Precision on a budget

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Willybuch

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First off, and hopefully people don't take this the wrong way but we have all seen this thread come up a lot over the years. I am not talking about anyone particular thread, I am just saying we see the question asked a LOT.

"What is the best budget precision rifle" - And as 8541 tactical says, "Budget (and cheap) are both relative terms"

So I thought I would start this thread in hopes to help everyone out new to this activity that we all love and enjoy. I want everyone to refrain from judgement in this thread and try to keep it polite please.

In the coming months I plan on doing a cheap build for precision and possibly also posting it here, and ideas on upgrades are welcome and creative and constructive criticism is welcomed and encouraged as well. I won't be updating this thread to much after this initial post as funds are still limited but I though I would get the ball rolling on it in order to get everyone's input and ideas now ahead of time to allow for researching suggestions.

A couple of things:

Precision = equaling around 1 MOA or better at 100 meters. (I'm a new shooter so this is going to be the interesting part)

Cheap = Cheapest I can afford (right now nothing), but down the road cheapest I can afford.

Rifle = Savage Axis in .223
Scope = Bushnell 10x42 (Or possibly Falcon optics)

Estimated cost if I can find both should be around 800 to 900$ depending on shipping and taxes etc.

Scope rings and rail TBD
Bipod = n/a when I get the rifle I will be using just sand bags to shoot off of for the first bit.

I already have a Savage 10 FCP-SR that I love, and on that I got carried away, trying to build a "precision hunting rifle" that turned into a target rifle very quick. Anyways thoughts, comments please leave them below and let me know what you think. Also max range for this rig will be about 500 meters and will probably be sticking to factory ammo as I am still in the process of reloading. The real idea is to get trigger time behind optics and learn wind calling without using up all my .308 ammo lol.
 
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I ran into the same problem with sinking money into a "precision hunting rifle" ended up with a very expensive semi custom LRPV that I don't use...

If you plan on using a savage axis as your base, you can buy one used in the EE for 300 or less.. Replace the trigger with any name brand.. Boyd's stock, get it bedded, price varies depending on your location.. Around here Gunco does it ( bedding) for about $100 cash.. Decent quality budget minded scope like a vortex viper (let's not turn this into a vortex quality debate lol)...
The factory triggers on the axis (non accutrigger) aren't bad IF you do a bit of work to them, polish them and change the spring..

As you know "budget" gets blown up easily...other option is to just buy the axis, throw a $400-$600 scope of your choice on it, and that's your budget.. Shoot away..

A good trigger a good stock and a good scope goes a looong way..
 
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Ha ha, thanks for the input Dodgeman; you won't hear me complaining about Vortex Quality my 308 has an HS-LR on it, that I am pretty happy with, but not to get sidetracked thank you for the input!
 
I got this

2614-centuryarmsmodelspm410410x3insidexside20inbarrelnew-s3.JPG


Sorry guys.:(
 
I am doing pretty much the exact opposite. I sold my .223 to move up to either .308 or .3006. In my opinion cheap .223 ammo (ie. Barnaul, federal bulk, winchester white, etc.) are never that good, and with the axis you may hit 1moa or better but i highly doubt you can do it consistently - if at all. A few vids on youtube i see about sub moa axis groups usually requires handloads or quality ammo. By the time you spend money on quality .223 factory ammo you might as well buy .308 or .3006 for only a dollar or two more per box. With you having a .308 already, i don't see a big savings in training with a .223. That's how i see it. For cheap training i currently use .22lr.
 
I like to do more with less. You already have a precision rifle for the range you mentioned. Work with that.
You may be surprised by what your regular hunting rifle can give you with the right attention to detail.
 
dodgeman308 said:
I ran into the same problem with sinking money into a "precision hunting rifle" ended up with a very expensive semi custom LRPV that I don't use...

If you plan on using a savage axis as your base, you can buy one used in the EE for 300 or less.. Replace the trigger with any name brand.. Boyd's stock, get it bedded, price varies depending on your location.. Around here Gunco does it ( bedding) for about $100 cash.. Decent quality budget minded scope like a vortex viper (let's not turn this into a vortex quality debate lol)...
The factory triggers on the axis (non accutrigger) aren't bad IF you do a bit of work to them, polish them and change the spring..

As you know "budget" gets blown up easily...other option is to just buy the axis, throw a $400-$600 scope of your choice on it, and that's your budget.. Shoot away..

A good trigger a good stock and a good scope goes a looong way..
Click to expand...

Do you know of anyone carrying some inventory of the Boyds stock for a savage axis? I recently missed an opportunity to order one out here in Ontario.
 
Even though I've heard decent things about the Axis I'd still avoid them as a precision base. Mainly because they have standard contour barrels. I'd sooner go for the Savage Hog Hunter or the Ruger American Predator. Those get you a bit more steel on the tube which will help with getting tighter groups. Also both have factory threaded barrels. As for optics I fully agree with the Bushnell. I use the Elite 3200 10 x 40 on my precision setup and really like it. Got it for $300 total on Amazon. It will probably be swapped out soon but it got me started and gave me a chance to get accustomed to using exposed turrets.
 
You're still working with a standard contour barrel. I think a better foundation would be a used varmint rifle with a wood or laminate stock. Bed the rifle and chances are you will have a shooter.

I have a 1981 vintage heavy barrel BDL in .308, glass bedded both action and bottom metal and floated. 20x Leupold M8 with a target dot (from the 70s). How much would this package be on the EE? $800-$900 maybe? With handloads it is absolutely consistently .6 MOA. Here is a 600 meter group, no it is not cherry picked, in fact these three shots are the only ones I've fired from this rifle at this range.

20150629_172911_zpshozfslkr.jpg


Precision does not have to be expensive. I would start with a quality foundation though which the Axis is not IMO.
 
If the idea is to buy another rifle then you might consider a Ruger American Predator. You will get an 8 twist barrel and a heavier contour and still only be around 6.6 lbs. Maybe a few more bucks than the Savage.

If the idea is to put more lead downrange at less expense consider putting the money into match grade reloading equipment for your .308 instead. You already have the platform. Protege had it right. I found using cheap ammo in my .223 got me nowhere near the accuracy I was looking for. Handloading improved things dramatically. Off the top of my head I would think .308 handloads might be close to the cost of match .223. One exception might be Hornady Steel Match. A friend of mine has used it in his F Class rifle with amazing results, especially for what it costs. Trouble is he can't find any more.

Here is a thread I started a couple of years ago while on the same quest. It should still be fairly relevant. I used this rifle with moderate success out to 600 meters but have since upgraded to a purpose built target rifle. Have fun with whichever way you go.

http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/foru...ss-wanna-be-Getting-your-feet-wet-on-a-budget
 
Smarter idea would be to take that money burning a hole in your pocket and setup to start loading for the 308 fcp-sr you already have.
You will save money and achieve more precision in the long run.
And don't ever use "savage axis" and "precision" in the same sentence again please, it offends my sensibilities ��.
 
you might wanna look in to the Mossberg MVP varmint... ive got one with a Bushnell HDMR 3.5-21x50 on it and I am shocked at how well this thing shoots... hornady 75GR BTHP loaded to the lands, "X" amount of varget and a CCI magnum primer shoot great...
 
100 % dependent on intended use.

1) target only
2) type of ranges / types of shooting
3) hunting / target
4) type of game
5) distances.
 
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