Best factory rifle accuracy under $1400US

[Guest]

I would appreciate feedback on the board's experience regarding the "best accuracy" factory rifle.
I guess I am not including specialist high $K tactical here just normal Remington; Ruger; Savage; Winchester; Weatherby; Sako models.
I wish to purchase the best "out of the box" rifle available below $1400USD.

I failed to convert my local currency in my original post - my apologies!
Please note that I am in Australia and all our rifles and components are dearer than what your US produced equipment is locally.
For example a M700 VSVF is approx $1220USD.
This amount is rifle only no optics and also please note that the Savage with the new accu trigger is not being exported to us as yet - too popular at home?

[ 07-16-2004: Message edited by: aussie powder burner ]

 

[preacherman]

...for best accuracy "out of the box" the odds would favor Sako... if you feel you must upgrade for further accuracy, you'll find Remington is the way to go... think it through, the remington is easiest to accurize, but you'll probably need to... sako might be satisfactory out of the box, if not, you'll need a "sako smith"... metric threads, no jewell trigger etc... hope this helps...

 

[kidcoltoutlaw]

for 2k you could buy a very used rem 700 or a win mod 70 and send it to rw hart and have a real super tack driver.i bought a new gun and sent it to them.if i had to do it all over i would have bought a used one.they sent it to them for turing the action and rebarreling bedding trigger and so on.

 

[Derek M.]

I am a Remington fan. But I also have a Ruger with a Hart barrel in 270 that groups < moa daily...WITH JUST ABOUT ANYTHING I PUT IN IT! Savage, though I have no experience personally other than friends, seems to have a pretty accurate rifle. I just do not care for the length of the bolt and the fact that the bolt handle is at the very end of the bolt.

Your price cap does allow you a bunch of options. I would also buy a used gun and have it blue printed/accurized with a new custom match grade stainless barrel on it.

One thing you should know about Remington: on their newer rifles, they have a new safety mechanism that uses a "J" key, and a different shaped firing pin/spring mechanism. It is now somewhat shaped like an hour glass and can rub against the inside of the bolt. Remington has always had the fastest lock time but for whatever reason, they've tried to make it faster.

If you go with a Remington, have a gunsmith change out the firing pin, spring, and bolt shroud to the older system: approx. $75.00.

Secondly, Remington changed their trigger. If you can find the older version, it is much easier for a gunsmith to work down to a clean crisp 2lb. Many gunsmiths really liked the factory Rem. triggers before they changed them.

The Rem. receivers are easy to square and true, bed, etc.

That's my advice.

 

[Lightvarmint]

If you have 2K to spend, then just purchase the components and send them to a smith for him to assemble.

Looking for the most accurate out-of-the-box factory gun (for serious accuracy work) for under 2K is like looking for the smoothest treebark in your yard to wipe your butt. It is just a waste of time for getting the job done the best way and the least painless.

Just use the assets of this forum to locate the best components for putting one together.

However, if the "game" has to be a factory rifle, get a Steyr. Hands down the best out of the box. I have never seen or heard of one that did not shoot extremely well as it came from the factory.

--Hall E action--1100
--McMillan Stock--400
--Hart Fluted barrel--450
--Jewell trigger--200

Total---------> $2150

Now all you have to do is save up for a smith to assemble it for you. When you get the "itch" for a new caliber or case size, just order the additional bolt. On mine, I have three bolts and six barrels

.

James

 

[shilen30]

Savage or sako, but with your price cap, I hands down say forget out of the box and go to a smith. For just over 1 K, you can get a rem 700 action, a moderately priced pillar bedded or full length bedded stock, and a good barrel (krieger, hart, rock, shilen select, lilja atc), and then send to a well respected smith. Have the trigger at least worked on, but if you have the money get the jewell. As stated, you can also get the upgraded firing pin and spring also.

 

[huntin1]

For out-of-the-box accuracy Savage is the winner. Look at the 10FP LE2B, it is .308, comes with a McMillan Tactical stock and the Accu-trigger. Trigger is adjustable from 1 1/2 to 6lbs. and it breaks crisp. I have one and love it. They can be found for around $700-$800, use the rest of your $$ to get good optics and you will have a rig that will shoot every bit as good as any Remington. Just MHO of course.

huntin1

 

[Mikecr]

I agree with Huntin. You can have a Savage w/McMillan, mounted Nightforce scope, and an accutrigger for $2K.
Nothing is needed. No truing, thread chasing, lug lapping, trigger jobs, bedding or upgrading. The gun will shoot per design and meet Savages current standards before it gets to you.
It's the best deal going. Just check around the net for a bad review.
Good luck to ya either way

 

[Guest]

My tikka T3 has become a real factory rifle .75 MOA shooter.All I have done is bed the action and develop a load it likes.I can put 4 shots in .75 MOA @ 100yds routinely.Must be the Sako barrel.In the fall I will have some 300yd groups to talk about.

[ 07-16-2004: Message edited by: ruttinbuck ]

 

[Guest]

Thanks for the input - please see edited topic at beginning re incorrect price ceiling - I did not convert our Aussie $ to USD! And the $1400USD amount is rifle only however our gear is much more expensive than buying US manufactured equipment in the USA. EG the M700 VSVF is approx $1220USD here.

 

[shilen30]

Aussie,

How much does a Sako or tica run you? Both are excellent, and the few tica rifles I have seen were extremely accurate out of the box. I didn't realized how spoiled we were over here. I have had a couple rifles rebuilt for under $1000 US dollars that are very accurate. Hmm, I think I will go home and tell my wife how fortunate we are and that I need to take advantage of it.

 

[Mikecr]

What cartidge?
What use?
I'm thinking that best out-of-box accuracy of those listed has clearly been establihed as Savage. The others fall way behind in quality and design.

 

[nowler]

imho, sako's are the most accurate out of the box rifles.

i have 3 of them and i'd happily put them up against any of the other makers for build quality, reliability and accuracy.

derek

 

[kmassaro]

I have two primary big game rifles. A Rem 700 lh with jewell trigger, shilen barrel, garret stock, blueprinted. Shoots great.

The other is a Savage 11fl in 300 WSM. Shoots equally well, with not one dollar of mods except to shorten the stock and put a decelerator on it. Accutrigger is not quite as good as jewell, but not far behind it, and $300 cheaper.

If you want to play, get the Remington. If you're light on cash, get the Savage. Both are a good idea.