|
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,369
Campfire Regular
|
OP
Campfire Regular
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,369 |
To assemble your “go-to - first pick out of the safe - go anywhere all-around rifle for the lower 48 for non-dangerous game that you eat”
The $1500 budget covers the rifle, rings, and bases (not scope)...
What would you put together, and why? What range of game and what environments? If you saved any $$, what are they put against? You already have a reliable range finder. And Binos.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 19,179
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 19,179 |
MY answer is obvious and you probably get 2 rifles for $1500.
2 diff cartridges -- ALL Wx, aka, synthetic, stocks......
Let's see what others have to say.
Later
Jerry
jwall- *** 3100 guy***
A Flat Trajectory is Never a Handicap
Speed is Trajectory's Friend !!
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 17,927
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 17,927 |
Tikka T3 in a chambering if your choice, Sportsmatch rings, SWFA 3-9.
Go forth and whack schit.....
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 10,346
Campfire Outfitter
|
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 10,346 |
I just built a 308 with a new Remington receiver, new bolt that is fluted, custom bolt handle, a 3 position safety Obermeyer 11.25 5R barrel, Shilen trigger, and a B&C stock with aluminum bedding block. It was bedded and cerrokoted by David Christman (ACGG). 15 rounds down the barrel. You can have it for $1800 with scope bases and rings. Add up the parts and tell me what it would cost to build.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 4,925
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 4,925 |
Lots of ways to answer to this question. I’d look at the Remington M-700, the Tikka T3x, and the Winchester M-70 chambered for 30-06, 308, 270, or 7mm RM. Barrel length would be between 22” and 24”. I’d definitely go stainless/synthetic plus a fixed 4x or a good 2.5-8 or 3-9 variable with an objective bell smaller than about 45mm in field-detachable mounts. I’d zero it at 200 yards with the heaviest bullet that the chosen cartridge will move at 2,700 fps, and go forth. My latest attempt is based on a Remington Model 700 ADL Package Rifle ( https://www.remington.com/rifles/bolt-action/model-700/model-700-adl-stainless-synthetic-scope). I replaced the bases with Nikon Weaver-style bases, then started testing cheap factory loads. Remington 150-grain CoreLokt ammo and Winchester 150-grain Power Points both went sub-MOA with velocities over 2,800 fps, so I was happy. I wanted to make as few mods as possible, but I also wanted a shorter barrel, better groups if I could get them, and the ability to shoot with a tight sling without the POI shifting. I had Brett Evans of NW Armswerkes ( https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Interest/NW-Armswerkes-453136081456406/) cut the barrel to 22”, bed it into an HS Precision stock, and provide factory BDL-style bottom metal. He determined that this rifle was actually chambered for 7.62 NATO, so he ground 0.005” off of the recoil lung to make it a 308 as marked. Work took 12 days. - With bases but without optics, it weighs 6.92 pounds as opposed to 6.51 before (and the 6.3 of a Tikka) and the balance is a bit farther aft.
- Weight with a 4x Leupold (shown) is 7 pounds, 11 ounces—heavier than a lot of options but it balances well. It's also easier to shoot well than a flyweight.
- About 2/3 of the barrel lettering is below the stock line due to the recoil lug modification. Not ideal but not a deal breaker.
- I can definitely feel the shorter chamber—closing the bolt on RP factory cartridges reveals a very snug fit that wasn't there before, and I can’t close the bolt at all on some handloads that were a snug fit before.
It shoots better in initial load testing but I’m not the guy to get the most out of it from the bench. It groups several loads in less than 1.5" at 200 yards pretty often, and while it doesn't shoot the 150-grain PowerPoint load as well as it once did, it's still pretty good with plain old 150-grain CoreLokts. Reduced-power deer load. Favorite factory load. My round count is just shy of 900, and the barrel seems to be settling in and getting more accurate. This rifle is more accurate than I can hold and powerful enough for anything I can afford to hunt. Total cost was about $1,100 without glass. Use the rest of your budget for ammo. Okie John
Last edited by okie john; 10/15/20.
If Montana had a standing army, a 270 Win with Federal Blue Box 130's would be the standard issue.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,207
Campfire 'Bwana
|
Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,207 |
A CLR/NULA hybrid would come in around $1,500, less if you opted to use the original barrel in 270, 30-06, 7MM RM, or 300 WM.
CLRs are often dismissed, but if you talk to Mr. Forbes you get a very different perspective.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,213
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,213 |
I think my current Kimber Montana .308 with its Leupold VXII 2-7x33 pretty much fits your criteria. Suitable for any medium to large game from 10 yds to as far as I'm comfortable shooting.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 26,562 Likes: 17
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 26,562 Likes: 17 |
I'd buy a Tikka and spend the rest on a couple of hookers. I damned sure wouldn't buy a Christensen Arms Mesa, A Nosler Liberty, a Remington 5R or any Ruger.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 28,253 Likes: 6
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 28,253 Likes: 6 |
T3X and a used 3-12x LRHS.
It is irrelevant what you think. What matters is the TRUTH.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,035
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,035 |
Tikka T3x stainless light, talley rings, Leupold VX3i 2.5-8 x 36. Total for new stuff $ Rifle -$800.00 scope $399.00, rings $50, money left for ammo $250.00. If used, even less.
Enough already, just shoot it!
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 15,751 Likes: 1
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 15,751 Likes: 1 |
I just did this with a howa 1500. Sold the package scope and put on a straight 6 weaver k6. 30-06.
Cost me $399.
I think a lot of us over think and overspend the simplicity of this hobby. Including me.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 17,246
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 17,246 |
Yeah, I'd probably just buy an SS T3X in .270win and put the rest of the funds toward the glass and loading supplies. Run a good 140/150gr around 3,000fps. Rather boring, but in a good way.
Now with even more aplomb
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 17,266
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 17,266 |
Tikka T3 in a chambering if your choice, Sportsmatch rings, SWFA 3-9.
Go forth and whack schit..... and there you go
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 12,651
Campfire Outfitter
|
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 12,651 |
Under $1500 would mean any rifle in my safe. It could mean as many as 3 or 4 of them, depending on which ones were picked.
Coyote Hunter - NRA Patriot Life, NRA Whittington Center Life, GOA, DAD - and I VOTE!
No, I'm not a Ruger bigot - just an unabashed fan of their revolvers, M77's and #1's.
A good .30-06 is a 99% solution.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 20,899 Likes: 1
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 20,899 Likes: 1 |
I just built a 308 with a new Remington receiver, new bolt that is fluted, custom bolt handle, a 3 position safety Obermeyer 11.25 5R barrel, Shilen trigger, and a B&C stock with aluminum bedding block. It was bedded and cerrokoted by David Christman (ACGG). 15 rounds down the barrel. You can have it for $1800 with scope bases and rings. Add up the parts and tell me what it would cost to build. Way more than $1800, fo' sho'.
"I never thought I'd live to see the day that a U.S. president would raise an army to invade his own country." Robert E. Lee
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 96,158 Likes: 3
Campfire Oracle
|
Campfire Oracle
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 96,158 Likes: 3 |
Winchester M 70 Featherweight in a .270 Win.
Last edited by elkhunternm; 10/15/20.
Life Member SCI Life Member DSC Member New Mexico Shooting Sports Association
Take your responsibilities seriously, never yourself-Ken Howell Proper bullet placement + sufficient penetration = quick, clean kill. Finn Aagard
Ken
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 11,952
Campfire Outfitter
|
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 11,952 |
I just built a 308 with a new Remington receiver, new bolt that is fluted, custom bolt handle, a 3 position safety Obermeyer 11.25 5R barrel, Shilen trigger, and a B&C stock with aluminum bedding block. It was bedded and cerrokoted by David Christman (ACGG). 15 rounds down the barrel. You can have it for $1800 with scope bases and rings. Add up the parts and tell me what it would cost to build. That $300 over budget would be $300 well spent.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 17,927
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 17,927 |
Tikka T3 in a chambering if your choice, Sportsmatch rings, SWFA 3-9.
Go forth and whack schit..... and there you go Except mine is sitting in LW’s with a 6x42 /M1. For now......😉
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 17,266
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 17,266 |
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 17,927
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 17,927 |
It’s a Leupold, so “until it doesn’t” Ha!
|
|
|
|
643 members (007FJ, 160user, 10ring1, 10gaugeman, 10Glocks, 12344mag, 67 invisible),
2,652
guests, and
1,409
robots. |
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
Forums81
Topics1,192,213
Posts18,485,459
Members73,966
|
Most Online11,491 Jul 7th, 2023
|
|
|
|