Folks,
I'm interested in buying a new rifle and scope combo for around $1000 total. I would appreciate your advice.
A bit of background on me: I consider my rifle skills somewhere around intermediate heading towards advanced. I own .22LR, AR-15, and .30-06 rifles and have shot thousands of rounds at the range. I usually plink with the .22LR and AR-15, but I have been honing my shooting skills at short/medium ranges with the .30-06. I have gotten down to sub-MOA groups at 100-200 yards (around 1.5-1.75" at 200 yards). I enjoy shooting at 200 yards and would like to try my hand at longer ranges. I do handload all my centerfire ammo.
Here's what I'm thinking about that I'd like your feedback on. The rifle would be used almost exclusively to put holes in paper at the range, although it may see some action on varmin and coyotes/predators.
Cartridge: I'm leaning towards 6.5 Creedmoor for the next chambering, although .260 Remington is also interesting. The high sectional density of these rounds is appealing.
Rifle: I'm looking for something that is accurate out of the box, has good features, and leaves enough money in the budget for good optics. I'm currently looking at the Winchester XPR model line based on stellar reviews. I like the walnut stock on the Winchester XPR Sporter, but am willing to go synthetic.
Optics: I'm looking at two Vortex scopes: the Diamondback HP 4-16x42mm and the Crossfire II 6-24x50mm. I'm leaning towards the Diamondback due to better lens coatings, but also like the larger magnification of the Crossfire (even if it does have a huge 50mm objective lens).
Thoughts? Feedback is appreciated!
I'm interested in buying a new rifle and scope combo for around $1000 total. I would appreciate your advice.
A bit of background on me: I consider my rifle skills somewhere around intermediate heading towards advanced. I own .22LR, AR-15, and .30-06 rifles and have shot thousands of rounds at the range. I usually plink with the .22LR and AR-15, but I have been honing my shooting skills at short/medium ranges with the .30-06. I have gotten down to sub-MOA groups at 100-200 yards (around 1.5-1.75" at 200 yards). I enjoy shooting at 200 yards and would like to try my hand at longer ranges. I do handload all my centerfire ammo.
Here's what I'm thinking about that I'd like your feedback on. The rifle would be used almost exclusively to put holes in paper at the range, although it may see some action on varmin and coyotes/predators.
Cartridge: I'm leaning towards 6.5 Creedmoor for the next chambering, although .260 Remington is also interesting. The high sectional density of these rounds is appealing.
Rifle: I'm looking for something that is accurate out of the box, has good features, and leaves enough money in the budget for good optics. I'm currently looking at the Winchester XPR model line based on stellar reviews. I like the walnut stock on the Winchester XPR Sporter, but am willing to go synthetic.
Optics: I'm looking at two Vortex scopes: the Diamondback HP 4-16x42mm and the Crossfire II 6-24x50mm. I'm leaning towards the Diamondback due to better lens coatings, but also like the larger magnification of the Crossfire (even if it does have a huge 50mm objective lens).
Thoughts? Feedback is appreciated!