Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Long Range Hunting $5K to spend?

This question was asked on another forum. If you had $5K to throw at a rifle including optics, and you dont reload and want to shoot paper and steel at 1000 yards what would you buy? My response was Tikka CTR .260, SS 5-20X56 HD, quality rings and mounts of choice, Harris or Atlas bi-pod, rear bag, Midway shooting mat, and a case of ammo and go shooting.

Now I got pretty much called an idiot and he should be looking towards a GAP, Southern Precision, Or other custom builder using a custom action. So if I'm an idiot how would you put together a $5K rifle including optics? The one stipulation is you can't use factory (is. Rem, Sav) actions because they dont hold value.

5k gets you alot of rifle and scope that you can say you spent 5 k on.
Paper and steel can be shot with a Rem 700 action, good barrel blank, McMillan stock, Leupold scope, mounts and have a smith true, chamber and bed. Use the rest to buy reloading equipment and components.
Problem solved.

Here's how I'd roll,


Ruger Precision Rifle 6.5 Creedmoor - $1000

SWFA 12X - $300

Quality picatinny rings - $150

Harris bipod - $100

Rear bag - $40

Decent carry bag/mat - $150

Leica CRF 1600 LRF - $800


TOTAL: $2540


You have money left for plenty of ammo, or some reloading gear/supplies.

Sako TRG + Nightforce 5.5-20

or

Tikka T3 dropped into a McMillan stock, with AI mag conversion + a SWFA 12x mil quad.

This is rifle was recommend by others.



I linked him to a very similar set up on GB for which still happens to be there.
Sako TRG with NF 5.5-22

GAP Non Typical and a Busnell LRHS.

If I had $5K to spend on such a rig, I'd probably see how much performance I could get without blowing it all.

Then, I'd cure that "non-reloader" status with some good reloading equipment.

Just me.

DF

I followed MontanaMarines advice. Except I already had the Leica LRF and Harris. Spent a bit more on glass and I do without the rear bag, and boughten mat.

The heck I can't use a Remington action.



Been shooting this short action Remington for 20 years now. Every now and again it gets a new barrel. Just replaced the Leupold in the photo with a new Vortex. It's shot "high master" scores in NRA prone competition, and has also been used for hunting varmints, predators, deer & bear.

Krieger barrel (one of several that have been on the rifle). This one is a .308 Win, but could just as easily have been a 6.5 of one flavor or another.

Trued Rem action despite your protests. With tuned Rem trigger.

McMillan stock.

Badger base & rings.

Saved money by not having a fancy finish on the barrel & action. I just spray a little Krylon now and again. Also didn't spend money on flutes or fancy stuff.

The ol' Green Machine is still a great shooter. Lots of good rifles out there. I like your Tikka idea too.

Regards, Guy

I'd get a GAP also.

Mike

if I were just starting to get into the LRH game. I'd WAY rather have a $1000 gun (CTR or RPR) and $1000 optic (LRHS, SS, SHV)..... and $3000 worth of rounds to shoot.... than five grand in gun and glass. You truly don't 'know' schitt till you sent a couple thousand rounds.... that's the most 'expensive' part of the game.... rounds, and the time to shoot them.

I see $5000 rigs all the time..... Eight outta Ten of their drivers couldn't hit the ground if they fell outta the truck. Why? Because they don't shoot/hunt them.... they're too pretty.... or too expensive.... or too heavy.... or there's vaginal scaring.... etc. I've seen a few of those rifles solidly whip my ass too.... but it's typically because said owner had invested in actually shooting it.

If you want a $5000 pseudo-cock to impress your ignorant friends..... then there are plenty of options from a GAP to a TRG to a full-custom with the girth and length all specified by you. If you wanna learn to shoot stuff at extended range.... then spent primers, not cool rifles, are the ultimate tutorial.... and that's where I'd sink at least half the budget.

Sorta what I was trying to say, just said better...

DF

I love it and agree whole heartedly....

Shortactionsmoker can get you into a Tikka T3 with a varmint barrel in 308 for a good price (get the threaded model). You can use the "Beretta bucks" promotion to get four more five-round mags for free.

Wait a few weeks for SWFA's annual black Friday sale and score a SS 10X MQ (mil/mil) scope with rings and lens covers for around $300.

Buy a box of factory Hornady 168 AMAX Match in 308 and you're still under $1,000.

That's where I'd start.

Great post DS, this is advice I'm planning to follow..

Pretty sure the Tikka promo ended 10/31

I would get a trued 700 type action with a McMillan stock simply to have a good platform. Then I would without a doubt get a good aftermarket barrel as even a crappy action can shoot well with a good barrel.

The one way to guarantee an accurate rifle is to buy a good tube, have a proper straight chamber cut, square the barrel and action up and have it bedded properly. I would personally not go for a factory rifle as you have very little control over what you might end up with. Around here I have even seen Tikkas not shoot as well as most would expect. (not saying a custom cannot shoot poorly but you have more control over what you will end up with)

Then just ad a decent scope.

I am not saying you should spend all of the $5000 on building the rifle but if you have the money why not start with something that has the most potential to be modified in the future?

Depending on what the guy would like to hunt would determine the cal.

Pieter

For one of my rifles I ordered a brand new Remington 700 in .30-06. I sold the barrel and stock. I had it built by a nationally known 'smith who put it in an McMillan MBR Tooley stock. It never made a group smaller than 1 1/2" at 100 yards. He rebarreled it and it still didn't shoot. I took it to a local 'smith who put on a new Pac-Nor barrel. It still didn't shoot. I sent it to Pac-Nor who did the smithing and barreling this time and it still didn't shoot. I gave it to another 'smith and told him I didn't want anything to do with it.

There is a verse in the Bible that something like, "There is a time to give up" or something like that.

Thanks DS this is what I was thinking as well ,and this was my post in response to an FTR shooter suggesting he build a $2000+ custom Savage for FTR shooting.



I tried explaining to the OP how I spent $1600+ on building a fast twist .243 Savage but bought cheap optics. I learned to shoot it okay to 600 yards, which was all the range I had. In the end I punted, and sold the whole rifle off, my job had gotten in the way and I was moving around TX, KS, & CO to avoid furlough.

I'd love to try and get back into it, and give the SRM a try since I only live four hours from Raton. However right now I can't walk (shattered ankle), or drive, and I'm out of work for 6+ months so I probably shouldn't spend the money either. I really enjoyed your post on using the RAR Predator at the SRM.

It wasn't the gun...

Thanks man..... the RAR at the SRM was kinda fun.... but it was frustrating as well. I wouldn't put that set-up in the same class as a CTR or a RPR, it needs a little upgrading on a couple things to make it a viable rig under those conditions. A stock and a trigger would be a great start. It is, however, less than half the cost of the other two rifles I mentioned.

We're on the same page in regard to ammo being the ultimate expense, people never consider that when they budget out a long range rig. Seems Shane is on the same page too.... and of all the guys who've posted on this thread, I respect his opinion the most.

When guys ask me to help with a rig, or go out to shoot some steel.... and the emphasis is 300-600 yard shooting.... my first question is always: how many rounds you got? Second question is: what scope are you running? I don't give a schitt what the platform or caliber are.... because it's the smallest part of the equation. Obviously, some choices are better than others.... but quality (read repeatable) optics seems to be the lynchpin more often than anything else.

Bummer on the ankle man..... I've been there. A walking-boot for 4-months is a b1tch. Heal-up, then come play in Raton.... it's a pretty good time.

It did, but the extended a portion of it exclusively for us. Instead of the $150 in Beretta Bucks, we can give you two free T3 mags or one free mag and a Tikka case.

DO IT!!!

The dude just has a way with words...grin...

With all that extra cheddar you'll save, and a crap load of practice, you'll have enough to go on a hunt with Josh......

Here's a breakdown of the materials on my .260

Remington action 450.00
Rock Creek barrel 315.00
Recoil lug 30.00
McMillan stock/surgeon bottom metal 700.00
Dies. 65.00
Lapua brass(200). 190.00
139 gr Scenar bullets 1k. 425.00
NF scope with rings. 1200.00
Base. 75.00
5 lbs H4350. 160.00

Total. 3610.00

I'm on the same page as Gonzaga. And since I'm no gunsmith, I had to spend extra $ for smith work. And the .260 shoots great, sub .5" with several bullets. I used a Manners stock and Lilja barrel though...I got exactly what I wanted, shoot the 'chit out of it and haven't regretted a penny.

Used AI or TRG with a known history chambered in a an appropriate cartridge. OR, a used surgeon/defiance/bat/nesika built by GAP/SAC/Beanland/ETC. $3000.

Top it with a used NF NXS 8-32, $1500.

That leaves $500 for rings, Harris bipod, rear bag, mat, etc.

I'd want a 54 Anschutz,75MOA Bob Rail,10x MQ and more than a bit of ammo...but that'd only burn up $2K. There's no better way to learn atmospherics and the mild manners up the FUN quotient,in non-lineal fashion.

For a Giggles Rifle I'd throw a 700 in a MDT LSS chassis,poke a 20" #3 no-turn 1-8" 6BR in it and feed it with modified AICS 10rd poly 223 mags,until AM unveils their steel 5rd 6BR dedicated mags. With rings/rail and 10x MQ it'd be under $2k.

$1000 will buy dies,200pcs Lapooey brass,16# powder and 2000 105 Hornie HPBT's.

I'd feel comfy.....................(grin)

Oh My.

Good thing you ain't got $5K.

LOL. Remember Jhon one must be substantial enough in size to handle the recoil of the rifle and cartridge they choose. That post is a tell tale. LOL

I'd buy about anything "you" liked and some non res tags and simply go huntin....

SSG 3000, see if you can find the 22lr kit and a 6,5x55 barrel. Its also possible to purchase 308 and 6BR (1:8 twist )barrels

Over here, the SSG3000/Sauer 200 STR barrels cost $400 and you install them yourself in 5min. They usually shoot less then 1/3 moa.


Here is fun video of the different types of target rifles that has been used in competition here the last 60 years.
The target is at 200m and "human head size".

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pK8fSVuxVaU

This is just one of several types of competitions. With around 150.000 active users in Norway, and 4-500.000 in Scandinavia.

Seinfeld,

Some day I'll have a 22LR and a 6BR...but $5K is nearly a WHOLE week's wages.

Laughing!

Bless your heart.............















fredrica,

"Luckily" for you,Imagination and Pretend are free,so you can "contribute" too.

Spent primers remain THE Supreme Tutorial,but congratulations on your efforts to equate talkin',to being the same as shootin'. Laughing!

Be sure and obliviously quantify your Turd Polishing Welfare Ways,you "hard charger" you. Bless your heart.

You'd need a co-signer for the scope caps.



At least you can read about it.

Laughing!.............















North',

I never was into swappin' barrels and long ago found it easier,to simply procure more rifles in chamberings of interest to me.

Having enough erector and windshield to stretch a 22LR to 700yds+,adds a coupla new dimensions to FUN.

Ask fredrica and Burns...they've read about it.

Laughing!................

If you had $5K to throw at a rifle including optics, and you dont reload and want to shoot paper and steel 1000 yards.


That could be an exercise in frustration. Seen many factory rigs(TRG 42's/NightForce combo's) and customs (5k+ in price) at the 1000 yard firing line embarrass their owners with 15"+ groups.
A lot of the issue is factory loads and/or hunting grade handloads along with practice (spent primers).

An option is a T3, accurate-repeatable turret adjustments in a scope with enough power. Spend the other $3.5K on a reload set up and components, then practice.

Almost out of tags.

Stick Your going to need to let the crush go I'm married. I prefer my 5mm have been thinking about making it a Craig for grins and reload ability.

I can't get the 54's anywhere near 1000, or sticks 700.. but shooting them at 300 does make for good practice. And lots of humble pie....

Nice collection very nice

Let us know how it goes...wink.

Agreed. Not exactly an entry level proposition.

WTF?
It's gone.
Guess he wasn't serious, after all.......
SURPRISE!


Oregon

If you have 5,000 to spend and are ready to do it, you should. Buy the best components for the money and don't skimp on the scope.

The guys here telling you how to do it on the cheap just like to have an excuse for their misses

LOL

I'm reading this thread early tomorrow!

Stick may set a new record for the use of profanity in his reply to the above quoted post.

It's not my money nor my build, but with that budget what optic would you put on it? It's pretty damn easy to blow the $5K on a scope these days.

What's the $5000 "excuse" on this one?

It really depends on how much weight you're willing to deal with. OTOH, I'm not familiar with any "lightweight" scopes that are in the $3,000 range; most will be heavy.

Right now I'd seriously consider a high end Vortex in the configuration you are comfortable with. The info I have says they are testing mechanically at the top and no failures. The glass isn't the best, but good enough

With the animal in this position at the shot, all I can blame it on is a missed wind call. Hammered into his neck and required a follow up.

Unfortunately I wasn't shooting a RAR Predator with a cheap scope or I would have a list of excuses as long as my arm.

LOL

Thats the shot you took?

And you're blaming it on a bad wind call?

And nobody has nick named you Horn Hunter?

Quick question.... I thought none of that mattered? I though Cost/Weight were "non-factors" in one's "ability to make hits"....

It was more the nucl'r than the RAR.... but that's my own damn fault... and kinda yours... laffin. Busted base screws also tend to throw wrenches into things in a hurry. I've got another RAR in the kitty.... with a little different piece of glass on it.... we'll make a run down there to Raton one of these days.

If you've already paid your dues... and shot a couple thousand rounds... maybe a few matches, and you're looking to eek everything possible out of yourself and your gear.... then yeah, maybe dropping that kinda dough will be the difference between 50 hits.... and 52. To some guys... like Ric and JB.... it's TOTALLY worth it. Because hey.... making hits is the name of the game.... and dropping that kinda coin does tend to remove all equipment based "excuses" (Leupolds aside)... or at least it f'n better.

The last 10% of Performance.... is 90% of the Cost. How much you gotta spend depends on how many times you wanna chase that 10%....

PS..... that "cheap scope" held its own, with scopes costing in the 10x as much ballpark, in testing on your pard's sufistimucated scope tracking tester thingy.... if I'm not mistaken?

Last I remember it was a broadside shot, but carry on...


If that's the shot you took, you truly are a bonidide DUMBPHUCK.

PS... That's a mature ram there too Ricky Rodeo...

Viagra overdose...?

That thread was very enlightening.

Nope. He could still prone out he'd just have to dig a little hole first.

Well, I agree in principal but any decent "built" rifle w/scope appropriate for long range will end up costing what, $2500 all-in? Minimum? I mean you can win the lottery with a really accurate factory rifle, and I have, and that's great when it happens, but you can't count on it by any stretch, and a build costs $$$. So even at $5k it's more like 50% more.... to your point, to chase it beyond a $5k build probably goes exponential. I sure wouldn't know.

I kept my heavy 7 WSM build to right around $2500, but I did a bunch of otherwise expensive machining myself, and the scope was only $700 or so (and it kicks ass, but that's another thread). Call it a $3000 build w/compromises. It would be fun to spend a couple K more. It'd be on Alpha optics, for me. Just to see how you guys across the tracks live <g>.

Damn the luck.... I did find a used M700 RUM when I went looking the other day........ N+1....

Jeffrey,

Are you taking work now? Or do you only work on your own rifles?

I bet your machine work turns out some real killing machines!


Thanks,
Travis

Don't answer him Jeff. He's an industrial spy for Flave Precision.

I've long suspected that Travis isn't even actually a person, but rather a team of highly-trained provocateurs- call "him" a spy, if you will, cause I think they are that as well. They are relentless. They are omnipresent. They are clever bastids, and even damn funny at times. They work in shifts. They WILL NOT STOP until they have achieved their goal of World Snarkiness!

Is that a "no?"



Travis

Trg 42 for sure.

You better leave him alone, he might ask to borrow your reamer.

5k? For punching paper and banging steel...I would build a 6.5 Grendel AR for under 1k with scope. The rest would be on ammo and a reloading set.