Inexpensive range rifles?

[Yogg]

I've been looking around at bolt action range rifles for a while but as a college kid i really don't have a large budget, which kinda suck since there are so many good rifles out there. Im not really looking to hunt, but I'm blessed with ~600yd range(even if its just steel that far) so I'd at least like to be able to hit that far.

My basic requirements is that it needs to be $500 or less (preferably less), be of a common caliber(preferably one that's not too pricey), and shoot at least as well as I can (about 1MOA or so). I know I will most likely need a scope but I my dad has a few lying around that I could use until I save up for a nice one.

So far I've found:

• Ruger American series of rifles
• Savage axis and 11/111 rifles
• Remington 783
• Used Remington 700(don't really care for these tbh)

Opinions on any/all of these rifles are most welcome. Are there any rifles that I've missed?

Thanks

[MongooseV8]

Forget the 783/Axis. Buy a used Savage or 700. Look for them at local stores or here in the classifieds.

I saw a cleanly built 700 in 22-250 the other day for $500 that almost came home with me.

[Divernhunter]

The Ruger is a very good rifle as is the Savage. I own both as well as a number of more expensive rifles. Cannot say anything bad about them.

I would not buy the Rem783. To me it is just another loser rifle like their 710 and 770 were.

I own Rem 700 rifles built when they did a good job BUT the Ruger and Savage shoot as well or BETTER and for far less money.

Buy the Ruger or Savage that fits you and feels best to YOU.

Might I suggest getting one in 223 or 308win due to surplus ammo.

[ar15barrels]

Im not really looking to hunt,
I'm blessed with ~600yd range so I'd at least like to be able to hit that far.

My basic requirements is that it needs to be $500 or less (preferably less), be of a common caliber(preferably one that's not too pricey), and shoot at least as well as I can (about 1MOA or so). I know I will most likely need a scope but I my dad has a few lying around that I could use until I save up for a nice one.

Look at a heavy barreled 223 or 308.
Both will meet your needs.
Stay away from any rifle with a skinny sporter barrel as they will not be as accurate for range use.
They are also lighter so they recoil more and heat up faster.
They tend to be less accurate when they heat up and the skinny barrel wanders all over the place.

[Euphoria526]

Check out a mossberg mvp in 223. You can buy with a scope as a package. Used for around 500 or maybe +\- 100 new. Had one and loved it. But sold it to pay bills

[SonofWWIIDI]

Forget all that, save up for a few more months and buy something much better.

[vliberatore]

Look at a heavy barreled 223 or 308.
Both will meet your needs.
Stay away from any rifle with a skinny sporter barrel as they will not be as accurate for range use.
They are also lighter so they recoil more and heat up faster.
They tend to be less accurate when they heat up and the skinny barrel wanders all over the place.

A new Remington 700 ADL Varmint fits this bill for only $400.

[JMP]

If cost is a major factor and you are staying within 600 yards, go with a .223. That'll let you shoot more. The .223 is fine for 600 yard steel, and it makes it quite a bit more challenging than other common choices.

[Whiterabbit]

I suggest a savage with the accutrigger. Any model that fits your budget. Another great suggestion was the bull barrel. You are carting it around in a car.

ammo will always be a buck a round no matter what unless you pick 223 or 308. 10 people could say that's wrong by cherry picking data, but looking at averages, that's your choice. And frankly 308 will likely be in the buck a shot category for you too. So if you are considering 308, consider that your options may in fact open up to a myriad of great choices out there like 243, 7-08, 22-250, etc.

....SLOSA?

[LynnJr]

Here is a Remington 700 ADL I picked up after work today from Dicks Sporting Goods. Cost with everything was $464.15 and that included the scope.
The trigger pull must be 3 pounds and it is pressure bedded about 3/4 inch from the tip of the forend.
I am taking it out this weekend with factory ammo and will do a few test groups.
When I have some baseline groups I will grind away the front of the stock and shoot it then replace the trigger and shoot some more groups. Finally I will put a 42 power scope on it and see what that does.
I will then leave all the better pieces on it and reload for it to see what we can get out of a factory barrel.

[ratled]

Don't count out a pre owned rifle. Might be able to get a better overall rifle than you think.

ratled

[billped]

Great advice. To restate one item, strongly consider .223 as the price of ammo will otherwise surpass the rifle's cost in short-order.

[Sir Toast]

Get yourself a nice Savage Model 10 FCP with a 24 inch fluted and threaded barrel. It comes with an Accu Stock and an Accu Trigger as well. Excellent value at about $600.

Just mount a scope and bipod and you're off. Many great cartridges to shoot. If you don't reload, stick to the basics like .223 and .308.

[ar15barrels]

Here is a Remington 700 ADL I picked up after work today from Dicks Sporting Goods.

I trued a G series 700 today, put in a PTG one piece bolt, pinned a badger lug on it and fitted it with a medium target shilen supermatch barrel that I chambered in 308 Bisley.
I lapped in the lugs and I fit the breech threads tight enough that they needed to be lapped in as well.
It ought to be a shooter...

[supermario]

Are those still on sale? I saw a Rem 700 ADL with scope at Turners for $434. Your deal is even better. What was the sticker price if you dont mind.

Here is a Remington 700 ADL I picked up after work today from Dicks Sporting Goods. Cost with everything was $464.15 and that included the scope.
The trigger pull must be 3 pounds and it is pressure bedded about 3/4 inch from the tip of the forend.
I am taking it out this weekend with factory ammo and will do a few test groups.
When I have some baseline groups I will grind away the front of the stock and shoot it then replace the trigger and shoot some more groups. Finally I will put a 42 power scope on it and see what that does.
I will then leave all the better pieces on it and reload for it to see what we can get out of a factory barrel.