bolt gun on a budget

[texasrangers]

Only have a 1000 bucks to work with but...

I am planning on getting a Rem 700 .308 tactical for about 600. Was also looking at Savage Model 10 FP but I think I am going to go with the 700.

For glass, am looking at either Bushnell Elite 4200 3-9 x 40 or a Leupold with same magnification for under $300.

What do you guys think is the best scope for that price?

Then a Harris Bipod and sling.

Ultimate goal is to be able to hit a paper plate with 5 successive shots at 800 yards. Possible with this budget set up?

As more money comes along I will upgrade it with better glass and a better stock, but thats all i've got to work with now.

[CoryCop25]

I have a Remington 700 SPS with a 26" barrel, a Harris bipod, Burris Tactical rings and a Bushnell Elite 3200 fixed 10X scope. I do not recall which 1913 rail I have on it but it MAY also be Burris because I got them together with the rings. I bought all items separately and I think I paid $1000 for everything.

[PRGGodfather]

I don't have much experience with new scopes at that price point.

My lowest tier usage with precision rifles is Leupold, which I still believe is an excellent choice for its cost to quality ratio. It is definitely good enough for most government work.

Yes, Zeiss, Nightforce, US Optics and Schmidt & Bender have better clarity and are exceptionally rugged -- but all will cost a lot more for the same features.

FYI, you may wish to check the Optics Forum in the Equipment Exchange -- as there are often great deals on used glass.

I, for one, have a Leupold M8 6x42 for sale at precisely the pricepoint cited, and like many things in life -- it's all negotiable...

[Lincoln7]

I went with a Savage 110 in .30-06 and have been very happy. Mine came as a package with cheap simmons scope but it works fine. You could get the scopeless Savage and spend the rest on a good scope. Although no one is gonna argue with a Rem 700.

[Thomas M-4]

Getting good glass for $300 is not going to be easy. Look at sniper central tactical scope review http://www.snipercentral.com/scopereviews.htm
The SWFA SS 10X42MM scope list a street price of $320 http://www.snipercentral.com/ss1042.phtml
The sightron scopes are supposed to have very good optics in them but the price on them run $550-$700+.
It would be best if you could expand your budget more for a good scope.
YMMV Good luck.

[8200rpm]

You may find this post helpful...

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/s...d.php?t=214398

[edgewater]

Not to shoot you down on your goals but I hope you understand...A paper plate is approx. 8 in. At 800 yards, this makes your target 1 MOA. Given your gear budget, this may be difficult and nearly impossible 5 times in a row. Custom precision rifles are capable of .5 MOA but this does not mean that the operators are capable of doing what the gun is capable of. A factory Remington or Savage is capable of 1 MOA under perfect conditions and under the "perfect" marksman. You also must factor in environmental conditions such as wind, mirage. Remember, optics are just as important as the rifle itself. If you cannot see through the mirage, you cannot hit the target. I suggest doing a bunch of research before jumping into the realm of long range precision rifle shooting. Research rifles, optics, calibers, environmental conditions, and reloading.

[texasrangers]

Thanks for grounding me in reality. I know it was an ambitious goal, especially for an average shot, but I am getting better. I have been doing a ton of research and am going to get the 700 sps tactical, shoot it a ton, and then maybe upgrade it or upgrade to a better system.

I think I will buy John Plaster's ultimate guide to sniping and study that until I can get some hands on training.

[BBB]

Have you looked at the SniperCentral rifle packages? The Howa is pretty nice, and right at $1K. Zero'd and everything.
http://www.snipercentral.com/entrypackage.htm

[Gutshot John]

I'd give Scott at Liberty Optics a call. IIRC he deals in "previously loved" optics so you might be able to find a nice one for decent money.

[browningboy84]

Watch the forums on Snipers Hide. They have a lot of good deals come through on their equipment exchange. I got a Vari-XIII 4.5-14x50 for $436. Just be patient, and you can find a good deal. I have right at $1000 in my gun, but I got it at a steal.

[adrenaline151]

I got one of the Sniper Central packages. I haven't got to shoot it much, I just got it about a week and a half ago, but I love it. I've just been shooting what factory ammo I could buy in town(remington 180 grain core-lokts) and I'm getting under 1 MOA at 100 easy enough. I had the Tac-Ops bolt handle added and a 20" barrel. If taken it into the field once, and came back with a coyote. It took about 4 months to get, and I did the layaway plan, so it wasn't bad at all. It came out to something like 4 payments of $330, with the options I wanted. Came with a Harris Bipod, Bushnell 3200 10X w/ Mil-dot reticle, Plano hard case, good rings, 1913 rail, etc. I'm pleased with it!

[Josh_Denny]

As others have already said, nice optics at that price will be tough. The secondary market is a good place to look. What I have done in the past when I get a new rifle is to top it with a Bushnell 3200 Mil-Dot 10x fixed and utilize that while saving for the glass I really want. The bushnell is $200 or under and for the money is very nice. I do it this way so that if I get a rifle and end up not liking it or it end up not being precisely what I wanted I can sell the rifle and not have a large amount tied up in optics for it. Once I know it is a keeper and I have the money saved up I buy a nicer optic.

[BIGUGLY]

For the lower end scopes you can always check out Millett, Konus, SWFA, Wotac and Falcon. Now these can all run aroudn the 300 to 400 price range. I have a Konus M-30 on a Remington VSF in .308. I have not had any problems and for a lower end scope the optics are pretty good.

Now me saying these are lower end does not mean they are crap scopes. Most have a good warranty. These will not compare well to scopes that start above 1000.00, but since those are out of the question I think anyone of those mentioned above could serve you well.

[MarshallDodge]

Originally Posted by 5R milspec

and for a 300.00 scope I like a Nikon Buckmasters 6-18x40mm with a target dot,or mil-dot.come with two types of knobs and track good.and Midway keeps them on sale for 299.00 plus shipping.

I have heard good things about the Nikon Buckmaster. My buddy has one, he raves about it and is a big Leupold fan.

[5R milspec]

hey it's just my opinion.but for a budget rifel I would get a 5r milspec.there is now three choice's 223.308,and 300wm.if your dealer if a fare person you can get one of them for around 1000.00.I know this is your whole nest but I think they are worth it.they will shoot 1/2' groups or better with fcatory match ammo,and even better with reloads.I have two one in a 223 and the other in a 308.they both are great rifels.even mounted in a H&S stock.
and for a 300.00 scope I like a Nikon Buckmasters 6-18x40mm with a target dot,or mil-dot.come with two types of knobs and track good.and Midway keeps them on sale for 299.00 plus shipping.then get you a EGW picatinny 20 moa base and some good rings.when all said and done you sholud end up with a 1400.00 rifel that will shoot out to 500yrsd with no problem.with a good load it should shoot about 1.5"-2" groups at 500yrsd.so 600-800 may be around 5" or more groups.but hey this is my opinion and what I have so you do what you and your budget can do.I just really like the 5r and it has been a blast to own the two that I do own.when my budget gets better I'll own one in a 300wm and call them the three stewges.sorry my spelling may be wrong on that one.sorrry I got alittle winded but I just wanted to share my thoughts.I know what a budget is like and I may never see a custom rifel in my stock of rifels other that the one a good friend gave me before he passed away.
John