Target rifle with a 2K budget

nsgallup

nsgallup

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Trying to decide what the best choice would be for a precision bolt rifle under $2000 (just for the rifle, not including optics as I already have a scope I would use on it)

I want a .308 win, or maybe a .300 win mag, magazine fed preferably.

Have been looking at higher end Remington, Savage, and Ruger rifles.. any other ideas? My main concern is accuracy.

Thanks
 
You haven't said what distance you want to be shooting at?

If it's about target and accuracy and not about hunting, 308 over 300 win mag all the way
 
Lots of choices in rifles - Remington 700 (including the 5R), Savage 10/10BA/110BA, and the new Ruger Precision Rifle.

The more difficult choices are:

- Cartridge - select the cartridge first, then the rifle. Depends on what kind of shooting you want to do, at what ranges. Some types of competitive shooting such as F/TR are limited to cartridges. Bryan Litz has some excellent articles on cartridge selection. 800 yards is pushing the limits of cartridges like the .223 Remington and .308 out of shorter barrels. I happen to like my .300 Win Mag - uses .308 projectiles and with heavier bullets, can have downrange velocities that rival that of the venerable .338 Lapua Magnum according to Litz. Others swear by cartridges like the .260 Rem and 6mm that develop high velocities and use projectiles with high ballistic coefficients. Selecting a cartridge is a great part of developing your unique system!

- Optics - you say you have a scope already - it may or may not be well-suited to the firearm you choose and the type of shooting you want to do. A guy at my range last week had a really nice Savage 10TR rifle set-up, and was diligently trying to develop handloads, but had a cheap scope and flimsy mounts that I suspect were the cause of poor groups even at 100 yards. Quality glass and solid mounts are key.
 
The Savage 10TR/LE will decimate any comers anywhere near the price.

After that the Savage target set is very hard to beat without going custom. I have a 12 LRP in 6.5 Creedmoor that shoots under an inch at 300. And my 111 Long Range Hunter in .338 Lapua is under a n inch rifle and hits elk like a freight train. These aren't pretty guns but they shoot very well.
 
If you want accuracy then buy a lightly used Savage model 11 ( the older style with top bolt release and accual metal bottom metal and mag) they can be had for around the $400 mark. Then get a Rifle Basix Sav-II triger for it for around $150. Look for take off HS precission stock or buy a Boyds pro varmint for it , either one will run you around $350 - $400. Order up a Benchmark savage prefit barrel in cal. you want $700. Screw the barrel on and head space it then bed it into the stock. Install the trigger and you will have a very accurate rifle for well under $2000
 
FirearmsEnthusiast said:
- Optics - you say you have a scope already - it may or may not be well-suited to the firearm you choose and the type of shooting you want to do. A guy at my range last week had a really nice Savage 10TR rifle set-up, and was diligently trying to develop handloads, but had a cheap scope and flimsy mounts that I suspect were the cause of poor groups even at 100 yards. Quality glass and solid mounts are key.
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Have a Leopold mark 4 4.5-14x50
 
Savage model 12 in 308.

300WM is not a great choice for a precision rifle unless you install a muzzle brake. This will not earn you friends at the range and also disqualifies you from any competition that this part of the forum is dedicated to.
 
Shooter ----/ said:
Savage model 12 in 308.

300WM is not a great choice for a precision rifle unless you install a muzzle brake. This will not earn you friends at the range and also disqualifies you from any competition that this part of the forum is dedicated to.
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Not planning on getting involved in competition, though I guess that could change in the future, I prefer to shoot on crown/private land rather then at a crowded range so the muzzle brake should be fine.
 
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What about a Rem LTR and a Leupold Mark AR scope, it's up to you on magnification and reticle, but I'm guessing you could do it for under the $2g's.
 
nsgallup said:
Have a Leopold mark 4 4.5-14x50
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Should be OK for starters. See how it does on a "tall target test" that will confirm that it was installed level and tracks properly, giving you the intended number of MOA of turret tracking (not always the case)! You also may want to add a scope level - inexpensive "insurance" against cant errors that result in horizontal dispersion at moderate to longer ranges. I like the US Optics rail-mounted bubble level and the Vortex level.

Don't skip the tall target test - it's quick, cheap, and tells you a lot. You need this info plus a reliable 100 yard zero to eliminate some of the basic variables to be able to generate consistent hits at longer ranges, no matter what rifle / scope combination you choose.

Also, your original post didn't mention if you handload or not. If no, reserve some budget for match-grade ammo and save the brass for future reloading. If yes, then plan to purchase any missing equipment (neck-sizing or collet dies if you're reloading for the same bolt action rifle), projectiles, powder, primers, and overall length gauge plus brass and bullet comparators. These bits are not overly pricey and make big differences.

If handloading, access to a chronograph is critical.

The entire "shooting system" is only as good as the weakest variable between shooter/technique, rifle/optics, and ammunition (velocity and standard deviation as an indicator of consistency).
 
nsgallup said:
Not planning on getting involved in competition, though I guess that could change in the future, I prefer to shoot on crown land rather then at a crowded range so the muzzle break should be fine.
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Next thing to consider is cost of ammunition. Handloading or purchasing factory will a difference in price. The cheaper, the more you actually get to shoot. Shooting is what makes you a better shot.

Whichever cartridge you choose between those two will serve you well. Don't listen to those that say they can't shoot their 308 to distance. Many of us do it, do it often and do it pretty effectively. Just be aware that the fad of short barrels is like buying a beautiful new Camaro and getting the V6 engine and wondering why you get smoked at the races.

Muzzle brakes are good and do a good job. I have come to find though, that when it is hot out and I'm overheating, the concussion from the muzzle brake can be too much for my head to tolerate. Even with double hearing protection.
 
I do not reload currently, but will get into it at some point. I do already save all my brass.. Have about 2000 casings of .45 acp xD

Also it is not a gun I plan on hiking all over with so I don't mind a longer barrel
 
Easy:

I purchased a very lightly used Savage Precision Carbine for $500. Then mounted a Sightron SIII 16x mil dot scope for $600. Add in a few hundred bucks for scope base and rings as well as a bipod and you have a 1000 yd capable rifle for less than $1500.

The Precision Carbine was so good I didn't bother doing any of the traditional accuracy tweaks. With my first test loads it grouped everything into consistent 5/8" groups. What more could you want from a $500 rifle? ;)
 
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