First bolt action rifle

[357wheelgunner]

Due to some trouble finding the exact lightweight .308 that I wanted, I'm going to be building a long range .308 bolt rifle this year. I want a Remington 700P .308, with a good scope and good mounts. I've used crappy components in the past and was rewarded with a crappy rifle in the end. This time I want to do it right.

Can you buy a quality, scoped, 700P from the factory, or do you guys have some recommendations? How much will I need to spend to get a quality scoped rifle?

Again, I'm just looking for a good rifle to learn some long range shooting with. No fancy sniper stocks or fluted barrels, it has to look like a normal rifle.

Thanks for the help...

edited to add: I messed up the title, I've had bolt actions before, but they weren't any good in the end.

 

[ThomasT]

Go to pawnshops or the next gunshow and pick up a used Remington 700. Most any Remington rifle will shoot excelent groups. Something in 30-06 or 270 will do what i think you want to do with a rifle.

They are common and so don't have premium price tags. The 308 ammo seems to be pretty expensive right now.

I bought a Rem. 30-06 ADL for $200 bucks a couple of years ago. Its had a scratched up stock and worn bluing. This rifle will shoot under 1" with every load i have tried in it.

I bought it because it has fantastic wood in the stock and the bolt lugs showed almost 100% contact on lock up. I refinished the stock and bedded and floated the action. Its the best 200 dollars i have ever spent. The Leupold 3x9 VX1 cost more than the rifle.