Accurate Rifle on a budget

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prid93

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Hey all, I'm looking to purchase a new rifle with a few things in mind.

-First off, for both the rifle and the scope that will go on top of it, I'm looking to spend no more than around $900-$1000 (I am a college student...so I cant justify spending any more of my savings than that.)
-This rifle will be used solely for target shooting out to 400 yds. I'm looking for basically as accurate a rifle as I can get on this budget. Weight isn't an issue as any situation in which I need to carry the rifle will result in me carrying it over a very short distance.
-I will be reloading for this, so ammo cost isn't as much of an issue.

I have heard great things about the savage line of center fire rifles which leads me to look at something like this:
https://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/57408

Any input on a rifle or scope would be greatly appreciated.
 
The rifle you linked there is fantastic for target shooting. I had a chance to shoot that same rifle (my buddies) last weekend. It was extremely accurate, the accutrigger is great, and the muzzle breakage the recoil nearly non-existent. My buddy had it topped off with a Nikon Monarch. It's a sweet rig.
 
well on the budget, buy cheap Stevens for 250 bucks, long action preferably, then buy match barrel for it for around 300 bucks like CBI or Shilen and replacement stock B&C for about 200, then buy go-nogo gage, Savage monkey ranch, and action vise. Other then this you can get Weatherby Sub MOA, or TC ICON, they do have targets with riflle you about to purchase included so you can choose. Savage only guarantees 1" or less on their 10 -12 action models but they don't test them so you might get anything, good thing if you send them your faulty rifle they will make sure it shoots within their specs.
 
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You can get a handful of different Remington, Winchester, Savage, CZ, Tikka, TC, Weatherby, Howa, Ruger, etc for that budget. Some will shoot better than others. If you do aftermarket work, all bets go out the window. Today, most manufacturers are putting out rifles capable of 1/2-1" groups out of the box. Some may do better, but you have to be able to do better. I'd get the rifle that fits you best rather than some generic rifle based on internet opinions.

Another route would be to buy a complete lower and a WOA upper and put together an AR. You should get 1/2 MOA out of that system, though it may take a little more work than on a bolt rifle.
 
Mosin Nagant - $100
Jmeck scope mount - $80
Walmart 4-16x mil dot scope - $70
440 rounds of ammo - $90
Ability to shoot a 1000 yard gong with a 70 year old rifle and milsurp ammo? Priceless!
 
The rifle you have picked is a really good hunting rifle or, if properly tuned, would make a good sniper/precision rifle if you use high quality ammo in it. Once you have that rifle broke in, with practice and good ammo, a decent scope and you might be able to make some really long distance shots out as far as 750 meters or more.
 
I would consider a savage in either 260 Rem, .223, or .308. I have been very pleased with my Savage in .223 (under .5MOA out of the box with reloads) and the accu trigger is outstanding. I do own two .308 rifles, but find the .223 is quicker and cheaper to reload.
 
I'd guess a Savage .308 and a SWFA fixed 10x scope would be a fine start?

I'm researching the same thing. Many have claimed that the non-Fluted barrels are more accurate in stock Savages. And the HS, McM upgraded stocks make a difference.

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/36_62_974/products_id/43532

Overbudget, but I keep hearing that if you have someone custom bed this stock this becomes a really fine rifle:
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/36_62_974/products_id/43534


I just wish Savage would make a Heavy barrel police version in .300WinMag. They have a .338 that's nice, but I'd rather not pay $6 per round. But Savages are easy to rebarrel anyways so maybe I'll just look towards the aftermarket for a zippier caliber.
 
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I would go with a Remington 700 SPS Tactical (or any SPS model for that matter..)... They are very nice firearms..

But on other note 1+ for the Savage, they are very accurate and very comfy shoulder.. Once looked at a bullbarreled Savage in a Bell and Clarkson stock, It was amazing :L
 
I have a mossberg ATR100 in 30.06 with a cheap centerpoint scope,less then $400 in it and it will do about 1 to 1 1/2in MOA from a bench but the trigger could be grealy improved.
 
I'd guess a Savage .308 and a SWFA fixed 10x scope would be a fine start?
Click to expand...

Absolutely!

Figure an EGW base & Signature Zee Rings will run you $80-100.

For an optic, the Weaver Tactical 3-10x40 is on sale at Midway for $299 right now, and the Elite 3200 10x $199. SWFA has the 10x or 16x SS scopes for $299 as well. You can also browse classifieds at places like 24hourcampfire, Sniper's Hide, eBay, etc. and get the same scopes used for maybe a little less cash, or a "better" scope for the same price. As example, in the last six months I got a lightly used Bushnell Elite 4200 8-32x40 from the campfire for $325 shipped, and a Nikon Monarch 5-20x44 off eBay for $350.

As for the rifle itself...depends on what you want. Out to 400yd, .223 is more than sufficient for punching paper and will be cheaper for you to reload than anything else. Bud's has the Savage 10FP .223 for $607 or the newer threaded barrel 223 or 308 for $636. You can also look for used rifles on places like Savage Shooters, Gunbroker, Sniper's Hide, etc...sometimes there are good buys (and sometimes, REALLY good buys).

Or, here's something you could do:

Buy an older used long action Stevens 200 or Savage 110 from a pawn shop, gun shop used rack, yard sale, flea market, whatever. You could probably grab one for $150-200 this way. Buy a Criterion barrel in the caliber of your choice (6mmBR, 243, 260, Creedmoor, 308, whatever) from Jim Briggs @ Northland Shooters Supply for $250 + shipping. Then buy a long action B&C Duramaxx stock for $100.

With a barrel nut wrench and a go-gage ($60), you'll have about the same money invested in those factory Savage offerings...but with a better stock, proven aftermarket barrel, that you can easily & safely assemble yourself.

...or Bud's has the Remington 700 SPS Tactical in 223 for $550 or 308 for $573. I'm a Savage fan because of their accuracy & ease in home gunsmithing, but either of these Remmys should treat you well.
 
Mosin Nagant - $100
Jmeck scope mount - $80
Walmart 4-16x mil dot scope - $70
440 rounds of ammo - $90
Ability to shoot a 1000 yard gong with a 70 year old rifle and milsurp ammo? Priceless!
Click to expand...

No, actually the ability to imagine that such a cobbled together setup makes for a rifle capable for 1,000 yard shooting is priceless.

Don
 
I see, looks like Savage marketing joined our discussion, sweet dreams in the Savage land, in fact every rifle I buy from them are POS inaccurate, even LRP line. There are a-lot of hype around Savage been so good, this mostly been done by their marketing crew ;-)
 
I'd pass on the linked rifle...not sure why a muzzle brake is needed on a 308, but that's just me.

Take a look at a used Savage and spend the rest on optics...you don't want to skimp on optics...it doesn't matter how accurate the rifle is if your optic is crap, you aren't going to hit your target consistently.

Pass on the SPS...the factory stocks sux on the SPS.

Find a Savage with the accustock and accutrigger and you will be happy. Down the line when more funds become available, you can add more calibers by swapping your barrel.
 
DIM said:
I see, looks like Savage marketing joined our discussion, sweet dreams in the Savage land, in fact every rifle I buy from them are POS inaccurate, even LRP line. There are a-lot of hype around Savage been so good, this mostly been done by their marketing crew ;-)
Click to expand...
On the flip side of that coin, I've purchased two used Savages over the years with the old style (pre-Accu Trigger) triggers and they're excellent shooters.
 
Yes I own old ones pre-accutriger models and they all shoot great, but any new ones with accutriger had issues with accuracy.
 
I can post same pictures of my TC PH shooting one hole 5 shots 0.24"@100 and 2.8"@600 or my Remington SPS shooting 0.25"@100 and 0.9@300, but I can't do this for my new Savage.
 
Id really check out the Remington SPS Tactical or Varmint in either .223 or .308. They can be had for under 600 bucks easily. They use the same barrels and actions as Remingtons 700P models (which is their police sniper line) just with a cheaper finish and stock.

That leaves you with 400 for optics. The Elite 3200 10x scope is pretty decent for 200 bucks. Then some decent rings and bases, I like Leupold.

The stock on the SPS Tac isnt great but it is serviceable. My SPS Tac shot well with the standard stock. You can find used HS Precision stocks for sale for cheap if you hunt around. B&C also makes a good economical stock.

I ended up selling it to fund my duty rifle (Colt 6920) but I would have no problem buying another one.
 
Forgot to say.....

I have owned a Savage 10FP .308 before and it was a fantastic shooter. I averaged about .8 to .9 inch groups at 100 yards with it and I didnt get to practice much.
 
So my first proposition was to use Savage action and to get it cheap is to buy Stevens rifle which uses same Savage action, then if its not, I didn't say that it is a bad shooter, replace its barrel with match barrel like CBI and get new stock with bedding block in it. Then you'll have custom rifle made on the budget!!!
 
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