When I entered the precision rifle world, around 1999 to 2000, there was a very clear distinction between sniper rifles and rifles meant for precision hunting or competition.
Manufacturers like Robar, HS Precision, Remington, and (for those who like to drink their warm beverages with an extended pinky) Accuracy International were common names in the sniper rifle market.
But since then, the market has exploded with a variety of manufacturers who are producing rifles with hair-splitting accuracy, user configurable, and almost every stock adjustment to hug your body tighter than a pair of spandex from the 80s.
So, with all these choices, which ones are best? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Keep on reading to see some of our favorites!
THE QUICK LIST
-
Editor’s Pick
-
Best Budget Option
-
Most Modular
-
Best Out-of-the-Box Rifle
-
Best Magnum Sniper Rifle
Table of Contents
Loading…
| Caliber | Action | Barrel Length | Overall Length | Weight | Magazine Type | Capacity | Price | |
| Bergara B-14 HMR | 22-250 Rem, 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5 PRC, 7mm PRC, .308 Win, .300 Win Mag, .300 PRC, .450 Bushmaster | Bolt-action | 20″ – 26″ | 40″ – 47.5″ | 9.5 lbs – 9.9 lbs | AICS Detachable | 3 – 5 rds | $901 |
| Savage 110 Tactical | .308 Win | Bolt-action | 20″ | 43″ | 7.38 lbs | AICS Detachable | 10 rds | $703 |
| Uintah Precision UP-10 | 22 Creedmoor, 25 Creedmoor, 6 GT, 6mm Creedmoor, 6.5 Creedmoor, .308 Win, 8.6 BLK | Bolt-action | 13″ – 26″ | N/A | 8 lbs – 9.75 lbs | AR-10/SR-25 Detachable | 10 rds – 25 rds | $2,375 |
| Tikka T3x TAC A1 | .223, .260 Rem, 6.5 Creedmoor, .308 Win | Bolt-action | 16″ – 23.6″ | 36.5 – 43.9″ | 9.5 – 10.6 lbs | Tikka T3x | 10 rds | $2,032 |
| Barrett MRAD | 6.5 Creedmoor, .308 Win, .300 Norma Mag, .300 PRC, .300 Win Mag, 338 Lapua Mag, .338 Norma Mag | Bolt-action | 17″ – 26″ | 40.4″ – 49.4″ | 11.9 lbs – 14.5 lbs | Barrett MRAD | 10 rds | $4,259 |
How We Chose the Best Sniper Rifles
After nearly 20 years of being behind sniper rifles, I have learned to appreciate what works and what doesn’t. With how fast new precision rifle technology is evolving, keeping up with the leading edge is a continual process.
A rifle may look awesome sitting on the gun store counter, but it begins to look a little less awesome when it’s getting lugged up a hillside, and that one sharp corner starts digging into your back.
All of the rifles listed here are capable of shooting the golden standard of 1 MOA or better using the appropriate match-grade ammo. We also heavily considered durability, availability, features, and customizability. Our list also covers a wide range of price points and intended user skill levels.
Best Precision and Sniper Rifles
1. Bergara B-14 HMR – Editor’s Pick
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
-
25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
Pros
- Excellent price point
- Great stock adjustability
- Excellent factory trigger
- Very accurate barrel
- Excellent caliber variety
Cons
- Limited modularity
Specs:
- Caliber: 22-250 Rem, 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5 PRC, 7mm PRC, .308 Win, .300 Win Mag, .300 PRC, .450 Bushmaster
- Action: Bolt-action
- Barrel Length: 20″ – 26″
- Overall Length: 40″ – 47.5″
- Weight: 9.5 lbs – 9.9 lbs
- Magazine Type: AICS Detachable
- Capacity: 3 – 5 rds
The Bergara B-14 HMR is quickly setting the standard for quality and affordability. For right around $1,000, the B-14 is a hard rifle to beat for the entry-level precision shooter.
Bergara opted to use the venerable Remington 700 footprint, which offers compatibility with an already established aftermarket for common accessories such as stocks and scope rings.
However, the barrels are different and not compatible with aftermarket Remington 700 barrels.
Bergara’s actions are extremely smooth straight out of the box. It also feeds from readily available AICS magazines.
The factory trigger is easily adjustable and has a consistent and clean break at all pull weights. While many shooters opt to upgrade the trigger, I find the B-14 HMR trigger to be one of the better factory triggers at this price point.
A huge bonus is that B-14 HMR also comes standard with a stock that has a toolless adjustable cheekpiece as well as an adjustable length of pull utilizing polymer spacers. It also uses an aluminum mini-chassis in the stock to ensure consistent contact of the bedding areas between the stock and receiver.
Another benefit of the Remington 700 footprint is the availability of more rails for mounting optics than you can shake a stick at. No matter what you are looking for, you can find a rail that fits your specific needs at any price point.
Check out our complete hands-on review of the Bergara B-14 HMR!
2. Savage 110 Tactical – Best Budget Option
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
-
25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
Pros
- Budget-friendly
- Lightweight
- Decent trigger
- Very accurate barrel
Cons
- Stock may need to be upgraded
- Limited modularity
Specs:
- Caliber: .308 Win
- Action: Bolt-action
- Barrel Length: 20″
- Overall Length: 43″
- Weight: 7.38 lbs
- Magazine Type: AICS Detachable
- Capacity: 10 rds
The Savage 110 Tactical is a robust rifle capable of consistent and reliable accuracy despite its low price point. Savage offers the 110 in both short and long action, and they accommodate a variety of calibers.
Savage also has a long history in the firearms market, meaning there are also a significant number of stock and chassis systems available for the shooter to upgrade to as they are able to invest more money into the rifle.
One of the best-kept secrets in firearms is just how good Savage barrels are. I have personally observed Savage tactical rifles shoot repeatedly tight groups in training courses over the last 20 years. In my humble opinion, the Savage 110 Tactical has one of the best barrels on the market for the money.
The Savage 110 action also utilizes a barrel nut, allowing you to change barrels without the need for complicated machining processes.
The barrel also comes threaded and ready to install your preferred muzzle brake, flash hider, or suppressor.
Another bonus is Savage’s Accu-Trigger, which is capable of providing an acceptable trigger break and is easily adjustable. It should be noted that the Accu-Trigger has a safety blade that must be fully pressed to the rear for the gun to fire. This requires what I can only explain as an exaggerated placement of the finger on the trigger, something which is not needed on other trigger designs.
For those who don’t like that, aftermarket triggers that eliminate the trigger safety are readily available and easy to install.
A large tactical bolt knob comes standard from the factory, and the action cycles well but is not quite as smooth as other actions on the market. Expect functional, not greased lighting.
The factory stock is adjustable for LOP (length of pull) and comb height. It is functional, but if you’re not getting the super tight groups you want, upgrading from the factory stock will most likely be your next step.
Overall, the Savage is an excellent rifle at an aggressive price point.
3. Uintah Precision UP-10 – Most Modular
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
-
25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
Pros
- Extremely modular
- Ability to quick swap the upper
- Excellent factory trigger
- Interfaces with many AR-15 accessories
Cons
- Non-traditional bolt handle location
Specs:
- Caliber: 22 Creedmoor, 25 Creedmoor, 6 GT, 6mm Creedmoor, 6.5 Creedmoor, .308 Win, 8.6 BLK
- Action: Bolt-action
- Barrel Length: 13″ – 26″
- Weight: 8 lbs – 9.75 lbs
- Magazine Type: AR-10/SR-25 Detachable
- Capacity: 10 – 25 rds
While the next manufacturer produces complete rifles, we are focusing on a more unique product of theirs.
Uintah Precision produces bolt-action AR upper receivers that can be paired with AR-15 mil-spec lower receivers and AR-10/LR308 lower receivers.
These can turn your standard gas gun into a finely tuned bolt-action rifle. Think of it like the crossover SUV of the precision rifle world.
Although they offer AR-15 conversion uppers, we are focusing on their AR-10-based UP-10. They offer both complete guns and uppers in various calibers.
By designing their system on the AR family of receivers, you can swap from a semi-automatic upper to their unique bolt-action upper very quickly without affecting the zero of the optic.
As with any modular system, the adage of “jack of all trades, master of none usually comes into play.” The UP-10 offers the ergonomic qualities of an AR-15 that are remarkably close to many of the popular chassis-equipped bolt-action rifles currently on the market.
However, you should expect to make minor tweaks to your shooting style when transitioning to this system if you have any length of time behind a bolt gun. This is because the bolt handle is placed in front of the trigger. Traditional bolt-actions have the bolt handle above the web of the hand for quick and intuitive cycling of the action.
A unique feature is that these uppers do not require a buffer or buffer spring to be installed in the rifle. While neither is needed to make the UP uppers operate, the buffer and spring can be left in the weapon while using the bolt action.
Leaving the buffer and spring in creates a situation in which the rear of the bolt engages the buffer, requiring a little extra force at the end of the bolt cycle. If you want a smoother bolt travel, you can remove those parts — just remember to reinstall them when swapping back to a regular upper!
One minor downside to this system is that there are certain aftermarket triggers the company does not recommend using. This is because some triggers can create an unsafe configuration between the hammer and the bolt, allowing it to fire out of battery.
If you purchase the system as a complete rifle, this won’t be an issue. But double-check trigger compatibility if you are adding a UP-10 upper to an existing lower.
The UP-10 is a system that you just can’t go wrong with. But they are spendy, at around $2,375 to $2,850 for a complete UP-10 rifle and $1,475 to $1,999 for a UP-10 upper.
4. Tikka T3x TAC A1 – Best Out-of-the-Box Rifle
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
-
25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
Pros
- Extremely adjustable
- Toolless field stripping
- Interfaces with many AR-15 accessories
Cons
- Proprietary mags
Specs:
- Caliber: .223, .260 Rem, 6.5 Creedmoor, .308 Win
- Action: Bolt-action
- Barrel Length: 16″ – 23.6″
- Overall Length: 36.5 – 43.9″
- Weight: 9.5 – 10.6 lbs
- Magazine Type: Tikka T3x
- Capacity: 10 rds
The Tikka T3x Tac A1 is just as much at home on a tactical deployment as it is on a competitive range.
Tikka actions are known for their buttery smooth cycling due to the broached raceways and the finishing of the receiver and bolt. The 70-degree bolt throw will feel great in your hand when you’re chambering that match-winning round.
The newer T3x action has a generous ejection port opening when compared to the previous Tikka T3 action, which makes loading a single round into the chamber much easier. This is especially important when there’s any stress placed on the shooter.
Tikka actions are also unique in that the location of the action screws and the design of the bottom of the receiver afford a very generous bedding surface area between the chassis and the receiver. This ensures consistent mating between the chassis and the action while retorquing the action screws to their proper specs.
The trigger is a crisp, two-stage affair that is adjustable from 2 to 4 pounds. Trigger adjustments require you to remove the action from the stock, making it slightly more complicated to adjust than some of the other rifles on this list.
One of the main draws of the Tikka T3x A1 is its chassis system, which is fully compatible with AR-15-style buttstocks and pistol grips. However, most shooters won’t need to take advantage of this feature as the factory-supplied stock is packed with plenty of adjustments. The stock also folds for easy storage and transportation.
The quality of this rifle is apparent the moment you shoulder it. Once you adjust it to your liking, it won’t disappoint.
5. Barrett MRAD – Best Magnum Sniper Rifle
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
-
25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
Pros
- Extremely modular
- Quick swap barrels
- Excellent trigger
- Wide caliber selection
- Tons of rail space
Cons
- Expensive
- Heavy
- Proprietary mags
Specs:
- Caliber: 6.5 Creedmoor, .308 Win, .300 Norma Mag, .300 PRC, .300 Win Mag, 338 Lapua Mag, .338 Norma Mag
- Action: Bolt-action
- Barrel Length: 17″ – 26″
- Overall Length: 40.4″ – 49.4″
- Weight: 11.9 lbs – 14.5 lbs
- Magazine Type: Barrett MRAD
- Capacity: 10 rds
When someone thinks about the Barrett rifles, their .50 BMG rifles are almost always what comes to mind.
But living in the shadow of their big bore rifles is the excellent MRAD (Multi-Role And Design) rifle. It is the perfect choice for those who want a rifle capable of slinging magnum lead at long distances.
If you want to shoot big calibers like .338 Lapua Magnum, .338 Norma Magnum, .300 Norma Magnum, .300 PRC, or .300 Winchester Magnum, why settle for just one? With the MRAD, you don’t have to.
The MRAD features quick-change barrels. You can swap between all those magnum calibers as well as smaller rounds like the .308 Winchester and 6.5 Creedmoor.
Two bolts in the handguard facilitate the quick swap between calibers. Barrel changes take about a minute.
Field Stripping is also a breeze and requires no specialized tools. You can even remove the trigger pack without tools by simply removing the safety selector. The safety selector itself is a 45-degree throw. It is also ambidextrous, as you can simply reinsert it on the preferred side.
This rifle comes standard with a folding stock that is fully adjustable for length of pull and comb height. The chassis system is equipped with a full-length 10-MIL top rail. M-LOK mounting holes are at the 3, 6, and 9 o’clock positions on the handguard for easy accessory mounting.
All you need is a quality optic and a bipod, and you’re ready to hit the range. You simply can’t go wrong with this setup if you want a battle-hardened, modular, extended-range rifle, but it comes at a steep price.
What is the Difference Between Precision and Sniper Rifles?
As a general rule, every sniper rifle is a precision rifle, but not every precision rifle is a sniper rifle.
Sniper rifles must be robust, capable of enduring harsh use, and operating reliably in a variety of field conditions.
Conversely, some competition rifles are equipped with various accessories that can make them unsuitable for use as sniper rifles. Things such as illuminated scope levels can be “target indicators,” meaning they can potentially make the shooter easier to spot.
While the differences between these two types of rifles are nuanced, many of the rifles listed here could easily fill both roles with a slight reconfiguration. Slapping a coat of rattle can over your $5,000 precision rifle almost always classifies a rifle as a sniper rifle. Right?
For this article, the sniper rifles highlighted are suggested with the law enforcement sniper in mind who has the ability to select the rifle, configuration, and caliber they or their department chooses.
Military snipers are generally restricted to weapon systems that are selected and issued by their respective branches and units.
Caliber Selection
A very important consideration when differentiating between a sniper rifle and a general “precision” rifle is caliber.
Suppose your precision rifle is used strictly for punching paper or slapping steel on a range. In that case, the downrange energy of the projectile becomes less important than other factors, such as the ability to defeat the wind, a flat trajectory, or reduced recoil for spotting hits.
We would want all of these factors in a sniper rifle’s cartridge as well, but a sniper rifle must have the ability to deliver sufficient energy downrange to stop a threat and defeat intermediate barriers while retaining its mass.
Shooting through glass is a science and is well known to be tough on projectiles. Depending on the thickness and temper of the glass, as well as the angle of the shot, bigger and harder projectiles may be necessary.
Are there small-caliber sniper rifles chambered in cartridges such as 5.56 that have led long and well-known service lives? Absolutely. But when selecting a “sniper rifle,” careful consideration must be made to its intended purpose, including barriers.
In the old days, stocks were not very user-friendly right out of the box. They often required cheek risers to be constructed from sleeping mats and duct tape. Length of pull was often a take-it-or-leave-it situation unless the services of a gunsmith were sought.
Companies such as HS Precision and McMillian were the gold standard for stocks that solved these issues. But nowadays, even many budget rifles come with a great degree of adjustability and customizability.
Meet the Experts
Heading up this article is PPT contributing writer Nick Stake. Nick is a retired law enforcement officer, having served as a detective sergeant, jail deputy, patrol deputy, field training officer, department range master, counter-sniper instructor, and handgun instructor. In addition to his extensive LEO career, Nick also owns a law enforcement consulting company and is an avid outdoorsman and recreational shooter.
Editing this article is one of our Editors, Wyatt Sloan. Wyatt is an NRA-certified instructor with previous experience as a USPSA competitor, long-range shooting, and hunting. Wyatt personally owns over 200 firearms and has 10 years of home-based FFL firearm sales. He loves carrying a wide variety of handguns and, by necessity, has tried a wide variety of holsters.
Editor-in-Chief Jacki Billings runs our experienced team of reviewers. She is a National Rifle Association Basic Pistol Instructor as well as a member of the Society of Professional Journalists, ACES: Society for Editing, and the Professional Outdoor Media Association. Jacki has a bachelor’s degree in journalism and has worked as a media professional for close to 20 years, specializing in gun media for almost 10 years. With 2,000+ articles to her name, she uses her professional journalism and editing experience to set testing protocols and editorial standards for Pew Pew Tactical.
Final Thoughts
There are so many quality precision sniper rifles on the market that it was difficult to narrow the list down to just a handful.
And for all of the readers clutching their chest and wondering why the venerable Remington 700 isn’t on this list, don’t worry, and just grab a paper bag to breathe into. We know the Remington 700 has reigned supreme in the precision rifle world for so long as the OG — we have a whole article dedicated to it!
Which rifle on this list is your favorite? Are there any that you would have liked to see make the cut? Let us know in the comments below. And as always, a good rifle needs good glass, so be sure to check out our article on the Best Long-Range Rifle Scopes!
64 Leave a Reply
Dont forget Armalite they make a nice rifle too . I own a AR .50 BMG and two AR 30s one in .300 WinMag and .308 .
I bought the Tikka T3X TAC A1 in 6.5 CRM, nice new Vortex glass, and everything was great. Until Break-In Day. The magazines turned out to be junk, with a follower that tries to get itself up into the receiver. Two included mags and two sets of maddening, recurrent failures. I didn't even send off the Tikka's "free" third mag., I just put the rifle into one of my safes until AI or someone as reputable builds their own solution to Beretta's overpriced plastic boxes.
I contacted "customer service" (air quotes) and never got a reply. A customer shouldn't have to fix a brand new "premium" (see above) rifle, so when I get bored with rifles I have that DO work, I may try to fix it, or sell it to someone I don't like.
Barrel technology —in addition to the advances in composite materials, high-tech metal alloys and milling technologies — is surpassed only by advances in rifle scope quality. It’s a great time to be a precision geek.
It’s an expensive hobby with little payback other than shooter satisfaction.
There are far better rifles out there than are listed here, but — wisely — they’re not mentioned because the average precision geek isn’t going to put $9-14,000 into a rifle that delivers the best performance. Few non-military-trained shooters have either the training or experience to get the best from one of these advanced precision platforms… but they are out there.
It looked interesting, until I did the math. I can see why there are 6,000 prs folks out of 110 million gun owners. Too pricey for me. I am glad that some can enjoy it.
Where I live is vast woods and plains. It’s an hour and a half drive to the next house. For rifle that can reach out to 1500+ yards, I’m thinking the Ruger Precision in .338 Lapua Magnum. I would go with something lighter but I have to worry about bears. My first choice scope would be the Primary 6-30x56, but I haven’t made up my mind. Here’s the biggest dilemma: Magpul PRS or factory stock? Both offer different pros and cons. Any thoughts?
You can do far better in both rifle and ammunition choices — and scope selection.
So… upgrades, goals, and maintenance. How do your suggested rifles fulfill each of those factors?
I am relatively new to shooting and as my skills and interest have increased, I have become interested in precision target shooting. As such, I spent an inordinate amount of time researching firearms suitable for that purpose. With that in mind, and the fact that I live in Central California, helped to narrow my choices.
I chose .308 as the caliber for the price and availability, as 6.5 Creedmoor is 2x the price where I'm at. In addition, I wanted a firearm I could easily find parts, accessories, and upgrades with a proven history that wouldn't break my budget. So perhaps my selection is skewed somewhat. I bought a Remington 700 in a MDT TAC21 chassis.
Back in the old days the quarter bore guys shot Mauser actioned rifles in 257 Roberts and 25-06 as well as the 264 win mag. The 30 bore boys used everything from the ought six up to the 300 Weatherby magnum . Looking at the ballistics of these older cartridges proves that there really is nothing new under the sun . I have a mildly modified Remington 721 in the 300 Weatherby that hits the 1000yard steel at our local range with no problem as well as my son's 264 win mag m- 70
I had to join the 'long rangers' club but found that selection and availability (like for the 6.5 Creedmoor) were very limited. The .308 is a nice cartridge and I have an Armalite AR-10A4 but the AR platform and the NATO chamber really didn't fit what I was looking for in long range precision.
First, I picked a caliber. My 'old faithful' hunting rifle is a Winchester model 70 in 7mm Remington Magnum with a custom fit myrtle wood stock. I'm very comfortable shooting it but it's a field gun, and I wanted something more like the new rifles being produced today. Since I have all the reloading equipment and supplies for 7 mm Rem. Mag., that's the way I went. I was able to find a Howa 1500 in 7 mmRM, and an MDT chassis along with a Luth-AR adjustable buttstock. I put a Monstrom G3 6x25 scope (for starters) and will stick with the factory Howa 2 stage HACT trigger and see how it goes. Being that it's all "modular" upgrading should be easy. Now - to break it in, and then develop a load that can reach out there and above all be consistent. It's fun to see just how small of a group can be obtained with different bullets and powder loads. I'd love to try different powders when they become available again. I figure I spent about the same for what I built as I would have to get one already made, however ammunition and reloading supplies are what influenced my choice in caliber. I did have a muzzle break installed to help tame some of the recoil, and with the adjustable stock it should be easy to achieve a level of fit and comfort when shooting. I tried to be budget minded because this is the first precision rifle for me and I'm open for upgrading after I gain experience in precision rifle shooting.
So what did shooters do back in the day? These are all new rifles. Nothing from the bygone era is worth the money? Just wondering....
Unless a beginner to the field has the knowledge to identify a suitable older (and likely out of production) model, and then the means to find said older model in a used but still decent state, most beginners are going to look for brand new rifles.
Plus, there's too much variability in antiquity to be able to concisely convey the point of this piece, which is for beginners.
In other words, you're looking at the wrong article for your interests.
Just look at 06 been here for decades tons of bullet choices.used as a sniper caliber fo decades won 1000 yd matches.personal ca.of choice
If you are looking to put rounds on target from 1000-2000 yds the ruger precision rifle in 300prc topped with an Arken ep 5 5-25x56. Will get it done for about $2500. Bothe rifle and optic are capable and dependable. The only needed accessory is a good bipod. The rifle will need some tweaking in the trigger pull. But it is fully adjustable. Does have a slight bit of creep. I picked the 300 prc over the 6.5 prc because of the ELR opportunity and the match grade ammo is cheaper when you buy it in bulk.
I considered the Bergara before buying my Ruger Precision. The Bergara bolt action is silky smooth, close to the Browning X-Bolt which is saying something. But the Ruger was more customizable and didn't have a wood stock. Lots of people like their Bergara rifles though. I'd like to shoot one for a few years, if I didn't already have my long range rifle.
No Ruger precision in this list? Is it because you're trying to stay below $1000?
If it helps your deci$ion, Bergara and Vortex have 40% discounts for MIL/LE.
I am always asking questions and looking for information. What do you think about the Savage 110 ultralight?
I haven't gotten to use one personally but I've heard very positive feedback, but Savage is known to have some QC issues on their cheaper lines.
Can you own a Remington 700 in California?
Yes
Looking for a scope for target shooting between 200 and 500 yards. I wear glasses so I would like a scope that would magnify the target as much as possible, without breaking the bank!
Vortex Viper 6.5 x20
On sale now for $299 at Midway
The Thompson Center Compass in 5.56, 6.5, .308, 30-06 or 300 WinMag is an excellent rifle with both great standard features and excellent accuracy as in guaranteed accuracy. 5R rifled barrel with threaded muzzle that is free floated. Pillar bedded synthetic stock. Adjustable trigger. 3 position safety. Detachable 5 round magazine. Soft and sticky butt pad. Scope bases and sling swivel mounts included. Slap on a GI canvas sling with qd swivels, rings to fit the scope you have chosen, a Bear Tooth cheek riser and a flash suppressor or sound suppressor and go to work on your pet load or shoot federal or hornady factory match. BTW Bushnell made a 3-9 with mildots that came with uncle mikes covers. Add a tenebraex kill flash and no sun shade needed. Working man's precision or deer system for under $500 total with all above by watching the deals.
want a holster for my guys having glock 17 with gtl.can u help pl.thks
This is spam.
The two best long range sniper rifles for the money is the Ruger Bolt Action Precision in 6.5 creedmoor or PRC. The Savage Model 10 BDA Stealth in 308. Both of these will shoot just as well as a lot of the very expensive rifles made.
What about This deadly rifle T5000. Hear about it?
That is a Russian military product available only to their armed forces and those of a handful of satellite states. Not a commercial product and not available in the US. Would cost out the wazoo if you ever found one. Probably illegal to own. No evidence it is superior to available alternatives.
Similar to reddogs comment, I had some concern around recent remington rifles quality control. Can anyone vouch for them that they fixed the problem they had with the trigger misfire?
You couldn't give me a Reminton rifle.
I hit the wrong key, Remington is what it should spell.
what do you base such a strong position on? I have owned a lot of guns and the most accurate out of the box rifle I ever owned was a Remington 700 in 308. It was billed as a "Police" sniper rifle. I don't remember the "name" Sort of parkerized finish, heavy barrel, black plastic stock with built in aluminum bedding block. I put on a 40X Remington 2oz trigger. ( not a mistake 2oz) and a Leupold 6-24 scope nothing else. One hole 5 shot groups at 100. Outside to outside of 1/2 inch all day any day. Never shot it farther. Federal 168 grain hpbt match ammo factory loads.
An investment firm called the Cerberus Capital Management created a subsidiary called the Freedom Group in 2007 to manage holdings in the firearms industry. Remember that these guys are slash-and-burn investment bankers, not shooters. They acquired Remington, Bushmaster, DPMS, Marlin, and Para Ordnance among other brands. The Freedom Group recently changed its name to "Remington Outdoor Company" and killed off the Bushmaster, DPMS, and Para Ordnance brands. Since the creation of the Freedom Group, the company has been notable for rationalizing operations to increase revenue and decrease costs. As part of this process, they have consolidated manufacturing and laid-off experienced employees. Quality has suffered at every company acquired, especially Marlin. Again, these guys are not shooters. Their only goal is to maximize return on investment. As a result, quality control is sketchy. I have a Remington 700 bought in the early 1990s and a couple of Marlin lever guns from the mid-1990s that are shooters. I would not buy any of these rifles as currently manufactured by Remington Outdoor Company.
I disagree on the Rem 700. If you don't care about quality, they may be okay but the 700's being built today are junk, if we are talking about accurate rifles. Ask the gunsmiths out there about what has happened to the quality of the 700 and they will tell you that they are not the same 700's as your daddy bought by a long shot. That's why there has been an explosion of 700 clones in the last few years. Quality. I am a life long proponent of the Rem 700 but would not buy one again unless they start building them with quality in mind. Sorry for being negative here but the truth hurts. If I was just starting out in firearms today I would buy a Savage in whatever caliber I liked. Out of the box, they shoot more accurately than any other factory production rifle. Best bang for the buck.
First was a Remington 700 SPS Varmint - great barrel on a cheap stock. Later upgraded the stock to an Accuracy International AICS 2.0 and added a Timney two-stage trigger. Paired with a Vortex HST 6-24x50, I can consistently get sub .5 MOA groups using match ammunition. I added a Ruger Precision later, threw the same scope on it. I like my Remington 700 AICS a bit better, but out of the box, it's an extremely solid gun. I got both in .308.
6.5 Creedmoor Ruger Precision paired with a first gen Razor HD 5-20x50. Sub MOA gun out of the box, even with a newb shooter. Getting sub MOA at 200 yards even (furthest my range has locally) with little effort. And you can get the 6.5 for about $1,150 if you shop around.
As a beginner, my recent and absolute first-ever rifle purchase was the Bergara B-14 BMP 6.5 Creed with a Nikon FX-1000 6-24x50 MRAD FFP Illuminated. I believe you missed on this rifle (a great value for a little over $1000) The caliber (6.5 ammo is less expensive and as good long range as the .308 IMHO) and the scope, Cry just a little more... the FX-1000 can be found often for less than $650. Quite a value for it's performance. It took very little time for this true beginner to shoot with the die-hard .308 guys at the range with less than $2000 invested in this rifle. Much to their chagrin. Nikon makes some pretty good single piece ring sets too in the same price range you recommended. Just comments from the subject of the article. A true beginner. Shooting less than 6 months.
When I was looking, the Remington 700 (a TRUE 700, not a falsely marketed 770) was more than I could afford. The Ruger American came out around then, with a floated barrel and accuracy really close to the R700. That's what I got and I have been pretty happy with it. Retailing at around $400, I think it deserves at least an honorable mention in this list.
I am going to get the one not mentioned here; Savage Tactical with the 20" barrel and AR10 mags.
I'm not a new shooter, but I'm new to long range. I got a Savage Axis in 30-06 as an inheritance from my Grandpa a year ago and it's my first bolt action. After getting a feel for it at a local range, I got the $20 trigger kit from M-CARBO. Took the trigger to a very crisp 3.5 lbs. Other than that it's completely stock.
I went to a long distance range with it and, with the help of a good spotter, was pinging steel at 800 yards on cheapest rounds academy had for sale. Prior to this, the longest shot I'd taken was at 300 yds with an AR once. We almost got it to 1000 yards, but we were at the far end of the ballistic arch for those rounds and I was having a hard time holding 30 MOA over the target.
All in all, I don't think you can really ask any more of a rifle going for $350 brand new. I'll probly move up to an R700 soon, as my savage is an aireloom now, but if theres anyone looking to get their feet wet in the sport for cheap, I cant recommend an axis more. Just make sure to get that trigger kit though. My trigger pull was 9 lbs and wobbly side to side beforehand. Couldnt hit the side of a barn before.
Congrats! Reaching out that far for the first time is a lot of fun. If you're looking for your next upgrade, I would highly recommend you look at Tikka, Ruger, and Savage. All three have been putting out some outstanding bolt guns for decent prices.
You obviously deal mainly with novice shooters here. I was hoping to gain a bit more intel on my Mosin Nagant and my 8mm Mauser. In your pictured ammo, I didn't see any 7.62x54r or 7.65x53 rpumds. Being a long-gun shooter, I am always looking for something I didn't know about my weapons of choice since my military days. I hope to catch some information on your site as it looks interesting. Thanks for the targets.
I used this review as a guide to what I needed to look for. While I didn't go "low budget", I didn't go nuts either. The Savage Arms 10 BA Stealth was on sale for $200 off and there was also a $100 refund from Savage Arms, bringing the total to $900. It has generally very good reviews for a long distance precision rifle., comes with a an adjustable Accu-trigger and a Fab Defense® GL-SHOCK six-position, shock-absorbing buttstock with adjustable cheek.. I went with 6.5 Creedmoor because so many articles say that it is the superior accurate distance round.
Savage Arms 10 BA Stealth in 6.5 Creedmoor
Vortex Viper HS-T 6-24x50mm Riflescope w/ VMR-1 MRAD Reticle
VG6 Precision Gamma 65 Muzzle Device
I'll see how this works out and then consider other modifications later.
Remington 700 police, .308.
Vortex Viper pst gen II ffp ebr-2c MOA
EGW guns match rings/NF SD 20 MOA rail
I bought a Remington 700 with a Magpul stock (both for $700 with Remington discount) and paired it with a Nikon M- 308 scope. It's really accurate out to 600 yards... I can't find a longer range in the Tampa area... Can you think of any modifications I should make...
Next up would likely be a trigger!
Have you tried the dade city range? Its kind if a drive but might have some longer range.
Have you done a updated version of this to update rifles or ammo such as the 6.5 creedmore?
Not yet, but on it!
Awesome I'm in the market for a precision rifle and looking at the Ruger Precision Rifle in 6.5 creedmoor myself.
very interested in your opinions for 6.5
I bought a Savage 10 BA Stealth a little less than a year ago, in 6.5CM. Bolted a Nikon ProStaff on top of it. About $1600 OTD, and I can double tap a 6" plate at 1000 yards with Blackwater Precision ammo. Comparing the specs to the Ruger Precision, they're damn near the same rifle - I bought a Precision Rimfire to practice, since I don't have regular access to a 1000 yard range.
I'd say you're on the right track looking at the RP, but you could save yourself a couple hundred going with the Savage if you wanted to.
Been thinking about the Savage 10FCP-SR rifle, and pairing that with a MDT chassie. What's your thoughts on that?
I have that s very rifle, and it is incredibly accurate. The only mods I've made are to replace factory comp with a linear comp, more to reduce side blast on the line at group shoots. You will probably need some sort of cheek piece; I have the Karsten adjustable which is the gold standard. I like my son's Burris XTR2 , 5-25x50 much better than my Bushnell Elite 6-24x50.
This was a good article to read since I'm looking to purchase my first rifle. The purpose of the rifle is getting to shot long distance. Some thing about being patient calms me down. I doing a lot of research and with budget i was looking to get a combo deal. A lot of people I asked are giving me bad feedback, and some are good on the Remington Model 700 .308 ADL Bolt-Action Rifle Combo. I keep hearing that I will out grow that rifle and spend more down the road. Wanted to get some feedback from you what you think. I know down the road after 1000 rounds i would change the body or scoop. That's when I saved up more money like I said I'm on a budget.
Let me know when you have a moment.
Thank you,
What do you think about the new Mega Arms SF-MATEN? It's coming out this summer . How does it stack up against the Aero AR-10?
Thanks !
Mike
AR-10 full review out now! Haven't had the chance yet to try the Mega though.
Gentlemen, Just recently took up rifle shooting 100-300yards. and purchased a Ruger Precision Rifle 20" barrel .308. Cal
I have conflicting opinions and wanted your take on this purchase versus others in it's price range. Scope Burris Eliminator III Laser Rangefinding Rifle 3-12x-44mm. Eat. $3k all in
thanks
I
I have the same rifle both .308 and the 6.5 creedmore. excellent rifles. I'm tagging clay pigeons at 500 yards no problem with the .308. I have noticed that the ruger precision does not like ball ammo...cheap ammo= bad shooting. good choice on the rifle
I'm starting to build my long range rifle what would you recommend on a 7.62 caliber rifle bolt action..
Wise choice including the Tikka in the list above! Put mine in a laminated stock (bedding, etc.) and installed a muzzle break, 'cuz it kicked like a mule........and am enjoying outstanding accuracy and groupings out to 300 yards (so far). I'll do better once I'm comfortable with its new Millet scope (had a Vortex, didn't like that much).
But............you were right!! Merry Christmas.
Thanks Thom, glad to hear it!
I have an Aero Precision AR-15 assembled upper and stripped lower that I want to build a target/varmint, long-range shooter with. I was thinking of a 20" to 24" barrel, chambered in 223 Wylde for a little extra precision. My 1st question is: Can a 5.56 mil-spec or .223 Rem bolt with its carrier group be used, or does it need to be in 223 Wylde? 2nd question: Can you recommend a manufacturer(s) who makes good barrels with a supplied head-spaced bolt and carrier?
Thank you,
Vince
Good question Vince...as far as I know bolts are bolts and since the Wylde is sort of a compromise between .223 and 5.56, any good bolt should work. I'd check out my AR-15 Upgrades article.