Building a precision target/hunting rifle on a budget

Just a note. These rifles are "real sleepers" with a little more work. If you know a good smith, have him set the barrel back, true-up the treads, ream a match chamber, recrown, free float the barrel, and if you have some extra $$ have it bedded! This tune-up can be had for another $500.. or so, and believe me, you'll be impressed with the results. I'd guess .75 to .50 MOA with factory match ammo. This is of course, if you want to take this step. Nice start!
 
NORTH OF 53 said:
I know I am going to get flamed for this and I am not trying to start a fight here. BUT the groups you show are great for a hunting rifle but are not even close to a target rifle. If you are ever going to be competitive you need to be down close to .25 MOA groups. You may get down to .5 MOA with some good loads but to be competitive you will need to do some work on your gun. Having said that you made a very good choice for a basic platform and there are lots of things you can do to your gun that will help you get much smaller groups. Just to give you an idea of what it takes to really be considered good the is a older gentleman in our small town that shoots competavly that shot at 200 yards a 5 shot .21 group and that is not MOA that's a group that was .21 of an inch larger than his bullet 6mm bullet hole. I am not even close but am having fun trying I am sure you can do the same. I have found it very humbling to shoot next to some of the guys that can really shoot and have the tools to do it. The bad news is most of the time unless you just get very lucky with a gun that just shoots well. The difference between .5 MOA consistently and .25 MOA consistently tends to be over a $1000.00 and a fair bit of triger time at the range. But like I said you have very good start.
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X2 53 Rifles with 5/8" plus groups you don.t see in winners circle in F class and any other Precision Competitions
 
that rifle is 599-649 everywhere..

calalta said:
I like those stories too, and it looks like a well-chosen package, but that was a smokin' deal on the scope, you saved about $150 or so there and the rifle is now $300 more at Wanstall's so it would be tough for others to duplicate that.
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Great thread blueskies. Sounds like what I want in my first rifle. Inexpensive, and accurate..for hunting and targets. I'm going to keep the rem 700 in mind for sure!! Its interesting you went with a 308 though. I thought 243 shot flatter and more accurate longer range? I've also heard of much success hunting with a 243. I've never really considered 308. The caliber I want to use is a toss up between a 243 and 270win (maybe even 270wsm). But I am also dutch so I don't want to spend a fortune on factory rounds until I get into reloading. I have never bought ammo but I checked out a canadian tire to see the costs..and it appeared that 243 was abit cheaper. So, my question is should I not be so narrow minded to all the other calibers or just stick with what I want?
 
sprayfoam said:
Great thread blueskies. Sounds like what I want in my first rifle. Inexpensive, and accurate..for hunting and targets. I'm going to keep the rem 700 in mind for sure!! Its interesting you went with a 308 though. I thought 243 shot flatter and more accurate longer range? I've also heard of much success hunting with a 243. I've never really considered 308. The caliber I want to use is a toss up between a 243 and 270win (maybe even 270wsm). But I am also dutch so I don't want to spend a fortune on factory rounds until I get into reloading. I have never bought ammo but I checked out a canadian tire to see the costs..and it appeared that 243 was abit cheaper. So, my question is should I not be so narrow minded to all the other calibers or just stick with what I want?
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I hunt with a 270win. I wouldn't target shoot with it because it recoils to hard and that makes target shooting a real task.

A .243 with a tight twist to shoot 115gr DTAC bullet might be a good choice for F-Class or long range shooting. But that won't be found in a factory rifle.

My F-class choice is a 6BR. Mine is on the way. See how it does. The tiny 6BR has a lot less horse power then the .243.

If you are like me and you don't have a gunsmith near by that you trust changing a barrel on your gun then you might want to consider a Savage. You can switch barrels at home.
 
i gots the same rifle and i love her. first thing fist, get rid of the houge. i swapped to a bell&carelson it tighten my groups. then to a HS and i tighten further. you might find that 168gr amax will help grouping. also try the sierra match king in 168. just keep in mind to note what youve done to your rifle at each change so you dont have to go from ground up if your groups get worse
 
Looks good. The next obvious step is the stock. HS precision ones pop up on here from time to time for 200-300 bucks
 
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