Looking to get into long range shooting. What rifles should I look into?

Love my Remington 700 (.308), with 6x24-50 glass. I scrounged on that build and I am still into her for just under 1800. If I would have paid full retail value it would be up around 2900. Deals are out there, and some times buy low and try to sell high works also. Rule of thumb I have been told for years is dont bother looking at glass that is less than 1.5 x the value of the rifle. You do get what you pay for, pay now once and then you can keep transferring the glass to the next build.
 
The 7mm Rem Mag could be for you. I have a browning a-bolt 7mm rem mag with a scope good for 600 yards and everything in its about 1200 bucks. I haven't shot anymore than 200 yards with it atm byr I've seen videos and done some research and it should have no problem reaching 800 yards. Even see one at 1100 yards!
 
I see threads like this all the time.

They always go something like this....

Ok I want to get into 1000 yard benchrest competition and I would like your advice on what rifle I can buy that can hold 1/2 MOA at 1000 yards and I have a budget of $1000 (including scope).

I mean seriously now. OK this thread has a $$1200 budget for a "long range" rifle, with scope. For $1200 you can buy a Marlin 30-30 and a Tasco scope. It will go 1000 yards so that'll get you started in your price range.

OBVIOUSLY this is not a viable long range rifle but its about as good as a guy will do for the budget. In all reality whatever you get for $1200 is just not a long range rifle. It's just a rifle that can shoot from long range, not that you'd hit anything.

So to answer your question for $1200 the answer is.... NOTHING.

$1200 is a low budget for just a decent scope for long range shooting. Some guys seem to like this scope for a value priced model $400 USD http://swfa.com/SWFA-SS-10x42-Tactical-30mm-Riflescope-P500.aspx

That leaves you less than $800 for the gun and scope mounts and you wont get much of a gun for that.

You are best off to look on EE for something used.

The cheapest new rifle I could suggest is the Savage FTR and that's about $1200 for the rifle. You could put the scope noted above on it and then you are into $1600. At least you will have something of a start.

The best advice I can give you is to save more money. Good gear is not cheap and you cannot learn from a rifle you cannot trust. There's a minimum entry point. It's just a reality.
 
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Go back a read #5 in this thread. A used DCRA target rifle would be a good start. If it has a good barrel or even a fair barrel, the rifle will not be your limiting factor for the first year. When starting into shooting long range there is plenty to learn and spend before the barrel is holding you back. Reloading, you will want better than the cheapest priced reloading equipment and components. Learning to read the wind at long range isn't something you can learn over the internet or reading from a book, putting rounds down range is where you learn this. And buying all the other stuff that you will need to shoot long range can be another wallet draining experience.
 
If $1200 is your max budget, how do you plan on getting good enough to shoot 1000 yards consistently? The rifle and scope are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to cost. You need a decent reloading setup, good dies, and a ton of powder and bullets. That's my opinion anyway. I shoot about $1200 worth of ammo every 5 months, if not more.
 
I've been bitten by the long range this last year with the goal of consisantly hitting steel within a 1000m.I chose 308 for numerous reasons including barrel life,already having dies and all components etc.
bought a t3 varmint in stainless for just under a grand.Already had a 10 x40 elite,so started with that.
A good HB with this scope will get you started developing a load and ballistic table to correspond with it.I found that it was good start with with some real trigger time,but ,I just found the scope was becoming a limiting factor,so upgraded later to a 3.5 x 21 bush ERS at a great deal with 18 moa base.
All together there's 2400 into it,but it was done in stages.
Now,it's really a matter of trigger time to get there.

I would suggest going in stages ,as you go you will have a better idea of what you want and what your expectations are.
 
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