Another Newbie with "what gun to buy" questions

[Dangalang]

Hello everyone, this place is amazing! So much information!

Here's the background of who will be shooting:

Been shooting for decades, but never extremely serious about marksmanship as much as about "plinking". I'm trying to get serious about it now. I'm really enjoying reading the FAQs here, there's an amazing amount of info there.

At the moment mostly shooting CZ 453 and a 1960s S&W Model 41 22's to try and learn better shooting habits. I'm familiar with 9mm, 357 Magnum, AR15's, 30-06, so I have a general all around knowledge, but I want to graduate to more precise shooting.

I've been looking at the for sale section here, and here's my criteria of what I'm looking for:

Bolt action
.308
$5,000 to $6,000 upper limit. Used is fine.
1,000 yard capability
Something I can grow into, but not out of. Right now I'm still around the 100 yard mark and trying to learn.
Mostly bench rest, but I'd like an all around gun, not limited to bench. A 20lb rifle is going to be a bit limiting.
Using factory ammo for the most part, although I'm willing to pay for GOOD factory ammo. I realize that reloading will be probably eventually be necessary if I want to get the most out of the gun.
I'm not planning on competing, as much as I am doing this as a family affair, and eventually passing on a really good quality rifle to younger generations, as well as hopefully the skills to use it.

I'm of the mentality of buy once, cry once. I'm mostly fact finding right now though.

Thanks for any advice! I'll go back to using the search function now.

 

[JBM_DC]

Check out the DTA rifles, may be right up your alley. If something more conventional is what you are looking for then you should find plenty of Surgeon, Beanland, GAP, SAC and the list goes on that will be well within your price range. If general use I would really look into the DTA, seems to be a great system with a nice following. Very short package even with longer barrels, grabs plenty of attention from people and from what I can tell by the people around me is that they really enjoy them. Some competition shooters I know seem to be on the fence, but have been using them for a while now.

Others rifles to look at:

Sako TRG & Accuracy International

Also very nice choices.

 

[Dangalang]

Thanks for the info, I hadn't heard of DTA yet. Surgeon, GAP, Sako TRG and Accuracy international were all ones I was looking into though.

 

[sib1948]

I have 2 DTAs, which are great and compact, but recently bought the new AI AXMC 308 with 260 conversion and the new AI AT 308 with 260 conversion. Actually, like the AI AT the best for $2500 less, leaving more money for quality scope and ammo for practice. If you plan to do a lot of hunting the DTA would suit you best, since lighter and more compact, but feel AI has better build quality than the DTA. Really can't lose with either!

PS-Reloading will improve your accuracy further and allow you to shooting much more for the same cost.

 

[Friar]

Sako TRG

I can't speak to the other makes that have been mentioned, I have a TRG in 260 Remington and it is a hammer. If you decide to go that route get the Sako bipod, it's pricey but well worth it. Look into reloading it would be worth your while.