Am I looking for too much out of a rifle?

[CmpsdNoMore]

I've been lurking for awhile and learning what I can and I figure this is the time to post this.

I have the option to spend around $1,200 to $1,300 on either a shotgun or a rifle w/ everything included (scope, ring mounts, maybe a bipod) and I'm leaning more towards a rifle.

As far as the rifle I may be getting, I have my eye on a Remington 700 (SPS, SPS Varmint, VTR) or an equal bolt-action rifle.
I'm going to use it mostly for target shooting pretty much 99%, but I may use it for deer hunting every once and awhile. I already have two rifles (K98 in 8MM and SKS), and I probably wouldn't mind using that, depending on the cost of ammo.
I am a novice to rifle shooting, but I would like to eventually get into shooting 500 - 100 yards.

The main thing I'm having a problem deciding is what caliber I would want between either .223 or .308. Ammo price is a fairly large factor.
I don't have a lot of money and limited space, so getting into reloading isn't an option at this point in time. Will the accuracy from factory loads be good enough for beginning, What about buying surplus ammo so I can shoot even more?

For the rifle, is the VTR or SPS Varmint worth the extra money over the 700 SPS?

For a scope, I would spend around $500 on the scope itself but I wouldn't want to go more than $700 with the mounts. I'm leaning towards something with a 4-12x40 magnification, but 4-9x would do. I'm quite partial to Leupold and Nikon because I know they're quality. Basically, I don't want something too cheap that will break easily.

So, am I asking for too much in a rifle?
$1000 - $1200 for a rifle with scope
1 or 1.5 MOA with factory/surplus ammo
Good quality scope that will last me 5 - 10 years or more

***EDITS***
If I got the .223 I WOULDN'T be expecting to use it for hunting deer, I'd use one of my other rifles.
Also, if I got a .223 I wouldn't try stretching it past 500.

I've pretty much made up my mind to go with .223 due to lower price so I can shoot more.

 

[browningguy]

Not asking too much at all. I got a Savage 12 FV in .243 ($500), added a 6.5-20 Weaver Grand Slam ($300 with bases and rings), and it punches sub MOA groups with factory ammo, and regularly in the mid-.3's with handloads.

 

[Powerplus]

I think .223 would not be good for the 500 - 100 yard shooting. It would also be a poor choice for deer hunting. It'll do it just fine with shot placement, but not give you room for error when "buck fever" sets in. There is much truth to "buying once" and getting a high end rifle and scope. That said, a used 700 or similar in .308 or 30-06 would suit your needs in the short term. I would buy a 700 ADL for around $300. Buy a used Leupold vari-x II 3-9 for about $200. Leupold rings and bases for say $50 - 70. Bed the action (marine tex) $10. Tune the trigger - Free. Buy some good factory ammo and you are off. Nothing you buy in the above will ever be worth less than what you have in them. The rifle would be a great base to do a more custom rig later. The scope will always be useful as well. The above puts you about halfway on your budget and leaves money for a nice shotgun as well. Just my opinion. YMMV.

 

[CmpsdNoMore]

I probably should have mentioned.

If I get the .223 it wouldn't be used for hunting and would use a different rifle for that.

 

[SSN Vet]

your budget gives you enough to buy a really nice Savage rifle, good glass, and a reloading set up.

Ammo cost are going to rob you of all the fun....

re-loading will get you educated as to how to get the long range accuracy you desire and provide the means to make top quality ammo. that is customozed to YOUR rifle and then provide you wil a lot of fun to boot....especially on rainy days.

 

[Powerplus]

"I probably should have mentioned.

If I get the .223 it wouldn't be used for hunting and would use a different rifle for that."

No problem friend. The .223 still won't cut the 500 - 1000 yard shooting. Maybe my suggestion isn't what you wanted to hear. If you are trying to justify spending the money on a real nice rig, I won't steer you away from that. I have the really good stuff as well. I generally shoot something I put together for half the price. My most recent hunting / fun rig is a 700 ADL 6.5 x 55 in a Bell & Carlson stock that I had laying around. Bedded and floated. Leupold varix - II 2 - 7 compact. I did splurge on Talley rings and bases, but redfield or leupold would have been fine. This rifle shoots sub moa with factory and under .5 with handloaded 140 sierra game kings. Point is, money alone isn't the only means to accuracy. Good luck in your quest.

 

[skinewmexico]

I sighted my 223 in 12" high at 100 yards for a 500 yard F Class match, and it was 12" high at 500. Nine clicks down, and it's three shots in the 10 ring. No big deal. The only big deal is that Remington doesn't make any rifles that allow a 223 to be used beyond 500. Savage does.

 

[glockman19]

I would get one of the Remington 700's you mentioned in .308.

I would top it off with a nice piece of glass in the $500 - $800 range. I happen to like the Bushnell Elite 4200 series Check out:
www.opticsplanet.com or www.opticsgiant.com

The .308 is capable of taking any game in in N. America and can reach out to the 800-1,000 yard distance for long range shooting. In most cases it will out shoot you for many years then you can have the action & barrel bedded.

 

[AR-Trvlr]

Yes, I think you're asking too much of one rifle.

Since you're a novice to rifle shooting, and have other options for deer hunting, I'd recommend a good .223 with a great scope to start with. The savages seem to have a great reputation, can be inexpensive, and allow you to spend a significant amount on the scope.

.223 is far cheaper to shoot than .308, which will allow you to shoot more. Shooting more = more potential for learning. It will also allow you to shoot out to 500 yards.

If you find you shoot well with a .223 out to 500 yards, THEN look to get a long range setup, probably a couple of years down the road.

 

[Powerplus]

"I sighted my 223 in 12" high at 100 yards for a 500 yard F Class match, and it was 12" high at 500. Nine clicks down, and it's three shots in the 10 ring. No big deal. The only big deal is that Remington doesn't make any rifles that allow a 223 to be used beyond 500. Savage does."

I have a Savage 10FP in .223 as well. I really like this rifle. 1 in 9 twist will let you shoot 69 grain and possibly up to the 80's. (maybe not). If it is a .223 you really want. The Savage is hard to beat for the bux.

 

[Rifleman 173]

I'm looking at a Savage rifle in .308 caliber myself. I think that I will probably also want a fiberglass stock on mine and I plan to use a Redfield scope of 10 to 50 power on it. I figure my whole set-up should cost under $1K. I'm going for the higher magnification system for better accuracy in shooting from 100 to 1,000 meters with good match type ammo.

 

[scythefwd]

skinewmexico
What were you shooting? The M16 doesn't get that trajectory.

To those who say you cant shoot at 500. With little wind, it can be done pretty easily. With iron sights, I can hit a silouet center mass at 300, I dont miss at 400, and 500 isn't that much of a stretch. I also have to say that the .223 isn't what he is looking for though, as 500 is about it for that round.

I saw a savage .30-06 today for about 350 today at Dicks sporting goods. If you are really set on spending all of the money, look into accuracy international, those are the most expensive .308's I have ever seen. My friend, who is an ex scout sniper, says his is rated out to 900, and he can hit out to 1500 with his.

 

[Vicious-Peanut]

I considered buying a long range (out to 1k yards) rifle earlier before I chose the FAL and what I was looking at was a CZ 550 chambered in 6.5x55. 6.5mm rifles are winning most of the long range competitions lately, since their ballistic coefficients are so high (like .550) on a .308 it is hard to beat (.470ish). So I would choose a 6.5mm rifle.

 

[CmpsdNoMore]

Once again, I failed to mention something.

If I went with .223 I wouldn't try shooting more than 400 or 500 yards. Also, I've pretty much made up my mind to go with .223 due to lower price so I can shoot more.

I'd rather go with less money if I could.
If I could get a good shooting rifle like scythefwd, I'd rather spend $350?

Was that new or used, scythe?

 

[skinewmexico]

I was shooting a Savage Model 12, with a 1-7 twist barrel, and Black Hills 77g SMKs. I have some 80g Berger VLDs to load up next. I'm letting my son shoot the 223 now, while I try to get my 6.5X47 Lapua going.

 

[doc2rn]

Got my Rem 700 SPS from Dicks with a $30 dollar off coupon for $450. With the scope it came with (free) I have tagged Yotes at 360 yds. The rifle is scary accurate and well under your price cap. The one downer is it is heavier than most rifles.

 

[pbrktrt]

vanguard sub-moa or howa/hogue. same rifle different stock. money left over for optics & ammo. what's not to like?

 

[moooose102]

you could reload the 308 for less money than you could buy decent 223 ammo. plus, you could shoot the 1000 yard range from a 308. plus, you could down load the 308 to save money and lessen recoil when you wanted. dont get me wrong, i have a 223. its a nice little gun. but you don't want to spend your money and a year later kick yourself for buying the wrong gun. if you buy a 223, pay attention to the twist rate of the barrel, as that will limit you to the weight of bullet you can shoot. faster twist rate = heavier bullet = better long range performance. as for the scope, i think you are not looking at enough magnification. something in the max power range of 18-24 would be more appropriate for long range target shooting. at least if you want x ring only hits.