1 MOA or less .308 bolt action under $1k?

[LoneStarWings]

I'm looking to buy soething that can get consistent sub MOA groups out to 500 yards for under $1,000. It'd be used for recreational bench rest shooting and whitetail hunting. I will spend another $1,000 on an optic for it.

Criteria:

-bolt action
-made in america
-under $1,000
-chambered in .308
-sub MOA with match ammo
-synthetic stock
-less than 8lbs

It doesn't have to be a $1000 dollar rifle. If something can get the job done for 300 or 400 that's fine. I've kind of had my eye on a Marlin XS7.

 

[TEC]

Did you see this one? I am tempted. . .

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=460293

 

[3pairs12]

Rem700P

 

[Levij83]

i dont know if its under 8 lbs, but its a wicked nice rifle. The link is a picture of my cousin firing his Rem 700 sps tactical. He ended up paying around 6 hundred for it on Gunbroker. Even with a cheap glass on it he can shoot subMOA at 250.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/levij83/3275733504/

 

[Uncle Mike]

Savage 10- Many different configurations.(Not all < $1k, but most)
Savage 12-
Remington 700 Police-
Remington 700 VLS, VTR, VARMINT SF-

The Savages are more accurate out of the box, the Remingtons you may have to fool with to get that magical MOA.....

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

Here is your answer - and it's *guaranteed* to do that, and at only ONE HALF your budget:

http://www.tcarms.com/firearms/venture.php

The Tikka T3 is also guaranteed to do it, as is the sum-MOA Weatherby Vanguard.

The rest very well might, but you won't have any recourse if they don't.

 

[Will Fennell]

Finland

The TIKKA T3 Varmint would fill the bill for you [ 1 moa guarantee ], but it is made in Finland. A little diversity may do you some good

I have been exposed to 3 T3's, and all have shot well under MOA with loads they liked. My current T3 is a sporter in 6.5x55, and it is amazing.

 

[MCMXI]

Here is your answer - and it's *guaranteed* to do that, and at only ONE HALF your budget:

How many 8lb rifles can you find under $1000 that are guaranteed to shoot sub-MOA at 500 yards ... the OP's objective? Rifles that shoot sub-MOA at 100 yards are commonplace these days. In fact, I've never owned a bolt action rifle that didn't shoot sub-MOA at 100 yards right out of the box with reloads. Personally, I think you'll have a tough time finding a bone stock rifle under 8lb and under $1000 that'll shoot at or under 5.235" at 500 yards with factory ammunition or reloads. I'm not talking one lucky 3 or 5-shot group ... I'm talking consistent 10, 15 or 20-shot groups inside 5-1/4" at 500 yards . I think you'll need to spend more than $1000 for that.

 

[possum]

savage model 10, you would be very happy with it.

 

[Plain Old Bill]

Savage 10FP. Spend the other 500 on a great scope.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

How many 8lb rifles can you find under $1000 that are guaranteed to shoot sub-MOA at 500 yards ... the OP's objective? Rifles that shoot sub-MOA at 100 yards are commonplace these days. In fact, I've never owned a bolt action rifle that didn't shoot sub-MOA at 100 yards right out of the box with reloads. Personally, I think you'll have a tough time finding a bone stock rifle under 8lb and under $1000 that'll shoot at or under 5.235" at 500 yards with factory ammunition or reloads. I'm not talking one lucky 3 or 5-shot group ... I'm talking consistent 10, 15 or 20-shot groups inside 5-1/4" at 500 yards . I think you'll need to spend more than $1000 for that.

Ahhh, good point - with all the variables (wind etc.) at 500 yards, you'd better get one that shoots 1/2 MOA at 100 - that might take more than the venture - probably looking at an accurized factory .308 to do that.

 

[P.B.Walsh]

You might need to raise your weight requirements to 10 or less pounds, to get the heavy barrel.

 

[Jim Watson]

I don't know about you guys, but the OP is calling for two rifles by my standards.
I would not enjoy shooting a hunting weight .308 for long target sessions and I would not want to hump a target rifle in the woods.

 

[LoneStarWings]

Fair enough fellas, I have other rifles I can use to hunt with, let's drop the weight requirement to 12 lbs and up the budget to $1500, is the kind of accuracy I desire possible now in more of a pure target rifle?

 

[Heck]

SPS tactical will do it all day long. It shoots under a half with federall GMM and under and inch with anything else. Mine with scope, sling, and bipod weighs 10.5 pounds.


I only paid $589 NIB

 

[P.B.Walsh]

My SPS Varmit .308 with a B&C stock sling, and scope is around 12.4 lbs.

BTW the B&C A2 style stock us NICE!!!!!

 

[Runningman]

That is an unrealistic set of requirements.

Ever shoot for groups at 500 yards?

Even with well developed handloads off a good benchrest set up it is not as easy as some would think. And how many shot groups are you talking about, 3,5,10 rounds? I think you are going to have a real hard time finding a rifle that weighs under 8 pounds that well shoot 1 moa or better at 500 yards myself.

The less than 8lbs requirement will be a big spoiler for sure. That limits you to some sort of lightweight sporter contour barrel. You are also going to need a fairly heavy and long target style scope to shrink those targets at 500 yards.

 

[LoneStarWings]

Ever shoot for groups at 500 yards?

Even with well developed handloads off a good benchrest set up it is not as easy as some would think. And how many shot groups are you talking about, 3,5,10 rounds? I think you are going to have a real hard time finding a rifle that weighs under 8 pounds that well shoot 1 moa or better at 500 yards myself.

The less than 8lbs requirement will be a big spoiler for sure. That limits you to some sort of lightweight sporter contour barrel. You are also going to need a fairly heavy and long target style scope to shrink those targets at 500 yards.

Nope, 300 is the most I've done to date, as there aren't any ranges around that have longer distances, but I would like the capability to be accurate out to 500. I can get 2 MOA with my M1A at 300yds with a 7x scope and FGMM 168gr, 5 shot groups. My standard M1A is not a bench rest/target rifle though. It weighs right at 8 lbs. I'm looking for a more accurate bolt to complement the semi-auto.

I'm talking 5 shot groups.

 

[MCMXI]

I don't know about you guys, but the OP is calling for two rifles by my standards.
I would not enjoy shooting a hunting weight .308 for long target sessions and I would not want to hump a target rifle in the woods.

I agree with both points.

Fair enough fellas, I have other rifles I can use to hunt with, let's [strike]drop[/strike] up the weight requirement to 12 lbs and up the budget to $1500, is the kind of accuracy I desire possible now in more of a pure target rifle?

This would work ... and from what I hear, it works well. You could probably find it new for around $1000.

http://www.savagearms.com/12FTR.htm

I handled one in a local gun shop and it felt a lot heavier than 12lb ... and the barrel is HUGE and LONG!!

 

[Arkel23]

Get the Weatherby Vanguard SUB-MOA it's one of the most accurate rifles you can buy, and it's under $1,000.00. Don't put $1,000.00 in a scope that's just ridiculous.

 

[P.B.Walsh]

Why is 1k in a scope ludicrious??

 

[AgentAdam]

Rem700 SPS Tactical 1/2MOA with the heavy target barrel
$599

The SPS Varminter would be lighter, more so if the barrel wasn't so long. Should hold 1MOA.

 

[LoneStarWings]

Actually I had my eye on this scope:
http://www.burrisoptics.com/sigselect1.html#8x32x

which is only ~600ish. Might go with the 6-24x model instead though.

 

[ArmedBear]

Catch-22.

I agree with those who say these are two rifles.

My hunting .30-06 will shoot one group that's WAY sub-MOA with handloads (not special handloads, either). Then it has to sit and cool, or the groups open up. Not so fun for a recreational bench rifle at 500 yards.

Now if it had a big, fat fluted barrel it might shoot more consistently but not weigh TOO much. However, I think it'd still weigh more than I'd want to hunt with.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

Well with the new weight and price, this one's gonna be a contender:

http://www.tcarms.com/firearms/icon.php

Icon "Precision Hunter"