Need advice for an economical Bolt Action Rifle

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DustyVermonter

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Didn't know if folks could pass recommends on a quality bolt action in .308,30-06 , or .338lapua. I need to stay in the $400-$600 range but could venture out a lil bit for a .338lapua if one could be had in or around that price range. Just want something entry level but quality and able to fulfill the sniper void in my collection. Over a dozen guns and not one bolt action and I think there's just somethhin basically wrong with that. I really want something basic so I could customize it to look like an M40A1 fashion rifle because that's the look I'm goin for be it with the use of paints and what not, I just don't have Beaucoup $$$ to have mcmillan and whoever else do it custom.I bought a Remington 770 in .308 for $300 but as soon as I got it home I didn't like it so I sold it for $400 2 hours later. I didn't like the plastic action and how flimsy it seemed when I worked the bolt. I know I can't expect too much for the price range I'm in but just so folks know I already had my run with the remington 770 and it wasn't for me. Thank you for any and all consideration :)
 
DustyVermonter said:

Didn't know if folks could pass recommends on a quality bolt action in .308,30-06 , or .338lapua. I need to stay in the $400-$600 range but could venture out a lil bit for a .338lapua if one could be had in or around that price range. Just want something entry level but quality and able to fulfill the sniper void in my collection. Over a dozen guns and not one bolt action and I think there's just somethhin basically wrong with that. I really want something basic so I could customize it to look like an M40A1 fashion rifle because that's the look I'm goin for be it with the use of paints and what not, I just don't have Beaucoup $$$ to have mcmillan and whoever else do it custom.I bought a Remington 770 in .308 for $300 but as soon as I got it home I didn't like it so I sold it for $400 2 hours later. I didn't like the plastic action and how flimsy it seemed when I worked the bolt. I know I can't expect too much for the price range I'm in but just so folks know I already had my run with the remington 770 and it wasn't for me. Thank you for any and all consideration :)
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I hope you have a FFL for "flipping", and making on profit by selling that rifle. The BATFE does watch for such violations. Also, I don't see much use for "snipper" rifles. Precision rifles, varmint rifles, etc, yes. I think you will hear these comments a lot here, so I thought I would just get it out of the way.

Geno
 
Didn't know if folks could pass recommends on a quality bolt action in .308,30-06 , or .338lapua. I need to stay in the $400-$600 range but could venture out a lil bit for a .338lapua
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You do realize that 338 lapua ammo costs well over $100 for a box of 20
 
Just read a review in Guns and Ammo in July 2010 edition about the new Savage Savage Edge which sells for $329. Depending on ammo used it shot 1 MOA to sub MOA. Slap a new Redfield scope on it and you would have an economical accurate bolt action with scope for under $600. I've never shot one but might be worth a visit to your local gun store to check it out.
 
You do realize that 338 lapua ammo costs well over $100 for a box of 20
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+1, low budget + accurate bolt gun ≠ .338LM...never.

The Marlin XL-7 (or XS-7) is a fantastic bolt gun, but is more of a hunting rifle. For a good precision rifle look at Savage on the low end. Something with a heavy bbl, AccuTrigger, and AccuStock (or better yet a suitable replacement). Just don't forget to leave a good budget for glass and decent mounts. The optics can often be more important than the rifle.

I think a .223Rem. is the perfect low budget, moderate range (up to 600yds) precision rifle cartridge, but .243Win. wouldn't be too bad (but at greater cost and recoil), and .30-06 would be pretty decent as well (again at greater cost, and significantly more recoil). If you reload, I believe the best cartridges for a LRPR are .260Rem. in a short action, .280Rem. in a long action, and 7mmRM/.300WM in a magnum action. The Lapua is fantastic, but how far are you really going to shoot? The .260Rem. is more than capable of 1k+, and can stretch to about 1500yds in the right hands.

:)
 
bubbaturbo:

Search some of the former threads around here of the BATFE coming to folks' homes, and compelling them to sign an affidavit that they know they need an FFL to engage in firearms business. He bought a rifle, and two hours later sold it...at a profit. As I understand it, that's called "flipping".

Someone who knows a whole lot more about it than me, will come along and fill in more details.

Geno
 
Search some of the former threads around here of the BATFE coming to folks' homes, and compelling them to sign an affidavit that they know they need an FFL to engage in firearms business. He bought a rifle, and two hours later sold it...at a profit. As I understand it, that's called "flipping".
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He bought it, and ended up not liking the rifle. As long as this isn't a frequent occurrence, or intentional I see no problem. I bought a rifle Friday, without knowing much about it (used, sight-unseen, poor photo quality) because it was a spectacular deal. If I don't like it, or run out of project funds, I may sell it as soon as it arrives (standing offer from one of the folks in my local gun shop...for 50% profit off the sale). That said, I am NOT buying it as an investment to sell immediately or in the future.

:)
 
Let see cheap ammo, cheap bolt action riffle... Hey I know!!! 7.62 x54 in Mosin Nagant it won't break your budget ;)
 
The stevens 200, greatest rifle deal our there for a modern production gun, or you could go with a swiss K-31 and a scope mount that is non-destructive, the guns are about 300 and they reportedly get around inch groups once scoped. The stevens is just a no-frills savage, my friends .223 shoots well under an inch at 100 yards.
 
Yeah I don't see that the ATF would have much if any business at my place. And uh, geno there's plenty of stuff to "Snipe" up here in Vermont, and yes I do know that there are a lot of people on THR that are gonna critique my post's and flaunt there pompous, elitist attitudes by correcting my terrminolgy and what not but I'm not concerned about that. Nor am I concerned about ATF coming to "Bust" me for engaging in a "private sale" which is completely legal here in Vermont But then again, I don't think I was asking for legal advice.....
 
I'm a fan of Savage but have owned 700's for years. Recently a friend purchased an SPS, I did not like the rifle because the stock was so flimsy. It does not shoot small groups and he plans on changing the stock.

I do own a Savage 10fp which is supposedly made for LE. This rifle shoots very small groups and I love it. The stock is a little flimsy but I live with it.
 
Yes I got REM SPS in .223 Varmint if you plan to shoot groups like this then go for it...

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I am also comfortable using the term sniper rifle and most other people are too. But if that is not an acceptable term and is not able to be interpreted simply as it relates to an accurate,large caliber,high powered rifle, I will just call it a varmint rifle. Alright, no federal violations, no references to a rifle's ability to "snipe" something, What would a good entry level, high powered, accurate bolt action rifle be without having to spend more than $1000 ? I was thinkin of something in the way of a remington 700 but wanted to hear other ideas.
 
If you plan on painting/changing the stock you may do well looking for a nice sound remy 700 with a wood stock that is blemished or the like, check out the used racks at your local gun shops. More than once I have seen nice rifles that have a nasty scratch on the stock selling for a great price. Add some nice glass and find a load it likes and you are set, I vote 308 or 30-06 just cause there is a ton of factory loads for both so you can find a load that shoots good and is right for the intended target.

I say remy 700 mostly cause there is a huge aftermarket full of cool parts and lots of gun smiths can make them shoot very nice for not a ton of money. Personaly I am a die hard ruger fan but thats just me.

Its your rifle, build it how you want and call it what ever you want. Everything you read on the net should be subjected to your BS filter and is worth what you paid for it. I have quite a bit of experince with the 338-378 wby and I can say that the Big 338s are expensive to shoot, not even a little bit fun with out a brake, and the rifles are spendy.
 
another rifle you might consider is Howa, but I had very bad luck with them I wouldn't buy another one... but people love them.
 
How about the Savage 10 FCP with the McMillan stock chambered in .308 Win? It has a 24" barrel with a 1:10 twist, detachable box magazine and the AccuTrigger ... all for $1,175 ... a little over budget but well worth it. If you decide to "upgrade" to .260 Remington or 7mm-08 it'd be an easy swap. Heck, I should buy one!! I do like the Remington XCR TLR (Tactical Long Range) but the barrel twist rates are too slow for my liking in both the .223 Rem and .308 Win. The .300 Win Mag has a 1:10 twist which is perfect so one of those may be in my future. I like the stainless barrel and B&C stock but I'd upgrade the bolt and probably the trigger. The good thing with the Savage is that all you have to do is shoot it. If I didn't already have a superb Remington 700/Krieger/AI in .308 Win and if I wasn't building a Badger/Krieger/AI in .260 Remington I'd get the Savage 10 FCP for sure.

savage_10fcp.jpg


:)
 
I'm sure Savage 10 FCP McMillan is a shooter, but the price here bites MSRP $1360.00, but their entry level FP is about 600
 
I am pretty sure the .338 Lapua is not going to fit in you price range. Keep your sights set on the .308 or the .30-06 and you got a chance at getting a pretty good rifle.
 
I think your best bets would be:

Savage 10FP
Remington 700 SPS Varmint or Tactical

.223 rem is gonna be a lot more econimical to shoot but if your heart is set on .308. . .

Since both the Savage and Remington are very popular, try to find a local shop that has both in stock and pick the one that feels better to you.
 
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