Budget long gun (sniper rifle)

[ChrisK1977]

 

[JayT]

The Remington 700 5R is easily one of the best values in an out of the box precision rifle. They use the HS Precision made stock with a bedding block and the same style 5R barrel that the Army uses on the M-24. They are made in 223, 308, & 300 Win Mag. They have a well deserved reputation for outstanding accuracy and I have seen several of them shoot 1/2 MOA with good factory ammo and better than that with handloads. They can usually be found on Gunbroker for about $1000.

On caliber, there really is no better round to learn LR shooting with than the 308. It is accurate and efficient with moderate recoil.

 

[singlesix]

That's some fine shooting.

 

[ChrisK1977]

I am sure luck was on my side more than anything.

 

[Kameseri]

Stevens in 30-06 can be had for under 300. Basically a Savage 110 sans the accuTrigger.

 

[hmaverick]

heavy barrel is the key. you can upgrade from there

 

[Psode27]

My current build is a Savage fcp-sr. Working on a deal currently for a 6-24 PST, but my fallback is probably a SWFA 10x or a cheaper viper. I really Just like affirming my choices as I'm not a scope guru..... currently rocking a Simmons whitetail! . Its paid for and sitting around.....
As far as being helpful, I kinda fell in love with the savage line, and for a bit cheaper than my rifle, i second the hog hunter option. Never handled a T3, but I'd like to. Very few negative comments on em.

 

[crmiller84]

Lots of good answers here already, and I'll try not to overwhelm you with another, but I was in your position at the end of December (looking for a "budget" long range rifle), and this is the route I went.

Remington 700 SPS Tactical with a 20" 1:12 heavy contour barrel - $620
Bell and Carlson A2 stock (used) - $225
Primary Arms 4-14x44 FFP w/ ACSS reticule, EGW 20MOA base and PA low rings - about $350
Total - $1195

My goals were to shoot accuratly @ 1000yds and have a rifle "light" enough I could still lug it through the woods if we get to use high powers this deer season. It fills that role very well, and with factory ammo (FGMM 168) it will shoot sub-MOA out to 300yds, and with my handloads I can get sub .5MOA @ 300yds. My uses may be different than yours.

If you went this route and were not planning on shooting off a bipod, the factory stock would be fine. Off a rest it shot great to 300yds, untill I used a bipod. The factory Hogue stock flexes too much with the pressure from the bipod and touches the barrel, throwing accuracy out the window.

The scope tracks perfectly so far and holds zero without issue. I have about 350 rounds through it so far, and after setting zero I have not had a POI change (and I crank the turrets to dial in firing solutions from 100 out to 1000 yds).

Now, the negatives I have found. If you are going to handload, the throat on these guns is DEEP. I don't have enough bullet, even with 175gr SMK, to load to the rifling. There just wouldn't be enough bullet inside the case. And if your plans include shooting out to 1000 yds, the 20" barrel is a handicap. The reason I went with it is because it makes you become a better marksman and a better handloader. The velocities you can get from that short tube mean everything else must be perfect past 800yds.

I know this has been long-winded, but I hope it helps. Most likely it'll just give you more questions

 

[Deadeye(+)]

+1 for bolt .223 rifles. Good out to 600 yards and cheap to reload, which is necessary to do for any kind of accuracy for anything over 100 yards

 

[17 squirrel]

The Remington 700 5R is easily one of the best values in an out of the box precision rifle. They use the HS Precision made stock with a bedding block and the same style 5R barrel that the Army uses on the M-24. They are made in 223, 308, & 300 Win Mag. They have a well deserved reputation for outstanding accuracy and I have seen several of them shoot 1/2 MOA with good factory ammo and better than that with handloads. They can usually be found on Gunbroker for about $1000.

On caliber, there really is no better round to learn LR shooting with than the 308. It is accurate and efficient with moderate recoil.

Yep.. Great rifle for the money.
You should also look at a 700P it comes in a HS stock also with a remmy bull barrel for a few hundred less.

 

[Bigdaddybell]

Thanks for all the input.