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What gun and scope combo for $2500?!?

AZjake

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 19, 2017
Messages
48
I am ready to enter the long range hunting game and had some questions. First things first I want to be able to kill everything from antelope to elk out to 1000 yards. I'm thinking 7mm Rem mag or 300wm although 280ai intrigues me as well. Not sure if I should go with a factory rifle or custom/semi custom. I want to keep the rifle and scope combo under $2500. I'm sure I have left something out so let me know if you need anymore info. I really appreciate any and all help!
 
I am ready to enter the long range hunting game and had some questions. First things first I want to be able to kill everything from antelope to elk out to 1000 yards. I'm thinking 7mm Rem mag or 300wm although 280ai intrigues me as well. Not sure if I should go with a factory rifle or custom/semi custom. I want to keep the rifle and scope combo under $2500. I'm sure I have left something out so let me know if you need anymore info. I really appreciate any and all help!

For ME, 1000 yd elk=300WM minimum. STUFF HAPPENS at 1k that don't happen even at 750.
A custom will be WAY over $2500 scoped unless you are married into the custom makers immediate family....even then its not likely.
There are scopes that will come in under $1000 today, Burris Veracity, Sightron, Vortex etc.
Does your budget include everything needed to play at 1k?
Rangefinder, weather station, loading equipment, chrono, ballistic app, rests or bipods.
Everything LRH is more $$$. A rail will be $75, rings are $50+, brass, bullets etc. It all costs $$$.
Shooting 1k and killing at that range takes a lot of different things to happen.

I am a Savage guy and if I was doing it I would buy a junk Savage action and buy a prefit barrel/stock.

If you don't feel confident on building something, the Savage LRH is a great shooting rig that can go long straight from the factory.

Also it would help to know your current experience level, do you reload, do you have a good rangefinder, do you have a range to shoot 1k often?

LRH is a BIG PROPOSITION, some like to make it out to be harder than needed BUT its not a case of buying a BDC scope, throwing it on whatever 300WM you have laying around and buying some Federal Long Range ammo. I personally don't think anyone who doesn't reload should be dabbling in 1k hunting. 100 FPS Extreme Spread in ammo will absolutely murder you at 1k. Can LRH at 1k be done with factory ammo? Yeah BUT I wouldn't count on it or counsel one to try it.
 
Savage 110- $250
New prefit barrel- $350
New lug/nut- $50
Boyds Pro Varmint stock-$150
Accurate Mag bottom metal with mag- $185
1 Piece Rail Burris Zee rings - $100
Used Nightforce NXS- $1400-ish


Absoutely killer rifle for your budget. Then save a bit more for the supressor.

 
I have enough shooting experience to where I have shot buddies guns accurately to 1000 yards. I have access to a reloading bench whenever I need and multiple buddies who are big into reloading and seem to know what they are doing.
 
I am ready to enter the long range hunting game and had some questions. First things first I want to be able to kill everything from antelope to elk out to 1000 yards. I'm thinking 7mm Rem mag or 300wm although 280ai intrigues me as well. Not sure if I should go with a factory rifle or custom/semi custom. I want to keep the rifle and scope combo under $2500. I'm sure I have left something out so let me know if you need anymore info. I really appreciate any and all help!
The .300wm is never the wrong answer.

Gen2 5R remington or Ruger Hawkeye FTW edition paired with a Leupold VX-6 3-18x50 with the TMOA or Boone and Crockett reticle would get you off to a great start pretty well on budget.
 
Savage 110- $250
New prefit barrel- $350
New lug/nut- $50
Boyds Pro Varmint stock-$150
Accurate Mag bottom metal with mag- $185
1 Piece Rail Burris Zee rings - $100
Used Nightforce NXS- $1400-ish


Absoutely killer rifle for your budget. Then save a bit more for the supressor.

Most LEGIT answer you will ever get. Only way to build a $1000 rifle with a REAL barrel on it.
 
The Savage FCP .300 WM is an excellent shooter, a little heavy but will work. If you for some reason think you need a better barrel there are plenty of good pre fits. I have seen more then once on here a .300 WSM that FEENIX has that would work also. Love me some Savage....gun)
 
I have the Savage Bear Hunter in 300 win mag. Bought it online for just over $700. Bought a used NXS for $1250. Seekins Rings, EGW HD base, scope level, tactical bolt handle, padded check rest and Harris Bipod. I am right under your $2500 with a rifle to do everything you were asking for. The Bear hunter has a brake on it so there is very little recoil.
 
https://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog...olt+Action+Centerfire/REM+700+5-R+300WM+26+SS

Remington 700 5R Milspec 26" .300WM - $948
Timney trigger - $129
Vortex HS-T - $639
EGW HD 20MOA rail - $69
Seekins Precision 30mm low rings - $129

Total - $1,914

And you have $586 left over to buy ammo/components/get started into reloading.

Like others have said, you can't just buy a rifle and start shooting at 1000 yards...Especially at live targets. That's why the military trains the snipers...And doesn't just hand them all M24's, a can of 7.62, and dump them in the field. You will have to practice ALOT. And you also are not very likely to find a factory ammo consistent enough to shoot LR. You will have to handload your ammo.
 
I'd buy a Remington 700LR and rip the barrel off, sell it, and replace it with a Brux, Krieger or Bartlein. Then put at least a Timney trigger in it, or a Jewell if your budget allows, and add a muzzle brake. Then I'd put a Leupold VX6 3x18 or 4x24 with the TMOA reticle on top. You'll be pushing your budget hard but it will be a good gun that you can do further upgrades to, like Cerakote and a better stock, as $$ allows.
 
I have the Savage Bear Hunter in 300 win mag. Bought it online for just over $700. Bought a used NXS for $1250. Seekins Rings, EGW HD base, scope level, tactical bolt handle, padded check rest and Harris Bipod. I am right under your $2500 with a rifle to do everything you were asking for. The Bear hunter has a brake on it so there is very little recoil.

This might be close to what your set-up is except in .300 WSM; simply ...

[ame]https://youtu.be/TVMCBEe0E_4?t=1[/ame]
 
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