Where to Spend $$$ For Accuracy?

[AJC]

So i know the barrel is the most popular answer, and for good reason but your budget will have a lot to do with it. If your learning as you go then i agree with the good glass. You may decide the ditch the entire gun but good glass can go on any gun. I move my scope between rifles because i cannot justify multiple 2500 dollar scopes.

 

[johnfred1965]

If you get a 6.5 Creedmoor, it wont matter what you buy because that thing will shoot 1 hole groups at 2 miles ALL DAY LONG...even if you can't do your part. It will literally shoot itself

You must be one of the talisman holders if you can do that.

I will join the majority here and say a good barrel. Once you see the improvement it makes, you will become addicted and find the money to start upgrading everything else.

 

[carlsbad]

2nd most important after barrel hasn't been mentioned: reloading bench. --Jerry

 

[Richard Coody]

Was wondering how people prioritize their dollars on a rifle build when accuracy is the primary objective. Do you prioritize one or two things (i.e., barrel, trigger, or...?) over something else (i.e., the stock, front rest, or...?). Or do you try to keep all components more or less on the same level quality wise (and $$$) as everything else? A custom chambered Bartlein with stellar trigger, put into an ordinary, non-bedded stock makes no more sense, than a stock Remington barreled action into a $1000+ stock or chassis sitting in a Farley front rest. How does one know where to spend to get the most for their dollars?

as previously stated

what is the rifle's intended use and accuracy expectations

accuracy comes from meticulous attention to detail in everything from the rifle to reloading practices.

you can get lucky but not consistently.

 

[mgunderson]

Gunsmith, barrel, and a set of iron sights..... and a good coat.... and sling.

 

[oldhoward]

Depends on rifle factory or custom. Scope,trigger,reloads, bedding. These most can do themselves. If not working any better then barrel, gunsmith and tuning.

 

[JFrank]

Good barrel and good tools

 

[long40shot]

A high quality barrel and plenty of practice.

Matt

 

[group therapy]

Weakest link always breaks first. If you expect the best results, don't cut ANY corners. Every discipline is different though..and requires more or less from the equipment and the shooter. BR is very much reliant on the best of all worlds....and ya still can't pull the trigger at the wrong time without making somebody ELSE happy.

 

[JMayo]

From a bench rest perspective:
I got suggestions based on what the top shooters were shooting. Seems the action, trigger, stock was what everything else centered on.
Barrel, rest, brass, bullet, powder.
Then seat time ........

 

[Liven The Dream]

All Great Advice ….

I say a Marine Corps Brain Housing Spanner Wrench !!

 

[Evan]

Given a quality barrel of any well known make, the next important is a consistent trigger. Doesn't matter how light or heavy (although light is better) it's got to break the same every time or else you will never be able to develop good gun handling and trigger habits.

Good glass is helpful, but reliable tracking is a BIG deal. Gun can shoot zeros, but not if the scope moves between shots. Big dollar scopes don't ensure tracking either. You have to test it yourself. Don't skip this step or you'll never know for sure.

 

[mattri]

Time.

Trigger time to be exact. Use that money to "buy" and afternoon off work, another box of ammo, some powder/primers to put more rounds downrange- whatever works for you- then go shoot.

 

[Intheshop]

A good bullet mould.... from a leadhead's standpoint,haha.

Very good glass,as has been mentioned. Can't hit what you can't see. And it needs to be of a quality that can survive the rigors of your chosen discipline.

Now we need a decent trigger because dryfire practice is so important.

Here's where I'll depart from the "barrel crowd"...... before dropping 500 on a barrel,I'd want to be tooled up for handloading( also mentioned above). I feel like you need to pay your loading dues wearing out the factory tube.... and cleaning do's and don'ts. And in a much larger perspective, would at least consider some home machinist equipment. Gunsmith costs aren't getting any cheaper.

Now,give me a barrel.....

Insert practice regimen right about now..... kinda like having a nice boat except you live 150 miles from the water. Compared to living "on" the water with a dock. The guys who have made the decision to shoot as often as they feel comfortable with (I shoot almost everyday) are going to have an advantage.

Throw in quality bedding somewhere in there. And definitely some competition..... even if it's just for bragging rights. It forces you to put up or shut up.

 

[mgdietrich]

Practice, $ can't buy you a good score, points or groups. People chasing the optimal build rarely are the winners, especially people new to the sport.

Get a gun, train with it, and get good. Tweaks of action, loads, bullets are all secondary if you can't run the gun first.

 

[Bart B.]

The three B’s ..... barrels, bedding and bullets

The best of these with all the rifle parts fitted properly have tested about 1/2 MOA at 600 yards from handloads with commercial 308 Win cases in M14NM and M1 service rifles.

 

[nmkid]

I would be more concerned with getting a good barrel because, (probably) none of the other pieces will do any good if, the tube is no Bueno!

 

[Don_Parsons]

I kept it simple on finding my best accuracy.

Barrel, trued action, Pacific Tool & Gauge Bolt, Jewel trigger, extra long F Class stock, solid rear bag, Remple Bypod, good optic, and quality reloaded ammo.

The rifle will out shoot me every day, my job is to make sure its planted and take note of the ever changing winds.

The old idea of accuracy is the same as it was when firearms were first invented.

10% dialed in rifle, optic, ammo,,, 90% shooter.

The best improvement is being able to get ever shoot off with a clean brake.

 

[Leo Smith]

If you get a 6.5 Creedmoor, it wont matter what you buy because that thing will shoot 1 hole groups at 2 miles ALL DAY LONG...even if you can't do your part. It will literally shoot itself

Mine was arrested on DWI last night.

 

[JAlfred]

Mine was arrested on DWI last night.

Check its headspace.