Accurate Rifles for Range Work?

Question

Combined with my prior question as to what caliber is best out to 500 yards, what rifles and scopes do you guys recommend for paper punching?

I'm most interested in an accurate rifle that I can shoot a lot without breaking my bank (on ammo). I have about $2k to spend on my paper "sniper rifle." (I know ya'll love that term!)

THIS IS NOT A HUNTING RIFLE!

Answer 1

Well, with a 2k budget, I'd still consider the same recommendation from my prior answer. For a scope, I'd consider spending half or more of your budget on the optics. I have a Rem 40X with Leupold 8.5-25x50 M1 optics that works wonders. Before I had the 40x, I had the scope on my PSS in 308. The differences in accuracy is small at 100 yards (PSS=.56" vs. 40x=.32" in my hands), but once you start reaching out to 500 yards, you'll see how quickly the extra accuracy helps in cutting down on group size.

I'd get the scope I mentioned above (or less power if thats what you want) and stick with the Remington 700 type rifle. Unless of course you want an auto loader, then I'd look at the excellent DMPS AR10 style rifle, which will be around $1000 for the target version.

Answer 2

Well, I'd go with a Remington 700 VSS chambered in .308. The .308 is a proven tack driver and the ammo is readily available. For a number of years the Remington 700 chambered in .308 was the choice of the Marine Corps for a sniper rifle. As for a choice in scope, I'd stick with one of the top rated name brands. The rifle will set you back less than a grand so you will have over a grand left to spend on a scope. Do some careful shopping around on the Internet for the best prices on something like a Swarovski or a Bender and Bender scope. Since it will be used for long range target shooting, I'd pick a fixed power scope. That way your money is going into top of the line lenses and not into the mechanics of a variable power scope. You don't need variable power for target shooting.

Answer 3

savage has suddenly appeared back on top of the accuracy market. Check out some of their offerings on "sniper"/target rifles. right out of the box your gonna love em, and the prices are darn good too. On optics, you are gonna want to really invest in good optics. The scope makes the rifle as far as I'm concerned. Leupold makes a great scope, but pricey. Bushnell has some nice scopes at fair prices, springfield makes some "government" model scopes with built in bullet drop compensaters, etc that are super accurate, but very pricey. I had one of their scopes on my "sniper/target" rifle in .308 winchester and one on my" big boy" chambered in 50BMG. If I was looking for another scope, that would be my first choice.
Good luck

Answer 4

If I had two large to spend on a setup for long range shooting, I'd get something like this:


Remington Model 700 SPS Tactical .308 P# 84207

Nikon 2.5 - 10x44 mm Monarch X Mil Dot Reticle Scope

Answer 5

It's not just the rifle quality. It's also the qualityof the rounds. If you get a bolt-action remington sniper model, the I would also either get match grade ready to shoot .308 shells or roll your own on a shell press using Sierra Match King boat-tailed spitzers.

Answer 6

I recommend a 25-06..... ammo is very cheap, go with Federal they have 85 and 100 grain, this will get you a distance of 500 yards easily.... for a scope Leupold will be expensive but is one of the best, if not the best scope..... but your limit is 2K so get a leupold scope and a stainless steel 25-06.