Long Range Hunting Rifle On A Budget

[Cold Trigger Finger]

There was a very good review on them over on Primal Rights forum.
I'm not enthralled with the NightForce reticels. But their scopes are great.

 

[mjlmo]

Love to read about what everyone is shooting and tinkering with.
I recently went round the horn with a couple of guys that I hunt with. Mostly White tail and Coyo's but we tap out to about 500yrds. We have the shots for out to a grand but I am just not that capable yet. Not ethical for me to try yet but, Practice, Practice, Practice.

While My buddies needed to fix the Magnum itch I went to the books and tables. My father has a .243 Hart rig from the 60's that is a beaut. I put together a .308 hart that is a tack driver out to 400. But both of those were intended to sit nicely on a bench and not really be carried. Although I did once and at 23 pounds I was worn out. But both systems are over 2800 a piece with otpics. Not interested in beating up a $3000 rifle hunting and tracking.
But you get what you pay for also.

I settled on one of my favorite calibers....30-06. With a 168 - 180 GR Berger \ Hornady interlock bullet Game just drops and the ballistics are close to the 300 at medium range. Plus at a cost of .75 cents a round (reloaded) game on!

.30-06 Weatherby Vanguard - $365
Leupold rings and mount - $70
Vortex Viper PST - 6-14x50 - 650
Minor a sundries for Cheek piece and forearm rest - $50

Loads:
Man I fell into a load that Rocks! Hole for hole at a 100yds .75 at 200yrds.
I was completely dumfounded. This was not my first load but I only shot about 10 different combos to find it. My .308 I shot almost 75 test loads to find a good load (but I was completely new to reloading at the time)

54.2 gr H4350
180 gr Hornady Interlock BTSP
LC '61 Case lot (250 rnds)
CCI LR 200

We were out this last weekend hitting tennis balls at 250 and old tin mess hall plates at 400yrds.gun)

 

[idaho elk hunter]

Long range rifle on a budget is very doable. Cheap Stevens (savage) action.Prefer the 7mm rem. Fill the cheap forearm of the cheap stock up with solid epoxy so it is very rigid. $15 at you local hardware store will do this. Adjust the trigger to your liking and safety standards. And here is the investment, Either firelap or hand lap the barrel yourself OR buy a Douglass premium grade or Pac nor barrel 26 inch in a 1 in 8.5 twist. Ave it head spaced for the 162 amax, 171 barnes match burner, 168 or 180 berger etc. You can bed the recoil lug yourself. Torque the action down to the right specs and do not over torque. Use Retumbo and Winchester mag primer. You will shoot .250 inch groups all day long. If you want a gunsmith to put the barrel on and headspace I would recommend Len Backus. The owner of this forum. For less than $$800 you will have a benchrest shooter your not afraid to take hunting and put a scratch in it. I have done no less than 9 of these and all have shot less than a quarter inch. 8 have sold at the gun range for $1300 with people sayin that they spent so much on high end tuning or custom builds! Buy a 4 to 12 leupold or 6.5 to 20 off ebay used and put a range drop turret on it and your in business!

 

[JP100]

Hey check out my article on how i did a cheap long range rig with great success.
http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f26/cheap-long-range-rig-107637/

 

[callingthewild]

Say can you folks put up some links as to where one can buy Components.

Savage/Stevens Actions etc...

Also I'm a lefty, and I know,lol. not the only one.

Right now I'm in a rebuild of a Savage Axis 25-06

New McGowen 26" Bull Barrel
New Stock
Accu Trigger
and a scope.

I'll post pictures when I'm done.

But I would love to build a few more LRHunting Rifles

Calling The Wild gun)

 

[Cold Trigger Finger]

Where r u getting a different stock for your Axis.
I have an Edge that is already long range accurate enough. But the stock is kinda different. Hard to get a consistent hold with it. I would like to get a thumbhole, "over the course" target stock for it. But can not find anyone that makes one.

 

[yobuck]

Say can you folks put up some links as to where one can buy Components.

Savage/Stevens Actions etc...

Also I'm a lefty, and I know,lol. not the only one.

Right now I'm in a rebuild of a Savage Axis 25-06

New McGowen 26" Bull Barrel
New Stock
Accu Trigger
and a scope.

I'll post pictures when I'm done.

But I would love to build a few more LRHunting Rifles

Calling The Wild gun)

go to the savage shooters forum.

 

[SofaKing]

Found a used savage 116 cabelas edition for $550

"
Savage® Arms Long-Range Stainless Fluted Barrel Rifle
(SKU 03206552)
Cabela's-exclusive 24" fluted stainless steel barrel
Adjustable AccuTrigger
AccuStock bedding
Available in magnum chamberings
Cabela's and Savage partnered to build a long-action rifle loaded with features for long-range hunting precision. Features include: a synthetic AccuStock™; an adjustable, sweet-shooting AccuTrigger™; and, best of all, a 24" stainless steel barrel with the tight-grouping accuracy that's made Savage rifles famous."
"

Wondering if this would be a good economic choice?

 

[Cold Trigger Finger]

In what caliber. If its in a caliber you want it sounds real good. Especially at that price.

 

[SofaKing]

300 win mag

 

[leifalweapon]

for building a custom long range rifle does it matter if you use a stevens 200 series action or a savage 116 series? are they basically the same?

 

[Cold Trigger Finger]

I think the OP started with a Stevens action
Not to start anythin but If I was going to build one I would start with a Savage Edge or Axis in 06 and make a 6.5 Sherman. I would put the bulk of money into a real good barrel. Put a Boyd's Laminate thumbhole on it.

 

[greggc1960]

Great article. I got a Savage 110, long action, turned it into a 338-378 Weatherby. Holland muzzle break, Lilja barrel, Accutrigger. Boyds varmit thumb hole stock. Next up is glass, the scope is probably a turd. Even if it works, the image is terrible @ hi mag. Hope to be shooting it in a week or two. This article got me started on the Savage, as I found it to be long enough for that big cartridge. Got the bolt face for the Lapua and away we go! Really excited.

 

[Cold Trigger Finger]

Wow, I had no idea the 110 action was that big. . The 378 is a pretty big case. .
I've thot about building a 378 . If I came across a big Ruger or a CZ550 in Rigby I would seriously consider it. Build a dual purpose close range bear rifle and long range rifle in one. . Puta 10" twist barrel on it and a good size muzzle brake . .