Wanting a long range toy!

[Delfuego]

Beside the Nightforce and the SWFA super sniper, what are some other good reliable optics? I've heard good things about Vortex and Leopold.

SWFA HD 5-20 / Gen I Vortex Razor / Bushnell HDMR are all good scopes and decent prices. Any would server you well. I'm not a fan of Leupold or Nightforce, but that's just me.

[banks74]

There are some great deals on the Gen 1 Vortex right now. On the gun route, I'd go the way Chuck suggested. I just am finishing up a factory 700 for my wife. Its an sps in .243. Dropped it into an MDT Chassis, and added a new trigger. Topping it with a Vortex 5-20. Just waiting on rings to come in. Whole thing including glass was around $2400. Should be a 3/4 minute gun or so. I think it's a good place to start.

[XC700116]

A setup like banks posted would be a good starter, or a savage 12lrp in 6.5 creedmoor would do well too. Both would fit the $3k'ish budget well as you have to keep in mind most have as much into ancillary equipment (or nearly so) as their rifles. Good bipod, rear bag, sling, range finder, etc, the list goes on and on hahaha.

But you can get started with basics pretty easily. As for glass many great options have been mentioned. I personally am not a fan of Leopold, but the nf, Bushnell tactical, vortex razors and viper PST, swfa, anf Burris xtr2 are all solid options in that price range.

[bryan s]

I just did the same thing. I am very new to long range shooting and didn't want to spend a ton of money just to see if I'd like it. I have a savage 12 lrp in 6.5 creedmoore and topped it off with a swfa ss and a bipood I had laying around and rings from a friend. I'm about $1200 in so far and have no regrets on my purchase. The rifle shoots great and the factory ammo isn't too bad. I've taken the factory ammo out to 1k yds several times. It is a lot of fun and the people around are a lot of help. Most are willing to teach you what they know.

[Zach O]

All hood info on here. With a 3k budget you have a lot of options. Bryan S shoots a Savage LRP 6.5 CM with a 20x super sniper and factory Hornady 140 A-Max with great results. Not quite hand loads, but out to 750 its right on and 70% at 1K.

[Zach O]

Guess we posted at the same time Bryan...

[Zach O]

I remember XC700116 was saying the Tikka CTR was also a very capable out of the box rig.

[bryan s]

Well that is weird. Great minds I guess. Or something like that.

[Spdu4ia]

Nothing bad to say about my savage either . I went vortex for optics though. Outside of scope the thing that will get you if your not careful is chassis options. But if you do that I would take hunting out of the equation

[Delfuego]

Tikka CTR was also a very capable out of the box rig.

Tikka are nice, a very smooth action & good trigger. There is now also chassis that are drop in and some good aftermarket parts.