a better scope
    I'm kind of the opposite when I comes to a rifle. I believe the barrel, action and Trigger is we're the money should be spent. I like the Bergara also it's a very nice gun for the price but I believe it only comes in a 24-inch Barrel.
     
    Mack Bros Stainless action is new but the company is not. Here's some good info on them:
    Just because it's priced lower doesn't mean the quality is any lower.

    Ergonomics are very important as well. Spending more on an action and leaving ~$300 for a stock or chassis doesn't leave a lot of options. Just an other build option/idea.

    In general: For a full $2k rifle you might as well build one or buy one of the PRS production rifles. MPA, and Badrock (Defiance) both have complete rifles for $2k for example.


    I asked about scope choice because spending $2k on a rifle only to pair it with a $400 scope is kinda dumb, in my opinion. That's where buying a factory rifle around $900 and using the extra leftover on a scope might be the better option.

    Also 24" vs 26" barrel length on a 6.5 Creedmoor is pretty negligible. Won't be missing anything because of that 2" difference ;)
     
    Mack Bros Stainless action is new but the company is not. Here's some good info on them:
    Just because it's priced lower doesn't mean the quality is any lower.

    Ergonomics are very important as well. Spending more on an action and leaving ~$300 for a stock or chassis doesn't leave a lot of options. Just an other build option/idea.

    In general: For a full $2k rifle you might as well build one or buy one of the PRS production rifles. MPA, and Badrock (Defiance) both have complete rifles for $2k for example.


    I asked about scope choice because spending $2k on a rifle only to pair it with a $400 scope is kinda dumb, in my opinion. That's where buying a factory rifle around $900 and using the extra leftover on a scope might be the better option.

    Also 24" vs 26" barrel length on a 6.5 Creedmoor is pretty negligible. Won't be missing anything because of that 2" difference ;)
    Well I think he will have to save up for the scope so thats down the line at this time .The Bighorn action looks very viable. But the MPA BA PMR Pro looks nice a bit out of his range but not to much.
     
    Bighorn Origin - $900
    Prefit 6.5 CM Heavy Palma 26" - $500
    KRG Bravo - $350
    Trigger Tech Diamond - $250
    Total $2000

    Still missing a brake but you could get a JM for like $30. But honestly the best bet is to buy used in the PX here.
    some variation of this. sub TT Special for a bit more of a chassis. really depends on feel

    but you're unlikely to outgrow an origin. too many options available with it
     
    Ashbury Precision Snipers Hide edition. its a 700 but its been blueprinted and trued.

     
    $2,000 is doable, but parts lists will be relatively slim for a custom build. I'd break it down similar as others:

    Mack Bros SS Action $575
    Bartlein (or other) $350
    KRG Bravo $350
    TriggerTech $150
    Chamber & Thread Muzzle $450

    Total = $1,875 (plus shipping of parts and transfer fees of rifle)

    If you already have the tools, you could look at prefits, otherwise you might go over budget.

    With all that said, you can always upgrade a rifle, but you can never upgrade an optic. For his first rifle, he might be better off with a $350 ruger predator (or other) and a $2k optic over a $2k custom rifle and a $300 optic.
     
    Not considering a used rifle is simply foolish if budget is even a slight concern. You can get 50% more rifle for the dollar and the only item that would have a lessened useful life is the barrel. Once he fires it anything he buys will be used.

    The first shot out of a 'new' rig and value drops 30-50%. If he makes a good buy used he can shoot for a year and get 100% of his money back should his taste change.

    Bad call on his part.
     
    Stop giving shit advice

    The KRG Whiskey 3 isn't made for the Howa 1500
    The OP set the tone in his post. I followed with a facetious reply. Who would actually buy a $1400 chassis for a howa? Talk about buying a dress for a pig.
    Are you trolling posts again? Lmmfao
     
    Your weak attempt to save face after saying retarded shit isn't working
    You do realize that the only way for you to know that krg doesn’t make whiskey 3s for howa’s is for you to have actually considered doing it. Now that’s funny. People who troll posts looking for someone to mess with do it because they feel inferior to others. What they don’t realize is how much it says about themselves and it doesn’t change their pathetic lives. Hey I dont have to tell you all this, you already know, your the one wanting a whiskey 3 for his howa. 😂
     
    Id like the rpr it will get him started while he saves up for his own custom what ever he wants later and 6.5 is a great caliber . Hope he enjoys what ever you do decide to get him with much success .
     
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    I think he's leaning towards the mpa PMR Pro. It's probably my fault I own one and he shot it it's hard to beat that gun for the money. I really wanted him to build a gun I think he would get more enjoyment out of it and a little bit more sense of pride. Also take a little bit of the mystery out of it for him.