Sniper rifle for under $1000?

Dooran said:
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!
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Rather than looking for a new target or match rifle, your budget puts you into the sporting rifle class or used target rifle. Don't be discouraged though, you'd be amazed how well some hunting rifles can print as far as a half mile, the difficulty of shooting that far with them is having a scope that can dial in the range, and will require a sloped base, which can be expensive. Out to 5 or 600 yards there should be no problem with a flat base though. When I began to get serious about long range shooting, I started with a .30/06 M-17 Enfield converted military rifle topped with a 3-9X40 hunting scope. With the scope adjusted with all the elevation it had, I had to use an aiming target set up on a hillside hight above the impact target. That setup was less than ideal, but it worked well to 1000 yards and beyond, and I was hooked.

You haven't said if you'll be shooting for scores or for blood, but if you intend to limit yourself to target shooting or varmint hunting the .223 is a great choice as others have said. They're almost always accurate in a bolt gun, and with heavy bullets can really stretch their legs. If you intend to hunt with this thing, the choice of cartridge should probably not be smaller than a .243, and if game larger than deer is to be hunted, a 6.5 is a sensible minimum.

On a budget of $1000, I'd look around for a used rifle scope combination, with less concern for the chambering and more for the quality of the package. If you click on the Epps banner at the top of the page you'll find they offer a broad selection of used rifles, and don't overlook Tradex either. A Huqvarna sporting rifle or target rifle in 6.5X55 will do all you ask of it, and the cost is well within your budget. Tradex has Swedish CG63 target rifles in 6.5X55 for less than $600. These rifles come with quality diopter sights, which could be used until such time as you can afford a good scope, so one of these would have you shooting for a very reasonable price. I recently picked up a used left hand Ruger Hawkeye in .270 for my son. This thing came with a 3.5-10X scope with extension rings, and the rifle and scope were in new condition for $1150, so deals can be had if you watch for them.

To get the most out of your new rifle, you should consider handloading your ammunition, but thats another question.
 
308BAR said:
Mall ninjas unite! Iblt. Rifles are not toys our something out of a video game. You're getting razz for a good reason. Iblt.
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woah woah woah, we can't unite until our mom's schedule works out to drive us to tom's basement.
also can it be next week? my utg vest from ebay won't be here until then.
 
a) What does your friend "own" on your behalf now?

b) How well do you shoot standing, sitting, prone at 100 and 200 yards?

c) Do you have a spotting scope that's usable beyond 100 yards?

Without an excellent spotting scope, knoledge and skills .... the 600 yard rifle is useless.
 
Several thing to do, Dooran:

1. get your PAL

2. join your local Club and get to know some people

3. Get in touch with your local Provincial Rifle Association; they are hooked up with the DCRA

4. Set up to load your own ammo. The very best factory ammo is less consistent than what you can make in your own basement, provided that you are slow and careful

5. Get a rifle.

Personally, I don't WANT a tactikool rifle at all; it draws way too many sideways glances and very negative comments. I prefer something that looks rather ordinary but which will actually outshoot some of the "tactical" rifles out there.

If I need 1-MOA accuracy, I have a chopped-down World War One .303" Ross Rifle with a 10x scope. I did the glass-bedding job myself. It didn't need a trigger job because all Rosses have wonderful triggers right from the factory. Total investment: $300.

If I want something VERY accurate, I have a pair of chopped Enfields, one a .303" P-14, the other a sportered .30-'06 M-1917 with a 1962 4x scope. Either one gives me half a minute..... with handloads. Neither one set me back more than $400, plus some work.

There are lots of rifles out there which will deliver 1-MOA accuracy with a bit of TLC and decent ammunition. I have several WWI and WW2 relics which will do this any time you please. Of the rifles still in production at more-or-less budget prices, take a close look at the Savages; they can be shockingly accurate and they really are not all that expensive.

As to calibre of the rifle you get, if you are going to be in competitions in which the ammunition is supplied, you had better get something which will use that ammunition. The cartridges currently in favour are the .223 and the .308W, known in the military as the 5.56NATO and the 7.62NATO respectively. Seriously, the .223 is not a good choice for 600-yard shooting. If you are on your own, then get whatever suits you and the rifle and handload for it. Anything the .308 can do, the .30-'06 can do at longer range and less pressure.... and the reloading components are the same. The old .303" can be a wonderful long-range cartridge but you want to load with flat-base bullets for an Enfield barrel..... which means 90% of all the .303s ever made. The 6.5x55 is capable of wonderful shooting out past 1100 yards and is relatively low on recoil; good rifles still are available reasonably.

Precision accuracy is like a tripod: 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.

"Cool" doesn't enter into the equation at all.

Of course, if you happen to have $15,000 to spare, Wolfgang or John or Bob or Ryan at Wolverine will be more than happy to help you. Just tell them that George sent you!

Good luck, friend.
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zenmagic said:
I don't think there is any need to rain on this guy's parade. He's looking for a lower budget tacticool rifle that will increase his fun at the range. It doesn't matter that he's not a real sniper, he just wants to have fun like the rest of us. He's not asking for a competition winning rifle for $1000, just something that shoots well and looks cool.

Take a deep breath everyone and get behind a new gunner with some support.

Dooran, go look at the Savage website. There is even a section with "packaged" rifle/scopes that are camo cool. Then checkout the EE and the site sponsors and see what you can get.
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Well said ... the way some people on this site respond to new questions lead people away from the sport rather than help them along ... good guidance and help will be the best for everyone always ... no one should be alienated because they're not 100% knowledgable ... why not help them get to that level instead of making them feel small?
 
I've got a remington 700 Mil-Spec 5R in .308 win with badger ordnance 20moa base, leupold PRW 1" rings , bushnell elite tactical 10x40mm mil dot, harris 6-9" bipod and Accuracy International type detachable magazine. I bought everything used minus the scope and rings and it cost me $1886 so far with used leupold 30mm mk4 rings that I can't use because I bought a 1" scope. this rifle is close to what a US army sniper would use. the m24SWS. Just the rifle will run you about 900-1000 used if you can find one.
 
Do not shoot at medium to large game with a 223 ... Ever ! 308 so you don't devolop a flinch. But if you want to get down to buisness run a 7RM in a savage or a 700 CDL.
 
ecno said:
Well said ... the way some people on this site respond to new questions lead people away from the sport rather than help them along ... good guidance and help will be the best for everyone always ... no one should be alienated because they're not 100% knowledgable ... why not help them get to that level instead of making them feel small?
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Because small men need to insult others to feel big.
 
because calling a target rifle a sniper rifle is bad form, brings bad press, and is bad for the sport.

because sometimes getting a strip torn off you can be a great motivator to behave/speak correctly in the future.
 
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