Best stock rifle for under $1000?

[thelukai1100]

I'm looking to buy a long range hunting rifle, But i only have $1500 to spend (rifle and scope)

Whats the best stock rifle right out of the box for under $1000?'

I am also thinking of buying a cheap Remington 7400 and sending it to asi and get a accurate Semi auto rifle for under or right around $1000.

http://www.remington7400.com/index.php


I really like the 7400 idea because I grew up hunting with one.

Which should I get?

 

[migolito]

What you gonna hunt? Spot and stalk? Stand? Still hunt? Eastern flats? Western mountains? Etc.

I hunt for deer and elk in the west. So, the lighter the better. However, that needs to be positioned against caliber/recoil. So, a Rem model 7 in 7mm-08 with a 24" thin barrel, is pretty good when I'm backpacking. When I'm not backpacking my gun will be (its being built) a Howa 1500 with a 24" lite barrel, Medalist stock, in 280AI. There are plenty of really good perfectly stock rifles out there, but, they need to match your conditions/needs.

I also hunt with a Savage 99 in 300 savage that is the greatest hunting rifle I've ever been around...and so might your rem 7400 be.

 

[thelukai1100]

Spot and stalk, and I want to use it to hunt everywhere.
I haven't decided on calibers, but I'm open to opinions

 

[mdusky]

Rem. 700 best most accurate out of the box rifle. And you can build off it latter. But if you want to shoot long range you O it to the game to invest in the best.

 

[JackinSD]

Everyone will have an opinion of what is the best out of the box rifle. Luckily, there is a poll that combines those thoughts. http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f22/right-out-box-76570/

 

[BrentM]

I was thinking about that poll. I have always been a huge remington fan as my model 700 BDL 30-06 is just flat awesome. I have the action bedded, the trigger polished, and worked up some nice loads for it and it shoots .3 MOA. However, the rifle is 40 years old and like the old remingtons built very well.

I have 3 Savages now. All three have been excellent from the box. They are not all the fancy, like some of the rifles, but the performance has been top notch for me. My .17 HMR shoots 10 shot groups at .75 MOA, factory Hornady ammo. My .204 shoots .15MOA with factory Hornady ammo, and my 6.5x284 is currently at .35 MOA, with hand loads. I am not paying $55 for a box of 20 rounds for that rifle. Anyway, no issues at all so far with the rifles.

Certainly not saying others are worse or better, that is just my experience with Savage

 

[slm9s]

I know we're on LRH, but you speak of "spot and stalk" hunting so my suggestions aren't long range hunting rifles.

If $1500 is your budget, I'd buy the new Forbes rifle in 30-06 or 270 for $1200 or so and put a $299 Zeiss Conquest 3-9 and go hunting.

Kimber Montana is another great choice.

If you can, buy used to get more bang for your buck and you'll have idea of the accuracy potential and likely have load workup done for you.

 

[albertakid]

the savage lrh in 260 rem with a 4-16 vortex viper scope would be my pick just over your price range by a few bucks, but an awesome combo out to 1000

 

[mdusky]

280 AI. Its a .284 like the 7mag without the kick. Lots of bullet options

 

[roninflag]

Spot and stalk, and I want to use it to hunt everywhere.
I haven't decided on calibers, but I'm open to opinions

what are you shooting at? elk ? antelopes? whitetail? targets? i would shop until i could find a sendero in my price range or save until i could afford one.

 

[mdusky]

Yep their you go. You cant go roung with a 700

 

[mdusky]

If you truly want to go long range forget other guns you want. put the money to were it will do you some good and have one made, just call and talk to gun makers that will make what you want. Give Q.M.M. A call.

 

[BrentM]

Not trying to pick a fight but I keep seeing 1200 plus dollar rifles showing up in this discussion and he clearly is looking for $1000 or less and stock. Now we have custom rifles etc coming to play.

I don't know, I have a stock rifle capable of LR, not ELR, it cost $700 at Cabela's and nothing has been done to it. At 1333 yards I did make a first round, cold bore, hit that would have taken a deer, elk, or even possibly a wolf. It was dead center and 10" low. Before that I had 4 shot group at 1050 that would taken a coyote. I did not do so well at 1482 yards but that was a wind reading issue, not a rifle issue. The group was good though. At 800 yards I have had consistent .5MOA groups.

Just trying to get this discussion back on topic. This reminds of the car dealers where a guy goes in for a Mazada 3 at 15000.00 and is told to buy a WRX STI at $35000.00 for communting to work. ha ha

 

[mdusky]

All good bud. Then what are you asking?