Looking For Target Rifle Recommendations

[Turkeytider]

Currently enjoying the range shooting my .223 hunting rifle. Would like to explore something more target oriented, maybe in .223. Local range is 100 yards, with periodic access to private shooting range up to 300 yards. Would like thoughts and recommendations on potential guns between what I have now ( Savage Storm 110 in .223 ) and a chassis gun. Maybe in a range from 500 to 1 K. Thanks guys. Any advice really appreciated.

 

[JFrank]

6 mm Norma will absolutely amaze you with the inherent accuracy and ease of load development.

 

[12Bravo20]

If you like your Savage Storm, then I suggest getting a Savage with a heavy barrel.

https://savagearms.com/content?p=firearms&so=az&pp=24&a=Centerfire

I have several Savage rifles with their heavy varmint barrels and all shoot very well.

 

[redcon1]

Currently enjoying the range shooting my .223 hunting rifle. Would like to explore something more target oriented, maybe in .223. Local range is 100 yards, with periodic access to private shooting range up to 300 yards. Would like thoughts and recommendations on potential guns between what I have now ( Savage Storm 110 in .223 ) and a chassis gun. Maybe in a range from 500 to 1 K. Thanks guys. Any advice really appreciated.

An AR15 with a quality 20" heavy barrel and after market trigger and maybe an adjustable gas block and with decent ammo of course will shoot sub-MOA all day long at 100 yards. That's the .223 target rifle I want and am currently researching to build myself.

 

[gotboostvr]

A couple questions,

Do you want to stick with 223? It's a perfectly capable cartridge at the ranges you mention.

If you want something else, do you reload?

If you don't, 6.5 creedmoor will be your huckleberry.

If you do, you have so many options it's not funny.

Do you want another stickshift, or would you want a semi auto?

Do you want something new from the factory, or do you want to build it yourself?

A used Savage and a new aftermarket barrel and trigger should be within your budget, resin bed and fill the stock and you could have a GREAT shooter under your 1k budget.

 

[someguy2800]

Handloading or buying ammo?

A 1:8 twist 223 shooting 69-75 grain bullets is the most ecconomical choice and very capable out to 300 yards. At 500-600 yards the wind will push it around quite a bit compared to larger calibers. If you are buying commercial ammo there really are not that many options that have reasonably affordable match ammo available. My top picks if buying ammo would be 223, 6mm ARC, 6mm Creedmoor, 6.5 grendel 6.5 Creedmoor.

For your budget this is probably what I would get in 6mm creedmoor and at some point in the future I would swap out the stock for a GRS Berserk.

https://www.savagearms.com/content?p=firearms&a=product_summary&s=57137

And this scope

https://www.natchezss.com/sig-sauer...-dev-l-moa-side-focus-0-25-moa-adj-black.html

 

[Turkeytider]

A couple questions,

Do you want to stick with 223? It's a perfectly capable cartridge at the ranges you mention.

If you want something else, do you reload?

If you don't, 6.5 creedmoor will be your huckleberry.

If you do, you have so many options it's not funny.

Do you want another stickshift, or would you want a semi auto?

Do you want something new from the factory, or do you want to build it yourself?

A used Savage and a new aftermarket barrel and trigger should be within your budget, resin bed and fill the stock and you could have a GREAT shooter under your 1k budget.

Right now I`m thinking of sticking with .223. Not into reloading, although it appears that anyone serious about shooting rifles is, LOL! I like bolt action and am interested in factory new. Fully aware that the scopes that come with package guns are hardly top of the line, but so far the Vortex Crossfire II that came with my Savage has done well.

 

[someguy2800]

The nice thing about a savage is you can grow with it. You can change the barrel yourself so if you shoot it out or decide to change calibers you can replace the barrel yourself and even convert a 223 into a 308 class cartridge by just changing the bolt head. My savage model 12bvss has had 3 different 223 barrels, a 308 barrel, a 6.5x284 barrel, and is now a 6.5 creedmoor. And if you do start handloading that opens the door to lots of caliber options that you can't buy many factory rifles in like 6mm BR, 6XC, 6mm TCU, ect... Lots of aftermarket stock options as well.

 

[BigBL87]

I have a Savage 10 FCP in 308 that I really like. Dropped it in a Choate Tactical Stock and it's heavy as all get out but fun to shoot. Wouldn't use it for anything besides completely stationary hunting and target shooting, but it's nice. For PURE target shooting, I'd look at a Savage 12 for the longer heavy barrel though the 10 would work fine for you too.

My 223 bolt action is a Weatherby Vanguard heavy barrel. It's probably my favorite rifle from an aesthetic and quality standpoint (super smooth action by my standards), but haven't gotten to shoot it much in the last year so can't comment on accuracy.

 

[jmr40]

A 223 will be OK at 500, maybe 600, but would be less than ideal at longer ranges. At 100-300 yards you don't need anything special. The rifle you have will probably be fine. If you really want to go to 1000 you should probably be looking at the 6mm and 6.5MM offerings. I'd keep what I have for now and just work on getting better with it. Once you're ready to go longer you'll have a better idea of what you really want.

 

[Varminterror]

Learning precision marksmanship with a 100yrd range, occasionally 300, grab a heavy barreled CZ bolt action in 22LR and never look back.

Shooting 223 is an option, but more expensive, and really won’t offer significant difference between 100 and 300 yards. The major difference between 100 and 300 yards with a 223/5.56 is the scope you’re using… otherwise it’s really a matter of dialing extra drop and holding a bit more than 3x more wind… yawn…

 

[Turkeytider]

Thanks guys, I`m REALLY enjoying the input. Thanks for helping out a relative newbie!

 

[Turkeytider]

A 223 will be OK at 500, maybe 600, but would be less than ideal at longer ranges. At 100-300 yards you don't need anything special. The rifle you have will probably be fine. If you really want to go to 1000 you should probably be looking at the 6mm and 6.5MM offerings. I'd keep what I have for now and just work on getting better with it. Once you're ready to go longer you'll have a better idea of what you really want.

That`s sage advice, no doubt. Even with a sporter barrel, I think I`m not coming close to realizing its full potential ( not that it will ever be a precision target rifle ). I just wish some of the better rounds like the Hornady and Nosler flat base hunting rounds weren`t so damned expensive. They are a little too dear to be " range fodder ", at least for this boy!

 

[C-grunt]

Man finding a good 223 target rifle for under 1000 bucks is kinda hard. There are good target rifles in that price range but Im not seeing any of them in 223.

The Savage 110 Varmint in 223 would probably be good but Id be looking to replace the stock pretty quickly myself. Even just going to a B&C or a cheaper chassis would make a big difference in my opinion. You should be able to pick one of those up and a replacement stock for around 1000 bucks.

But.... in this case Id really have to agree with Varminterror. Get a good 22 target rifle. I recently got to shoot a Vudu 22 rifle and it was amazing. A good 22 makes even modest range target shooting very enjoyable. And good 22 ammo is still pretty cheap, even if it's expensive for 22. Im seriously eye balling the CZ with the Manners stock as my precision 22 rifle.

 

[Frostbite]

Ammunition selected is more important at this point than a brand new rifle in my humble opinion. Match ammunition makes a difference in most of my rifles.

If you prefer to shoot inexpensive ammunition, Varminterror is absolutely right. It's what I do, although 200 yards is the longest I have tried with .22 LR. I also shoot my other rifles and enjoy them, but round count is way higher in .22 LR for myself.

The other option is to learn reloading in order to get better (consistent) ammunition for the same price: next step.

Then, when the rifle wears, change the barrel for a better aftermarket one, get a better stock, trigger... Or just a new rifle made for target from day one, possibly in a different cartridge so you can reach further after having become a better marksman with all those shots fired through your present rifle or a good .22 LR.

Money spent on good or better glass is usually well spent money when entering target shooting, at least from my own personal experience and observations. Don't be shy to put a very nice scope on a mid-range priced or better rifle, it helps.

 

[BigBlue 94]

Hunting rifle... What do you hunt with it? Do you want a more capable hunting rifle? Err a more capable round? 308 is a more rounded caliber while still having the same basic available range of ammo types as 223.

My point is a 22LR would be a great choice for smiles per gallon, but wont do squat for hunting anything over 30 pounds or so. A larger caliber loke 308 or 30-06 will fill the target needs and be able to take a moose or deer or small bear etc. 6mm bores are great for targets and smaller CXP2 game.

Maybe 7 years ago i bought a new remington 700 SPS in 308 and a lower level Leupold scope for about $1200. It eventually found its way into an AICS chassis.

 

[d2wing]

It depends on how much accuracy you want. Some guys I know buy Remington rifles or action, have a target barrel installed and action trued by a Gunsmith . Install a Timney trigger and a manners stock. They put every shot in the same hole. Savages are a good option, Ruger Precision Rifle or Tikka are good as well. For the range you describe, 223 would be my choice. I shoot Target. 22lr but I don't get shooting them much beyond 50 yards. But on the other hand it is popular as some guys have mentioned because it can simulate shooting centerfire at 3 times the range. I would consider it. It is cheaper and no recoil.

 

[someguy2800]

Another one that is a lot of smiles per dollar out to 300 yards and further is a good 17 HMR.

 

[12Bravo20]

If you decide to go with a rimfire rifle and like your Savage, I suggest getting a Savage MkII. I have two MkII rifles with the heavy varmint barrel that is setup just like my Savage 308 Model 12 with varmint barrel. My MkII GVL is chambered in 17m2 and my MkII BTVLSS is in 22lr.

And I will throw out yet another suggestion too. IF you like your 110 Storm rifle, look into the MDT Oryx chassis for it and then take the time finding a good load that your rifle likes and shoots well.

 

[BigBL87]

If you decide to go with a rimfire rifle and like your Savage, I suggest getting a Savage MkII. I have two MkII rifles with the heavy varmint barrel that is setup just like my Savage 308 Model 12 with varmint barrel. My MkII GVL is chambered in 17m2 and my MkII BTVLSS is in 22lr.

I'll second this, hard to beat the Mark II in value. Mine loves CCI Standard Velocity and I've wrung a .6ish MOA group out of it using that.

Magazines are the weak point IMO, they're kinda flimsy but they are cheap, so it is what it is. I got 10 rounders when I bought it but never use them, I like the 5 rounders better.

 

[Spats McGee]

If you decide to go with a rimfire rifle and like your Savage, I suggest getting a Savage MkII.....

I'll second this, hard to beat the Mark II in value. Mine loves CCI Standard Velocity and I've wrung a .6ish MOA group out of it using that....

I don't have a Savage, but I must admit that I'm considering branching out from Rugers, and I think a Savage may be at the top of my list.

 

[someguy2800]

For a bolt action that your going to sit and shoot a lot I like the Savage mark 2 mags a lot better than the rotary mags on the ruger or Savage B22. The Savage ones are very easy to load and I don’t get sore fingers even if I sit and shoot a whole brick.

 

[12Bravo20]

I don't have a Savage, but I must admit that I'm considering branching out from Rugers, and I think a Savage may be at the top of my list.

The two main reasons I stick with Savage rifles is 1) they are usually very accurate, 2) Savage rifles are the easiest to find in left hand versions.

I would look at other brands but not too many make left hand bolt actions, let alone in my price range.

 

[BigBlue 94]

The two main reasons I stick with Savage rifles is 1) they are usually very accurate, 2) Savage rifles are the easiest to find in left hand versions.

I would look at other brands but not too many make left hand bolt actions, let alone in my price range.

Savage has also made a left hand throw, right hand eject bolt action based on the model 10 action. Though it was a target pistol, where such a thing makes perfect sense!

My striker is a fantastic bolt action rif, er, pistol. Throws 22-250's in one ragged hole.

 

[BigBL87]

For a bolt action that your going to sit and shoot a lot I like the Savage mark 2 mags a lot better than the rotary mags on the ruger or Savage B22. The Savage ones are very easy to load and I don’t get sore fingers even if I sit and shoot a whole brick.

Ya, the mags aren't the WORST but mine have a tendency to open up a bit too far at the top and shoot all the rounds out if I'm not careful. Just have to pinch everything back together good and tight, but it is annoying when it happens.