Re: Got the bolt-action bug! help with suggestions plz
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Cacciatore</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Force_Multiplier</div><div class="ubbcode-body">for more money... I'd buy a Savage hog hunter for $450 or so, sell the bbl and stock, order a CBI 243 bbl (8 twist) for $280, recoil lug for $35ish, and a Manners stock for around $550-575, CDI DBM and mag for $275ish...
$400 for the action
$280 for the bbl
$35 for the lug
$550 for a Manners
$275 for the DBM and mag
$1550ish total
$950 for your PST
$150 for base and rings (at the most)
puts you shooting at around $2650... and it'll drive tacks </div></div>
You could do the chassis route to avoid bedding and have an integral DBM. The only downside would be the wait as they are around the same price. </div></div>
I agree with these statements. Buy a savage rifle (one of the more basic models), throw a CBI barrel on there in the caliber of your choosing, get a stock and DBM (or chassis), and you're good to go.
1. For mounts I have been using EGW bases with TPS rings. Works great and never have had any problems. about $110 or so.
2. I would suggest looking into a chassis too. I've got an XLR and a Manners for 2 of my savages. Love both systems but I do like I don't need the chassis bedded and it's already adjustable and no need to buy a DBM and such.
3. As for caliber out to 600 yards, well your choices are pretty much limitless as a few people have said before. I put a 6.5 Creedmoor barrel on my savage so I could shoot out to 1000+ yards. My other savage is a .223 shooting 69gr pills. Pretty consistent to 600 yards. I will be rebarreling to a .223 with a 7 or 8 twist so I can shoot the heavier pills and will possibly AI it to get a little more velocity. Maybe consider a .223 AI if you want. You can shoot factory ammo in it or AI ammo. Great little cartridge to 600 yards and cheap ammo.
A .243 is a good choice and I highly considered it before I got the 6.5. good ballistics and low recoil. However, since I shoot steel matches I thought it may not always have enough oomph to clearly show hits/misses. But this may not be an issue for you if you're not shooting comps. Cheaper brass and components than others.
.308 is also a good choice but you said you kinda wanted something different. this is a good cartridge for about 600-800 and then other cartridges really start to show their advantages. but It does have a long barrel life, readily available ammo (from surplus to match) and will have some of the cheapest components.
In the end everything is up to you and depends upon what you ultimately want. If you want a cartridge to go to 600 and then you'll take it further more often than you think or shooting long range comps, then go for a 6.5 or .243 sized round. If 600 will be the absolute max then you should probably opt for a .308 or .223 especially if cost is a concern. I know they're not new, high end, fancy or cool per se, but they are the good ole standby's and have a long track record. Cheaper than everything else and longer barrel life than everything else.
Also one last thing, if you decide you no longer want a caliber (and have a savage) all you need to do (for the most part) is just buy another barrel and swap it out and start shooting.
