best out of the box long distance rifle under a grand.
- Thread starter newfierob
- Start date
kharlingca
CGN Regular
- Location
- Montreal Region, QC
This question has been around for some time, but what the H@ll
My rem 700 sps v shoots under .71 MOA at 100 meters with no mods
Cost at the time 600.00 and some change
Savage 10FP
I don't know what the best is but I'm very happy with the performance of my Savage 10FP. I can't think of a more accurate rifle that I've used that cost less than a grand. That being said, the fit and finish are certainly not the best and it does feel rather cheap. Can't complain about the results though.
I don't know what the best is but I'm very happy with the performance of my Savage 10FP. I can't think of a more accurate rifle that I've used that cost less than a grand. That being said, the fit and finish are certainly not the best and it does feel rather cheap. Can't complain about the results though.
- Location
- Hillbilly shack in the boonies
If your stuck on out of the box, can't help. But screw onto a 700 action, a gaillard barrel, have it squared up at install, and you got the real deal.
Look for a rifle, then get together with a smith, to work a deal on getting the thing in order.
Look for a rifle, then get together with a smith, to work a deal on getting the thing in order.
what is your definition of long distance? $1000 for just the rifle? or $1000 for everything to make you able to hit reliably at your definition of "long distance"?
Most of the cheapest scopes out ther that would allow you to shoot out to a 1000yds are over a $1000 (2-3000 for good optics and mounts). Sorry to burst your bubble, but competitive/reliable long range accuracy does not come cheap.
If you have an old Remmy 700 in the closet do this:Action trued $150.00
Gaillard barrel shipped $375.00
Chambered fitted & crowned $225.00
Grand total = $750.00, add $150.00 to this price if the trigger is not yet done & the bolt needs a bushing to fix the famous Remmy crater issue. That still puts you at $950.00 less the stock. The only extra charge should be some shipping if you don't have a local Smith to do the work.
That leaves $250.00 (without tigger & bolt) towards a stock of your choice which can always be added at a later date. EE is a good place to find a good stock. I'd use the old stock for a couple months myself to raises funds if my inital budget was $1000.00. The end result would be much better this way IMHO.
This figure only works if you already have an existing 700 in your cabinet, otherwise you need to add $400.00 - $700.00 to find a doner action or rifle which breaks the budget.
If we are talking bare bones out of the box I haven't checked the price on a Tikka lately, but I still think the blued ones are under a grand and that would be the first I'd go with.
I think you pretty much have to consider 1000$ to be without a scope to call it a "Precision" rifle. However a grand could get you a decent enough set up for 300 to 500 meters. A Savage and Simmons combo for example. If you shopped around you could probably get a used 700 and a nice used scope for about a grand. I saw a nice used Nikon a year or so ago for 300$ that i still regret not buying even though I did not and stil don't have a rifle to put it on.
I have no personal experience but I have heard enough about the Weatherby Vanguard to be interested in finding out more.
I would have said Tikka but have heard some horror stories. Again no personal experience so if I am wrong please don't pillory me.
I was also wondering what would be the best value in a long range cartridge? I would love the pure ###iness of a .338 Lapua but even if I could afford the rifle and the glass to match AND was good enough to warrant it I could never pay 6$ a round. I was thinking .300 WSM but would love some advice on this?
I have no personal experience but I have heard enough about the Weatherby Vanguard to be interested in finding out more.
I would have said Tikka but have heard some horror stories. Again no personal experience so if I am wrong please don't pillory me.
I was also wondering what would be the best value in a long range cartridge? I would love the pure ###iness of a .338 Lapua but even if I could afford the rifle and the glass to match AND was good enough to warrant it I could never pay 6$ a round. I was thinking .300 WSM but would love some advice on this?
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Huh? My cheap scopes that allow me to shoot out to a 1000yds cost $250 (3200 10x40) & $450 (3200 5-15x40). Sorry to burst your bubble, but a lot of people enjoy competitive/reliable long range accuracy for a lot less than $2K- $3K.
Burris Sig Z rings are about $50. Under $200 for a quality base. Leupold VX III's can be had for under $1K, as can Elite 6500's or Weaver target models. Now they're not in the same class as Swarovski & NF, but are quite capable for 1000yds.
Any factory rifle is a crap shoot. Some shoot well, a select few shoot very well and the majority are ~1moa under ideal conditions.
Don't get sucked into believing that more money means more accurate, and I don't put any stock in one brand being hands-down more accurate than another, with the exception of Tikka. I believe thse to be the mos consistently accurate factory rifles.
Some that are great shooters for under $1500 are the Savage target rifles such as the 12 F-Class, the Palma, the F-TR. These seem to be generally good shooters, but there have been several issues with some that were not exceptional. Custom barrels on the action of your choice are the best way to hedge your bets accuracy wise.
Don't get sucked into believing that more money means more accurate, and I don't put any stock in one brand being hands-down more accurate than another, with the exception of Tikka. I believe thse to be the mos consistently accurate factory rifles.
Some that are great shooters for under $1500 are the Savage target rifles such as the 12 F-Class, the Palma, the F-TR. These seem to be generally good shooters, but there have been several issues with some that were not exceptional. Custom barrels on the action of your choice are the best way to hedge your bets accuracy wise.
I actually am not sure what round would be best which is why I asked. .300WSM was just on the tip of my tongue so to speak. I am actually in the proccess f trying to figure out what type of rifle would be a good investment for my first rifle not a .303 which is why i found this thread so interesting. I have put some thought into it and would like the best "bang for the buck"
I have also considered a BAR in .300 win mag. I know bolt action is the obvious choice for total accuracy but once you are down under a grand for a bolt rifle anyway the BAR does not seem so bad. A semi action might soak up some recoil as well which could be as important to my shooting as the potential accuracy of the rifle.
I have also considered a BAR in .300 win mag. I know bolt action is the obvious choice for total accuracy but once you are down under a grand for a bolt rifle anyway the BAR does not seem so bad. A semi action might soak up some recoil as well which could be as important to my shooting as the potential accuracy of the rifle.
This is where everyone will have their own opinions.... I have shot long range accurately and reliably with gear like you have stated but with smaller calibers. Now that I am getting more into long range hunting and larger calibers, I have found the cheaper mounts and optics are not standing up to the abuse, not to mention after having some of the clearer and higer power optics, I can't seem to go back to the cheaper optics even if they would stand up. Most people will find this out for themselves over time and investing money, but if you are seriously considering a purchase, take the time and really think about how far you want to get into long range shooting, even try and go out to a competition and see what the winners are using, or ask some people who long range hunt what they use/recomend.
