Newbie looking for rifle

[nchilds]

I am looking to put the best rifle I can together for around $1,000. My goal is to punch holes in 600 yrd targets. I am a beginner and I would like to get some expert opinions on rifles, optics, barrels etc... I have been looking currently at a Remington 700 sps 26" .223, but I am not set on anything in particular. Any advice will be greatly appreciated!


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[Graham]

What do you mean by 'put together'?

 

[MAGUA]

I am looking to put the best rifle I can together for around $1,000. My goal is to punch holes in 600 yrd targets. I am a beginner and I would like to get some expert opinions on rifles, optics, barrels etc... I have been looking currently at a Remington 700 sps 26" .223, but I am not set on anything in particular. Any advice will be greatly appreciated!


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If your looking to shoot 600 yards using a 223 you want to have a barrel with a tight twist to shoot 69,75,77,80,90 gr bullets. I don't think Remington offers a 700/223 with a 1/7 twist barrel, Savage rifles are available with a 1/7 in 223.

 

[nchilds]

Newbie looking for rifle

Doesn't have to be a .223, looking for advice, I just don't want the rounds to cost too much. I looked at a couple savages, the barrels appeared cheap.


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[Graham]

You're making it difficult for us to give you advice without first playing twenty questions.

 

[nchilds]

I'm not sure exactly, by put together I mean rifle, scope type, mods.


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[Graham]

Newbie looking for rifle

In a factory rifle, for at or under $1000, look at the Remington 5R Milspec and the LTR, both in .308.

You won't be able to get a rifle, scope, bases, rings, and any modifications to that rifle for $1000. The cheapest quality setup will run between $1500 and $2000.

 

[DHMTBR]

I just put together a Remington 700 varmint, 26" bull barrel chambered in .223 for the little lady. Rifle was right at $700.00, Leupold 6.5-20x50 was $1299.00 + tax, base, rings, bi-pod right at $350.00 shipped and I ordered a new Bobby Hart laminated stock for $336.00......It adds up rather quickly.

 

[George63]

keep watch here for a used factory scoped rifle with a decent stock - 1000 is realistic - 1 in 9 twist is fine with 69 gr ammo for 600 yds

 

[Notso]

To the OP..... for $1000, I would highly suggest starting with a Rem 700 AAC-SD in .308. From there, scrape some more money together to get a decent scope, base and rings (look through the SH optics thread - this question is asked at least 2x per day). After that, scrape some more money together on the next payday and ditch the rubber stock. Then buy some reloading equipment. Then..... well you get the point.

The problem is $1000 for everything is going to get you not much for a precision rifle starter kit. I think one way or another, a more reasonable number for you to think about starting with any semblance of a decent gun to start out with is closer to $1500-2000. That way you can get a decent rifle, scope, etc and expect it to shoot well out of the box. If you go the AAC-SD route - you will need a good stock to replace the Tupperware one - so you're right at about $1k for just the rifle. AS someone else said - the best out of the box gun is arguably the 5R milspec and that is $1100ish - but its turn key scary accurate. That would be my suggestion. Either way you're at the $1K+ mark for the gun alone. The scope, rings, base and such will be the same either way. Good luck.

 

[fxdwgkd]

I am far from an expert, but here is something to consider

Found the rifle for 625.00, ZX Gun | Savage 10FPSR Bolt 308 Winchester 22" Black Synthetic Black


Scope is under 300.00 several places, Elite Tacticle 10x40 Riflescpe - 1180089, Scopes at Sportsman's Guide

So you may be able to get a heavy contour barrel and decent glass (I hope, never used this scope before). Add in base and rings and you may be able to get under 1000.00 but probably will be a liitle over. I know several guys shooting this model with higher end glass that shoot well with it. They are shooting MOA and in some cases a little better.

 

[shovelstrokeed]

Yup! What all the others have said so far.
I have a crazy rule of thumb that has seemed to work out for me.
Scope. mount and rings, if needed, should wind up costing about as much as the gun.

I put $3200 into my 2nd hand gun before adding an Atlas bipod and a brake, Call it $3800.

I cheaped out and didn't get an S&B or March or USO or IOR scope, just a $1995 Bushnell with a $410 Spuhr mount.

I now have a consistent 1/4 MOA gun with a 3/4 MOA shooter running it. I'll get there as the gun is capable, and I'm working on it.

This wonderful sport is pricey. Granted, this is a full custom gun with nothing but very good parts in it and on it. I figure I will spend another 2 or 3K in ammo before my skills improve to where I feel I'm doing the investment justice. Quite often the gun is the cheapest part.

 

[Trigger Time 23]

Used Remington .308 700P- $800
SWFA 10x $300
base/rings & Harris bipod $300

 

[RoscoXR]

As someone who is also new to the ELR/Tactical Marksmanship world, I think I understand what you are asking. When I first started researching "putting together a rig" the more I read the more complicated it became and the more confusing as well. The dozens of different cartridge types, ballistics information, twist rates, optics, the various rifles, and hundreds of opposing opinions etc.. drove me crazy. So I understand when you say you aren't exactly sure.

Since you only seem to have a few criteria. First be able to accurately shoot to 600yds, readily available ammo at a decent price, and all for around $1000.00. This is would be my suggestion for a budget precision rifle configuration,

For your Cartridge the 6.5 Creedmoor. Reasons being, the external ballistics excel even out past 1000yds, where the .308 and .223 would not. The assumption here that if you do well at 600yds then later on you will want to move up to 1000yds. Anyway, this is not to say that plenty of people don't ding targets at 1000yds with a .308 because they do, but from what I can tell they have tinker a lot with their loads, chassis, barrels etc.. to make this happen. And I assuming you do not want to load your own ammunition at this point and would simply like a more out of the box solution. Moreover, the 6.5 Creedmoor is pretty straightforward when it comes to Ammo because from what I have read Hornady makes quality factory ammo that is readily available plus reasonably priced. The 129gr SST SuperPerfomance or the 120gr GMX come to mind. In addition, it has less kick than a 7mm round, if recoil is a consideration which it was for me.

For a rifle the Savage11. Many believe Savage Rifles are a great rifles for 1st time shooters and I agree. They are supposedly highly accurate right out of the box, have a lot of aftermarket support, are easy to tinker with so you can do things like free floating the barrel and other mods to assist with rifle harmonics and accuracy, have a good customer support and are surrounded by vibrant online communities to help answer questions for new people like me!!

As for Optics, the SWFA 10x Fixed Scope for the $399 is the way to go. The 10x should get you out the 800yds I would think, but if you get to much further out you will probably need to move to a variable such as Vortex, Steiner, Nightforce etc..

Personally, I decided against a bipod to start and purchased two gun bags instead from str8lacedgungear.

Here is the cost

Savage 11-$470.00
SWFA 10x-$399.00
Rail and Rings-$60.00
Gun Bags-$95.00
Tab Gear Sling-$68.00
Triad Stock Pack=$37.00

Total-$1129.00

You still have shipping and maybe taxes but it is close!!

Please take what I say and double check, and I welcome any corrections to any misinformation I may have given from more the experienced shooters here. As I said I am very new to this and don't want to mislead anyone through my own ignorance.

Hope this helps
Regards

 

[DHMTBR]

All ready to sight in.

 

[Butleroutdoors]

Hello

Depending upon your caliber desire, the R700 Varmint is an option

Centerfire Rifle - Model 700 SPS Varmint - Remington Centerfire Rifles

Rifle comes in 22-250, 308, 223, 243,

Cabelas has/had them for $459 and they have a $50 rebate. With factory stock, rifle should shoot 3/4 MOA. I changed stock on mine, luged bedded and it shoots below 1/2 MOA.

600 yd rifle under $1000:

Rifle. $450
Rebate -$50
Talley Rings $50
Scope....tons of options for $250- $300 with BDC reticles. 4x12 or 4x16 will be fine for 600 yd. If you want to dial for your shots, less selection in this price range.

Can add B&C Medalist stock for $264 (will need to purchase bottom metal or mag system, as the rifle is ADL) With this rig above, would have ability to use the action for custom build later.

If you want a 6.5CM, (which I am huge fan of), will have to go Ruger (more $) or Savage

 

[TroyMN]

I can relate. I was on the same boat 2years ago. I did a Rem 700 tact 308 with 3.5-10 "fake Mk4" $650 total. When I bedded and did trigger work, reloads it was about a .75 gun. Personal best was 400yards less than 1" three shoot group. Long story short four more guns two switch barrels and $2000 (MSRP) of scopes 1000+ rounds down range I am still shooting the same barreled action on a better stock, better scope, better bottom metal, better trigger, better long range bullet. I also just got a savage vt-11 in .223. If 600 yards is max that gun might work well. At 100 yards I would put money on the $500 Savage over my $1500+ in the 700 Tact. However the 55 grain FBHP will not work at 600 and the 75 HPBT still catch a lot of wind at 500 yards.
I am still thinking of selling most all my gun/ scope and just buy one GA precision in a 308 with a one higher end scope (over $1500). However that really might not help anything it really comes down to shooting technique. I have days my .75 MOA gun can't shoot 1.5, a $4000 weapon system will only make that 1 MOA....
You will get a lot more experienced info here. I can only offer my experience which is more limited but I might be about to closer related to you. Especially if you are cheap like me.
Troy

 

[CampingJosh]

It can be done if you don't mind going with a used rifle.

There are plenty of rifles that can do 600 yards. You can do 600 with an AR if you already have one. Old sporterized Mauser rifles can usually do 600, especially if they're done well. Remington ADLs can be purchased used for well under $500 (and sometimes new in that range).

Harris bipods are not "the best," but they will work just fine for you, and they can be had for $100 or so.
SWFA's fixed power SS scopes will do 600 yards nicely. Even new you can get the scope, caps, sunshade, and inexpensive (but decent) rings shipped to your door for about $400.

$500 for a capable used rifle? Can be done.
$100 for a capable bipod? Yep.
$400 for a capable scope? It exists.

You won't have the best stuff, and you will want to upgrade later, but this will get you shooting at 600 yards for $1000.

Remember everyone, he's new to this. Let him upgrade when he's ready.

 

[Aimsmall55]

Used Remington .308 700P- $800
SWFA 10x $300
base/rings & Harris bipod $300

If you reload ,OP, I say AMEN to this. It seems people rather choose to ignore the P or underestimate it. I have several GAP's, custom's... But my .300 win mag 700 P was my all time favorite rifle. Shot 6" groups at 1200 yards.

BUT YOU HAVE TO HANDLOAD!!!!

 

[Jimmy31593]

I've owned several nice rifles and have researched extensively. Your biggest problem is your shooting a decent distance with a very low budget. Most of us shooting 600 yards are spending $1000 or more on just glass. If you opened your budget up more you would have much greater options. Possibly even customizing something to fit your specific desires.

 

[TacticalBoltKnob]

There is no way I would build a .223 rifle for long range. Yes, it can be done, but I can also punch myself in the face ... doesn't mean I want to do it.

JMO.

 

[Sterling Shooter]

There is no way I would build a .223 rifle for long range. Yes, it can be done, but I can also punch myself in the face ... doesn't mean I want to do it.

JMO.

Some sorts of competition would handicap a shooter bringing a 223 to the firing line, on the other hand, the test of skill shooting the 223 at LR can be very seductive. For mid range shooting (600 yards) the 223 is competitive with pretty much any other cartridge shooting a relatively high BC bullet. One thing for sure is the 223 rifle would reveal some concepts important to good shooting more acutely than more effective rounds which can serve as a substitute for marksmanship.

 

[Sterling Shooter]

I've owned several nice rifles and have researched extensively. Your biggest problem is your shooting a decent distance with a very low budget. Most of us shooting 600 yards are spending $1000 or more on just glass. If you opened your budget up more you would have much greater options. Possibly even customizing something to fit your specific desires.

Well, there is Service Rifle competition where irons are used. The target bull at 600 is 36 inches allowing for recognition for when a consistent relationship between front sight post and target has been made. My point is all that is necessary with any sight is to understand where the barrel is pointed. There are plenty of two hundred dollar scopes out there which can easily resolve most any target, as well as provide for range finding and bullet drop compensation. Getting a Remington 700, scope and mount for about one thousand is easily possible. You do not need a big ass scope to realize the possibilities. Only novice shooters believe marksmanship is synonymous with equipment. They do not know that the scope may just be serving as a substitute for their ignorance of marksmanship.

OP,

Your instincts for a rifle in 223 is, I think, ideal if you want to have a very rewarding experience with it all. The 223 will certainly allow for you to both test and celebrate skill. Learn how to shoot it with both scope and irons and you will reach plateaus higher than most will get to.

 

[chuckman]

I am by no means a SME, and I am still in the early stages of crawling in the crawl-walk-run method of progression. I used the intro rifle package over at sniper central as a guide. For me it is recreational, I do not compete, and I am not a sniper, so I am happy with what I have...for now. As I progress, so will my rifle.

 

[TacticalBoltKnob]

Some sorts of competition would handicap a shooter bringing a 223 to the firing line, on the other hand, the test of skill shooting the 223 at LR can be very seductive. For mid range shooting (600 yards) the 223 is competitive with pretty much any other cartridge shooting a relatively high BC bullet. One thing for sure is the 223 rifle would reveal some concepts important to good shooting more acutely than more effective rounds which can serve as a substitute for marksmanship.

Still wouldn't want to do it.

JMO.

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Once you have a coupla hundred rounds down the bore of a Savage, the initial bore roughness goes away and no longer makes them harder to clean. My experience with several .308/260 Savages is that they settle in and shoot quite well once one gets those 200 or so initial rounds downrange.

In terms of expense, the Savage rifles with Accu-Trigger and Accu-Stock are pretty far down the road toward being competitive rifles right out of the box. The .223 chambering with 1:7" or 1:8" rifling is very adequate for all but the heaviest (i.e. 90gr, etc.) projectiles. I think the 75gr and 77gr loads should serve you very well enough out to 600yd.

Going with a bigger chambering will add to the ammunition costs.

But they are also very likely to show much better performance if you can handload and develop loads for your particular rifle. This is one issue that likely won't change with any other rifle as well.

As for Savage barrels, a long/heavy barreled rifle with a .223 chambering and 1:9"twist is going to cost you over (maybe well over) $1000.

Savage Factory Site Model Browser

The Savage Model 12 VLP DBM comes in two versions, a 1:7" twist, and a 1:9" twist. It's a choice I'd consider if I was going with a .223 chambering.

However, the same rifle is also available in .308 1:10" twist, and that would be my choice for what you're looking for now, and still be capable at 1000yd later, of you chose to go that far as well.

As with all firearms these days, availability is cyclic, with demand consuming supply faster than new runs can restock them.

Greg

 

[bschneiderheinze]

Dicks sporting goods remington varmint $450 - sell the stock and scope your at 375 buy a bell and carlson your at $600 vortex scope or super sniper fixed power with egw base and warne rings.

 

[ilmonster]

Regarding heavy bullets in a .223, I have a Rem 700 SPS Tac in .223, with a Vortex 5-15x44 scope with TPS Rings and base, mounted on a B&C Medalist stock and a Harris bipod (a bit over $1K all in). I don't have access to a 600 yd. range, but at 200 yds I've shot 15/16" three shot groups with Hornady 75 gr BTHP. The 1:9 twist barrel seems to do just find with Hornady's 68 and 75 grain rounds. Also, if money for ammo is an issue, Black Hills makes duplicates of these two round in their red box (new) and blue box (reloaded) lines that are less expensive than Hornady.