First precision rifle purchase question

[BucDan]

So I am now looking at giving this a go. Did some light research and saw that Turners was going to have a sale soon so it might be a good time to jump in.

What is everyone's opinion on the Howa M1500 Tactical on sale, front page of their Fall flyer?

What about the Remington 783?

The R700 is a bit of a stretch, eyeing $500 ball park. Not trying to get .5 MOA.

I saw that some of the gun come in .308 or 6.5cm, but cost per round is a factor as I won't be reloading.

Thoughts? Likely only going out to 300yards. I know I could just use a .223 and call it a day, but I kinda already can do that with an AR. Just want something different and capable to add to the collection.

I already do have a Swiss K31 I take out every now and then, but that's more of a collector's thing with irons.

[Sir Toast]

I'd start with the Remington 5R. A bit more expensive, but worth it.

[JackEllis]

I'm a little confused. If the per round cost is a factor then you want a .223. If you want something different, then you're going to be limited in the amount of shooting you do.

All that said, I have a Howa 1500 in .223 with a varmint barrel and I'm very pleased with the way it shoots. Cabelas sells their Covenant 4 FFP 2-24 power scopes for about $250 so for roughly $800 total you can get a rifle that shoots pretty well with glass that's more than enough. Or get a Howa action and add whichever stock you like.

[mulyhuntr]

Save up a few more months and spend a grand on a t3x ctr. You’ll save more than $500 in ammo that you’d otherwise spend chasing precision from a $500 rifle.

[Sir Toast]

Good advice. Really. Good advice.

[devster55]

I would recommend starting with a bergara HMR, RPR or tikka t3x. They all have good features and are ready out of the box.

[sigstroker]

OP, that Howa is plenty fine for 300 yards. Most people posting here don't know what sale you're talking about.

[BucDan]

I guess my point is, I'm eyeing for something different from .223, but nothing bigger than .308, and nothing more expensive than $2 per round. I was really eyeing 6.5CM, but .308 can be had for about $1 per round from the store.

[scotty99]

The Howa is a great place to start, and .308 is probably the cheapest match-grade factory ammo around (about 25% less than 6.5CM).

Now just wait until you post about what scope to put on it...


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[SemperInExcretiaSumus]

BucDan,

Do you belong to Southbay Rod and Gun Club? I'm going to be boresighting my B14 HMR down there once it cools down a little.

The Tikka T3X is also a very good rifle. I would shy away from anything less than the R700 5R, or a Howa 1500. DGM has the Bergara HMR on sale right now, I believe, for about $850. You can catch a good deal on Tikkas by watching for sales. The Bergara, Howa, and Tikka are going to have smoother actions than the R700.

With precision rifles, though, you're going to want to spend at LEAST as much on glass as you do the rifle. I got the Vortex Viper PST Gen II for my B14, that's about the best bang for buck, right now. There are better scopes, but you will pay significantly more for them. Also a good idea to set aside money for extra box mags, bipod, and then base and rings for your optics. Even getting the scope and rifle on sale, I ended up spending about $2,100 for my B14, but that's with 6 mags, harris bipod, seekins base and rings, and the Vortex scope.

[MrFeetZ]

I agree.. if you have no desire to go above 500yds, 308 will be more than fine. Having said that, 6.5 isn't really THAT much more than 308. Don't forget, you are talking about a bolt action rifle, not a semi auto. Not like your tossing hundred(s) of rounds down range each range day.

You should also be comparing LIKE types of rounds between 308 and 6.5cm. Yes, you can buy cheap (wolf, etc) but really only match ammo for 6.5. A quick look at pricing and you will see match 308 for about $25 a box and match 6.5 for about $28 a box.

So, I wouldn't let caliber cost influence your decision that much.

scotty99 is right.. the fun part is the glass

[jsigone]

308 or 6.5c ammo cost is about the same, cheaper loads sub $20 a box, both Match grade versions are $28-32/box

308 can sling nato rounds at $15 a box at 300yards pretty dang easy.

Turners just has some of the R700 5Rs on sale for $799, but 20in barrel. Good enough for lobbing them in at 800yards. I have the AAC-SD 308 in 20", but the 5R comes with the WAAAAAy better stock than a AAC-SD or SPS. You'll junk the stock anyways. Good stock options around $350 from KRG.

I'd go put a 1/3 down on the $800 R700 5R or bergara and you have 30 days to come up with the rest of the funds. Get your optics another month. BTW Discount Gun Mart has non dros 90day layaway....buy once cry once

[sigstroker]

I guess my point is, I'm eyeing for something different from .223, but nothing bigger than .308, and nothing more expensive than $2 per round. I was really eyeing 6.5CM, but .308 can be had for about $1 per round from the store.

I think the one that's on sale is only in .308, so your decision is made for you in that regard. As for going out and spending three times as much as the Howa costs, that's ridiculous and unnecessary. It's your first rifle of this type, has a fairly good trigger (I also have a Howa), and has the 1 moa guarantee.

[Tere_Hanges]

Did you see my thread OP? The Howa Tactical is a superb rifle with a 24" CHF heavy threaded barrel made from Japanese steel on a receiver that is inherently accurate by design. Comes with subMOA guarantee and lifetime warranty. If you are even questioning it, just shows you dont know what you are doing. Better act fast because it sounds like they are flying off the shelves. Howas are better value than the Remington 700 IMHO. I have 2 R700s and they are great, but their prices are stupid right now. Get the Howa before everyone jumps on the bandwagon and they raise the prices on them. Like what happened to CZs.

Deal thread:

https://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=1550763

Short video about why Howas are so accurate.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=OK2KrMnaDrI

[Mesa Defense]

+1....