Rifle & Scope for Newbie, $3k budget

[mtncwru]

A friend reached out for some advice: he wants a "bolt action rifle for precision shooting, not as a sport, but more like sniping." I probed for more specific requirements/use case and got the following:

• Budget: $3,000 max for rifle and scope
• Not looking to compete, just for fun.
• Shooting out to 1,000 yards, but likely 500 yards or less most of the time.
• Not planning to handload at this time (he figures he's got enough to learn that he can save his brass and cross that bridge later).

Based on that, what would y'all recommend? I can think of a few things that leap to mind, but I've been a sling shooter (and generally out of the market for a new gun) for so long that I'm sure there's things I've forgotten or didn't know existed in the first place.

Thanks in advance!

 

[NZ_Fclass]

Tikka UPR in 6.5 Creedmoor, 20 MoA base. Burris signature rings and a Sightron 8-32 scope. Won't go wrong.

 

[Clancy]

Tikka or Bergara Premier with a Nightforce NXS (the demo prices are great right now) and Seekins rings.

6 or 6.5 creed.

 

[JSH]

Keep an eye on the classifieds here. Creedmoors are fine, I myself would not be afraid of a 260 or 308 for what your buds after.
I have seen some good prices on barreled actions here. KRG bravo chassis, an Arken or Sightron optic, would be quite budget friendly.

 

[joshb]

Tikka.
Given your friend’s parameters, a 308 or 6.5 Creedmoor will give him plenty of factory ammo choices.
Tikkas are fine rifles with the smoothest bolt operation of any factory gun I’ve cycled. Their barrels are good, too. I have quite a few Tikkas and they all shoot well. 8 or ten, by a quick mental count.
Have him shoot one for a while, then “make” him go full custom after that if he gets into it. The custom route will save him from buying a bunch of “in between” rifles…..unless he wants a collection, which can be fun, too.

 

[LuvDog]

Tikka is a great start. Or even if an R700 action with a Remage barrel.
I know people thumb their noses at R700s lately, but I've had good experiences with them over the years with remage barrels.
Lots of used chassis are available for Remington footprints too. And once the R700 action is outgrown, then slap in a full custom.

 

[coldboreshot]

I'm going to reserve my input until more clarity can be advised regarding "sniping".

 

[Captrayj]

See my add. All you Need 6.5 CM WTH scope well under 3000….justsaying

 

[NateHaler]

Bighorn Origin (beadblast) from Northland Shooter Supply: $900
Criterion prefit for the above (Savage bbl nut or shouldered) in 6.5 CM: $325-$395
TriggerTech 'Special' (1 lb - 3.5 lb): $200
KRG Bravo stock/chassis: $350

Total of $1,850.

Add $35 shipping for NSS order, and PM me for where to buy the stock & trigger for $5 shipping and a discount code to bring those items to $510 total. So your total before the scope is still $1,850.

If your buddy is in the Texas Hill Country, I have the gauges and tools to put the rig together. Super simple. YouTube.

Add a scope. I recommend the Trijicon Credo or TenMile Clearance on EuroOptic (site sponsor).

Ta-da. Full custom rig. Winner.

 

[NateHaler]

Bighorn Origin (beadblast) from Northland Shooter Supply: $900
Criterion prefit for the above (Savage bbl nut or shouldered) in 6.5 CM: $325-$395
TriggerTech 'Special' (1 lb - 3.5 lb): $200
KRG Bravo stock/chassis: $350

Total of $1,850.

Add $35 shipping for NSS order, and PM me for where to buy the stock & trigger for $5 shipping and a discount code to bring those items to $510 total. So your total before the scope is still $1,850.

If your buddy is in the Texas Hill Country, I have the gauges and tools to put the rig together. Super simple. YouTube.

Add a scope. I recommend the Trijicon Credo or TenMile Clearance on EuroOptic (site sponsor).

Ta-da. Full custom rig. Winner.

If your buddy is a knuckle-head (concerned about the 'sniping' context), then point him to Airsoft and tell him to grow up. Hopefully he wouldn't be your buddy if so.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

I'm going to reserve my input until more clarity can be advised regarding "sniping".

A little disturbing way to to describe his wants, wasn’t it.

 

[coldboreshot]

A little disturbing way to to describe his wants, wasn’t it.

In today's social climate...yes. Today a remark on a chat-site, tomorrow a major news segment.

 

[K22]

Very bad selection of wording, "sniping". Hopefully you mean recreational plinking - i.e., target shooting. If not, get your friend some serious help and soon.

 

[Bugs]

A Tikka of some description and a Nightforce SHV should suffice and be well under budget. I do agree, however, with some of the above posts in that the use of the word "sniping" in today's political climate is ill-advised.

 

[jnr88]

This is an accurate shooter ad today. Save mine and buy bullets.

SOLD - Ruger Precision Rifle 6.5 Creedmoor. REDUCED PRICE again!

RPR with lots of mods..Bartlein 1/8 twist 26 inch heavy Palma barrel(500 rounds). Seekins Precision SP3R-V3 M-LOK front hand guard. Seekins Red double safety selector. Front 3 inch attachment, rear metal 3/4 inch bag rider. Leupold mark 6 30mm scope mount. Burris Veracity FFP 4-20 scope E-1...

forum.accurateshooter.com

 

[Dimner]

Tikka UPR in 6.5 Creedmoor, 20 MoA base. Burris signature rings and a Sightron 8-32 scope. Won't go wrong.

I 2nd this. The UPR is the easy button on getting into exactly what you are looking for. If that scope price is too frightening (it is to a penny pincher like me), I would suggest the Burris Signature HD. The good news on this setup is you could compete if you wanted to in factory formats.

This setup will take you far. It will shoot better than most shooters while they learn. And after that, there is a ton of aftermarket tikka support to mod it into anything you want. And those 'wants' will change 15 times before you feel the need to upgrade.

 

[CJ6]

For off the shelf that shoots Bergara or Tikka in 6, 6.5 or 308. Scopes lots of options Vortex, NF, Sightron, Leup. in whichever magnification he wants and FF or 2nd plane reticles. Burris rings.

 

[mtncwru]

A little disturbing way to to describe his wants, wasn’t it.

I do agree, however, with some of the above posts in that the use of the word "sniping" in today's political climate is ill-advised.

Appreciate the concern, and agree that "sniping" is far from the best term for what he's looking to do. For the record, I have no concerns about his mental state, and I suspect that the main cause for that word choice on his part is from English not being his first language + relatively limited exposure to rifles. He served in the army previously, so my strong suspicion is that he figured "sniper rifle" was the best term to describe what he's looking for, especially since he knows I primarily shoot prone competition and that's not the sort of thing he's looking for. I'll suggest some better phrasing when I see him this weekend.

If your buddy is a knuckle-head (concerned about the 'sniping' context), then point him to Airsoft and tell him to grow up. Hopefully he wouldn't be your buddy if so.

A fair concern! I don't think I can claim to have zero knuckleheads among my buddies, but I try not to engage when they ask for firearms recommendations.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1020202592
Saw this 308 advertising. Add Grayboe stock- new trigger-Sightron scope.

 

[mtncwru]

Bighorn Origin (beadblast) from Northland Shooter Supply: $900
Criterion prefit for the above (Savage bbl nut or shouldered) in 6.5 CM: $325-$395
TriggerTech 'Special' (1 lb - 3.5 lb): $200
KRG Bravo stock/chassis: $350

Total of $1,850.

Add $35 shipping for NSS order, and PM me for where to buy the stock & trigger for $5 shipping and a discount code to bring those items to $510 total. So your total before the scope is still $1,850.

If your buddy is in the Texas Hill Country, I have the gauges and tools to put the rig together. Super simple. YouTube.

Add a scope. I recommend the Trijicon Credo or TenMile Clearance on EuroOptic (site sponsor).

Ta-da. Full custom rig. Winner.

Appreciate the pointers and the very generous offer! Unfortunately we're both in San Diego (I know, I know, but it has redeeming qualities like my parents and my wife enjoying living here) else I'd happily take you up on that. I'll float the idea of building vs. buying off the rack this weekend.

I 2nd this. The UPR is the easy button on getting into exactly what you are looking for. If that scope price is too frightening (it is to a penny pincher like me), I would suggest the Burris Signature HD. The good news on this setup is you could compete if you wanted to in factory formats.

This setup will take you far. It will shoot better than most shooters while they learn. And after that, there is a ton of aftermarket tikka support to mod it into anything you want. And those 'wants' will change 15 times before you feel the need to upgrade.

Thanks for the UPR suggestion; I'm not surprised that Tikka is coming up in a lot of the suggestions, but figuring out which model to start with is always tough. And 100% agree on the "wants" changing a dozen times as you get more into the sport: I know mine did.

See my add. All you Need 6.5 CM WTH scope well under 3000….justsaying

Thanks for the heads up, that does look like a great option. I'll let him know.

Appreciate all the suggestions; I'll let you know what he winds up with!