Rifle Suggestions for a Newb

granola

granola

Too many hobbies...
Supporting Member
Multi-Factor Enabled
Joined
Jun 20, 2017
Messages
184
Location
Union County
Rating - 100%
9   0   0
So, up to this point my shooting has been done at indoor ranges with handguns and AR15s. Lots of fun, but my wife and I just joined the local club that has a variety of outdoor ranges (one of them is 300 yards), which of course will provide lots of opportunity for new types of shooting, and shooting at longer distances seems like something I’d really enjoy. As you might imagine, I now have the itch for a new rifle. The thing is, I know little about them.

This would likely be a “range only” gun. I was thinking about a bolt action rifle (.308….or not?) that has lots of opportunity for upgrading. I’m being honest with myself – once I get the itch, I’ll likely get a raging case of upgraditis. However, I need start small here ($5-600 maybe?).

Can those of you that are more experienced provide some suggestions in regards to rifles to look at? I’ve read reviews and watched videos but the people on this site have yet to steer me wrong and I appreciate your insight.

For what it’s worth, I already have a Vortex Viper HS-T 4-16x44 that I’d be using (long story), so I’d only need the rifle.

Thanks in advance!
 
Is there a particular direction you’re wanting to go eventually? Benchrest , prs, f class? What’s your budget? The sky is the limit when you walk through this door lol


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Last edited:
Zbizzle911 said:
Is there a particular direction you’re wanting to go eventually? Benchrest , prs, f class? What’s your budget? The sky is the limit when you walk through this door lol


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

What I had in mind was benched on a bag. I was thinking $5-600 to get started. I understand that's low, which is why I'd prefer to get something that offers lots of options down the road.

.....I'm proceeding with a heavy amount of caution so that I don't get carried away right off the bat (we'll see how that goes).
 
SlowShooter88 said:
. Can't go wrong with a Remington 700.
Click to expand...
In my humble opinion, there are much better choices than a new production Rem 700.

Savage and Tikka make outstanding rifles in the OP’s budget.

.308 or 6.5 Creedmoor are both great entry options for long(er) range shooting for the non-reloader.
 
Last edited:
I see this a lot of folks looking to get into the Precision/Extended Range shooting. Based on Access to Land, I generally go like this:
1. A .22LR is a great starting rifle if you have land out to 300. At 200 Yards, your adjustments (dope) are very similar to a .308 at 1000 yards. Depending on you choices... many of these precision .22's are upgrade-able. If you choose a "factory" precision .22.. it may give you the ability to spend more on a Mid-Level Scope. (tell you why in a minute)
2. After you get used to running a bolt and learning the fundamentals of shooting a .22:LR to 300 yards consistently you are ready for a Centerfire. I prefer a 6.5 Creedmoor, but definitely in a Model 700 action type. The good scope you purchased comes over to top this one... AND you keep your precision .22 so you can enter the many .22 Precision competitions and now... you are very proficient with a Bolt Action Rifle.

But.. that depends of your timetable... but I like a 6.5 Creedmoor in a Remington Receiver... so Target Model R700 and an Athlon FFP Scope in Mil/Mil

Just my thoughts gang!
 
^^^^^^^

Another vote for a 22LR. I like my CZ’s but there are lots of good options.

If you want something centerfire you could go 223 so you have ammo compatibility with the AR. I like my 6.5 Grendel CZ Varmint a helluva a lot too. Good versatile caliber. And it would want to be able to reach out at distance down the road 308 and 6.5 Creedmore are good. No bad answer really,
 
Honestly, I never considered a .22. I didn’t believe it would have enough power. Shows exactly how much I know on the subject. I have a 10/22…
 
Last edited:
Susan Conver (TSConver here of CFF) let me shoot her 6mm AR on my 500 meter range. It had no problem pinging 12” steel targets, and the recoil was not bad at all.

Plus all those AR accessories available.
 
I went the remington 700 route in .308 for my attempt at PRS. I figured it was very easy to upgrade as time went on. My rifle now rocks a krg bravo stock and a geissele trigger with good glass being my next purchase for it.

I have shot a handful of savages and found them to be very good for the money. I know their aftermarket support is growing too.

Within 300 yards .308 is a good option and .223 wouldn't be bad either. I would not step up to a 6.5 creedmoor until you start getting to 500 yards plus just because it shines further with distance.
 
I like the AR, 5.56 is fine out to 300yds. If you have the itch and want to get into target stuff, 308 is the best bang for the buck. Find a good used bolt action, plenty can be had in your price range, you already have a scope, 308 ammo can be found almost anywhere.
 
I genuinely appreciate all of your responses. I hadn’t really considered using an AR for this (not really sure why). It sounds like it might not be the worst idea to throw my scope on my AR and go get my feet wet. Then, after I have a bit of experience under my belt, decide if I want to change things up. I just remembered that I have a bare upper and lower too….
 
Last edited:
Just build a new upper for longer range, 6.5 Grendel, .224 Valkyrie or 6mm Arc is what I would go with.
 
Last edited:
There are many good and accurate budget rifles out there. You can't go wrong with a heavy barrel Savage with accutrigger. I have one in .308 with 24" barrel and it was a tack driver. The barrel stays cooler as well when shooting. I had it cut down to a more manageable 20" and it still shoots great!. I saw a mention for 6.5 creedmoor which is supposed to be a flatter shooter than .308. Better with longer ranges. Best of luck in your search.
 
I’m with others above … go with a bolt action .22lr and work on your fundamentals at 50 to 100 yards … then move on out to 200. It is a little cheaper even with buying a better grade of .22 ammo, no recoil, and way more fun than you think. Honestly I have a boat load of fun shooting Necco Wafers with my CZ455 at 100 yards and it’s just as challenging as my .308 at 300-500 yards. While working with the .22 bolt gun you can do further research and consideration on the centerfire direction you’d like to go.
 
granola said:
Honestly, I never considered a .22. I didn’t believe it would have enough power. Shows exactly how much I know on the subject. I have a 10/22…
Click to expand...

I probably have as much fun on our rimfire range as anything else. Fun shooting targets and steel at different distances. I’m not manly enough to take it out to 300 yards, but some are.

cz-usa.com

CZ 457 American - CZ-USA

Styled for the American shooter, this model has a high, flat comb and is meant to be scoped.
cz-usa.com cz-usa.com
 
Last edited:
This guy here has a decent deal on an entry level bolt gun that shares ammo with your AR:

SOLD - Savage Axis 223 now with a scope!

I have for sale a Savage Axis 223 rifle ANIB unfired. $300 obo no trades. Ftf only in Charlotte south or west. The easier you make this for me the more likely I am to consider your offer reasonable. At my office off Clanton Rd, m-f 9-5 is optimal. ETA: Added an old Weaver 4x scope, a set...
carolinafirearmsforum.com carolinafirearmsforum.com

Local to you too!
 
granola said:
I genuinely appreciate all of your responses. I hadn’t really considered using an AR for this (not really sure why). It sounds like it might not be the worst idea to throw my scope on my AR and go get my feet wet. Then, after I have a bit of experience under my belt, decide if I want to change things up. I just remembered that I have a bare upper and lower too….
Click to expand...
Invest in reloading equipment and then do load development. I have a no name hodge podge AR that will shoot under .50" groups at 100 yards. I just happened on the right bullet, case, primer, powder combination. You can take a average performing rifle and turn it into a tack driver.

Sent from my SM-J320V using Tapatalk
 
People at most ranges are generally friendly. Introduce yourself, and ask questions to the people you see that are shooting well. Many of them will probably let you try their rifles. That’s a great way to see what you like without having to spend too much money off the bat.

An AR is very capable well beyond 300 yards.

Shooting clays on the berm at 300 is fun with a 22 if your scope has the right reticle or the right amount of clicks.
 
There is a 300 yard rangebin Union County? Where?
 
You can get in the 300 yard bolt game in your budget with a Tikka, Howa & possibly a CZ. At that range shooting targets, not deer, a 223 Wylde would be a lot more economical to shoot.
 
Thanks to all for the responses, they are greatly appreciated. After thinking about this quite a bit, for the time being, I'm going to put my scope on my AR (which I hadn't considered originally), have some fun, gain some experience and then decide if a purchase needs to be made. I figure at that point I'll have a greater understanding of what I'd like to do long term and what I enjoy or don't enjoy.

Again, I appreciate everyone's insight and responses!
 
granola said:
Thanks to all for the responses, they are greatly appreciated. After thinking about this quite a bit, for the time being, I'm going to put my scope on my AR (which I hadn't considered originally), have some fun, gain some experience and then decide if a purchase needs to be made. I figure at that point I'll have a greater understanding of what I'd like to do long term and what I enjoy or don't enjoy.

Again, I appreciate everyone's insight and responses!
Click to expand...
If it doesn’t have one, install a good trigger.
My 6.5G AR shoots 1/2” groups at 100yrds.
 
Get Off My Lawn said:
If it doesn’t have one, install a good trigger.
My 6.5G AR shoots 1/2” groups at 100yrds.
Click to expand...
Absolutely on my list of things to do. I shot AR in 300 blk with a 3.5# Rise Armament trigger a week or so ago and to say it was an eye opener would be an understatement!
 
Last edited:
Excellent advice given so far. The .22lr is a great starting point when learning long distance shooting because it will reinforce the fundamentals of sighting, breathing and trigger control. And it’s far cheaper to go burn 100-200 rounds of .22 than it is .308, or heck even .223/5.56.

Once you get that squared away those fundamentals will carry over to your “real gun” much easier. I made the mistake of grabbing the first .308 bolt action with a scope I could find and then think I could reach out effectively. I couldn’t. So I had to go back to the basics.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
The big eye opener for new shooters especially women have been shooting with a suppressor. Taking away the blast helps people settle down.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom