I want to spend about $2K for a new hunting/target rifle and I'm trying to decide if it's worth spending more than that for a custom/high quality rifle. I want a 6.5PRC or 300PRC, not weigh more than 8lbs, and I would like somewhere near 1/2 MOA with factory ammo. I would be packing it around on Elk hunts and also target shooting. I'd love to be able to ring steel out to 1 or 2 thousand yards if possible as well as feel confident in taking an elk at 600/700 yards. I've looked at Tikka, Browning X-bolt, Christiansen Arms. All these rifles have great reputations but if I have the money (and the okay from the wife), is it worth spending the extra 1-2 thousand for a custom rifle. The rifle maker I know makes fantastic rifles and I have no doubt he does good work. And yes, I know the rifle doesn't make a good shot, but I do a lot of shooting and I feel like the limits of my current rifle (Savage Model 10) are slowing me down. Thoughts?
Should I go with a custom rifle?
- Thread starter leclairk
- Start date
8 pounds doesn’t make for a good steel ringer at 1,000 to 2,000 yards, or really any other kind of target rifle shooting. The nexus between heavy antler hunting and informal target shooting, at modest weight and inside a budget is something like a Remington Sendero or Remington Police rifle.
There are several nice rifles made for PRS limited competition and they cost less than $2,000.
They will have competition oriented features but you might find one that you like and available in a caliber you like.
Those are designed to put the maximum precision inside their $2,000 cap. You would probably have to pay a lot more to do better with a traditional custom.
They probably aren't going to be ideal hunting rifles but they are something to consider.
They will have competition oriented features but you might find one that you like and available in a caliber you like.
Those are designed to put the maximum precision inside their $2,000 cap. You would probably have to pay a lot more to do better with a traditional custom.
They probably aren't going to be ideal hunting rifles but they are something to consider.
Check with Jim Borden, he certainly shares the top quality smith position.
For now just factory. I can’t seem to find the time to get going on reloading.
I wouldn't go full custom in this case. Buy a Tikka and spend all your money on the scope. When you get to reloading, then you can start to leverage what a custom rifle has to offer.
I’ve got a S&B PMII 5-25 that I love but it’s 2-1/2 pounds or a Leupold VX6 3-18.
Honestly, if your savage is slowing you down, put a new prefit barrel on it. I suspect factory ammo is the actual culprit though. 1/2 MOA is about the best you can expect with factory ammo in most cases. Reloading may be a better investment at this point than a rifle to improve your performance.
As mentioned above a Tikka will get you into a rifle that is generally capable of better accuracy than most folks can shoot. You don't have to spend a fortune on a scope for it to hold zero and track well, but you will find that a scope that is suitable for hunting and a scope for ringing metal a 1000 yards are two different scopes.
A big NO to shooting elk at 600 to 700 yards - learn to hunt. There are so many things that can go wrong with a 600 - 700 yard field shot that it would take a page to listt all of them.
Respect the animal, get closer for a better shot that you can be positive of. That is why its called hunting - not shooting.
Take your Savage, rebarrel it and put into an F-Class type stock for long range shooting - chances are it will outshoot you.
Purchase a real hunting rifle rather than trying to build something that will end up not being good for hunting or long-range shooting.
drover
A big NO to shooting elk at 600 to 700 yards - learn to hunt. There are so many things that can go wrong with a 600 - 700 yard field shot that it would take a page to listt all of them.
Respect the animal, get closer for a better shot that you can be positive of. That is why its called hunting - not shooting.
Take your Savage, rebarrel it and put into an F-Class type stock for long range shooting - chances are it will outshoot you.
Purchase a real hunting rifle rather than trying to build something that will end up not being good for hunting or long-range shooting.
drover
The Ruger Precision Rifle is hard to beat for the price. They're obtainable around 1k now? Leaves $1k for optics. Just a thought...
moondog
Gold $$ Contributor
Factory Hornady 225s in the 300 PRC shoot!
I watched a guy get 1st round hit at "Elk" size target at 1950 yards. Followed it up with 3 more. I shoot with another guy we call
"Factory Brad" he shoots Hornady 6.5 CM
And does well. If You don't want to reload and want 1/2 moa ammo, it's very possible.
I watched a guy get 1st round hit at "Elk" size target at 1950 yards. Followed it up with 3 more. I shoot with another guy we call
"Factory Brad" he shoots Hornady 6.5 CM
And does well. If You don't want to reload and want 1/2 moa ammo, it's very possible.
Legendary Arms Works Professional in any caliber you want with that Kind of budget. I really wanted one myself but got the Howa Alpine Mountain rifle for half the price, it has the same stock made by LAW and is a very nice rifle just not as expensive, I couldn't justify spending more for the LAW Professional but if you have the $$ or want a long action caliber that doesn't come in the Howa its a great option.
I also second that Sako Finnlight to be on the short list.
I also second that Sako Finnlight to be on the short list.
mensajd
Quod Erat Demonstrandum
Agreed. In math, we call this an overdetermined system.
Lots of good advice from other posters. Here's my input:
1. While there is some excellent factory ammo out there these days, especially the Federal Premium, you can't fully realize the capability of a custom rifle / barrel without reloading therefore building a custom rifle without the benefit of reloading in counter productive.
2. Tikka's are excellent rifles, I have three, Tikka T3's in sporter weight. However in my opinion they are too light in the heavier calibers for sustained target shooting but fine for hunting.
3. It takes quite a bit of skill to take any animal at 600 to 700 yards. Do a reality check, take a target the represents the vitals of the animal you intend to hunt. Place at 600 yards and see how many times you can hit it in a field shooting position, not off a bench unless you intend to use the bench to hunt off in the field. You may revise you estimate of the distance you want to shoot an animal.
4. Target and hunting rifles are two different breeds IF you intend to walk a lot with a hunting rifle. Target rifles with heavy barrels may not be the best option for hunting if you have to walk a lot over difficult terrain.
5. A compromise is to buy a factory rifle with a good action and see how it shoots then rebuild from there, replacing, in stages, the barrel, stock, trigger etc. A Remington 700 base line is a good place to start. Some shoot amazing well out of the box but again without reloading you're going to be limited.
6. A consistent 1/2 moa is a lot to ask for using factory ammo and unrealistic in my opinion BUT, if you keep the distances you take a hunting shot at for big game, all you need is 1 1/2 moa or there about which is well within the range of most quality factory ammo.
1. While there is some excellent factory ammo out there these days, especially the Federal Premium, you can't fully realize the capability of a custom rifle / barrel without reloading therefore building a custom rifle without the benefit of reloading in counter productive.
2. Tikka's are excellent rifles, I have three, Tikka T3's in sporter weight. However in my opinion they are too light in the heavier calibers for sustained target shooting but fine for hunting.
3. It takes quite a bit of skill to take any animal at 600 to 700 yards. Do a reality check, take a target the represents the vitals of the animal you intend to hunt. Place at 600 yards and see how many times you can hit it in a field shooting position, not off a bench unless you intend to use the bench to hunt off in the field. You may revise you estimate of the distance you want to shoot an animal.
4. Target and hunting rifles are two different breeds IF you intend to walk a lot with a hunting rifle. Target rifles with heavy barrels may not be the best option for hunting if you have to walk a lot over difficult terrain.
5. A compromise is to buy a factory rifle with a good action and see how it shoots then rebuild from there, replacing, in stages, the barrel, stock, trigger etc. A Remington 700 base line is a good place to start. Some shoot amazing well out of the box but again without reloading you're going to be limited.
6. A consistent 1/2 moa is a lot to ask for using factory ammo and unrealistic in my opinion BUT, if you keep the distances you take a hunting shot at for big game, all you need is 1 1/2 moa or there about which is well within the range of most quality factory ammo.
garandman
Bolt Gun Bodacious
THIS.
all my rifles are target rifles and shoot half moa or a little better. none of them would be suitable for hunting.
I would suggest you pick one or the other.
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