Recommendation for beginner

[glocklife34]

I want to start mid range shooting 200-500 yards and eventually long range precision around 1000 yards plus. I want to start with 223 bolt action gun, until i get use to the fundamentals and will upgrade higher caliber. Basically i will train with this rifle. My budget is around $800-1200 range with scope.

I would appreciate the help in choosing the right bolt action rifle for my needs. What can you guys recommend?

Thank you in advance.

[LynnJr]

Remington 700 ADL or SPS and buy a $400 scope for it.

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https://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/2084_36_758/products_id/76665/Mossberg+MVP+VAR+24+HB+223+LAM+10RD

[rm1911]

It seems that a lot of people are using the ruger predator in 6.5CM with a lot of success. There's a lot of youtube vids with guys shooting 1k and beyond. Seems you can't gone wrong with that as an entry.

I have two in jail right now. The compact 223 and the 18" predator in 308. The 308 I got for deer as well as range toy. The 223 is for the kids. If I was only interested in range toy I'd have gotten the 22" barrel.

You'll probably hear that you should go 6.5 but honestly you can do close to as well with 308. Plus the ammo is more widely available and cheaper. And there is lots of surplus and milspec 7.62.

Make sure you spend well on a scope. Don't go cheaper there.

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https://www.amazon.com/Nikon-PROSTAFF-Riflescope-Black-3-5-14x40/dp/B00BAHWQ7M/ref=sr_1_13?s=hunting-fishing&ie=UTF8&qid=1505359839&sr=1-13&keywords=nikon+rifle+scope

[Jeepergeo]

For your proposed endeavour, the glass will be as important as the gun. A $1200 budget likely translates to $650 for the rifle and DROS and $550 for the scope. That's scrimping on the scope, so look for a factory refurbished scope...Midway often offers Leupold refurbished glass at great prices and full Leupold warranty.

Why .223 in a bolt gun? Why not .308 or 6.5mm, both calibers popular with long range enthusiasts.

Ruger's Precision Rifle line has some nice offerings for long range shooting in 6.5mm, .308, and even .223/5.56 if you are set on that caliber, but may be a bit above your budget.

[michaelthepsycho]

Get a $300~$400 Savage and $800~900 glass. You can re-barrel a Savage on your own later with minimal tools to switch calibres.

Also, don't worry too much about the nuances of stocks, bedding, hand-loading in the beginning. Your first order of business is being able to ring steel @ 500 with plinking ammo. After you've had your outing, then you'll be able to know your deficiencies and what you actually like in terms of equipment.

That $300 gun will sooner or later be replaced or upgraded, but the $800 glass can last you quite a while longer. A Nightforce SHV 5-20x56 is $821.10 OTD from Cabela's right now with the GC + AJ dealio.

[glocklife34]

I considered Ruger Precision Rifle 6.5cm with
Vortex Viper PST Gen II 5-25x50 FFP to be my first bolt rifle. But i was reading other forums about fundamentals, so it confuses me.

I will start my learning process with 100-300yards so im considering the .223 and set my budget to learn the fundamentals and it will be cheap to start practicing with .223. I dont know if i should just go get the RPR 6.5 or the .223 to start with.

For your proposed endeavour, the glass will be as important as the gun. A $1200 budget likely translates to $650 for the rifle and DROS and $550 for the scope. That's scrimping on the scope, so look for a factory refurbished scope...Midway often offers Leupold refurbished glass at great prices and full Leupold warranty.

Why .223 in a bolt gun? Why not .308 or 6.5mm, both calibers popular with long range enthusiasts.

Ruger's Precision Rifle line has some nice offerings for long range shooting in 6.5mm, .308, and even .223/5.56 if you are set on that caliber, but may be a bit above your budget.

[Jeepergeo]

Once you get into it, you will find you want or need something else, so the first gun you get won't likely be the last. So get something and then get out and shoot and have fun.

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https://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/2084_2108/products_id/51935/Remington+MOD+7+PRED+223+FL+MOBRSH

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LHHDSM2/ref=sr_ob_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1505364817&sr=8-6

[ar15barrels]

I want to start mid range shooting 200-500 yards and eventually long range precision around 1000 yards plus. I want to start with 223 bolt action gun, until i get use to the fundamentals and will upgrade higher caliber. Basically i will train with this rifle. My budget is around $800-1200 range with scope.

I would appreciate the help in choosing the right bolt action rifle for my needs. What can you guys recommend?

Budget is too low for truly quality equipment that you can grow into.
At this budget, you have to compromise and buy cheaper equipment that will mostly have to be replaced when you are ready for real quality.
This makes your total investment higher in the end because you will lose a good portion of the initial investment on sub-par equipment when you try to sell it.

[aspenvalley]

If you want t start with 5.56 which I think is a great idea I would start with a inexpensive savage axis or possible Ruger American. I like CZ and Howa but then you are looking at more money for not much more performance.

You will be able to work on the fundamentals of shooting and be able to afford the glass you need and the reloading gear you are going to want to start collecting as factory load can only take you so far.

The great thing about Savage is you can easily can calibers by swapping the barrel. You need to know what you doing to headspace it correctly but it can be done by just st about any smith.

5.56/.223 will let you shoot more because it's easier on you shoulder and you pocketbook. 5.56 is not that hard to reload but not really any easier than other calibers listed, but can be done much cheaper.

[diver160651]

Recommendation for beginner

Whatever you do, be warned some of the input you might get for you're 500 and 1k goals might be nuts... case in point, a BCD reticle...

Take my advice and flush it, but do the same with some of the others.... many get save you money in the short and long run..


DIY ELR Target Cam with DVR - well proven 2000m+ 2 camera, multiple monitors - link below

https://forum.snipershide.com/forum/sniper%C2%92s-hide[emoji768]-forward-operating-base/sniper-s-hide-d-i-y/6283948-elr-target-camera-2-camera-system-with-integrated-dvr#post6291944

[damon1272]

Nothing wrong with the .223 and cheaper to shoot with. I would look for good used equipment at your budget. knowing that in the future you would sell and upgrade.
.223 is a great round for the distances you are looking at. Not say the 6.5 isn't but I wouldn't dismiss what you would like to shoot. Save for a quality scope as it makes a huge difference. You can add parts to the rifle. You are stuck with the scope you buy.

[LynnJr]

Get the $349 Remington 700 from Dicks or Sportsmans Warehouse as it is the world's most versatile action. If you decide you want some other type of shooting sport it will work.
The others mentioned for the most part are not upgradable or don't transition into other types of shooting like the 700 does.