Rifle build with optics on a $1200-1500 budget ($1080spent/rounds at 600m)

Quick update, I have been having a hard time finding the projectiles I want to shoot, so I have a box of hornady 208 bthp on route to keep this project on the move! Should have them mid week and maybe a 100m proper range report soon after!

Thanks for your patience
 
So I had brought her out at 100yards with another box of 180corlok, my buddy failed me and forgot to bring me my 208amax, so to the cheap stuff I went. I only shot 4rnd groups don't know why I normally do 5. The big thing is I brought my cell so I have a couple pics





So not to bad really, off the bipod with just my fist in place of rear sock and 25buck hunting rounds. once you subtract the caliber the one group is actually almost 1 inch (1.188 actually)

I do promise once I have good ammo loaded to give an accurate range report.
 
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not bad, i love budget builds, there is so much stuff out there that is truly not worth the money. get out there with a really decent reloading setup and some once fired brass from your rifle, and you will tighten up those groups like no tomorrow.
 
Alright I know it has been a long long time sense I last did an update but work took me away for a couple months. Anyway got some 220smk and some H4831 and did a quick load test, no chrony at the time though but was doing some wicked 3rnd groups. Cleaning up some more brass today and doing some chrony work this weekend and then will conduct my first attempt in a couple weeks. Fingers crossed!!

Here is a pic of one of the 3rnd groups if you do the math it works out to 0.4555 not bad, I'll get some 5rnd groups to give better idea of consistency

[URL=http://s1340.photobucket.com/user/dbaker42/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20140707_210538_zps91efa0aa.jpg.html][/URL]
(0.7635-0.308=0.4555)
 
Alright now I am going to try and do a full review of what I have done so far and my thoughts.

So far I have taken a stock Remington SPS Long Action, put a new-to-the-rifle heavy barrel, trued up the action. Installed it into a HS Precision Stock. Installed the factory Remington Drop Mag (fits perfectly), and put a Bushnell Fix 10x on it. I did sell the old stock so my new total is $1167 spent

Did some load testing with it yesterday. It seems to prefer 200gr Nosler Accubonds and 220gr SMKs.
Avg 2700fps with the Noslers and 2667fps with the 220SMK. The Noslers did show the best group of 0.473 at 100yards and the largest was 0.570. The SMK were not far behind at 0.590 (all were 5 shot groups, fps determined by 10 shot strings 1min between shots, 10ft from the chrony) No pressure signs with either load, so I will attempt a ladder test next chance I get, but may have a chance to hit 1200m before that.

I have found the need for a 20MOA base though, as from my zero I will need a min of 56moa (depending on atmospherics) to get where I need and I only have 38MOA left in the scope. Sense I am well under budget I have room to buy a decent base instead of the cheapest I can find. Still on the hunt at this time!

As for the rifle, it is my new favorite. I seem to like to pull it out instead of my trusty 308. The action works smooth, doesn't feel to heavy (10.7lbs with ammo,optics, and bipod) though I am used to a lot heavier rifles. Recoil I feel is manageable, I don't notice it as much and other shooters have commented on it. They inform me though it is larger then a 308 it feels a lot less then what they think it should be, and these are regular large bore shooters.

Optics are impressive for the price. They seem far above other optics in its price range, yet only slightly under my Leupold MK4 10x. I have again had other shooters compare it and they say much the same. This scope has a total of 98MOA of adjustment, though as luck would have it I will require a 20MOA base in order to bring it close to my goal of 1200m. I could aim off with the use of the mil-dots but I much prefer to click range and hold for wind. I will most likely invest in other rings when I purchase the new base, as I don't feel that they are solid enough to with stand many shots, this is more of a feeling I have then actually witnessing anything wrong. Though 75rnds and no problems yet. Scope tracks well and has always returned to zero during any adjustment that I have put it through and a simple box test. Though I do plan on changing the optics after this test, want to try out that new Nightforce SHV, I would have no problem recommending this optic to a budget minded shooter!

All and all I feel I have made a decent rifle, one that I am sure will stay in my safe for years to come. Already planing a few hunting trips with it in mind, even more so after seeing the way it shoots the Accubond.

Only a few more things to do before I call this a mission accomplished and that is a ladder test, then move some cows and send rounds down range!

Will keep you all informed as I progress
Here are some group pics from the load test
200gr Nosler Accubond (0.781-0.308=0.473)
[URL=http://s1340.photobucket.com/user/dbaker42/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20140711_190742_zpse1b5d421.jpg.html][/URL]

200gr Accubond (0.878-0.308=0.570 largest group)
[URL=http://s1340.photobucket.com/user/dbaker42/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20140711_190627_zps1d14a93c.jpg.html][/URL]

220gr SMK (0.898-0.308=0.590)
[URL=http://s1340.photobucket.com/user/dbaker42/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20140711_190600_zps4d6aefe3.jpg.html][/URL]
 
Do it! I am hooked on making every rifle I own shoot as far and as accurate as I can.

Thanks! I hope it does turn into a great long range shooter, and doesn't fumble (or I fumble) when I push it out.

So in reading noslers load data, they got alot more out of the same load and a shorter barrel (2inchs not much but still). Only differences I found in the data was the brass, so put in an order to see how much their brass would make a difference in the fps (side test/challenge/curiosity) anyways doing a ladder test this week once weather gets better for the chrony, to see where it goes. Going to also try the 220smk in the ladder test, their weight and relatively lower cost appeal the most to me (100 bullets for 42.99 vs 50 for 52.99 for the nosler).

stay tuned!
 
Alright fast update, I switched scopes. Found a deal on an SWFA SS 10x side focus model with flip up caps for $200 to my door, this let's me use the rings that came with the rifle and thus drop my cost by a bit! Plus with its 160 MOA (that's 4 over what they claim) of adjustment I shouldn't need a 20moa rail once zeroed.

I picked up some H4831sc and more 200gr accubond, have the brass in the cleaner and will group and zero it next week.
I did not get to shoot at the farm as broken hay equipment kept me busy and also made it difficult to shoot(3ft of hay is hard to see over)
I may have a chance at 1500m next weekend so will keep you all posted!

Pics to follow of new scope and mounts!
 
Alright another quick comment on this new scope, and I love it! With the high rings and regular mount that came with the rifle I have 64MOA left, and that will get my accubond to 1200m with 8 MOA to spare (depending on atmospherics). I still might invest in a 20moa rail, but not sure as of yet. I love the side focus feature works smoothly though this scopes "range" indicator has come loose and will have to be secured again. Past a simple box test, and a max to min crank and back to zero test.

All in all if you can find this scope, I would pic up another one in a heart beat. I would easily choose it over the bushnell, and considering it had more options for $15 less I feel I scored a good purchase. Problem is finding one, and if you can't the bushnell will work as well. I just feel the SWFA is a step above. I well keep putting it through test and see how it does!

Still waiting for a clear chance to push this rifle... sorry for the wait it's like a bad movie and I'm just as anxious to see it perform!
 
anything from the SWFA line. They have a 10x42 for 300$. for the the price nothing even comes close to build quality. look up tibasaurusrex sniper 101 on youtube then look up his video all about optics
 
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