Build me a Rifle!

Status
Not open for further replies.
W

WoodchuckAssassin

Member
Joined
Apr 5, 2012
Messages
821
Location
Lynchburg, VA
Ok folks, I’ve decided that instead of buying one of every type of rifle ever made, I would somehow combine my favorite designs into one all-purpose rifle. The problem is, I can’t seem to hunt one down that satisfies enough of my criteria to spend $600 that I probably should be saving for something like food, shelter, and other minor conveniences. Here’s a list of what I’m looking for, and I would greatly appreciate your help in finding me the “perfect” rifle…or at least something close to it.


Caliber: .243 (possibly consider a 25-06, but I prefer a short action).

Stock: Walnut – absolutely no synthetics. Pistol-grip if possible.

Action: Bolt – 70 degree, but 90 would also do. I don’t like the 60 degree or T-bolts on the Browning’s. I really like the Mauser action on the Ruger M77’s, but wouldn’t mind a more Remington-style action.

Barrel: 22 inch or shorter (God help me I love those carbines). I’ll mainly be using 70-80 grain bullets on varmints, so a 1:9 or 1:10 twist would work best. A free floated barrel is a must, but if there is a rifle that will easily accept a bedding/float job, then I’d be open minded about it.

Finish: Stainless would be wonderful…but I don’t think I can afford it, so a nice glossy bluing would be best. I’m not a huge fan of mate-blued finishes.

Length of pull: Most rifles seem to be around 13¾, but anything close to that is fine.

Magazine: I’ve always used a box magazine, and while I know it’s a matter of preference, I’m open to any and all opinions.

New vs. Used?: I love a well maintained used gun (since the price is lower), but a new rifle is really what I’m looking for.

Price: $600, $650 after tax. I can’t afford to go any higher than that, so pleeeeeease don’t tempt me!

Well, there it is. I would rather not be schooled on caliber selection or the benefits of synthetic over walnut. I’m aware that there are many very capable calibers and stock selection, but I’d like to keep those two aspects of the gun out of it. All other suggestions are welcomed! Thank you for your help, and I look forward to seeing what my rifle will be!
 
WoodchuckAssassin said:
Ok folks, I’ve decided that instead of buying one of every type of rifle ever made, I would somehow combine my favorite designs into one all-purpose rifle. The problem is, I can’t seem to hunt one down that satisfies enough of my criteria to spend $600 that I probably should be saving for something like food, shelter, and other minor conveniences. Here’s a list of what I’m looking for, and I would greatly appreciate your help in finding me the “perfect” rifle…or at least something close to it.


Caliber: .243 (possibly consider a 25-06, but I prefer a short action).

Stock: Walnut – absolutely no synthetics. Pistol-grip if possible.

Action: Bolt – 70 degree, but 90 would also do. I don’t like the 60 degree or T-bolts on the Browning’s. I really like the Mauser action on the Ruger M77’s, but wouldn’t mind a more Remington-style action.

Barrel: 22 inch or shorter (God help me I love those carbines). I’ll mainly be using 70-80 grain bullets on varmints, so a 1:9 or 1:10 twist would work best. A free floated barrel is a must, but if there is a rifle that will easily accept a bedding/float job, then I’d be open minded about it.

Finish: Stainless would be wonderful…but I don’t think I can afford it, so a nice glossy bluing would be best. I’m not a huge fan of mate-blued finishes.

Length of pull: Most rifles seem to be around 13¾, but anything close to that is fine.

Magazine: I’ve always used a box magazine, and while I know it’s a matter of preference, I’m open to any and all opinions.

New vs. Used?: I love a well maintained used gun (since the price is lower), but a new rifle is really what I’m looking for.

Price: $600, $650 after tax. I can’t afford to go any higher than that, so pleeeeeease don’t tempt me!

Well, there it is. I would rather not be schooled on caliber selection or the benefits of synthetic over walnut. I’m aware that there are many very capable calibers and stock selection, but I’d like to keep those two aspects of the gun out of it. All other suggestions are welcomed! Thank you for your help, and I look forward to seeing what my rifle will be!
Click to expand...
Thompson Center Icon, walnut and blued w/ box mag in .243 win $600 or less. Checkered stock, gorgeous bolt, and is already bedded. Let us not forget 5R rifling!!! Check out the review in truthaboutguns.com.
 
"Build a rifle"!

You need to earn some more money.

Meanwhile just use what you have or buy a used gun.
 
I couldn't agree with you more, but I don't think I'm the only one. Haha. The only other rifles I own are two 22's - an old ithaca single shot and a ruger 10/22. Both great guns, but I need something that can shoot MOA out 150 or 200 yards.

I'm not opposed to a used gun, not by a long shot. What would you recommend?

Oh, and I love the idea of the Thompson Center Icon. I can only find them for something closer to $800. What's the bolt style on the Icon? I'm interested as to the benefits of 5R rifling. While I know nothing about it, I'm completely in love with the idea for some reason.
 
something that can shoot MOA out 150 or 200 yards.
Click to expand...
MOA is MOA

Check out the Remington LSS , you will be cutting it close on the price point but if you ever go to resell it 700's are in demand on the used market.
 
You should be able to find a used 700 ADL AND put decent glass on it for around that price point. Over time, as money permits, the stock and optics can be upgraded, and you can even get it rebarreled to another caliber. Their are currently several on Gunbroker with walnut stocks and blued finishes around $300 currently. If you can scrape up another $400 you can get a Zeiss Conquest 3x9. Alternatively, the Refield Revolutions are good for the money, and sometimes you'll find a deal on a Leupold VX-II

Rifle ~$300 and scopes between $200 and $400. That gets you right in your sweet spot
 
Just don't buy a $500 rifle and put a $100 scope on it. A Leupold VX2 or Zeiss Conquest are nice scopes.
 
Woodchuck, checkout gunsamerica.com I'm sure you can find a decent rifle in .243/25-06/6mm for around $350-$400, and put a decent scope on it for any where from $150 to $200. Most rifles are in NRA 90-95% condition which means just about new. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to get a decent set-up for under $600.00. Of course if you are one of those snooty hunters that only the best will do, then ya might just want to save another $600, and get a more expensive rifle that won't do ya any better. Trust me I'm your doctor.;)
 
Building a rifle...it takes time and money.

I'm almost done with one that I've been working on for a while...it started as a new (FN) Winchester Ultimate Shadow in 30-06.

It has taken nearly $2,000 and over a year to build "my" perfect hunting rifle...I'd post a pic, but I'm still waiting on the stock to arrive (should be here in October)

And thats not exactly "building" a rifle...its just "putting one together"...actually building one from a custom action all the way up would run closer to $4,000 for one built on a quality action.

There is a good deal of satisfaction that comes from making one "just the way you want it"...its worth the $$$ and the time to have a rifle that TRULY fits you.
 
WoodchuckAssassin, excuse me for saying so but you're a mite particular for someone with a thin wallet and, from the sound of it, not a lot of experience. Find your self a good, used Remington 700 or Model 7 (you like carbines) in 243. That should give you a good, solid, scoped rifle within your budget. Good Luck in your search...
 
IMO,
for $600, thereabouts, you will end up with something that might hit a pie plate at 200 yards.

If you want accuracy, you must either pay more or know how to do trigger work, glass bedding, free-floating the barrel, etc. Also, I would consider spending about that much on a decent scope, mount and rings, if you want a rifle that is accurate every time you shoot it and it is something that would be easy to sight-in and stay sighted-in.

If you have lots of time and money to burn up a lot of ammo, chasing bullet holes all over the target and you are not the type to get frustrated because you cannot seem to get the scope "settled-in" on any particular spot at, say 100 to 200 yards, then having an inexpensive scope may not be a problem for you. I know I am not satisfied when I have a scope like that. :banghead:
 
Woodchuckassassin;

There's a gun out there that's 90% of what you say you want. Take a good long look at, and probably for, a used Remington 788 in 6mm Remington. The 6mm is everything the .243 wants to be when it grows up. It's a detachable magazine & very good extras are available through gunparts.com.

Or, the .243 is based on the .308 case & the 6mm is based on the 7 X 57mm Mauser case. The 6 has both a larger case and a longer neck, that makes reloading the 6 a matter of more and better options. It's possible to find 788's within your budget number without having to hire the CIA to do the search. They can be outstandingly accurate without having to fund a gunsmith's tuition to Harvard.

No pistol grips with the original stock, and the action's the same length for any cartridge the gun was made with.

900F
 
Thanks for all the advice. I realize I’m a little picky…and my wallet is a little thin…but what‘s wrong with wanting something of quality for $600? I guess those days are gone. I grew up on iron sights, so all your advice on scopes was very informative. I have an old Simmons scope, but perhaps it’s time for an upgrade. The Remington model 7 is beautiful and the perfect size, but for some reason I can’t shake my love affair with the Ruger m77 Hawkeye. I own the ruger 1911, a 10/22, and a SR9c for a brief time – and I’ve never been disappointed. I AM new to the arena of long range rifles, but certainly not to the world of shooting. Thanks again for the words of wisdom.
 
CB900F, It's funny that you mention the 788. My father's owned one in 22-250 for almost 30 years now. He always refered to it as "The Workhorse," and swears that's what everyone called them "Back in the Day." Haha. It's a fine rifle. I never thought of buying a 788, but now it's on my mind. I also never considered the 6mm round. How easy to find/expensive is it? One reason I settled on the .243 is because I can always grab a box at Walmart for $20.
 
With all due respect, it is not your fault that $600 will not likely buy everything to put together a perfect rifle for you. If this was in the 70's or early 80's, then it would cost much less to put what you want together!

Look around at EVERYTHING that was sold in the 70's compared to the prices of today. Mid-70's I was buying gas at around 30 cents per gallon. It was nothing to fill a huge gas tank in a 2.5 ton '70 Cadillac for less than ten dollars.

Look now at the junk from China, at first, those prices were all real cheap. Notice in the past year how the Chinese junk stuff is now fetching premium money, and the stuff is still built the same way, I call it "ticky-tacky."

No wonder it is difficult to make ends meet today with all the prices what they are, just for living, and I bet the cost of living over the next five years will be out of sight.

Sorry for the soap box, I digress.
If you are careful, you can build a nice rifle at a reasonable price, one that won't break the bank yet will be reliable for you to take accurate shots out several hundred yards.
 
Woodchuck, check Ammo to Go, and also Cheaper than Dirt, and also Sportsman's Guide, I noticed you can get .243 for as little as $13.95, and 6mm for as little as $23.95, at "Ammo to Go" but I've found they are a bit high. Anyway good luck in your choice of a hunting arm. Again I believe you can still get a decent rifle for under $600.00.
 
WoodchuckAssassin said:
"......I probably should be saving for something like food, shelter, and other minor conveniences.................."


Caliber: .243 (possibly consider a 25-06, but I prefer a short action).

Stock: Walnut – absolutely no synthetics. Pistol-grip if possible.

Action: Bolt – 70 degree, but 90 would also do. I don’t like the 60 degree or T-bolts on the Browning’s. I really like the Mauser action on the Ruger M77’s, but wouldn’t mind a more Remington-style action.

Barrel: 22 inch or shorter (God help me I love those carbines). I’ll mainly be using 70-80 grain bullets on varmints, so a 1:9 or 1:10 twist would work best. A free floated barrel is a must, but if there is a rifle that will easily accept a bedding/float job, then I’d be open minded about it.

Finish: Stainless would be wonderful…but I don’t think I can afford it, so a nice glossy bluing would be best. I’m not a huge fan of mate-blued finishes.

Length of pull: Most rifles seem to be around 13¾, but anything close to that is fine.

Magazine: I’ve always used a box magazine, and while I know it’s a matter of preference, I’m open to any and all opinions.

New vs. Used?: I love a well maintained used gun (since the price is lower), but a new rifle is really what I’m looking for.

Price: $600, $650 after tax. I can’t afford to go any higher than that, so pleeeeeease don’t tempt me!

Well, there it is. I would rather not be schooled on caliber selection or the benefits of synthetic over walnut. I’m aware that there are many very capable calibers and stock selection, but I’d like to keep those two aspects of the gun out of it. All other suggestions are welcomed! Thank you for your help, and I look forward to seeing what my rifle will be![/QUOTE

==================================================
Seems to me this one sentence implies a 'scenario' ......and this SCENARIO would only include a rifle, that is of THIRTY CALIBER.....for me!

Frankly, I am not sure there is anyone rifle that will Perform/serve all real or foreign issues but a .308 bullet comes awfully close to being the best, without over powering the shooter!


DO NOT OVER LOOK A 7600; I have a $1300 dollar rifle that has been for sale and I would accept a 7600 in partial trade! I have a 7600p/308 and I shot it SxS with my R5/308. At 200 yards ON A DOT NOT A "pie" TIN ....... Both groups would have put hole's in the heart of man or beast.
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
Woodchuckassassin;

Here's how I figure it. The 788 was available in both .243 & 6mm. Just don't turn up yer nose if you find one in 6mm, it's actually the better cartridge in a whole lotta folks opinion, mine included. Since the action length is going to be the same in either case, why not take the cartridge that can do more?

As far as finding ammo, I've never, ever, not seen it on the shelves of any gun shop or department worth the name. However, I reload my own, but I look anyway just 'cause ya know? And, as far as that goes, I've never had a problem finding new brass to reload either. And beyond that it uses the same bullets & can use many of the same powders, etc.. I don't shop for ammo online for obvious reasons, but on the shelves both of them run very close to one another in price. It seems to me that whatever bullet is loaded by the manufacturer has more to do with the price than cartridge differences.

900F
 
Best gun under $600 is without a doubt the Tikka T3 Hunter. Absolutely scary good for an inexpensive featherweight rifle. Other honorable mentions for that category are the TC Icon, Savage 110, and Weatherby Vanguard Series II.
I just found my new Winchester 70 Featherweight on sale for well under under $600 that is another great rifle if you can find one for that kind of money.
 
Kachok said:
Best gun under $600 is without a doubt the Tikka T3 Hunter. Absolutely scary good for an inexpensive featherweight rifle. Other honorable mentions for that category are the TC Icon, Savage 110, and Weatherby Vanguard Series II.
I just found my new Winchester 70 Featherweight on sale for well under under $600 that is another great rifle if you can find one for that kind of money.
Click to expand...
Second the Icon, Kachok. It's alot of gun for the money.

Chaser: IME, either a cheap rifle with good optics, or good optics and a cheap rifle...at $600 there's bound to be a trade off.
 
the best bet for your $ would be to find a $400 rifle and put a $200 bushnell fixed 10 mil/mil scope on it.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

U
  • Locked
Help me choose which Remington 700
Replies
9
Views
577
Gator 23
G
R
  • Locked
Rifle Recommendation Wanted: Off the beaten path
2
Replies
41
Views
1K
Zanad
Z
W
  • Locked
Spitzer 30-30 Ammo
Replies
22
Views
2K
WoodchuckAssassin
W
Olympus
  • Locked
Ruger American Magpul Hunter 6.5CM vs 308?
2 3
Replies
50
Views
2K
ColoradoMinuteMan
ColoradoMinuteMan
2
  • Locked
Help me spend my money ;-)
Replies
7
Views
614
ifit
I
Back
Top