Need a cheap long range rifle...
- Thread starter Loanshark
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rbernie
Contributing Member
Depends on your defintition of 'long range'. If you're like most, a Savage 10 chambered in 223 is about as accuate and inexpensive as you can get for target shooting. But if your idea of long distance extends much past 600 yards or if shooting at game is included in the mix, you'll likely want a larger/more powerful round and possibly a more expensive rifle to match it.
Brian Williams
Moderator Emeritus
NEF Handi rifle in 308 or 243. Get a scope that will cost about 2 times what the gun cost and you will be in business, a good Leupold, Nikon, or Zeiss scope. You will have a good long range gun.
Second look a Savage rifles in 308.
Second look a Savage rifles in 308.
Plain Old Bill
Member
Mosin Nagant Finnish Model 39.
USSR
Member
Loanshark,
Some definitions that you may or may not agree with, but are generally held by long range shooters.
Long Range = 600 - 1000 yards.
Inexpensive = Not cheap, but costing less than the better, more expensive alternatives.
Accurate = .75MOA with factory target grade ammo (Fed GMM or Black Hills) and .5MOA with quality reloads.
Inexpensive to shoot = Reloading with quality components.
Both Savage and Remington make bolt action rifles with heavy contour barrels in .308 that will meet your requirements. Hope that helps.
Don
MrDig
Member
Man did you open a can of worms. A lot of brand name arguments could come up here. Not to mention Caliber
What are you shooting at and what kind of Long Range?
Savage and Weatherby, (Howa 1500 lightnings are the same as Weatherby Vanguards)make good entry level bolt actions that shoot well out of the box. Remington makes a number of them too, I just don't like remingtons, the 700 series of rifles are worth looking at, again I just don't like them. $350.00 - $499.00 depending on caliber and features.
Stick with common calibers for easy prices on ammo, 223/5.56 , .243 , .308/7.62x51 for nothing bigger than a White tail deer. 30.06, 7mm, 300 winmag, if you are shooting larger game. You will need to reload to get 300 winmag or 7mm inexpensive enough to shoot frequently.
You may also want to look into Military Surplus rifles, I like my Ishapore .308's, $179.00 range.
Mausers $99.00 - $180 are generaly inexpensive and shoot well but getting a good flat shooter with any Mil-Surp may take buying two or three thus making it simpler to buy a NIB Sporting rifle.
Good Sources for Military surplus:
Samco Global Arms http://www.samcoglobal.com/ (6.5 Swede's are fine shooters)
AIM Surplus http://www.aimsurplus.com/
J&G Sales http://www.jgsales.com/
H&R NEF makes a dandy single shot break action rifle in the $250.00 range
They are available most calibers and in all that are considered flat shooters. I own one in .243 with a heavy barrel and I love it.
I don't know the price range of other single shot rifles but they make for an interesting challenge when you only get one shot.
Keep in mind none of this is Gospel and or divinely inspired, it is not written in Stone either. Mostly General concensus and generalizations since you did not say what you would be doing with said rifle.
What are you shooting at and what kind of Long Range?
Savage and Weatherby, (Howa 1500 lightnings are the same as Weatherby Vanguards)make good entry level bolt actions that shoot well out of the box. Remington makes a number of them too, I just don't like remingtons, the 700 series of rifles are worth looking at, again I just don't like them. $350.00 - $499.00 depending on caliber and features.
Stick with common calibers for easy prices on ammo, 223/5.56 , .243 , .308/7.62x51 for nothing bigger than a White tail deer. 30.06, 7mm, 300 winmag, if you are shooting larger game. You will need to reload to get 300 winmag or 7mm inexpensive enough to shoot frequently.
You may also want to look into Military Surplus rifles, I like my Ishapore .308's, $179.00 range.
Mausers $99.00 - $180 are generaly inexpensive and shoot well but getting a good flat shooter with any Mil-Surp may take buying two or three thus making it simpler to buy a NIB Sporting rifle.
Good Sources for Military surplus:
Samco Global Arms http://www.samcoglobal.com/ (6.5 Swede's are fine shooters)
AIM Surplus http://www.aimsurplus.com/
J&G Sales http://www.jgsales.com/
H&R NEF makes a dandy single shot break action rifle in the $250.00 range
They are available most calibers and in all that are considered flat shooters. I own one in .243 with a heavy barrel and I love it.
I don't know the price range of other single shot rifles but they make for an interesting challenge when you only get one shot.
Keep in mind none of this is Gospel and or divinely inspired, it is not written in Stone either. Mostly General concensus and generalizations since you did not say what you would be doing with said rifle.
Last edited:
chrisslamar
Member
how cheap
I agree with bill in saying you should go with a Mosin, but its depends on how cheap you want to go. if you want to spend next to nothing get a Russian 91/30 (which can be had for under $100, and are still very accurate) if you're willing to part with a bit more go with the Finn like bill said. hope this helps.
I agree with bill in saying you should go with a Mosin, but its depends on how cheap you want to go. if you want to spend next to nothing get a Russian 91/30 (which can be had for under $100, and are still very accurate) if you're willing to part with a bit more go with the Finn like bill said. hope this helps.
Zullo74
member
Not much to add to what is already said, except that to be proficient at long range shooting involves just as much time as money. Actually, the ammunition will be as big an expense as the rifle and the scope.
You will also need access to a range that has a berm or target stand out to the distance with which you want to be proficient. It's hard to make a 600 yard shooter out of yourself at a 100 yard range, though not impossible, I guess...
You will also need access to a range that has a berm or target stand out to the distance with which you want to be proficient. It's hard to make a 600 yard shooter out of yourself at a 100 yard range, though not impossible, I guess...
USSR
Member
Zullo74,
Not talking about the Highpower definition of long range, since Loanshark made no reference to shooting in any form of competition with the rifle. I shoot F Class which is shot at either 600 yards or 1,000 yards. I merely threw out that range of yardage, as some shooters think that 500 yards is long range.
Don
Outlaws
Member
lol....500 yards is a long ways for most people. -"long range" or not.
USSR
Member
How true!
Don
Davo
Member
rangerruck
Member
Savage or nef or h&r in 223 or 308, or 30.06 These rounds are the cheapest out there, ixcept for 762.39. but that is not an accurate, long range round.
The Savage combo package , with the scope allready on it, boresighted, is a super tough deal to beat.
The Savage combo package , with the scope allready on it, boresighted, is a super tough deal to beat.
mustanger98
Member
No.4 Mk1/Mk2 British Enfields come to mind. My Mk2 came with the 1200yd micrometer sight.
For .303British factory ammo, check out PMP's 174gr offering in either SP or BT-FMJ. For Handloads, the Hornady 5th Edition manual lists some 174grainers that may be appropriate to whatever version of "long range" shooting the OP is thinking of.
I also thought of the 1903A3, but the rear sight doesn't have micrometer clicks. However, the 1903 A1/A2's sights will do it... US Marines were making kills to 750yds at Belleu Wood with 03A1's. Also, if a scope is absolutely required, the 1903A4 (sniper) might be appropriate.
I'm not knocking the M-N 91/30 (Russian or Finn) and S-R K31, but I have no experience with those and know more about American, British, and German rifles. And notice I stuck to crankbolts. However, I wouldn't discount an M1 Garand.
For .303British factory ammo, check out PMP's 174gr offering in either SP or BT-FMJ. For Handloads, the Hornady 5th Edition manual lists some 174grainers that may be appropriate to whatever version of "long range" shooting the OP is thinking of.
I also thought of the 1903A3, but the rear sight doesn't have micrometer clicks. However, the 1903 A1/A2's sights will do it... US Marines were making kills to 750yds at Belleu Wood with 03A1's. Also, if a scope is absolutely required, the 1903A4 (sniper) might be appropriate.
I'm not knocking the M-N 91/30 (Russian or Finn) and S-R K31, but I have no experience with those and know more about American, British, and German rifles. And notice I stuck to crankbolts. However, I wouldn't discount an M1 Garand.
Zullo74
member
Don,
Since Loanshark made no mention of NRA competition, how can YOU assume he isn't going to try some competition with the rifle he chooses?
As for NRA F-class, I think you had better get yourself a rule book there pardner. Check the F-class section. F-class can be shot at 300-500-600-800-900-1000 yards. Here is a link to the rule....Click Here
aaronrkelly
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This is my NEF Handi-Rifle bull barrel in .223 - it cost me $205. I added a cheapy Barska scope and rings for less then $75.
Cheapy .223 cost $5 a box at Wal-Mart.....I dont think you can shoot any other domestic centerfire cartridge any cheaper. This gun should be good for 300 yards easily.
Cheapy .223 cost $5 a box at Wal-Mart.....I dont think you can shoot any other domestic centerfire cartridge any cheaper. This gun should be good for 300 yards easily.
Smokey Joe
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Oxymoron
Loanshark--
Now, if by your post you mean a military surplus rifle with which to reliably kill deer at 100m, that you can do for cheap. But the other end of the seesaw, is, well, the other end of the seesaw.
Mebbe if you could clarify yr intent here, we could be more specific in trying to help. We're not trying to be nasty here, or make you feel badly.
Loanshark--
Unless you define "cheap" and "long range" and "accurate" a lot differently than most folks, there just ain't no such beast. Sorry to rain on yr parade. Honestly accurate (as opposed to minute-of-deer) costs money. A long range shooting rifle (as opposed to 100-200m) costs money. You have to use quality ammo, either bought or handloaded, or you're wasting your range time. That'll cost money too. And, as several posters have pointed out, you have to train yourself to use this quality stuff, so it'll cost you time and commitment as well.
Now, if by your post you mean a military surplus rifle with which to reliably kill deer at 100m, that you can do for cheap. But the other end of the seesaw, is, well, the other end of the seesaw.
Mebbe if you could clarify yr intent here, we could be more specific in trying to help. We're not trying to be nasty here, or make you feel badly.
USSR
Member
Zullo74,
Loanshark made no mention of shooting grizzly bears either, maybe we should assume he intends to do that as well? I don't know what distance you shoot F Class in Florida, but we shoot at 1k up here (The Original Pennsylvania 1000 yard Benchrest Club). I have talked to other F Class shooters who are only able to shoot at 600 yards due to range limitations. In any case, the distance pemitted in any formal competition is irrelevant to Loanshark's very simple question:
I simply gave a generic definition, IMHO, as to what constitutes long range in a non-competitive environment.
Don
Loanshark made no mention of shooting grizzly bears either, maybe we should assume he intends to do that as well? I don't know what distance you shoot F Class in Florida, but we shoot at 1k up here (The Original Pennsylvania 1000 yard Benchrest Club). I have talked to other F Class shooters who are only able to shoot at 600 yards due to range limitations. In any case, the distance pemitted in any formal competition is irrelevant to Loanshark's very simple question:
I simply gave a generic definition, IMHO, as to what constitutes long range in a non-competitive environment.
Don
armoredman
Member
If you want to shoot 500+yards, cheap is out the window, unless you define the $2500+ price tag I saw on an AR50 at Sportsmans Warehouse to be "cheap".
As to Enfields, well, I only shoot at 100 yards, (no longer ranges I can get to easily), and she'll do wonders at that range - my $50 No4Mk1*.
As to Enfields, well, I only shoot at 100 yards, (no longer ranges I can get to easily), and she'll do wonders at that range - my $50 No4Mk1*.
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