Affordable accurate western rifle.

[Ridge Runner]

So...I've been playing around with a Winchester Model 70 featherweight 300WSM. I put it in a Bell and Carlson stock, and tried several brands of factory ammo. The best group I can get is a little over 1 inch. I've read you should get .5 inch group for a good western gun. Anyone have any opinions on a quality gun for less then $1000?

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

Do you reload or just shoot factory ammo?

Did you just drop in the barreled action into the stock or glass bed it also?

 

[Ridge Runner]

Do you reload or just shoot factory ammo?

Did you just drop in the barreled action into the stock or glass bed it also?

I sanded it a little to float the barrel, and dropped it in. Seems to fit good. Shooting all factory ammo.

 

[Tim McCoy]

I suspect very few factory rifles will shoot actual .5 inch groups with factory ammo. Actually, just over an inch, say 1 1/4", is a good level of accuracy for BG hunting. If you are looking very long range, say over 350-400, it is best to start with a more accurate gun, something under .75 moa, or better yet .5 moa ish.

Couple other thoughts. Did your rifle shoot better in the factory stock? Is your B&C stock pillar bedded or one with the alum. bedding block? If not, I might glass/pillar bed the action and make sure the barrel is free floated. Bedding can make a big difference. There are custom ammo companies that will load a box of ammo, where there are 4 different bullets, to see of your rifle likes one. Superior Ammo comes to mind.

Lots of quality guns, where 1" groups or better are regular. Savage, Tikka, Howa/Weatherby Vanguard, Remimgton, etc. The Ruger American is accurate and usually under $500, their Hawkeye is under 1k and shoot well.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

Tim is spot on. I have a B & C on my custom commercial Mauser action .300 Wby. It is alum pillared and I still glass bedded it.

If you are really after 1/2 min groups with the rifle you have, you really should be reloading for it. Every rifle is different, there are no 2 exactly alike. Some will like one load, others will have it. You just have to find the right one. Takes lots of range time and lots of shooting, which in itself is great too, makes you a better shooter.

 

[Timberstalker]

I will hunt with a 1.5" group without hesitation. You don't need a .5" gun to be an affective hunter, hell most guys can't shoot the gun as good as it can shoot. Especially in a hunting situation.

 

[Work2hunt]

I will hunt with a 1.5" group without hesitation. You don't need a .5" gun to be an affective hunter, hell most guys can't shoot the gun as good as it can shoot. Especially in a hunting situation.

+1 on this. I wouldnt get hung up on .5 groups. Can you hit a 6 or 8 in circle at your effective range. If so, thenuse the gun you have.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

I will hunt with a 1.5" group without hesitation. You don't need a .5" gun to be an affective hunter, hell most guys can't shoot the gun as good as it can shoot. Especially in a hunting situation.

I hunted with one gun, a sporterized 03 military Springfield for 25 years that would only shot 1 1/2 to 2" groups. Shot a lot of deer and elk with it. You just have to pick your shots. Back then most hunting rifles could not do much better. things have changed a lot since then.

 

[hoshour]

I agree with everyone so far. Sub-moa groups at 100 yards are more for bragging or about long distance shooting, something I'm not in favor of.

I have an old Savage .30/06 that I picked up cheap and glass and pillar bedded and it still shoots 2-3" groups at 100. I don't know if it's just worn out or just doesn't like the three different brands of ammo I've tried. I'm guessing it's worn out. If I got groups down to 1.5 - 2" I would shoot it out to 300. I'll shoot out to 400 with my .270 because it shoots 1" groups. Anything longer than that has too much bullet drop and potential to drift with the wind that may be different near the target than to me.

The main thing is to have a good, solid rest, don't shoot if your heart is pounding too much to hold the crosshairs steady, and know the yardage limit at which you can shoot inside an 8" pie plate.

 

[HuskyMusky]

Tikka
Sako A7
Browning

 

[mallardsx2]

My 300 WSM Browning A-bolt Stalker SS BOSS will shoot cloverleaf groups at 100 yards with factory ammo. It didnt until I messed with the BOSS on the end of the barrel....It was like 1.5" groups. That tuner worked for me with Winchester silvertips.

I see them for sale all the time.

Having said that I only shot one deer at 200 yards with it and I could have killed it with my CVA...

PS- Wear your earplugs.

 

[Jrod]

Does it have to be a new gun? My dad has two Remington Model 600's, one in 6mm and one in 308. He can "cloverleaf" with both guns with factory ammo. Small gun too, 18'' barrel with a vent rib and a shark fin sight with a dog leg bolt. Light guns but only come I think in 4 calibers; 223, 6mm, 308, 35 Rem mag. We can carry those guns all day and know they will hit where we point em. The 308 with copper crushed two mule deer bucks at 220 with ease this year.
I don't know what they run now a days but it may be worth looking at anyways
Just my thoughts. Cheers

 

[xtreme]

Mine is same except 7mm. Shoots factory 1/2 and RWS at 1/4 inch. Absolute best idea yet is the BOSS.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

Does it have to be a new gun? My dad has two Remington Model 600's, one in 6mm and one in 308. He can "cloverleaf" with both guns with factory ammo. Small gun too, 18'' barrel with a vent rib and a shark fin sight with a dog leg bolt. Light guns but only come I think in 4 calibers; 223, 6mm, 308, 35 Rem mag. We can carry those guns all day and know they will hit where we point em. The 308 with copper crushed two mule deer bucks at 220 with ease this year.
I don't know what they run now a days but it may be worth looking at anyways
Just my thoughts. Cheers

They also came in .243 (bought my son one in 1986). MY Blue Book say they came in .222,.223.6mm Rem, .243,.306,.35 Rem. They are a great gun. My son's shoots 1/2" groups with his loads.

 

[Hilltop]

I love my Ruger Hawkeye. It is a 30-06 and loves Hornady factory ammo- 165 grain interbond superformance. I did try several factory loads to find the one that shot the best. Don't give up on some of the cheaper lines when trying ammo- Remington Core Locks were the pill my 7mm mag loved the best. Some guys will bag on them but they are a good bullet and some rifles just shoot them great.

 

[Timberstalker]

I love my Ruger Hawkeye. It is a 30-06 and loves Hornady factory ammo- 165 grain interbond superformance. I did try several factory loads to find the one that shot the best. Don't give up on some of the cheaper lines when trying ammo- Remington Core Locks were the pill my 7mm mag loved the best. Some guys will bag on them but they are a good bullet and some rifles just shoot them great.

Very true! My Winchester M70 25-06 shot Remington 100 gr core lokt very, very well.

 

[Horsenhike]

We have had good luck with Core-lokt in several rifles.

 

[mallardsx2]

Mine is same except 7mm. Shoots factory 1/2 and RWS at 1/4 inch. Absolute best idea yet is the BOSS.

And the funniest part about it is that they discontinued it....lol

 

[xtreme]

Yes sir, sometimes our gun experts just ruin a good thing. Another example is the super short magnums, although I hear the 243wssm may be coming back this year. The super shorts may have run into a patent problem and I hear it may be resolved.

 

[Jrod]

Thanks CC for the calibers. I thought they came in 222 but wasn't sure, I didn't know the 243.

Coreloks are great. That is what my A bolt with BOSS shot until the state of California wanted to save me from myself