I've got a buddy that is shopping for his first rifle package. Use is paper and steel mainly. Decided on 223 bolt with minimum 9 twist. SPS Tactical and the Savage 10PC would be my choices but I thought I'd throw it out for some other input. Total budget is $2500 for rifle, glass, rings, mounts. He likes FFP scopes and would like something with that feature. What would you guys put together? Thanks!
Help choosing first rifle package
- Thread starter heyrosco
- Start date
I wouldn't go with 9 twist, I'd go 8 minimum if I was getting a 223. And if you're shooting at known distance, SFP is the way to go. Just my two cents.
What does your buddy want to do with the gun? Does he reload? How far does he plan on shooting? If it's past 600m, I think there's better cartridges than 223. If less than 600, it's Probly good to go.
The savage lrpv in 260rem with a egw pic rail, Burris sig Z rings and a sightron s3 8-32x56 would likely be able to be had in that price range.
What does your buddy want to do with the gun? Does he reload? How far does he plan on shooting? If it's past 600m, I think there's better cartridges than 223. If less than 600, it's Probly good to go.
The savage lrpv in 260rem with a egw pic rail, Burris sig Z rings and a sightron s3 8-32x56 would likely be able to be had in that price range.
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PitBull1973
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
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Go with a 308 , easy to find ammo
My advice would be to hit the EE and get some better than the SPS Tac. The stocks on them pretty much require upgrading (how do I know? I had one in 308). It looks like there is a tikka tac, a Rem LTR, and a Tikka M558 all with a decent price. As much as there ones out there that shoot "1/2 MOA all day long" the majority do not - if you do not believe me check the sticky challenges at the top of the forum to see how many SPS' are in the list (hint none).
I have not shot a savage but I have heard good things. My only advice would be is not to buy the cheapest thing out there, if you actually end up liking it it will cost you more in the end as you will want to upgrade.
Good luck on the search.
I have not shot a savage but I have heard good things. My only advice would be is not to buy the cheapest thing out there, if you actually end up liking it it will cost you more in the end as you will want to upgrade.
Good luck on the search.
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I'd get a SFP scope too - can save a few hundred bucks that you could put toward better rings.
I'd look hard at a Tikka T3 varmint - nice trigger, great quality, great accuracy, pretty easy to upgrade the stock if you wish.
Don't need a crazy 34mm tube either - a NXS, or a Vortex PST, or a Sightron would be great value.
2500$ is a good budget for the project.
Don't forget about a good bipod too.
-J.
I'd look hard at a Tikka T3 varmint - nice trigger, great quality, great accuracy, pretty easy to upgrade the stock if you wish.
Don't need a crazy 34mm tube either - a NXS, or a Vortex PST, or a Sightron would be great value.
2500$ is a good budget for the project.
Don't forget about a good bipod too.
-J.
If that was my budget I would focus most of my spending on the optic. This way I get a quality optic with a good eyebox, repeatable tracking, nice target turrets Mil/Mil FFP and decent glass, 1500 should accomplish that. Next I would spend 200 on a set of ATRS or similar rings to mount my scope to the rifle. I like my scopes mounted rock solid and reliably. With the remaining 800 I would buy a used rifle off the EE, probably a very basic 700.
This would get me a repeatable system that I can upgrade down the road as i get more money to upgrade things like the trigger, stock, bedding job and then the barrel.
This would get me a repeatable system that I can upgrade down the road as i get more money to upgrade things like the trigger, stock, bedding job and then the barrel.
I came back, looked at the EE some more, there is also a CZ 527 carbine (CZs are awesome) and a T3 in 243 if he wants to step outside of 223.
I personally like FFP scopes and have them on everything but my rimfire but that is a debate for the ages. A good starter scope is the Bushy 10X, they use to only be a couple hundred bucks but that has gone up as the FX has gone down. Glass is decent, turrets are good and it is reasonably durable. If he can spend a bit more and does some leg work he could get a Bushy DMR (a fantastic scope that will last a long time), I have seen them for like $1,200 on occasion.
Buy some TPS rings and rail and you are done.
I personally like FFP scopes and have them on everything but my rimfire but that is a debate for the ages. A good starter scope is the Bushy 10X, they use to only be a couple hundred bucks but that has gone up as the FX has gone down. Glass is decent, turrets are good and it is reasonably durable. If he can spend a bit more and does some leg work he could get a Bushy DMR (a fantastic scope that will last a long time), I have seen them for like $1,200 on occasion.
Buy some TPS rings and rail and you are done.
