Best accurate rifle / scope combination under $2k

[bushido23]

So I have about a $2k budget for my rifle and scope and trying to figure out where to put the money. I could go with a Sako and spend a little less on the scope, or I could go with a Savage and have more to spend on the scope. Or I could go right down the middle with about $1k each.

I'm looking for an accurate long range rifle for target practice mostly. I do not do much hunting. Also looking for a .308 chamber.

Any thoughts?

Paul

 

[Stealth Hunter]

So I have about a $2k budget for my rifle and scope and trying to figure out where to put the money. I could go with a Sako and spend a little less on the scope, or I could go with a Savage and have more to spend on the scope. Or I could go right down the middle with about $1k each.

I'm looking for an accurate long range rifle for target practice mostly. I do not do much hunting. Also looking for a .308 chamber.

Any thoughts?

Paul

after long long research and reading lots of reviews, I got the Tikka T3 and the Sightron S3. both have excellent reviews, they cost about $1500 total but you'll probably spend another 500 in accessories, tax, registration ammo ...

 

[bushido23]

Its a lofty goal and I realize it will take a ton of practice, but I'd eventually like to get out to 1000 yrds.

Would this combo be able to accomplish that?

 

[MudRunner2005]

Find you a Remington 700 5R .308 24" barrel model, and put a Vortex Viper PST FFP 6-24x50 on it.

Of Rem 700 5R .308 24", and a Zeiss Conquest 6.5-20x50.

For either option, use EGW HD aluminum bases, and TPS TSR HD aluminum rings.

I think you would be very happy with either setup to get you started into long-range shooting and hunting.

 

[4bycamper]

Let me ask you a question, have you noticed your scope crosshairs dancing when your heart beats?

It takes a heavier rifle to get past all the involuntary motion that most shooters experience. The tikka Is a great hunting rifle, light weight and easy to cary for long distances. If you bought a 5 1/2 pound light weight, sure the rifle will shoot 1000 yards but can you?

Fast foreward to a Remmy Heavy Barrel Police in .308. Much easier to target shoot at 1000 like you said.

Look at the "Poll: Long Range Hunting Gun Weight "posts. These are experienced hunters doing what you want to do.

 

[ICANHITHIMMAN]

Horus scope and a tikka 308 tactical would be my choice. Fact optic medium weight 308 = one hell of a good time!

Horus Vision

 

[bushido23]

Thanks for the responses. I will look into those options too. My question was a bit more theoretical as well. Where do you think the money is best spent? I've heard you can buy pretty accurate out of the box guns now for under $1k (such as the Tikka or Savage). That would leave a good $1.2k to be spent on glass.

From an overall platform perspective, is that option better than spending $1.4k on a rifle and limiting your glass to a $400 option such as the Vortex?

 

[ICANHITHIMMAN]

Thanks for the responses. I will look into those options too. My question was a bit more theoretical as well. Where do you think the money is best spent? I've heard you can buy pretty accurate out of the box guns now for under $1k (such as the Tikka or Savage). That would leave a good $1.2k to be spent on glass.

From an overall platform perspective, is that option better than spending $1.4k on a rifle and limiting your glass to a $400 option such as the Vortex?

2k on the glass, then get a rem 700 when they go on sale for 400$ start from there. I realize this seams crazy but you want the best glass. Don't over look used glass!

 

[Greyfox]

Find you a Remington 700 5R .308 24" barrel model, and put a Vortex Viper PST FFP 6-24x50 on it.

Of Rem 700 5R .308 24", and a Zeiss Conquest 6.5-20x50.

For either option, use EGW HD aluminum bases, and TPS TSR HD aluminum rings.

I think you would be very happy with either setup to get you started into long-range shooting and hunting.

+1. I have owned 3 Rem 700 Milspecs since they were introduced. All were exceptionally accurate at $1000. All top quality and workmanship .Lots of good scopes to choose from.

 

[aramarine6]

If it were me I'd be looking long term with a build like this. I'd buy a Remington 700 for the platform. Reason being, they are proven accurate and have a ton of after market products for them. Once you shoot the barrel out there are countless precision firearm companies that will rebarrel and chamber your 700 action. Whereas savage actions don't have the same amount of aftermarket. Then I'd look into Horus Vision optics. IMO the best options and glass for the price. I had an old 700 LA that I had GAP rebarrel into a 338 RUM. Entire weapon before optics was $1400. The gun shoots better than me and can shoot further than I can find room for. Hope this helps.

 

[timmay]

you have lots of options but I like the one posted about the Rem700 5r.
The Tikka t3 tactical is an awesome rifle also.
You have a good idea of splitting your money in half. 1k on rifle, 1k on scope/rings
There are lots of good scopes in the 800-1000 range too
get a good single rail base and strong rings and youll be good.

I spent $1200 on a FN SPR A1 and 500 on a Vortex Viper scope and am very happy with that set up.

You have tons of options

 

[westcliffe01]

You have not expressed any thoughts regarding calibers. While a 308 might get to 1000 yards, do you expect to kill anything at that distance ? A 308 is also relatively lousy into the wind. Perhaps you should consider a 300 Win Mag or a 300 WSM. The WSM gets you the advantage of staying with a short action and burning a bit less powder.

Right now on Gunbroker you can get the Savage model 11 long range hunter in 300WSM for <$800 or you can get for a similar price the 6.5x284 Norma.

For $550 you can get the Vortex Viper HS 4x16x50 long range scope with an exposed elevation turret and MOA calibrated reticle. If you go up to $750 you can get the Viper PST 6x24x50 SFP with either MOA or MRAD reticle. Even with the more expensive scope you still have $400 of your budget left. That would get you brass, bullets, dies, powder etc (consumables). Later on, (not too much later with the 6.5x284) you can order a match barrel to your own specification.

 

[lloydsmale]

if i had that much to spend id probably pick up a sendero and the best scope i could with what was left

 

[MudRunner2005]

I agree with Lloyd. If you want to be able to hunt that far away, a Magnum caliber would be a better choice than a .308. But for paper and steel @ 1000 the .308 is an excellent caliber to get into shooting long range.

For the money a Sendero 7Mag and a Zeiss 6.5-20x50 (usually on sale for around $799), would be a good setup.

Then later on (or immediately) you could spend about $150 and have the barrel re-chambered to 7mmSTW, and really be able to reach out and touch something. That would be a real nice shooter for under $1,500...And you would really be able to reach out there and hunt at 1000+ if you had some nice handloads with some Berger 180 VLD's.

If you went with a Sendero in 7mm RemMag, the Berger 168 VLD's would be and excellent choice.