Accurate BR rifle for under $2700

[ballisticsman49]

i built a 6.5x47 on a Pierce action, Kreiger barrel, jewel trigger,Kelbly stock,rings and base for less than 2200.00 that will shoot in the low 2's and high 1's. Could have used a f class panda for 300 more,and would have save a ton on rings and base. that leaves more than enough for a weaver 36 power scope and be right around 2700....jim

That is the combination of components i am thinking about with a manners tacticle stock instead. Do you mind me asking what length barrel you have and the twist rate? Also why 6.5x47 over the 6.5 creedmoore?

 

[ballisticsman49]

tsiero,
Do you find the savage action had a high enough build quality or did you get a gunsmith to modify it/accurise? For an Australian like myself it would be far easier and less expensive to go with the savage as they are readily avaliable right here whereas other actions such as the pierce (which im considering) will have to be imported. And trust me the import gst/tax is 20% so i would prefer to get it here.

 

[jo191145]

tsiero,
Do you find the savage action had a high enough build quality or did you get a gunsmith to modify it/accurise? For an Australian like myself it would be far easier and less expensive to go with the savage as they are readily avaliable right here whereas other actions such as the pierce (which im considering) will have to be imported. And trust me the import gst/tax is 20% so i would prefer to get it here.

If you can afford it go with the custom. If you've never tried a Sav action they're clunky. Some of us Neanderthall types pay no attention to that clunky feeling and just concentrate on the crosshairs. ;D
They can be smithed and timed and slicked up but they'll never feel like a tight custom.
Working the Sav action will disturb your bag set up more than a custom. While I've never seen a Sav thats scared of high pressure competition loads a custom with less slop handles those loads better.

Sav actions are good for an economical build. You can have barrels made and shipped to your house and install them yourself. No smith required. Change boltheads to different case heads for a few bucks.
Saves a lot of money in the long run for folks who like diversity.
Shoot a .204 in the morning. Unscrew the barrel, swap the bolthead and its a 6.5x284 after lunch. Some of us get our jollies from that.

They can shoot tight. Just won't feel like a custom when your doing it.

And every once in a while a factory stock Savage will put a whoopin on the entire custom class at the club level. Thats sweeet.

 

[ReedG]

Ballistics Man, you are between a rock and a hard place. Varmint rifles don't do well at formal BR and BR rifles don't make very good varmint rigs. Your first decision is, What do you want to do? In formal BR, actual competitive NBRSA/IBS/etc., a factory rifle stands little or no chance of being competitive.

That being said, match-winning BR rigs CAN be built on Savage actions. I have one, my nephew has one, and at least one other has been at the IBS matches we hold at our club. Here's the rub -- there not as pretty, not as "Swiss watch" smooth, and compared to custom actions the bolts kinda rattle around. The personality it takes to make a competitive BR shooter usually doesn't like actions with bolts that rattle around when everyone else has a name-brand custom one.

If a Savage action is trued and the bolt lugs are trued for a good square lock-up (like the customs), the action is properly bedded in a modern BR stock, I believe the Savage action will shoot with any other. The key to accuracy is the chamber and the barrel, about all the action has to do is deliver and remove the cartridge and keep the door closed during "ignitiion".

I am fortunate enough to have a full custom BR rifle with BAT action, Jewel trigger, Robertson stock, Krieger barrel, etc., all put together by Jim Borden and it's the most beautiful rifle I've ever seen. The package, including a Leupold 45X Comp scope, cost me $3,800 and it is a work of the best gunsmith art available today. But, if this same rifle was put together by the same craftsman with the same components, to the same quality with a Savage action, it would shoot just as well.

The point is, the same rifle with a Savage action would only save about $500 in the cost and would that be worth it? Not in my mind. With a BAT (or similar) action it is a pride-and-joy ... with a Savage action, shooting just as well as the custom action, it is always something you are explaining or making excuses for.

If what you want is one of the best-shooting varmint rifles in the world that you can take to the range and shoot some impressive BR groups with, then definitely go with the Savage LRPV and shoot the barrel out of it and then put a good new custom barrel on it. It will outshoot even some of the custom rigs and leave you some money to buy some more fun stuff with.

Whatever you decide to do, have fun and burn up some powder ...

 

[jo191145]

Good post Reed.
I should clarify now seeing as I failed to do so in my previous post.
When I spoke of a factory Savage whoopin customs I was NOT referring to NBRSA/IBS registered matches. That would be asking a whole lot now would'nt it ;D

 

[johara1]

I have a 28" kreiger on it and why a 6.5x47? 1200 rounds and the looks better than a 6.5 284 with 300 down the tube. it shoots very small,20 loads per case and they are still good....whats not to like?...........jim