Bolt Target Rifle

[TenDriver]

I think it's getting close to time for a new rifle. I'm in the mood for something scoped, short action, tactical-ish. It'll see mostly bench use, but depending on what I end up with, I might use it on whitetail. 223, 243 or 308 are likely the calibers I'd lean toward.

Let's hear some suggestions.

 

[MrBorland]

I'm diggin' my Tikka CTR. Mine's in .260 Remington, but it's available in .308, too. Tactical-ish, handy, smooth action, good trigger, 10-round capacity, accurate, and would make a fine whitetail rifle...at least I plan on pressing mine into hunting duty next season.

 

[bangswitch]

7mm-08.

If I had to do it again, I'd have gone with this one instead of the .308 for my bolt gun. Case is the same, just necked to 7mm. Bullets have a much better BC (168 .308 averages around .450, a 162 7mm is around .625), so they fly flatter for a given velocity and deal with crosswind better. You can get 7mm bullets up to 175 grains, but the best flying ones are around 162.

6mm is good, but bullets are much lighter, ending around 105 grains, and 6.5 isn't much heavier, nor are the BC's much over .500.

 

[SavageShooter2k]

I have had my eye on a Savage 12 LRP in 6.5 creed after seeing two guys at the range putting up 1/2" and better groups at 300 yards next to me.

What does your budget look like?

 

[chris in va]

How about a Ruger Gunsite Scout? 5.56 or 308.

 

[JeeperCreeper]

Howa has some cool stuff coming out this year. I think their website is worth a peek

 

[Inebriated]

Budget?

One thing I've been thinking of doing for a bench/range toy is getting a Savage Hog Hunter in .223. It's the same thing as their Model 10 Precision Carbine (large bolt knob, heavy profile barrel, AccuTrigger, threaded barrel, just no AccuStock and it has iron sights). It's also a few hundred bucks cheaper..... Figure $440 for the rifle and $100 for a Boyd's stock, I'll have a solid, fun, inexpensive, and accurate shooter.

 

[Offfhand]

If you reload your own ammo the .260 Rem is unbeatable

 

[rswartsell]

Another nod for Tikka and for 7mm 08. Love my T3 Lite. Most accurate I own right out of the box.

Cheers

 

[peacebutready]

I'm diggin' my Tikka CTR.

Looks sweet, Mrborland.

 

[peacebutready]

It'll see mostly bench use, but depending on what I end up with, I might use it on whitetail. 223, 243 or 308 are likely the calibers I'd lean toward.

.308. The ammo is cheaper and more abundant. If recoil is a concern, get a rifle with a little/some weight. That'll dampen recoil.

 

[GAMEOVER44]

Ruger Gunsite Scout-

Comes with a picitanny rail, etc. Id get it in .308

 

[SavageShooter2k]

Budget?

One thing I've been thinking of doing for a bench/range toy is getting a Savage Hog Hunter in .223. It's the same thing as their Model 10 Precision Carbine (large bolt knob, heavy profile barrel, AccuTrigger, threaded barrel, just no AccuStock and it has iron sights). It's also a few hundred bucks cheaper..... Figure $440 for the rifle and $100 for a Boyd's stock, I'll have a solid, fun, inexpensive, and accurate shooter.

I did this exact build with my savage hog hunter in .308. I chucked the cheap plastic stock and put mine in a B&C Varmint Medalist. I have an SWFA SS scope mounted on it and it shoots very well. It will shoot high sub MOA more often than not with factory loaded FGMM ammo and even better with my SMK reloads. Its pretty heavy though, it was much lighter and easier to carry in its factory configuration.

I think the key item missing from the OPs question is what is the budget. There have been alot of ideas thrown out there but cost usually determines a lot.

 

[onegunred]

I'm kinda in the same boat, want a rifle for target, hogs and possible ELK hunting. The Howa barreled actions on a Boyds walnut stock is what I am considering but the caliber is my hangup. I like 308, 30-06, 270 and 7mm-08. Recoil is not a big concern as much as 250 yd capabilities. Any help will be appreciated. Thanks, Jerry

 

[d2wing]

+3 on the 7-08 Tikka T3. Mine is very accurate and a joy to shoot.
I am a fan of the Remington 700 and that is the way to go if you want to build a gun. But OOB, I am sold on Tikka.

 

[earlthegoat2]

Im liking the Rem 700 SPS Tactical 308 20" barrel I got about 6 months ago. I got it as a project gun to test out some ideas I have for accurizing it. So far I have not touched it and it shoots Black Hills Match ammo all touching a dime at 100. If I get the time and motivation I should be able to pull those groups into cloverleafs.

Has to be a Rem 700 though for all intents and purposes. The amount of aftermarket parts and accurizing tools out there for this rifle is so much greater than any other.

 

[TenDriver]

I did this exact build with my savage hog hunter in .308. I chucked the cheap plastic stock and put mine in a B&C Varmint Medalist. I have an SWFA SS scope mounted on it and it shoots very well. It will shoot high sub MOA more often than not with factory loaded FGMM ammo and even better with my SMK reloads. Its pretty heavy though, it was much lighter and easier to carry in its factory configuration.

I think the key item missing from the OPs question is what is the budget. There have been alot of ideas thrown out there but cost usually determines a lot.

You're correct about the budget. I left it out to see what ideas would come across. I prefer to stay in the $500 range, but could go a little above if that's what it takes to get what I want out of it.

 

[earlthegoat2]

A lot of the ideas here fall within that budget.

Good luck making a decision because there are quite a few options.

Is the 500 for just the rifle? If it is, great because a range rifle really needs at least medium quality glass and that will effectively double that 500 bucks.

 

[Fremmer]

A Remington 700 varmint rifle in .308 Winchester might be perfect.

 

[TenDriver]

The $500 likely will be just for the rifle, then save up again for glass.

 

[Steel Horse Rider]

Cruise the gunshops for a used setup. My local store has several good clean used bolt guns in the 7-08 through .308 with scopes for under $500. I watched a real nice Ruger 77 in 7-08 with a scope go out the door for about $550 last weekend. Most bolt rifles purchased for once a year hunts that I have seen are in great condition, other than being dirty, and it seems that after they score a kill or two they are off to other things and just want to get something back from their original investment.

 

[Sunray]

No such thing as a tactical-ish bolt action. Despite what the assorted marketing wahlahs say. They're hunting rifles or pure target rifles.
Your $500 budget will eliminate anything new other than a Savage Axis. So will deciding if you want a rifle for formal target shooting or a big kid's toy.
Personally dislike commercial hunting rifles. Far too much alike. A nice K98 or FM Mauser is another story. Maybe even a Mosin. Absolutely a 1903A3. Shot enough Lee-Enfields in the Queen's Service.
Wrong time of year for used stuff in gun shops. Just after deer season is the time for looking in them.

 

[Inebriated]

The $500 likely will be just for the rifle, then save up again for glass.

Savage Hog Hunter and a Boyd's stock. $550 total, and you have irons while you save for glass. Won't have to change barrel, trigger, bolt knob.... Just stock, glass, and find ammo it likes.

 

[ranger56528]

I have a 12LRP in 6.5 Creedmoor topped with a Vortex 6.5-20x50, spent about 1600.00 for everything definitely a shooter,little heavy for yote hunting but would be nice in a fixed blind but that's what the 22-250 is for.
Good luck on your quest.

 

[SavageShooter2k]

You're correct about the budget. I left it out to see what ideas would come across. I prefer to stay in the $500 range, but could go a little above if that's what it takes to get what I want out of it.

With that budget in mind I would recommend the HOWA Targetmaster package. It is $699 and comes with a 20" heavy barrel HOWA 1500 action in a pillar bedded Hogue stock, Bipod, detachable mag kit,and a Nikko Sterling Target master scope. The whole package is $699 at Buds gun shop the only problem is it is out of stock right now. I had one two years ago. The scope is not a big name scope but it has nice glass, very nice turrets, and considering the entire package its a good deal. My average 5 shot groups using Federal Gold medal match would be .600"-1.1" if I shot 5 different groups 90% of them would be sub MOA. It also has a really nice factory trigger. You can find them on Gun broker as well. I also had no problem carrying it around in the field hunting and made a heck of a standing shot on a hog laser confirmed 175 yards out that dropped him in his tracks with some hornady SST ammo.