Sniper rifle for under $1000?

[Brocolt]

This is what comes to mind when I hear "Sniper Rifle"

Doesn't that look like the Mossberg NightTrain 2

 

[Dooran]

Doesn't that look like the Mossberg NightTrain 2

Sure, if you're legally blind...

 

[JR86]

You should pick up The Ultimate Sniper book, by John Plaster, Paladin Press. $60+

Best book ever! I paid 100$ for it a few years back. Still worth every penny. Read it multiple times and still skim it.


Although I do disagree with using match grade from the get go. Why use precision bullets of you can't even shoot within 1MOA to start? Waste of money.

 

[BigBeaverBoomStix]

Don't worry about it, we've all been there...

I guess I'm not coming accross the way I thought, the majority are helpful and I appreciate the advice, it's hard as a newb to wrap your head around everything. I'm not just referring to this post but there is a certain few that make it tough to be a newb.

In the last few months I've discovered guns and shooting and I'm hooked! I can't wait to go to the range and shoot! I just wish I got started 10 years ago!

I still consider myself to be a newbie, and as newbies were allowed to make mistakes. I paid $630 for for a new stock 10/22 with a Target barrel $630!!!+taxes!!!

Here on CGN, that qualifies me as an idiot.

It was a newbie mistake, now I know better. I rarely see that same gun sell for more than $450.

When I first saw the Mossberg NightTrain I thought it looked incredible, and I'm not personally qualified to judge it. Enjoy it for what it is, keep it in excellent shape, and you can easily sell it off and upgrade as you save more money.

A really positive way to look at it is if you're going to make a mistake with your precision rifle at least you can afford it. I can't imagine scratching the barrel of a $7000 AI rifle from Wolverine, or messing up a $2500 Leupold scope.

Just shoot safe, and in a little while you'll being giving advice to the next generation. You've taken the first critical step and that's to learn everything, good job. I think most CGN'ers have been quite respectful to you - I've been blasted a few times myself, I learned too. All the best.

 

[rnbra-shooter]

Although I do disagree with using match grade from the get go. Why use precision bullets of you can't even shoot within 1MOA to start? Waste of money.

Use good ammo and good rifle, so that any mistakes on the target you *KNOW* to be you. If your rifle shoots 1/2MOA - 3/4MOA, and you make a mistake on the trigger and the shot goes 1.5" left -- you now know (almost) exactly how much of a mistake it was, and what the effect was, what it looked like in the sights, what it felt like on the trigger. You've learned something. It may have been a bad shot, but you are now (incrementally) a better shooter.

If you broke the same poor shot using ammo that shot 2MOA, where would the bullet go? It could go dead centre, which would make it look like a perfect shot, even though it looked/felt wrong to you when you broke it. How do you resolve the "it looked bad, I might have pulled that one a bit left" with the shot through the centre of the target?

It's not that you'll never be able to learn to shoot using ammo that has errors as big or bigger than the shooter - it's just that you'll learn *much* quicker using good ammo.

 

[BigBeaverBoomStix]

Use good ammo and good rifle, so that any mistakes on the target you *KNOW* to be you. If your rifle shoots 1/2MOA - 3/4MOA, and you make a mistake on the trigger and the shot goes 1.5" left -- you now know (almost) exactly how much of a mistake it was, and what the effect was, what it looked like in the sights, what it felt like on the trigger. You've learned something. It may have been a bad shot, but you are now (incrementally) a better shooter.

If you broke the same poor shot using ammo that shot 2MOA, where would the bullet go? It could go dead centre, which would make it look like a perfect shot, even though it looked/felt wrong to you when you broke it. How do you resolve the "it looked bad, I might have pulled that one a bit left" with the shot through the centre of the target?

It's not that you'll never be able to learn to shoot using ammo that has errors as big or bigger than the shooter - it's just that you'll learn *much* quicker using good ammo.

Thank you! That was the point I was trying to get across too, you just phrased it more professionally.

How does it go - a good carpenter never blames his tools.

Yea, well try that with crappy tools. Its the whole package, gun,ammo, scope, shooter, etc.

 

[JR86]

I get sub minute groups using federal soft points consistently. Until I get a better scope and become a slightly better shooter (sub minute groups are with a rear bag), I don't see the need for match ammo.

Although, I totally agree with not using ammo that gives you 2MOA groups. I was getting that with remington UMC and MFS stuff.

 

[GUNMANSHIP]

I'm looking to build a sniper rifle for less than a $1000, that would be for the rifle, mounts, scopes etc... I'm looking to shoot between 300 and 600 yards. I don't want to do a lot of customization as I'm new to this, I heard 308 win is the best choice but would like to hear from some people with experience. Any suggestions would help!

I went with the Remington 700 SPS AAC in 308. no upgrades, just a 10-40x scope and a bipod. After use, I think the scope was a little overkill for a newb.

 

[-=proteus=-]

I've been doing the same research, regarding a "precision" rifle.

It reminds me that you get what you pay for. I'm not sure why you didn't get a Savage, given all the advice, from experienced shooters.

I opted to get a Savage Mark II, TR (Tactical Rifle) - sure it's just a dressed up .22lr for $500. But I can afford to shoot, thousands and thousands of rounds for little money, learning the basics to "precision shooting" and then make a more informed decision on the .308 system that I'll graduate to.

Quality .308 ammo is what $2 a round, at least. To set up for reloading is likely to cost close to $1000. Doesn't sound like you'll be able to keep up with that kind of expense.

I'm following down that same gravel road.

Are you still happy with the Savage mark II? Are there any changes you would have done?

 

[Cameron SS]

you need THREE legs firmly on the ground. These are
1. A Rifle which has the capability to shoot accurately. This you buy, cash money.
2. The SKILL to use that rifle accurately. This you EARN by shooting and listening to people who know what they are doing.
3. Ammunition which can produce the accuracy of which YOU and the RIFLE are capable. THIS you MAKE, slowly and carefully and as CONSISTENTLY as possible.

this pretty much sums it up for. Phrased possibly the best Ive ever seen. And note that each is developed relatively independently from the other, but the experience from one does inform the other two. The more you shoot, the more you will know what you want out of your rifle and ammunition. The more ammo you make, the more consistent you will be, and confidence in good ammo is a factor as well.

And getting flammed for using an incorrect term is a bit of a right of passage around here. People are generally much friendlier in person, especially at the range. Tight groups.

 

[Matt_dal123]

Doesn't that look like the Mossberg NightTrain 2

haha! i think its thier new and improved model night train III.

now with rounds you can retreive