Best precision rifle for a new-bee?

[PilotPhill]

Hello All,
I grew up with a decent pellet rifle and Remington 22LR my grandfather gave me, both of which I shot quite a bit and became (what I thought) a relatively good shot. However, upon recently going shooting with some family and friends, I am feeling the need to get back into it with something a bit larger than my 22LR. I'd like to be able to shoot as accurately as possible at distances probably in the 100-500 meter range.

I'd like to keep it below $1000 and preferably around $700 if possible (is it realistic to, assuming I am a decent shot with a little practice, be seeing 3" or less groups from 300 meters?)
I suppose I am really asking two questions:
1) What caliber ammunition is both extremely accurate and yet something that won't break the bank (I am capable of hand loading my own rounds). I've read 6.5 x 284 NORMA is very good for this sort of thing?
2) What model rifles will both last a relatively very long time and provide the highest degree of precision and accuracy? I've read Savage arms makes high quality products at attainable prices?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you, Phillip

 

[FEENIX]

Hello All,
I grew up with a decent pellet rifle and Remington 22LR my grandfather gave me, both of which I shot quite a bit and became (what I thought) a relatively good shot. However, upon recently going shooting with some family and friends, I am feeling the need to get back into it with something a bit larger than my 22LR. I'd like to be able to shoot as accurately as possible at distances probably in the 100-500 meter range.

I'd like to keep it below $1000 and preferably around $700 if possible (is it realistic to, assuming I am a decent shot with a little practice, be seeing 3" or less groups from 300 meters?)
I suppose I am really asking two questions:
1) What caliber ammunition is both extremely accurate and yet something that won't break the bank (I am capable of hand loading my own rounds). I've read 6.5 x 284 NORMA is very good for this sort of thing?
2) What model rifles will both last a relatively very long time and provide the highest degree of precision and accuracy? I've read Savage arms makes high quality products at attainable prices?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you, Phillip

Phillip,

Welcome to LRH and enjoy!

Prepare yourself to be overwhelmed with recommendations. There are lots of folks here that are always willing and able to help. Savage rifles are hard to beat, esp. in the DIY arena. The bottom-line, you have plenty of choices (Savage, Remington, etc ...) to choose from ... which is always a good thing.

For your thoughts and consideration, don't overlook the .308 Win for targets for your specified range.

Good luck!

Ed

 

[turkeyfever]

+1 on the 308 win.
Ammo is easy to find and reloading components easily obtainable.

 

[roninflag]

Phil- are you shooting targets, deer , jackrabbits? the remington 700 5-r is a good one along with the sendero and rem 700 long range. while i do not not shoot a savage the save model 12 larpv and other are real good. ron

 

[roninflag]

the savage lrpv comes in 22-250 with a 9 twist . not offered by any other maufacturer that i know of . they have won 600 yard matches. you would need to reload some 75 grain to fulfil its potential. a single shot 6mmbr ( 8 twist) from savage would be another great choice.

 

[Deleted member 46119]

308 Winchester for sure.

With that, brand and model choices boggle the mind. You have a decent budget unless the scope is included which would require more careful selection.

Tikka T3 I shot was very fine.
Any of the Savages that floats your boat better work because that is their reputation.
Certain Remington models.
Browning
More

The list is long but putting aside my Weatherby addiction, Tikka T3 or Savage

 

[StrutNut]

I would also consider a .223. Cheap ammo or ammo components, light on recoil, more the capable at the distances mentioned. I great round to learn from. You need to send a lot of ammo down range to get competent and a .223 wont break the bank. As far as guns go I would Savage is great, Ruger Americans, Remington just get a SWFA SS on it and start practicing. You could pick up a Ruger American or Savage Axis and the SWFA and be within your budget.

 

[rcoody]

I would also consider a .223. Cheap ammo or ammo components, light on recoil, more the capable at the distances mentioned. I great round to learn from. You need to send a lot of ammo down range to get competent and a .223 wont break the bank. As far as guns go I would Savage is great, Ruger Americans, Remington just get a SWFA SS on it and start practicing. You could pick up a Ruger American or Savage Axis and the SWFA and be within your budget.

For target shooting 6mm or smaller. The only reason I say this is recoil. If you are going to shoot a lot shooting something with light recoil will make you a better shooter. 6mm BR and you will surprise yourself and the rest of your tribe.

If you want something versatile for hunting and target shooting then you need to step it up a bit. .308 is a really good choice. But there are so many options out there I don't think anyone can help you with that choice

Savage is the best bang for the buck

 

[jonthomps]

The new Ruger 6.5 Creed precision rifle is creating quite a splash. For around $1k it's worth a look.

 

[PilotPhill]

I will primarily be doing target shooting and would like to get as accurate a rifle as possible for under $1000, preferably around $700. The tighter the groups the better. However, I also want a rifle that will hold up well after many many shots. I've heard some people talking about how they can only put a couple thousand rounds through their rifle before their bore is washed out. I'd really like to have a rifle that I can put as many rounds through as I like and not have to worry about it but yet one that is still extremely accurate. It looks like the .308, 6 Norma BR, and 6.5 x284 Norma are quite popular and might be good for my intended application. However, I am rather in the dark as to what might make one of those better for me than the other? (I am also open to other calibers, those are just the ones that I have read a fair amount of good things about)
Thanks, Phillip

 

[rcoody]

I will primarily be doing target shooting and would like to get as accurate a rifle as possible for under $1000, preferably around $700. The tighter the groups the better. However, I also want a rifle that will hold up well after many many shots. I've heard some people talking about how they can only put a couple thousand rounds through their rifle before their bore is washed out. I'd really like to have a rifle that I can put as many rounds through as I like and not have to worry about it but yet one that is still extremely accurate. It looks like the .308, 6 Norma BR, and 6.5 x284 Norma are quite popular and might be good for my intended application. However, I am rather in the dark as to what might make one of those better for me than the other? (I am also open to other calibers, those are just the ones that I have read a fair amount of good things about)
Thanks, Phillip

the life of a 6.5 x .284 barrel is only 1200 - 1500 shots.

.308 and I have one. It is my primary deer rifle. Recoil is too great for enjoyable range shooting

Guide to 6BR, 6mm BR Norma, 6mm, 30 BR cartridge, with Reloading Data, Lapua Brass Specs, Velocity and Recoil Data, Barrel Twist rate, Ammo and Cartridge history.

 

[Trickymissfit]

The Savage LRPV is about a hundred dollars past your max, but also shoot so good that many have banned them from their long range contests. I gather you don't reload, and that changes things right away. Otherwise I'd simply say buy a fast twist 6BR and be good to go. The generic .243 Winchester is known for a lack luster barrel life, and really tops out with 90 grain bullets due to it's too short neck length. I'd rather have a 6mm Remington seven days a week and twice on Sunday. Nice thing about the 6BR is that they seem to shoot forever, and are very efficient with powder usage.

If it were me, I'd buy a Savage 12BVSS-s in 22-250. Comes with a 12 twist barrel standard, but you can buy it in a 9 twist. Then I'd pick up a good quality 6BR barrel in a 1:8 twist barrel. With the 6BR, you have an extremely good varmint rifle, and a deer rifle good to 350 yards for sure. The version I called up is the single shot. Have found them to be slighter tighter grouping, and you can build ammo without ever worrying about magazine length. Plus you shoot slower, and help to keep the heat out of the barrel. My 12BVSS-s in 22-250 shoots .300" groups (five shot) all day long, and I really have never tried to find a good hand load for it. A really good 6BR ought tobe a quarter inch gun with little work involved.
gary

 

[turkeyfever]

Phil, you will get more life out of the 308 winchester. You should easily get 5 to 8 thousand if not more down the barrel before it goes bad. That is depending on how you shoot it. If this is a range gun and the recoil is bad just muzzle brake it.

 

[PilotPhill]

Okay, sounds like the 6mm BR and the 308 might be my best bets based on extreme accuracy, durability, and relative cost effectiveness. I have a friend who has offered to help me reload as much as I want so that shouldn't be a problem (I read that 6mm BR cost only about $.30 to reload so that is a major plus). The Savage Model 12 F class target 308 is on sale at Cabela's right now for $1100. Any recommendations would be very welcome.
Thanks!