Target rifle with a 2K budget

Give some serious thought to something in 6.5 Creedmoor since you don't reload. Match ammo won't be any more expensive than .308 and it's just ballistically superior if you're not concerned about terminal ballistics (i.e. target shooting). There's nothing wrong with .308 but if you compare the numbers, any of the 6.5s come out on top. Yes, you can shoot a .308 at distance, I have one and I do but I'm also saving my pennies for a 6.5 and wishing I just went that way from the get go. Lots of guys are getting great results from box stock RPRs. All you have to add is a scope, rings and a bipod...
 
Remington 700 5R Milspec Gen2, either in 20" or 24", in .308". Gen1 is great too but the fluted barrel and Cerakote on the Gen2 are much nicer IMO. If you don't reload right now save your empty casings, you'll start reloading soon enough...
 
nsgallup said:
Pics are always nice
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Savage model 10 FCPK Testing a Hornady 75gr HPBT and Varget. Although not .308, they shoot. 160!yard target........

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Remy 700 SPS factory ammo test at 383 yards / 350 meters for comeup validation after 100meter zero. As you can see 1.9 mil wasn't enough comeup as recommended by the computer.

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As others have said; Savage - any of the target rifles, and Tikka T3 (Sporter is nice). Used ones are a good buy. Everyone will tell you the barrel has 500 rounds but assume you might need one in the next year or two.
 
If you can find an older Savage or Stevens to act as a donor, that is by far the least expensive way to get into a great shooting rifle.

Toss out most of the factory parts... add a shilen or Mcgowen prefit, stock, trigger and bed it all to work.

Under your budget usually and will keep up with the top dollar customs. See my website for plenty of stuff done over the years.

Jerry
 
Jerry is spot on. I did exactly that in a 223 build I did a couple of years ago based on much of his recommendations. It is by far my cheapest build and it shoots!

If you want to have it now, buy any of the heavy barrel Savages with a decent length barrel and have fun.
 
r204 said:
If you want accuracy then buy a lightly used Savage model 11 ( the older style with top bolt release and accual metal bottom metal and mag) they can be had for around the $400 mark. Then get a Rifle Basix Sav-II triger for it for around $150. Look for take off HS precission stock or buy a Boyds pro varmint for it , either one will run you around $350 - $400. Order up a Benchmark savage prefit barrel in cal. you want $700. Screw the barrel on and head space it then bed it into the stock. Install the trigger and you will have a very accurate rifle for well under $2000
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Mystic Precision said:
If you can find an older Savage or Stevens to act as a donor, that is by far the least expensive way to get into a great shooting rifle.

Toss out most of the factory parts... add a shilen or Mcgowen prefit, stock, trigger and bed it all to work.

Under your budget usually and will keep up with the top dollar customs. See my website for plenty of stuff done over the years.

Jerry
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I agree with this. My Savage Stevens with Shilen barrel, SSS stock and Timney trigger still shoots great.

However it might be better to buy a used Savage with same action as above but that already comes with a HS precision stock and accutrigger (accu triggers ain't bad). Then later after you have had time to shoot the rifle go out and buy an after market barrel. There is a Savage 10 HS precision. 308 on the EE right now for $950.

It may shoot mediocre, it may shoot great, not all Savages are great shooters out of the box.

But buying something like that and adding an after market barrel will get you up and running with a very good platform for under your $2000 budget. And you won't have to go sourcing, stocks and triggers.

There is now a Canadian Barrel maker producing Savage small shank pre fits also so you won't have to wait for imports from the states.
 
Used Rem 700 VLS in .308. You might already be done in one step, but if not spend the rest on a suitable aftermarket barrel, trigger job and do it yourself bedding job.

The laminate stock is stiffer than most factory and many aftermarket synthethics.
 
Here is my example of presision on the cheap, chambered in 20 Vartarg. I started off buying a Savage model 12 benchrest off the EE for $950 in near minty condition. I then removed and sold the factory barrel for $150 so total for the action and stock was $800. I then got a new Benchmark barrel savage prefit chambered in 20 Vartarg for $600 ( before our dollar tanked) I think they are around $700 now. I bought a new Rifle Basix SAV-II trigger off the EE for $120. I then sold the original target accutriger for $45. I installed the barrel and bedded into the stock with appox $15 worth of Devcon. So the total cost to build it is as follows.
Action and sock - $800
Barrel - $600
Trigger - $75
Devcon - $15
_______
Total $1490

here is a pic of the rifle and a typical target . It always groups under 1/2" unless I am having a extemely bad day. Most of my groups are in the .2" to .3" range but I have shot many in the .1 and a few in the .0. Top left target was shot with a cold clean bore. Note these are all 5 shot groups.
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nsgallup said:
Does anyone know the difference between the Remington 700 R5 Gen 1 & 2?
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Both have a 5R barrel and reportedly shoot very well. Both are available in 20" and 24" versions. Mostly .308's out there but also some .300 Win Mag and .223's. Gen 1 has a green H&S stock and heavy SS barrel. Gen 2 has a tan H&S stock and black Cerakoted SS fluted barrel and action. Both have threaded barrels for muzzle brakes. Both have the same trigger. I think the stock is the same except for the color. I have the Gen 2 and really like it. The flutes look really good and the Cerakote is top notch. A bit on the expensive side though. Best shooter out of the box I've ever seen.
 
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