If you could choose a budget target rifle?

[FindANewSlant]

I always vote Ruger. Specifically I would vote Ruger American in .308, or .223 if you'd prefer.

 

[LoonWulf]

Questionable quality at the price point is also probably not really a fair statement either.

I very much agree, when they work they are just as good if not better than any of the rifles in their price range. .
My major issue with Remingtons is that their quality control seems to be extremely inconsistent.
Id be happy with a 300-400 Rem even if i had to do a little work on it, but once they get into the 700-800 dollar range I think there are other options that are less of a gamble......I actually happen to like Remingtons stocks, and triggers....go figure

he savage I'm looking at is a 12fv. Cant find it in the savage catalog but that is the rifle listed on sale a cabelas and I cant find any specs on it other than it's a button barrel. It's only available in 6.5 and 308. Sooo... idk

Were it ME buying, id be getting THIS rifle, probably in 6.5, but thats just because i have no love for the .308. That gun should has some features i much prefer to the others, and has the best upgrade path of the lot for the home gunsmith.

 

[BWS]

Notice,the R700 ADL's are 12 twist.... which is what "I" was looking for. I shoot cast bullets out of it at pretty durn high velocity. Am fire forming cases now at 2500fps and will end up around 26-2700 fps. And NO,am not trying to convince anyone of a dang thing...... it's what I do.

The R700 just happens to be the cheapest,best supported factory 12 twist,with over 22" barrel/s.I have a 12T CZ.... and an very early,"flat back" stainless #16 Savage(forget the twist),both 223,both are tack drivers. Amongst dzs of other rigs.

Did try something different with this 700. I cerakoted the factory barrel and action,right out of the box.Meaning other than very careful chemical prep,no other attempts were made with further abrasive measures. Which also figured in on the decision for the 700. Their bead blasted factory finish just invites rust,even the stainless. So,am trying a test with the cerakote.It WILL see rain and snow.... without a whole lot of attention.

Even kept the tupperware stock. We have a very easy to use fixture that inlets barrel channels on a Bridgeport. Opened up barrel channel to "my" specs,and bedded action with Smooth-On EA40. Shot the stock with adhesion promoter and then the color I wanted. Understand that I can build stocks from the ground up to include carbon fibre(we build traditional bows,gunstocks are easy peasy comparatively).... but,I like varmint and predator hunting in nasty conditions. And prefer jacked up cast bullets and factory,more or less,rifles.

 

[Bfh_auto]

I hated Remington's new trigger. With a trigger and bedding job, they're great.
Axis needs a bedding job and trigger work.
I would go 243 or 223 if buying ammo. Fast twist 22-250 if handloading.

 

[CoalTrain49]

You might want to look at building your own rifle. I have a Howa 1500 (.223 HB) in a Bell and Carlson stock.

https://www.bellandcarlson.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_ID=1078

Brownells has sales on barreled actions occasionally. Match that up with a good tactical stock and you have a winner.

My prefered match there would be any Heavy barreled action in a good aftermarket stock. Nothing wrong with buying a rifle with one of those cheap overmolded stocks but sooner or later you will replace it if you shoot a lot. Why not spend the money up front and enjoy the whole experience. I probably have 3K rounds thru this rifle already and only owned it a little over a year. I really like shooting it.

 

[someguy2800]

If you add shooting steel to paper punching a 6.5 will be more satisfying to shoot. Ammo is twice as expensive though even if you handload.

Not to disparage those that have and like them, but I wouldn’t take an axis for free. Just doesn’t do anything for me. I was also going to recommend a savage 12fv but the stock is a throwaway item for me and that makes it less attractive. Should also note the 12fv is not the same as the other model 12 actions. They are not as nicely machined and they are not blued. They have the same matte textured spray finish as an axis.

 

[Bushpilot]

Not to disparage those that have and like them, but I wouldn’t take an axis for free. Just doesn’t do anything for me.

I really don't like the Axis. I don't like the way they look, the stock, the bolt handle or the way the recoil lug is separate from the action. However, I'd be lying if I said the ones that I shot didn't shoot well because they did.

 

[Good Ol' Boy]

This is mine....







Axis gen1 in .308 with a Mcarbo trigger kit and some polishing. With a 4-12x40 it's good enough for a cheap rifle. No precision gun but good hunter or hole poker.

And doesn't get much more "budget" than that...

 

[Bushpilot]

The heavy barrel Axis I shot in 6.5 CM consistently shot sub 1 inch groups at 100 yards.... Hard to beat that for the price...

 

[Sappyg2.0]

After careful consideration of the best advise available here I chose the Remington 700v ADL in 223.

Cabelas had one today at $450. Their savage 12fv was $420. The Remington was clearly worth $30 to me. Now, that trigger is going to need some attention but it is good enough for now though I suspect it is going to be the 1st upgrade.

I actually like the stock but time will tell. A budget scope is on the horizon. I'm not going to need a high speed low drag reticle or high feature controls. Good or better glass quality is in order. Magnification should top out between 16-24 power. 30mm tube is a given. This leupold VX1 3x9 isnt going to cut it.

 

[VoodooMountain]

Glad you found a rifle you like.

Just curious
Why does the 700 feel like more gun to you?

 

[Sappyg2.0]

Meh... it's not a feel as I haven't shot it yet. My friends Axis, which I used to own, does not have a solid feel and the magazine is causing issues for him now. I have literally watched him fire a 20 round group that I thought were 2 different loads. There were 2 seperate groups. I sold it to buy the 1st of 2 Americans that I currently own.

They really do feel great but dont offer a heavy barrel option. I think the factory stock would fall short if they did. Plus, I'm not a fan of Rugers rotary mag.

This ADL is a budget rifle but the stock does feel solid. I like the blind magazine even though it will be used as a single shot most of the time. I doubt it breaks and I sure cant loose it. IMO the trigger is the heaviest of the 3 but it is clean and a YouTube video away from being a good bit better.

 

[Legionnaire]

Thanks for the update. I think you made a good choice. Remingtons are fun to tweak and tune.

 

[Newtosavage]

300 yards or less and no energy requirements?
223 all day long for ammo cost and low recoil.

Can't disagree with this logic, or a Howa Mini in 7.62x39. Both make excellent 300- affordable range calibers IMO.

 

[VoodooMountain]

Meh... it's not a feel as I haven't shot it yet. My friends Axis, which I used to own, does not have a solid feel and the magazine is causing issues for him now. I have literally watched him fire a 20 round group that I thought were 2 different loads. There were 2 seperate groups. I sold it to buy the 1st of 2 Americans that I currently own.

They really do feel great but dont offer a heavy barrel option. I think the factory stock would fall short if they did. Plus, I'm not a fan of Rugers rotary mag.

This ADL is a budget rifle but the stock does feel solid. I like the blind magazine even though it will be used as a single shot most of the time. I doubt it breaks and I sure cant loose it. IMO the trigger is the heaviest of the 3 but it is clean and a YouTube video away from being a good bit better.

I'm confused. Are you speaking against the savage because of the axis or the ruger because of the rotary mags ?

Also, both savage and ruger offer heavy barrel options. In fact, the model 12 savage is only offered in a heavy barrel configuration.

The 700 is a solid choice and the only wrong decision would be putting down money on something you don't want.

 

[Sappyg2.0]

I'm not speaking against anything in particular.

I asked a question and the response was welcomed

AFAIK the American isnt offered in a heavy barrel... RPR not withstanding. And, I've mentioned several times in this thread that I don't care for the rotary rotary magazines by ruger.

Simply, the Remington appeared to be the better choice for my use given the advise offered here. Frankly, I felt bias toward the ruger. They are that good. I also mentioned that I'm not so impressed with the accuracy of my other 700 early on. I dont know if it's a better rifle than the other options. It is the better choice for me. Or, at least I think it is.

 

[Newtosavage]

I had a 700 recently and found the trigger adjustment simple. You just have to void the factory warranty by drilling out the material they put over the adjustment screw. Once I did that, it shot very well.

 

[Bushpilot]

Congrats on the new rifle... A friend of mine recently bought the exact same rifle and his shot some really good groups right out of the box with some flat base 55 gr factory loads ...

 

[Jessesky]

If you must have a new rifle, I love the Ruger American for the money. BUT, and I highly suggest this, buy a used rifle on gunbroker or from your shop. Precision rifles don’t hold their value as well as other firearms simply because people like to make them to their own ideal specs. If you find one that “works” for you, you can get a huge bang for your buck. They’re kind of like cars, you’ll never get out what you put into them, and once you drive it off the lot then it’s used. But you can take advantage of that

 

[ForsakenPDW]

For 300 yards or less 223/556 and i recommend the Remington 700 SPS-SD-AAC it comes with a 20" heavy treated barrel and a decent stock for that range. And for the scope, a Primary Arms 4x14-44 FFP HUD DMR.

 

[Sappyg2.0]

And for the scope, a Primary Arms 4x14-44 FFP HUD DMR.

Interesting. I am looking at a lot of scope options. Oh my.... I currently have a vx1 3x9 mounted on the new rifle. I've only shot it at 100 yards so far (before the trigger work described by newtosavage) and all I'll admit to ATM is that the rifle goes bang in spite of the factory trigger.

If I replace the scope I'm not sure if FFP is the best solution for the rifle. It will be used from 100 to 300 yards from a bench so top shelf quality isnt paramount. I'm more than willing to give up magnification for clarity at 300 yards.

 

[ForsakenPDW]

4x14 is great for 1000 yards, and at 300 yards things will look as clear as noon.

 

[Sappyg2.0]

So it's been 4 months and roughly 600 rounds down range with the budget target rifle. I'm happy and learned along the way.

A second hand stock and bottom metal purchased from a club member added another $250. Money well spent by the way. I added a Nikon SFP F1000 4-16x50 MOA scope for 5 bills and feel that for the money there wasn't a better choice. It has done a great job on overcast, foggy, rainy days and tracks without issue. Its reliable and clear.

The factory trigger had to go. I wound up installing a rifle basix trigger by pure happenstance after I stalling one of their triggers in a 455 CZ. Believe me, customer service is beyond exeptional. The price for what you get makes this trigger a bargain .

So... my bargain target gun came in near $1350 lock stock and barrel. Not bad at all. From the start I thought is was going to be a shooter. Each range trip and each new hand load showed potential. Somewhere around 300 rounds fired the magic really started to show. 1 1/2" groups (3 rounds) at 300 yards is what you can expect even in the worst weather most would never bother shooting in. 10 shot groups are hanging around the 4" mark. Shoot, I'm hanging with guys that have 10 times the experience I have. I won't shoot them for money though.

 

[Doc7]

Awesome!!!

 

[Newtosavage]

If all I was going to do was poke holes in paper at 300 yards, I'd get a Savage 12FV in .223, and enjoy the cheap and abundant ammo. No question about it.