First rifle: buy or build?

Bobby and The Devil

Bobby and The Devil

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Calgary, Alberta
Hey everyone!

I've been playing with the idea of getting a precision rifle for a while now and lately I've been leaning more towards getting one just to try something new. Since this will be my first venture into rifles, I am limiting my budget to $1500 for everything including glass with a definite emphasis on spending less if possible. At this point I'm 75% sure I'm going to go with some variant of the Remington 700. I've been reading up a lot on the comparisons with the Savages and I think I am going to with the Remington 700 platform mostly because of the aftermarket support.

Now with that said, I am debating on whether or not I should build my first rifle or just buy it. I'm really not planning to have a rifle in hand until next year (~4-6 months) and was using this time to do research and keep my eyes open for good deals and sales. One of the common complaints that I've been reading about the Remmy is the subpar stock the lower priced models come with. If that's the case, then maybe it makes sense to start with a better stock and find the action/barrel? Do the action/barrels come on the market very often? EE only goes back so far, though I do see one was sold recently. If they don't, then perhaps it makes sense to buy a rifle and worry about the stock after.

One thing I am definitely sure about is I will be shooting .308 (and yes, I will be reloading). I am also fairly certain I will be wanting a 20" barrel. With that in mind, which models might be a good fit for me (or conversely, which ones should I avoid)? I've been reading about so many suggested models on here and given that there's like 50 different variations listed on the Remington website, it's a little overwhelming. I am also open to any non-Remmy suggestions if you've got them.

Thanks everyone!
 
With the budget of $1500 for rifle and glass I would wait for a 20" sps to pop up on the EE, and then grab a take off HS Precision stock from the EE, have it bedded and buy a 20MOA rail and bipod. Should be able to do all that for less than $1000. Then you just need a scope. Good luck.

Not sure what "build" means to you but I would call this "buying". You won't get far with a build for $1500
 
I think your making a good choice going with a 700. If your looking for a good deal click on the CRAFM link above and check out the 700 they offer, 20" barrel, oversized bolt knob, warne base, hs precision stock, and a case all for $1100. I know that doesn't leave you much for the scope and rings but that's such an awesome deal I thought I would let you know. I would consider looking to the used market for scopes, you'll save a bundle and people generally take care of their glass.
 
JayCarver said:
Not sure what "build" means to you but I would call this "buying". You won't get far with a build for $1500
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haha sorry I didn't even clue in "build" could've meant something else like making your own stock, etc...

I meant sourcing out all the necessary rifle parts separately and Frankensteining it together as opposed to buying a whole rifle.
 
Shabazz said:
I think your making a good choice going with a 700. If your looking for a good deal click on the CRAFM link above and check out the 700 they offer, 20" barrel, oversized bolt knob, warne base, hs precision stock, and a case all for $1100. I know that doesn't leave you much for the scope and rings but that's such an awesome deal I thought I would let you know. I would consider looking to the used market for scopes, you'll save a bundle and people generally take care of their glass.
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Thanks! I definitely appreciate the heads up. It does give me options.
 
I don't do any precision shooting, so take my opinion with a grain of salt, but i would think getting a complete rifle first would let you start practising now, then give you time to find a piece here and there to either upgrade or work towards a build in the future and to find what you do/don't like about what you have and what you would replace it with.
If you set out to build right away it could take a while and you may settle for less than what you really want because it's all you can get at the time.
 
A second hand take-off HS stock is a good replacement for the cheap injection moulded factory stocks. I find they have the ergonomics of a fencepost, but they are strong and stable. Usually listed at $250 - $300. I'm using one as a testbed for my .260 project, until I get the permanent stock finished. It is laminated, and will be fitted with a detachable magazine, and adjustable buttplate and comb.
 
Buy a Tikka Varmint, a canted rail, and Falcon scope and go practice. You'll shoot out the barrel before you hit the rifles limitations and learn a heck of a lot along the way without pouring money into 'upgrades' everyone else thinks you need. And then.by that time, you should know exactly what you want on that.custom build.
 
This is my thinking as well, start out with a good factory rifle then if you decide to continue or go in another direction you have a much better point of reference.
 
Depending on what you want to buy, and considering the election year in the US, you could be waiting as long for a factory rifle as it would take you to make one if you mined the ore yourself.
Check into that before putting $ on it.
 
You might find an older wood stock 700 or 788 short action .308 for close to that. Upgrade to HS stock and rebarrel later. The money spent on the optic will help you improve your shooting until you shoot as well as the rifle.
 
I went this way years ago....bought and accurized many different rifles. It was fun but overly the cost was too high when all I really wanted was an accurate rifle not a lot of work and frustration.

Then I got smart and bought a Sako Forrester in .243 and later, a Sako Finnlight - both with top quality optics...and have been and am very pleased. I have averaged 5000 to 7000 rounds on paper a year and hunt a lot as well.

I only wish I had not wasted 10 to 15 years on junk...am thinking about a new rifle now and it could be a Cooper.
 
I don't see how you could over look an XCR tactical. There on the EE right now. That solves your stock problem. I'm not 100% sure but I think you could get a gunsmith to cut the barrel of and recrown it for 100-150 bucks. Being that the xcr2 come in 308 with a 26 inch barrel. I think your on the right track and you will get a great shooting 308 on your budget. Good luck and happy shooting !
 
JayCarver said:
This is a good idea also, if you can find a decent $300 usedd rifle
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Something like a Stevens 200 in .308. Throw on whatever kickass $1200 scope you find and a timney trigger and you have a gun you can start out with. As money allows, you can "uprade" the Stevens with whatever parts you want.
 
I don't think that's enough budget for a Remington based rifle and scope, and a quality barrel swap plus optics will put you way over budget. If you buy factory and get a mediocre barrel, you will waste you time "working up a load" only to discover the ceiling on accuracy that the barrel has placed in the equation. Maybe think Savage if you are stuck on that price limit.
 
SND said:
Depending on what you want to buy, and considering the election year in the US, you could be waiting as long for a factory rifle as it would take you to make one if you mined the ore yourself.
Check into that before putting $ on it.
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That's a bunch of malarky.
 
Personally, I have reached the limitations of my rifle, and it has served me well. But if I could go back in time I wouldn't have bought the browning x-bolt. Granted it has taken me way out to 1516 yards. But I'm comming up on 3000 rounds through it in the past 2 1/2 years. The problem I have is the lack of aftermarket support on it.

If I could do it all over again I would go with a rem 700, older model without the x-mark pro trigger. The aftermarket support is phenomenal. If you can find a good condition used one, and you're not afraid to bed it and do some mild trigger work, you can have a good shooter. expect $175 for an exceptional quality 20moa rail (don't out on your optic mounts, made that mistake one too many times)
I'm shooting with the vortex viper pst 6-24x50 and I find it is repeatable and decent glass to look through. I espically like the $830 price tag and the no BS lifetime warranty, should a problem ever arise.

Just my 2 cents
 
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