So I'm buying a new rifle, and I'm not quite an expert gunman just yet. I'm looking for an out of the box accurate and powerful rifle that I won't have to modify and I dont want to spend more than a few hundred bucks. I'm hoping to shoot around 500 yards with the gun and hit fairly accurately. Recommendations for gun model, caliber, ammunition?
Best out of the box?
- Thread starter oneshotOG
- Start date
rezmedic54
New member
few bucks
Stevens
Stevens
Art Eatman
Staff in Memoriam
What are your planned uses? Just targets? Mostly targets but some deer hunting? Varmint hunting on an occasional basis?
Were I concerned with budget, I'd be arguing with the folks at the hock shops. They generally don't have over half of the asking price in a rifle. I've done well with "good, used" rifles back in my gun show table daze.
But there are bunches of cartridges which would punch paper at 500 yards.
Were I concerned with budget, I'd be arguing with the folks at the hock shops. They generally don't have over half of the asking price in a rifle. I've done well with "good, used" rifles back in my gun show table daze.
But there are bunches of cartridges which would punch paper at 500 yards.
Well, I'm not legally allowed to hunt anything with the gun except varmints, which I may do, but ya, mainly just target shooting. In the future I may end up hunting out of state, but probably not for a while. I've heard the Remington 700 varmint in .308 may be a good caliber, what do you think?
4runnerman
New member
Go Savage and you will never go back.
Can't beat them for out of the box accuracy. Try this (it is what i did) non-bias. Go to google and just type in most accurate rifle made. What you will get is that 9 out of 10 hits are going to say Savage. I was leary to say the least at first so i got the cheap Savage edge as a trial. I tell you no kidding that cheap thing would out shoot anything on the range. They are nothing to look at for sure,but accuracy wise they cant be beat by any one. Remy's are pretty,but can't match a Savage. Im very bias here,but do yourself a favor and google it to find out for yourself.
Can't beat them for out of the box accuracy. Try this (it is what i did) non-bias. Go to google and just type in most accurate rifle made. What you will get is that 9 out of 10 hits are going to say Savage. I was leary to say the least at first so i got the cheap Savage edge as a trial. I tell you no kidding that cheap thing would out shoot anything on the range. They are nothing to look at for sure,but accuracy wise they cant be beat by any one. Remy's are pretty,but can't match a Savage. Im very bias here,but do yourself a favor and google it to find out for yourself.Ya, I checked out some savages, one was the model 110 with accutrigger, which was cool. But when I compared it to the 700, the Remington had the 26'' heavy contour barrel, camo sps stock, double swivel studs, it came with the 4-12x40 scope and for the same price. It seemed to have a bit of an advantage to me.
There are several different manufacturers and calibers that will fit your needs. Savage does indeed make a fine rifle. I, personally, am a Remington guy. It's hard to go wrong with a good synthetic stock 700. Depending on your future hunting plans, the .270 is a great all around cartridge. It will easily shoot flat at your 500 yard mark, and is heavy enough to take down most game in the Continental US. (You may want something along the lines of a .30-06 for bear.) Ammo is reasonably priced, and can be found a just about any Wal-Mart.
The .308 is a great cartridge as well. Remington makes a very nice heavy barrel 700 for the .308. You may also want to look at the .223 and 22-250. These are extremely fun rounds to shoot. Big bang and very little recoil. Perfect for varmint hunting.
The .308 is a great cartridge as well. Remington makes a very nice heavy barrel 700 for the .308. You may also want to look at the .223 and 22-250. These are extremely fun rounds to shoot. Big bang and very little recoil. Perfect for varmint hunting.
I can't help but think you'd be plenty well served with a .243, or a .22-250. Hunting varmints and target shooting is quite a bit different than having a light rifle to hump around all day. The .243 is good because it can do well with light 55gr, 58gr, and 70gr varmint bullets- and double duty if needed with 100-105gr hunting bullets.
Bullet selection is, or should be, a major consideration. In areas where you might varmint hunt- ideally you don't want to zing a hunting type bullet through the critter and out-n-over the fields and pastures. A varmint type bullet will be more likely to break up and/or stay inside the critter. On a shooting range, that shouldn't matter. At 500yds and on a range- heck, even a .223 will do that. What you don't want is to form a notion that any particular chambering, cartridge, caliber, etc will make you a great shot. If you don't have a decent rifle, glass, and mounts to start with- then how do you know if you're shooting to your true potential?
If you've limited experience with a rifle and the Rem Varmint is in your range- then by all means go that way, but don't expect to like it very well once you have to walk & stalk with it. Still, I offer the suggestion of .243 chambering. Savage, Remington, and CZ are all great places to look.
On the CZ- read up on those. They have a single-set trigger and come in heavier weights. Very good rifles!
Bullet selection is, or should be, a major consideration. In areas where you might varmint hunt- ideally you don't want to zing a hunting type bullet through the critter and out-n-over the fields and pastures. A varmint type bullet will be more likely to break up and/or stay inside the critter. On a shooting range, that shouldn't matter. At 500yds and on a range- heck, even a .223 will do that. What you don't want is to form a notion that any particular chambering, cartridge, caliber, etc will make you a great shot. If you don't have a decent rifle, glass, and mounts to start with- then how do you know if you're shooting to your true potential?
If you've limited experience with a rifle and the Rem Varmint is in your range- then by all means go that way, but don't expect to like it very well once you have to walk & stalk with it. Still, I offer the suggestion of .243 chambering. Savage, Remington, and CZ are all great places to look.
On the CZ- read up on those. They have a single-set trigger and come in heavier weights. Very good rifles!
accurate rifle
After a lot of research, I am planning on buying a Savage 10 FCP-K,
for around 750.00, it's supposed to be a 1000 yard rifle out of the box.
It has accu stock, accu trigger, 24" fluted barrel with integrated muzzle brake.
Check it out on Google and on the sniper forums.
BTW, You can also get 10 round .308 aftermarket magazines that fit it.
After a lot of research, I am planning on buying a Savage 10 FCP-K,
for around 750.00, it's supposed to be a 1000 yard rifle out of the box.
It has accu stock, accu trigger, 24" fluted barrel with integrated muzzle brake.
Check it out on Google and on the sniper forums.
BTW, You can also get 10 round .308 aftermarket magazines that fit it.
I'd get it without the fluted barrel and muzzle brake.
Fluted barrels do nothing for accuracy and will degrade it if done after the barrel is rifled. They always increase recoil 'cause weight's removed from the rifle.
And muzzle brakes may hurt accuracy. They definitely make the dust fly if close to the ground and put a lot more muzzle blast back towards your ears. They're not allowed in some types of competition and at some public ranges.
Fluted barrels do nothing for accuracy and will degrade it if done after the barrel is rifled. They always increase recoil 'cause weight's removed from the rifle.
And muzzle brakes may hurt accuracy. They definitely make the dust fly if close to the ground and put a lot more muzzle blast back towards your ears. They're not allowed in some types of competition and at some public ranges.
I agree, a muzzle brake is mainly designed to reduce recoil and a 24" barreled .308 doesn't have much recoil to start with. Sure, it will help you hold on target better for a faster follow up shot but in most hunting situations, this really means nothing and it is definitely useless when punching paper.
I would also agree with those who recommend a .243. It is a very capable round for varmint hunting or if you ever get the opportunity, it is quite well suited for deer and pronghorn sized game.
As for Savage vs Remington 700 I would say, to each his own. They are both very well made rifles and both capable of very good "out of the box" accuracy. I personally prefer the Remington but you know what they say about opinions.
I would also agree with those who recommend a .243. It is a very capable round for varmint hunting or if you ever get the opportunity, it is quite well suited for deer and pronghorn sized game.
As for Savage vs Remington 700 I would say, to each his own. They are both very well made rifles and both capable of very good "out of the box" accuracy. I personally prefer the Remington but you know what they say about opinions.
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+1 more for the Savage 10 FCP-K.
From personal experience, the Law Enforcement models are just about right for target use because the barrels are heavy and they set up very nicely on bipods with the two front lugs.
I have the older 10 FP and it shot great right out of the box with factory ammo but when I started to reload, it really showed what it could do.
I shoot from a bipod, mostly at 100 yards and the Savage shoots the average of its favorite 10 loads at under 0.58 for over 240 measured groups but has one load each at 150 grains, 168 grains and 175 grains with Sierra Match King bullets that average under 0.5 inches. It had more than 25 groups that measured at under 0.266 when I stopped gathering what I call my bragging groups.
When I took it to a different range and shot at 200 yards, it also shot to a .73 MOA average, but some of that diffenence in accuracy was me and the wind.
Mine shot so great when I got it that my buddy bought one just like it in .308 and about a year later another bought the newer 10 FCP-K in .223. Both shot great out of the box with factory ammo and they are just tuning their hand loads.
Both have at least one factory load that shoots under 0.5 inches.
My son, who is into semi automatics, shot my .308 on last Friday when he was visiting.
After three groups to get used to the stock and the trigger, he shot a .353 inch group at 100 yards.
He is now ordering both a .223 and .308 10 FCP-K.
Not a bad idea since the fit and function would be identical and they both would be great shooters.
From personal experience, the Law Enforcement models are just about right for target use because the barrels are heavy and they set up very nicely on bipods with the two front lugs.
I have the older 10 FP and it shot great right out of the box with factory ammo but when I started to reload, it really showed what it could do.
I shoot from a bipod, mostly at 100 yards and the Savage shoots the average of its favorite 10 loads at under 0.58 for over 240 measured groups but has one load each at 150 grains, 168 grains and 175 grains with Sierra Match King bullets that average under 0.5 inches. It had more than 25 groups that measured at under 0.266 when I stopped gathering what I call my bragging groups.
When I took it to a different range and shot at 200 yards, it also shot to a .73 MOA average, but some of that diffenence in accuracy was me and the wind.
Mine shot so great when I got it that my buddy bought one just like it in .308 and about a year later another bought the newer 10 FCP-K in .223. Both shot great out of the box with factory ammo and they are just tuning their hand loads.
Both have at least one factory load that shoots under 0.5 inches.
My son, who is into semi automatics, shot my .308 on last Friday when he was visiting.
After three groups to get used to the stock and the trigger, he shot a .353 inch group at 100 yards.
He is now ordering both a .223 and .308 10 FCP-K.
Not a bad idea since the fit and function would be identical and they both would be great shooters.
Art Eatman
Staff in Memoriam
The .308 is hard to beat for mostly-target shooting.
I'd scrounge around Craig'sList or eBay for good used reloading equipment, though. Gun shows, too. Tailoring the loads to a particular rifle helps a bunch for smaller groups.
As far as a scope for the rifle, I have found that 10X let me get sub-MOA groups at my 500-yard range at my house.
I'd scrounge around Craig'sList or eBay for good used reloading equipment, though. Gun shows, too. Tailoring the loads to a particular rifle helps a bunch for smaller groups.
As far as a scope for the rifle, I have found that 10X let me get sub-MOA groups at my 500-yard range at my house.
frank_1947
New member
SAVAGE with good size barrel contour like fcp not fluted no brake, floating bolt head cant be beat, the .260 is hard to beat high BC ammo and bullets if you reload its the ticket for 500 plus
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I have the Savage FCP-K you want and I would highly recommend it. I average around .6MOA. I never get above 1MOA and have had a group as low as something ridiculous like .15 MOA. Keep in mind this is all with factory ammo. The brake is effective at what its meant to do. I can shoot it all day and have no problems with pain. The barrel is heavy which also means that you can have 20+ shots in a row with no problems of overheating. The only thing that might bother some is that it is ridiculously loud because of the brake.
As for the 10 round mags, yes they are available but its really just a pieced together fabrication by someone on the forums that sell them. There are no higher capacity factory or brand name magazines.
As for the 10 round mags, yes they are available but its really just a pieced together fabrication by someone on the forums that sell them. There are no higher capacity factory or brand name magazines.
Savage? I mean I know those are great rifles, and don't get me wrong the accutrigger is sick, but I just don't know. I really love the 26" heavy contour barrel on the varmint and I'm straight up just a remmi guy, but I know I have alot to learn, so I really can't be biased. I mean, isnt there a reason the Remington 700 is possibly the most popular bolt rifle there is in both law enforcement and in civilian use?