Best accurate rifle / scope combination under $2k

[westcliffe01]

I disagree, I think that selling a used Vortex scope is not a very hard or losing proposition, because the nearest real competition is still several times the price.

The same with a rifle. I think it makes better financial sense to sell a factory rifle and build a custom than it is to throw money at what was a Remington, because when your done, others are still going to see it as a Remington. Whereas a true custom action will always be recognized for what it is. The only thing worth upgrading (and in some cases you might plain wear it out) is the barrel.

What mostly needs upgrading is the stock, barrel, trigger and in the case of the Remington, getting the action blueprinted. Just sell the gun and buy a $950 Stiller / Shilen and start over. Barreled action for $1500 at Shilen.

 

[etisll40]

I'd buy a Nightforce 5.5x22x50 and then save about 300 more and buy a savage in 6.5x284. You can then re-barrel it yourself into another long action or go back to 308 if you wish, the action will allow you to seat the longer 308 bullets. I doubt you'll go back though, possibly forward to a 300 win mag. Nightforce glass will make you a better shooter than the rifle. The clicks and durability of their scopes are guaranteed. They also have the most MOA which will be helpful in any caliber you choose. Get a 20 MOA rail installed too.

 

[NLS1]

This is an awesome thread!

Dan

 

[lloydsmale]

I think if everyone here were honest theyd tell you that an 800 dollar scope like a vortex razor, ziess conquest or leupold is more then enough scope for there abilitys really need. Kind of like taking a new 450 hp vette and putting a supercharger on it. Sure its cool but one driver in 5000 is really capable of wringing out a stock one and unless your a professional race car driver your not going to ever be good enough to take advantage of that kind of equiptment. But then after all this is the internet where everyone can be an expert. This is a long range hunting forum not a military sniper forum. Ive shot a pile of deer at long range and did it with 3-500 dollar scopes and can honestly say i never onced missed a deer that would have been hit because my 400 dollar scope wasnt a 2000 dollar scope. You surely dont need a nightforce to shoot deer at 600 yards. My hunting partner does it with a 3x9 buckmaster on a 450 dollar weathery 257mag vanguard. Sure its fun to have nice toys. Hell i wouldnt even turn down a supercharged vette. But wanting and needing are to differnt things.

 

[ICANHITHIMMAN]

Here is an example of what can be done for under 2k
500$ FN SPR barreled action
used 300$ McMillian stock
600$ Horus optic
100$ leupold rings
Accuracy package and shipping from Kevin at Montour county rifles.
All totaled up at about 1800$ and gets to 1k

 

[westcliffe01]

I agree, especially if the poster does not have all the other stuff needed to fully utilize the weapon (brass, dies, etc). Reloading is a major part of being successful.

You surely dont need a nightforce to shoot deer at 600 yards. My hunting partner does it with a 3x9 buckmaster on a 450 dollar weathery 257mag vanguard. Sure its fun to have nice toys. Hell i wouldnt even turn down a supercharged vette. But wanting and needing are to differnt things.

 

[BrentM]

I also agree a cheaper priced scope is fine. I have a NF but have played with vortex a bit. However to take long shots, over that 600 mark, and with repeatable accuracy is going take more than a standard scope.

 

[jakelly]

I would strongly recommend looking at the Weaver tactical line of scopes. My 2-10x36 would be tough to beat for your purposes.

 

[CA48]

There have been some good recomendations on here
that would fit your needs. But I think the best option
you could go with and have a pretty much custom rifle.
would be building off an Stevens 200 action. Then going
with an SIII or Vortex viper probaly the best scopes out
there for the price.

Stevens action with comp lug tax and FFL fees
295
B&C stock pillar bedded
400
Aftermarket trigger
150
Custom bbl
350
Action blueprinting and fitting
150
Scope and rings ewg base Burris sig rings
795-995
Reloading components (to start)
200

These are estimates, and my opinion but half MOA
at long rang is is half MOA at long range. Whether its
From a custom or a Stevens properly smithed and trued.
Now if you have the money go custom for many reasons and if not
this set up will get you the results you want and more for the price
range. For target purposes up to a grand it would be hard
to beat a 6.5 for efficiency and low recoil.

 

[roninflag]

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

Bush -this is what i would do if wanted to shoot right away . a vortec scope or if i had the money a leup., depending on what you pay for the sendero. shopping you can find them cheap. you do not say where you are or what you are shooting at besides targets.

 

[bushido23]

Thanks everyone for the great responses. This thread has been very enlightening to me. And as usual, it seems there is not RIGHT answer. Its always good to get different perspectives and different experiences.

For me, I simply want to start target shooting and eventually get out to 1000 yrds. I'm not a big hunter but I have friends who hunt, so I would not be surprised if I ended up doing that at some point. I live in MN.

I'm going to go with a high end scope. I want to get glass that I will never have to replace. I'll probably spend $1.3 - $1.5k on the scope. For the rifle, I'm set on the .308. I know its not the best for going out to 1000, but it is readily available and less expensive.

I'm still going back and forth around brand and price. But the platform and upgrade stock, barrel, trigger, etc. over time.....or buy the more accurate package up front. We'll see. I'm probably going to buy in 2-3 months, so I have some more time for analysis and searching for a good deal (although I don't seem to see many sales on guns these days, too much demand as it is).

 

[MudRunner2005]

This would be a really nice setup, but would cost you about $2,500-2,750 or so.

Rem 700 5R .308 Win (24" Model) or .300 WinMag (26"), with EGW HD 20 MOA base, TPS TSR HD aluminum rings - Medium, and a Nightforce NXS 5.5-22x56 w/ MLR reticle.

Right now, Midway USA has that NF scope on clearance for $1,599! That's saving you over $400 off your scope, since you won't have to pay tax on it.

Scope: Nightforce NXS Rifle Scope 30mm Tube 5.5-22x 56mm Hi-Speed Zero Stop

Base: Short-Action - EGW 1-Piece Heavy Duty Picatinny-Style 20 MOA Elevated Base Remington Long-Action - EGW 1-Piece Heavy Duty Picatinny-Style 20 MOA Elevated Base Remington

Rings: TPS 30mm TSR Picatinny-Style Aluminum Rings Matte Medium


This would make a really nice hunting and shooting setup, that would be versitile enough for either-or.

BTW, I use these rings and bases on my 700 5R MilSpec .308 Win. They work great. VERY sturdy and solid.

 

[Trickymissfit]

There have been some good recomendations on here
that would fit your needs. But I think the best option
you could go with and have a pretty much custom rifle.
would be building off an Stevens 200 action. Then going
with an SIII or Vortex viper probaly the best scopes out
there for the price.

Stevens action with comp lug tax and FFL fees
295
B&C stock pillar bedded
400
Aftermarket trigger
150
Custom bbl
350
Action blueprinting and fitting
150
Scope and rings ewg base Burris sig rings
795-995
Reloading components (to start)
200

These are estimates, and my opinion but half MOA
at long rang is is half MOA at long range. Whether its
From a custom or a Stevens properly smithed and trued.
Now if you have the money go custom for many reasons and if not
this set up will get you the results you want and more for the price
range. For target purposes up to a grand it would be hard
to beat a 6.5 for efficiency and low recoil.

you spend $295 on a Stevens action, and then spend another $150 on blue printing the action (probably dosn't need it). For $500 you can buy the PTA action from Northland. The action is very strait and 3.2 times stiffer than the Stevens. Comes with a target trigger that is extremely good. Buy a good prefit barrel for about $400, and figure another $400 for a high quality stock. That's $1300 out the door. Use a Farrell base and whatever rings suits you for about $125. Find a Weaver T24 scope to mount on it, and you still come in under $2K with a better rifle
gary

 

[bushido23]

I like the NS scope. I was wanting a FFF scope though. I know those tend to be a bit more pricey, although for this price, I would have hoped it to be.