New rifle recommendations

You can't buy better than what you already have for $600(Yeah, I'm a Winchester guy). If yours doesn't shoot. Re-barrel, glass bed and pillars, work on trigger if it needs it, or replace, shoot lots of stuff. Done.
However, if it does shoot, and you would like a second rifle for whatever reason, I would look at a Bergara, for the money. I've got a rifle that I kind of want to re-barrel, but it shoots, so I'm thinking of just getting another rifle for similar cost of re-barreling. Of course a new scope for it will take the total price up quite a bit.
I also have a Vortex Viper 4-16 x50 HS LR which I love, but I don't like it on my custom FN, Shilen barreled 260 AI tight neck. It's too bulky/heavy for this rifle and makes handling less than desireable. Thinking of putting it on a longer/heavier rifle where I think it will balance better, but I could be wrong.


Hello all,

Well, I purchased a Vortex Viper PST 4-16x50 that I have been planning to mount on my older, wood stock, Winchester Model 70. I am starting to have second thoughts about using this rifle for 600-700 yard shots on the elk, deer, bear and cougar that I hunt. A few members on here have mentioned that this rifle may not shoot accurately enough, especially considering I don't have reloading equipment.

So, my question now is what rifles are available for off the shelf purchase, easily modifiable, can be accurate enough for these shots, and has a maximum price tag of $600 or so. Also, what caliber? My current rifle is a 7mm rem mag. Open to recommendations.[/QUOTE]

Deviant said:

Thats a tough sell at sub $600. Savage or a Remington 700 would probably be your best bet but you never know what you will get with a mass production off the shelf rifle. Id spend the money on reloading equipment or find a friend to reload for you and upgrade your current rifle with a good glass bedded stock.

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Now, I have heard with the Remingtons' you almost have to change everything but the action to get an accurate rifle... not sure how much this actually holds true.

As much as I like my current rifle, I am really having second thoughts about modifying it. This was my late grandfather's rifle and I am thinking I may want to maintain its originality.

Dumb question, but where would you recommend looking for these rifles for the best deal? Thanks for your help.

Elkeater said:

Actually I just looked and Cabela's has ruger American magnum rifles on sale in 7mm rem mag for $549

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I just took a look at the rifle online, looks nice. As I just mentioned above, with my current 7mm being my late grandfather's rifle, I'm thinking for my purposes a new rifle may be in check.

Now, with a rifle like the Ruger, what all needs to be altered for these further shots? Out of the box, as a great shot, what are the range capabilities (accuracy) of this rifle?

Kerry Golden said:

You can't buy better than what you already have for $600(Yeah, I'm a Winchester guy). If yours doesn't shoot. Re-barrel, glass bed and pillars, work on trigger if it needs it, or replace, shoot lots of stuff. Done.
However, if it does shoot, and you would like a second rifle for whatever reason, I would look at a Bergara, for the money. I've got a rifle that I kind of want to re-barrel, but it shoots, so I'm thinking of just getting another rifle for similar cost of re-barreling. Of course a new scope for it will take the total price up quite a bit.
I also have a Vortex Viper 4-16 x50 HS LR which I love, but I don't like it on my custom FN, Shilen barreled 260 AI tight neck. It's too bulky/heavy for this rifle and makes handling less than desireable. Thinking of putting it on a longer/heavier rifle where I think it will balance better, but I could be wrong.


Hello all,

Well, I purchased a Vortex Viper PST 4-16x50 that I have been planning to mount on my older, wood stock, Winchester Model 70. I am starting to have second thoughts about using this rifle for 600-700 yard shots on the elk, deer, bear and cougar that I hunt. A few members on here have mentioned that this rifle may not shoot accurately enough, especially considering I don't have reloading equipment.

So, my question now is what rifles are available for off the shelf purchase, easily modifiable, can be accurate enough for these shots, and has a maximum price tag of $600 or so. Also, what caliber? My current rifle is a 7mm rem mag. Open to recommendations.

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[/QUOTE]

Understood. I'm just having a hard time with the idea of modifying this "grandpa" gun, if you will. A lighter, newer rifle wouldn't be the end of the world for myself either. I've never purchased a gun of my own, so would like to ensure a quality rifle for my first purchase, keeping in mind my budgetary restrictions.

Brydawg512 said:

I just took a look at the rifle online, looks nice. As I just mentioned above, with my current 7mm being my late grandfather's rifle, I'm thinking for my purposes a new rifle may be in check.

Now, with a rifle like the Ruger, what all needs to be altered for these further shots? Out of the box, as a great shot, what are the range capabilities (accuracy) of this rifle?

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Well my buddy's ruger American shot sub MOA basically out of the box. Not sure what a bedding job would take but other than that just some good factory ammo the gun likes.

And I'll add a lot of practice.

Elkeater said:

Well my buddy's ruger American shot sub MOA basically out of the box. Not sure what a bedding job would take but other than that just some good factory ammo the gun likes.

And I'll add a lot of practice.

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Great, that is good to hear. So, to make sure I understand this...

I purchase the Ruger American Magnum (7mm Rem Mag). Next, I bed it. Do I only need to bed the recoil lug area or the receiver as well? Next, I determine ammo choice (whether that be handload or factory load for now). Hypothetically, pretending I have a world class shot and the ammo is loaded correctly, how far (accurately) will this rifle shoot? I appreciate your time.

I am hoping someone else with some experience with this exact rifle will jump in. My buddy's gun is a plain old .30-06 in the regular American rifle.

I would say with ammo the gun likes if you can shoot sub MOA at 100 yards it should be minute of elk out to 600 yards with practice and much further with lots of practice. Things get funny with wind and other environmental factors beyond 5-600 yards. I think there was a thread on here where someone was making some pretty long like 600 yard shots with a American predator in a 6.5cm on antelope.

Brydawg512 said:

Great, that is good to hear. So, to make sure I understand this...

I purchase the Ruger American Magnum (7mm Rem Mag). Next, I bed it. Do I only need to bed the recoil lug area or the receiver as well? Next, I determine ammo choice (whether that be handload or factory load for now). Hypothetically, pretending I have a world class shot and the ammo is loaded correctly, how far (accurately) will this rifle shoot? I appreciate your time.

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My advice (and I'm not trying to be insulting) is that you need to re-evaluate taking long range shots at elk and deer if you're trying to do it cheap..
shooting long range at game animals is serious, to ethically do this you need to be fully committed to mastering ballistics and long range shooting!

You don't handload, and will be at the mercy of factory ammo plus you don't want to spend over $600 on a rifle.
If you want to get into long range hunting you really need to realize that to do it properly it's not going to be cheap.

Bump your price range up to about $1100 you can get a much better fast twist rifle like a Browning Hells Canyon.

If you really don't want to handload then I'd get a 6.5 PRC or 300 PRC, Hornady designed these rounds for the "factory guy" to have access to long range ammo offerings.

@blackaj makes the point better than me. This isn't necessarily cheap and the factory ammo thing is tough that's why I said if you have a rifle with ammo it likes and it shoots sub MOA then it's good to distance with a lot of practice

What are the thoughts on using a Savage

blackaj said:

My advice (and I'm not trying to be insulting) is that you need to re-evaluate taking long range shots at elk and deer if you're trying to do it cheap..
shooting long range at game animals is serious, to ethically do this you need to be fully committed to mastering ballistics and long range shooting!

You don't handload, and will be at the mercy of factory ammo plus you don't want to spend over $600 on a rifle.
If you want to get into long range hunting you really need to realize that to do it properly it's not going to be cheap.

Bump your price range up to about $1100 you can get a much better fast twist rifle like a Browning Hells Canyon.

If you really don't want to handload then I'd get a 6.5 PRC or 300 PRC, Hornady designed these rounds for the "factory guy" to have access to long range ammo offerings.

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Elkeater said:

@blackaj makes the point better than me. This isn't necessarily cheap and the factory ammo thing is tough that's why I said if you have a rifle with ammo it likes and it shoots sub MOA then it's good to distance with a lot of practice

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I just got off the phone with one of the members here and I've decided that for my purposes handloading is the smartest option. Unfortunately, I don't have $1000+ to drop on a new rifle as of now, so I am going to start with a few minor modifications to my current rifle to see where it stands. If it still isn't where I want it, I will more readily consider a new rifle.

That's a really good idea, learn the basics of handloading and precision shooting, then look into a rifle that meets your needs.

Savages aren't bad, but factory barrels don't have a fast enough twist for heavy long range bullets in most chamberings.

You might have a fairly valuable rifle if it's a M70 pre-64. I wouldn't modify it until you check the serial number/manufacturer date. https://www.rifleshootermag.com/editorial/featured_rifles_rs_model70wo_200803/84326

You said grandpa's gun and I have a couple that were passed down which would resale for several thousand on the collector market.

Brydawg512 said:

Now, I have heard with the Remingtons' you almost have to change everything but the action to get an accurate rifle... not sure how much this actually holds true.

As much as I like my current rifle, I am really having second thoughts about modifying it. This was my late grandfather's rifle and I am thinking I may want to maintain its originality.

Dumb question, but where would you recommend looking for these rifles for the best deal? Thanks for your help.

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For almost 30 years all I've shot are Remington 700's, I grew up using them for hunting and competition. I do handload and I have not had any issues finding a load that will give me sub MOA accuracy on any of them. I've gone through 6 different ones in 7mm-08 for Silhouette shooting and I'm on my 6th, again all sub MOA accuracy, and by sub MOA I mean five shots at 0.3" or better at a 100 meters, and five shots inder 2.5" at 500 meters. These are Varmint 26" heavy barrel rifles.

For hunting I've used a couple of 270's, a 280 rem, and I currently have two 7mm-08's and one 7mm Rem Mag. With handloads I've had sub MOA accuracy on all of them.

I've read some complaints about them but I have not had issues with any of them, maybe because I handload or maybe just luck.

I do recommend you get the 7mm Rem Mag, it's just plain simply better.

Best regards

LVJ76 said:

For almost 30 years all I've shot are Remington 700's, I grew up using them for hunting and competition. I do handload and I have not had any issues finding a load that will give me sub MOA accuracy on any of them. I've gone through 6 different ones in 7mm-08 for Silhouette shooting and I'm on my 6th, again all sub MOA accuracy, and by sub MOA I mean five shots at 0.3" or better at a 100 meters, and five shots inder 2.5" at 500 meters. These are Varmint 26" heavy barrel rifles.

For hunting I've used a couple of 270's, a 280 rem, and I currently have two 7mm-08's and one 7mm Rem Mag. With handloads I've had sub MOA accuracy on all of them.

I've read some complaints about them but I have not had issues with any of them, maybe because I handload or maybe just luck.

I do recommend you get the 7mm Rem Mag, it's just plain simply better.

Best regards

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Should've mentioned, all of these have been properly bedded