Cheap and accurate bolt gun for 100-400 yd practice

[ShooterMcGavin]

I'm looking for some recommendations... I have a bolt gun that will send rounds further out than 400 yds, but that gets expensive to shoot. I want something that is cheaper, to use for fun and practice, but still accurate around 100-400 yds. Because I want this for "cheap" shooting, I am thinking 5.56mm. I am certainly willing to buy used. I think I'd like to keep the rifle down below $600, so that I can still spend about the same for glass.

What would you recommend as a great deal in this category?

 

[Crowcifier666]

I hear good things about the Ruger American...maybe used Gunsite Scout (love mine in .308).

CZ makes a nice bolt gun. They're probably the route I'll go when I get to picking out a 5.56 bolt gun.

 

[ShooterMcGavin]

Thanks. Good ideas. Yeah, I think a CZ would be a good bet.

 

[farmerboy78]

I would say an ar in .223 with 77gr bullets

 

[ShooterMcGavin]

I would say an ar in .223 with 77gr bullets

It's a good suggestion, but I really like the feel of a bolt gun. It is just more fun to shoot and cycle the action by hand

 

[bikemutt]

Savage 10 will do the trick. Dick's just had a sale where one with an OK 4-12x42 Bushnell could be had for $399. I've owned the CZ 527 in .223 and found the rifle to be a decent value although my specimen proved to not be very accurate. I also have a Ruger Scout in .556 that is a tack driver but it's not a cheap rifle and mine is partial to nothing heavier than 55 grain bullets.

I'm looking at a Ruger Predator in .223 myself, $360 new. The stock is not something I care for but that can be replaced for $150 or so by a Boyd's for example.

If I didn't already own the Savage, that's what I'd buy.

 

[ShooterMcGavin]

I'd like to get something that will do less than 1 MOA at 100 yds. Ideally (hand loads, excellent glass, etc.), I would like 0.5 MOA, eventually. Am I asking too much or can I get close to that with some of those suggestions?

 

[d2wing]

The Remington 783 is said to be vary accurate. I have not shot one. You might find a Tikka T3 used, they have a MOA guarantee as do some Thompson Center and Weatherbye Rifles.

 

[jogar80]

Mossberg patriot. Great price, looks nice, shoots nice.

 

[zb338]

Buy a good used M-1 Garand. Have a gunsmith glass bed it
and trick it out a little, and away you go.

Zeke

 

[bikemutt]

My Savage will do 1/2" or better groups at 100 yards with match ammo. It is more accurate than I am.

 

[loose noose]

Likewise, with bike mutt, my Savage Model 10 will put three rounds in a neat little clover leaf (one hole) at 100 yards, Paid only $300.00 and got a Leopold on sale for $199.00. I do like the adjustable trigger on the Savage. Note I shoot hand loads exclusively.

 

[Gtscotty]

You could get a Tikka T3 in .223 for under $600. If you shop around you might even be able to find a slightly used stainless version for under your price limit. They used 1 in 8 and 1 in 10 barrels with the Tikkas, although neither would be a deal breaker for shooting out to 400 yds.

Also, the new Howa Mini action rifle is new on the market. They are 1 in 9 twist, and while there aren't many reviews out there yet, I'll bet they will be pretty good shooters, especially for under $400.

 

[Cowhide Cliff]

I have to second the Ruger American. I also have one in 308 that I bought cheap on sale at Rural King just to have a cheap truck gun. Put a new Redfield scope on it I found in the bargain cave at Cabelas, had some burris rings laying around.

I have to say it is the most accurate out of the box rifle I have ever owned. I have less than 500 in the whole setup and it will out shoot rifles that cost four times that.

It is not picky about ammo either, I've ran several different 308 loads I had loaded up for various guns and the Ruger American will shoot any of it.

Shot two deer with it last weekend, both shots went exactly where I was aiming.

 

[buschris]

for the cost of the rifle , plus the scope and any ammo you'd shoot... why bother.?

 

[dh1633pm]

I bought a Savage 110FP in 223 used. It has a heavy barrel. Its a shooter. There are many choices in this area. This was my solution. I shoot heavier bullets in the 68,69 range with W748. Most at F-Class where I go shoot 223 using about the same bullets as me, but with CFE powder. Like always, I have to go my own route.

 

[farmerboy78]

I have several savages, all of them are submoa! With handloads you can get them to around 1/2 moa or better... but get one of the better savages

 

[jmr40]

Ruger American Predator. A little more expensive than the standard version but with a heavier medium weight barrel. Mine in 308 is a $400 tackdriver. They offer it in 223 as well as 6.5 Creedmore, 243, 22-250 and 204.

http://ruger.com/products/americanRiflePredator/models.html

 

[raubvogel]

As a FYI, there are some sales going on right now on bolt guns

 

[Crowcifier666]

Only thing that's really stopping me on the Ruger American, is that god awful stock. At least the OEM stocks on my Mini-14 and GSR are half-ass tasteful.

 

[Overkill870]

I have experience with the savage 110, savage axis, and ruger american predator (rimfire). They are all very accurate and excellent value. I think it's hard to go wrong with savage or ruger in this price range.

 

[CApighunter]

I've got a mossberg MVP in 5.56 and it's a tack driver with 50 gr vmax.

 

[bluzman]

Another vote for the CZ 527. Mine is a .223 carbine.

 

[SlowFuse]

Weatherby Vanguard in 223 or 308 would be my choice.

 

[FROGO207]

Another vote for Savage. IMHO they give you the most value for each dollar spent. Also they produce the most accurate long gun straight out of the box today and have been doing it for years. Lets say that I have been pleasantly surprised with the accuracy compared to other friends rifles that cost 2X or 3X more and are less accurate. 223, 243, or 308 would be my choices for a caliber FWIW.