New bolt action & glass around a grand.

[Dryft]

Hey folks,

It has come to my attention that I've been spending way too much time and effort thinking about what gun to get, and not enough time just getting out and shooting! (We can thank the wife.)

She's telling me to go get a rifle and have some fun, so here goes:

1. Bolt action centerfire. I shoot lefty, so a LH bolt would probably be preferred, but a RH wouldn't kill me.

2. Shot off a bench. This will be a target rifle, out to three hundred yards if I go to the better of two clubs I belong to. A lot of shooting will be at one hundred at my local. This will likely ONLY be shot off a bench or prone, so it doesn't need to go into the woods or anything. Not a hunting gun. Heavy barrel preferred.

3. Reasonable to shoot from a cost perspective. I DO NOT RELOAD, as of yet, so price per shot needs to be a consideration.

4. Glass. I know all the sayings that you should spend blah blah blah, but it would be nice to just have a good, reliable scope.

5. Upgrades. I'd prefer something that could be easily and enthusiastically upgraded over time! New scopes can always be bought, as can stocks. This is a rifle to shoot now and upgrade if I want.

Help me out folks! If you were going to spend about a grand on a rifle, scope, bipod, and some ammunition to get rolling with it, what would you get?

I know this question comes up often, but like I said, I've been thinking WAY too much about this, and could use some final advice. Rock and roll.

 

[Haxby]

Savage 223 Varminter LH
Weaver Grand Slam 6-20X40
Burris XT bases
Warne Maxima rings
Caldwell bipod

 

[CmdrSlander]

Savage Model 12 FLV in .223 topped with a Redfield "Battlezone" scope.

Left handed.

 

[jmr40]

If 100 yards is the max range you ever plan on shooting I'd be looking at a good 22 RF target gun.

 

[Reloadron]

Do what Haxby suggest. Shoot the rifle and be happy. A simple economical approach. No shortage of members in this forum and I have yet to hear one complain they bought a Savage rifle. Short of more elaborate calibers the .223 fits what you want as you mentioned 300 yards also. The .223 is simple and common so while there are others based on your post I vote with Haxby.

Just My Take....
Ron

 

[taliv]

Skip the bipod. Bags are free and better from a bench.

223 caliber

Get a target scope instead of a tactical one. You will get better glass and more reliability without paying for features you don't need

 

[B!ngo]

Tikka T3 Left Hand chambered in .223
Nikon M-223 scope (with BDC designed for .223)
Bags, no bipod

You will always own this gun.

B

 

[MrCleanOK]

If this is a bench/target gun, skip the left handed bolt. You can load/cycle a right handed bolt easily with your right hand, and for bench shooting a lot of people actually prefer a bolt they can work with their support hand.

 

[adelbridge]

I would look hard at .243

 

[Dryft]

Hey y'all!

Thanks for the advice - frankly the Savage 12 FLV is the rifle I am most looking at, so it's nice to get some backup advice on that one.

B!ngo - I really like the idea of a Tikka, but simply can NOT track down the model I would want! The T3 Varmint would be my choice, since the Super Varmint doesn't come in lefty.

MrCleanOK - Frankly, I think you're right. As this would be my first real "target" bolt action, I suppose the better thing to do is buy right handed, as selling in the future would be a lot easier if I wanted to go in a different direction. I simply haven't spent enough time with bolt actions to know if it's going to be an issue.

That, and the fact that the little woman says I need to just buy one indicates a larger RH availability!

I'm going to go shopping this weekend and see what I can find, and really decide if the RH/LH thing is going to be a big deal.

Thanks for all the advice! Keep it coming.

 

[Furncliff]

Here's a CZ527 LH in .204 for $700. Buying a RH will open more options for the caliber you prefer. Borrow a RH bolt .22LR and shoot off a bench to see if this something you can acclimate to.


My favorite scope is a Nitrex (made by Weaver).


http://www.gunauction.com/buy/11934800/rifles-for-sale/bolt-action-rifle/cz-usa-cz-527-american-left-hand-.204-204-cz527-03091

 

[MrCleanOK]

Dryft,

When you're shopping, try cycling bolts from a supported bench, or supported prone position, as you would with a target rifle. From a standing-in-front-of-the-gun-counter position, running the bolt with your right hand while trying to balance the rifle in the air with your left hand won't make any sense. Again, for a field rifle, LH bolt all the way. For a bench/target gun, RH bolt is the smartest way to go.

Best of luck, from a fellow lefty.

 

[Chief 101]

I would be happy with a .243win/6mmRem and a decent scope...ie. Savage varminter and Vortec Viper 4x20...should be under a thousand and versatile..

 

[Dryft]

What about .308?

 

[Skylerbone]

If you want a nice target rifle that can easily stretch out to 300+ yards I'd suggest buying a great rifle in a great longer range caliber and skimping on glass for right now or expanding the budget by about $300.

What I'd consider: http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/36_62_974/products_id/71097/Savage+12LRP+6.5%22+CREEDMOOR for $880.

Add a show sample (never mounted, full lifetime warranty) scope: http://www.cameralandny.com/optics/minox.pl?page=66020 for $330.

Spend about $100 on EGW Practical rings and a one-piece base. For just over $1,300 you'll have a 13+ lb. heavy barrel (floated), long-range, left-hand, precision stocked rifle with Schott glass giving you 3-15X magnification. 6.5 Creedmoor isn't necessarily "cheap" to shoot but taking up some light reloading will solve that.

May not be what you're looking for but I think it's a combo that need not be updated for your purposes unless and until you start looking at true long-range precision shooting.