So, I've talked about building a bolt action rifle for years, but adult finances kept getting in the way, largely of the curveball variety. I've spent a year or two pricing out the .308 build that I want, and having thought about it very carefully I've resigned myself to it being just south of a $3000 purchase.
I'll get there, but in light of a few recent developments, I've decided it might be sensible for me to start with something cheaper in an intermediate caliber that would just get my hands on a rifle to learn the basics of marksmanship with. I should note that while I do have a lot of experience with handguns, I've never really warmed to rifles and, at present, own exactly zero of my own. I live in a state with a 15rd mag ban, so the appeal of ARs is slightly diminished given the difficulty of acquiring "real" magazines.
It's also worth mentioning that I now live with my girlfriend who owns her (departed) father's Winchester Model 70 in .30-06 and has expressed interest in learning to hunt. She is very crunchy-organic-yada yada but also has 0 qualms with guns, and as someone who's always been looking for a reason to learn to hunt, this seems like a great pursuit to encourage and, most importantly, a reason to finally buy a rifle.
So: the gun. In order of priority, I want it to be capable of doing the following:
1. Platform for developing very basic marksmanship skills at intermediate distances (200yd and under)
2. Conceivably use for hunting deer (i.e. >.24cal/6mm in CO) though I accept that if I get serious about hunting I'll end up buying a rifle with more reach.
3. A rifle useful for social purposes, of course, is never undesirable
With those goals in mind, I want a rifle with the following qualities, also in order of priority:
1. Reliable, durable, built of components backed by good CS
2. Relatively inexpensive (Under $1k for complete rifle, not including glass)
3. Enjoyable to shoot
4. Inexpensive to shoot
Here is what I have envisioned so far:
Ruger American Ranch in either 7.62x39 or .300BLK (see questions below) - ~$400-450 out the door
Magpul Hunter Stock - $275-300
Vortex Viper PST Gen II 1-6x24 (Reticle undecided) - $650-700
Timney Trigger - ~$120
Sling
That puts the rifle at $825; with glass, ~$1500.
So, on to my questions:
1. Is there anything that is missing here? I am considering a bipod, but if that might violate the esprit of the rifle and probably would add a lot to my end price if I went with my first choice (atlas)
2. How do we feel about aftermarket bolt handles/shrouds/etc?
3. Are there other base rifles I should be looking at? I considered the CZ527 but the ruger American seemed more versatile and had a more accessible aftermarket.
4. Any other suggestions for glass? I am looking for something illuminated, 1-6ish variable power, of good quality/clarity but ultimately something in this price range ish. I considered the Burris XTR series, too, but open to other ideas.
5. Finally, caliber. I like the idea of 7.62x39 because it is inexpensive and seems like it will still take deer within 200yd (Hornady makes 123gr SSTs that supposedly do well out of these guns). However, .300BLK is the new hotness and might be a better choice ballistically, but I know really zilch about rifles so I might be wrong here too. .300BLK would also open up my magazine options quite a bit too... 7.62x39 limits me to ruger Mini 30 mags, as far as I can tell. Not sure how copacetic that will be with the magpul hunter stock.
Also, for those who are curious, here is my evolving idea for a .308....
Tikka T3x CTR .308 Win
Burris XTR II 5-25x50mm illuminated mil-dot FFP (or the bushnell DMR 2)
KRG Bravo Chassis
Badger Ordnance; Improved 6-9" Harris bipod