Range/Defense Rifle Suggestions Needed

AR-10 and M1 Garand come to mind. The trick is the $1000 ceiling.

 

Well you did not specify if you wanted a semi-auto or a bolt rifle.

For a semi-auto, the AR10 or the Garand will not be had new for even close to $1000, much less under it. I have been looking at a 6.5Grendel or the 6.8SPC. I like the Grendel better, but the ammo is not quite as common, and the rifle is a bit more.

 

I'm thinking a Remington 700 SPS Varmint in .308 would fit the need. You can pick it up for just over $600. With the money you save you can upgrade the stock (but you can wait on that) or use it to fund the other things you need for long range shooting, long range scope (and attachment accessories) and a nice 25x spotting scope.

 

Why not a Savage?

Choice of calibers: 25-06 Rem., 270 Win., 30-06 Spfld., 7mm Rem. Mag., 300 Win. Mag

BTW I still don't get any e-mail notifications, is there some glitch in the system?

 

Rifle choice ?

My pick in a bolt gun for accuracy and reliability :

Howa 308 winchester Varmint rifle. Leaves room for a decent scope and rings & bases under $ 1000 and will out shoot the field to 600 yards anyway.....
farther with practice.

Again, variety of ammo available from hunting to military to varmints ( 2 and 4 legged variety )

 

Range / Defense

I'd recommend a semi-auto for defense use, and the $1000. limit may be a factor. I have a great plinker/defense carbine, in a tricked-out Ruger Mini 14. Is it a tack driver? No, but I can hit a man size target center mass at 100 yds. with open sights which satisfies most self defense situations. I probably have about $500-600 invested it it. Ruger has just released a newer version of the Mini, acheiving much greater accuracy than the older models. Not sure about the price on those, but it may be worth looking into to fill both needs. Lots of great ARs out there too, that are both tactical and accurate, but I don't own one of those....yet.

I do own three tack drivers, two of which are well under $1000. A Remington 700 .270 win, bolt gun and a Marlin 917V .17 HMR bolt gun, which is an amazingly accurate rifle, but neither of which would make good tactical / home defense rifles. Another tack driver I own is a Ruger 10/22. It is one of those 10/22s that I have invested over $1000 bux, but I swear I can hit mosquitos at 50 yds. But .22 lr is not a good defense load. My bolt guns and 10/22 each have Leupold scopes in various powers and configurations.

 

Go with the AR15, for a couple of reasons:

1. They are readily available on a wide scale.
2. There are a ton of parts sources and after market parts.
3. Standard versions come in a very common cartridge and that cartridge is available as milsurp.
4. You can buy different top ends in different cartridges, such as 9mmPara, 45ACP, 7.62x39, and 6.8SPC, not to mention many proprietary cartridges.
5. They are very easy to work on with minimal tools.
6. They are well documented.
7. They generally are very accurate out of the box.
8. If the balloon ever goes up, its silhouette will not alarm US military and/or police forces like any other weapon will. The converse of this is that if the government ever engages in democide and its forces are your enemy, they are a source of ammo and parts.

 

My long range gun is based off of a browning A bolt composite stalker.
I had the trigger changed to a William set. And a Hart heavy fluted Titanium barrel placed on it. At the same time they were lapping the threads and chambering the barrel I had them make a set of loading dies to match. Topped off with Leupold hi rise mounts and of course a Leupold Vari XIII. in a 300mag.
Dose this fit in for long range. Because it wont ring in under $6000.00 .
Tactical welllll one bark from her and the block will empty.

 

Look at the M1As, but be prepared to spend double what you want to.

 

M1 Garands are available for 595 for a service grade Garand from CMP right NOW. Rack grades are 495. SOG has em for a bit more, but I've heard their quality just really isn't there.

I got my CMP Garand for 595 3 weeks ago.

Alternatives - AK47, SKS, AR-15...

 

Well,what Phil just said shot down my normal "AK" Responce. If the government indeed engages in democide,then yes,an AR-15 would definatly be my choice.
However,under normal circumstances,for a Long range weapon under 1000,heres my list

Bolt Action: Mosin Nagant M44 Carbine,a few good mods,pick one up in imaculate condition for about $200,Ammo is cheap,Maintainance is simple.
Semi Automatic: M1 Garand,Simple to maintain and fire,excellent stopping power,ammo is Milsurp. Accurate.
As for tactical AK-47 or AR-15,both are readily available,both have mods left and right,both types of ammunition are readily availible,and both are dependable,reliable guns. Ive seen Great shape AK's go for about 400,and new Ars go for about 600-650 range.

 

semi auto or bolt for longrange and pertection

AR's are fun to shoot but I would not trust my life to one, They are a nightmare when they get dirty, Jam something fears, a bolt gun dose not make a good pertection firearm, AK works in strait mud and dirt, but 7.62x39 round is not very powerful to say the least, my desision would have to be a FN/FAL Big bullet very accurate never james And will reach out there with extreame accuracy considering its a semi-auto, and there is alway's going to be lots of ammo available .308 plus that gun just looks good. Oh, and let me add, It is very easy to break down and clean. I hope this helps.

 

a tough one...

Boy, you couldn't have made it more challenging could you? A long range gun that doubles for home-defense? That's almost like finding a Ferrari that gets great gas mileage What caliber, max distance, semi or manual, etc, etc etc.

Alot of really good suggestions and it would be more helpful if you defined your needs in this one piece. For accurate long distance shooting, it used to be bolt-action only. But with semis like FAL, G3/HK, AR10's, M1/M1A's, now semis can reach out with accuracy and quick follow-ups. But, that $1000 limit will also limit alot of your choices in that arena.

You might be better off to look at some of the bolt action packages, such as Savage, that package a decent bolt action in various calibers w/ Accu-trigger, plus a scope for less than your limit. The extra cash will help with the ammunition, carry cases, etc. Alot of your sporting goods outlets offer package deals, specially at this time of the year, so that might be something to look at locally in your area.

 

Maybe you just need multiple guns.

SKS...


Mossberg 44 US (.22 LR)


Both...


1942 M1 Garand

 

1944 Garand


Kimber Pro Carry II (.45 ACP)


Variety is the spice of life. Acquired all of these in the last 5 months to get my collection jumpstarted.

 

Build one

These guys make great actions. Chose the caliber you want for your needs and make the gun fit you!

http://www.montanarifleman.com/index.html

BTW thank you for the new guy (npbwbass) welcome!

 

If you can wait a couple of days, I am working on an in depth analysis of the Remington 700, Winchester Model 70 and the Howa 1500 bolt rifle actions. I think you will find some good information and it might help you make a decision based on some really good facts.

D