How would you put together a budget varmint rifle?
How would you build a long range varmint rifle?
- Thread starter Narragansett
- Start date
Are you talking about buying a rifle & optics or building a rifle?
I don’t know what range you are considering. I shoot steel plates at 1000 yds weekly & shoot with a group. I also hunt varmints and in my world 500 yds would be my max if I had a standing shot.
In the field my rifle shots on coyotes run from 50 to 250-300 yards. My two primary varmint rifles are two 70’s vintage Remington 788’s that cost $150. back in the day.
If I was starting from scratch, I would simply buy a Ruger American or a Savage bolt gun in a 22 center fire or a caliber you like. You can buy these from retail stores ( in this area that would be Rural King) for very reasonable prices. Slap a Vortex scope ( I have bunch of their scopes) on it & go get busy.
I routinely see out of the box rifles that are reasonably priced that turn in moa or less groups at 100 yds with factory ammo.
I also have built long range rifles starting from an action. By the time you procure a barrel, have it properly mated to an action, put it it in a chassis or stock and procure a pic rail, rings,& scope, you are going to have a sizable investment.
I don’t know what range you are considering. I shoot steel plates at 1000 yds weekly & shoot with a group. I also hunt varmints and in my world 500 yds would be my max if I had a standing shot.
In the field my rifle shots on coyotes run from 50 to 250-300 yards. My two primary varmint rifles are two 70’s vintage Remington 788’s that cost $150. back in the day.
If I was starting from scratch, I would simply buy a Ruger American or a Savage bolt gun in a 22 center fire or a caliber you like. You can buy these from retail stores ( in this area that would be Rural King) for very reasonable prices. Slap a Vortex scope ( I have bunch of their scopes) on it & go get busy.
I routinely see out of the box rifles that are reasonably priced that turn in moa or less groups at 100 yds with factory ammo.
I also have built long range rifles starting from an action. By the time you procure a barrel, have it properly mated to an action, put it it in a chassis or stock and procure a pic rail, rings,& scope, you are going to have a sizable investment.
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You aren't going to build a “budget” varmint rifle unless your budget exceeds the cost of a number of factory varmint rifles. Rifles I have had built all exceeded 2K when finished.
OP
Well, I guess I should have been a bit more explicit. let's say a 500 yard gun. Caliber? Would you rebarrel an action, restock a sporter, build from scratch. What would you do about the trigger? whose stock would you use? etc., etc.
LVSteve
Well-known member
Remember, that for accuracy the components of the complete system must work to maximum capacity, firearm, ammo, optic, and the nut behind the butt. 
There are several, reasonably priced modern rifles out there that shoot very well with the right ammo. Some of the basic Savage rifles have shown remarkable consistency. Google the rifle reviews in the NRA publications.
There are several, reasonably priced modern rifles out there that shoot very well with the right ammo. Some of the basic Savage rifles have shown remarkable consistency. Google the rifle reviews in the NRA publications.The other question is how much money are you wanting to invest?
There are zillion options out there.Do you have an action?
If you are wanting to stay below $1500. I would go back to my first post. Both Ruger & Savage and others make purpose built varmint guns that are very accurate out of the box. If I was going with a 22Cf it would be the 22-250.
When you build a rifle from scratch there a lot of “rabbit holes” you can go down and they all cost money.
Another issue is cost & availability of components. A good friend of mine builds precision bolt rifles & procuring barrels & other components in a timely manner is always an issue.
There are zillion options out there.Do you have an action?
If you are wanting to stay below $1500. I would go back to my first post. Both Ruger & Savage and others make purpose built varmint guns that are very accurate out of the box. If I was going with a 22Cf it would be the 22-250.
When you build a rifle from scratch there a lot of “rabbit holes” you can go down and they all cost money.
Another issue is cost & availability of components. A good friend of mine builds precision bolt rifles & procuring barrels & other components in a timely manner is always an issue.
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Bill Bates
Well-known member
I'm a real fan of the Ruger American Predator line. I've not seen one that didn't shoot really well right out of the box. I don't think you can build something that will shoot any better without spending a bunch of money.
I have one chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor. It shoots a number of different factory loads 1/2 MOA.
No matter what you go with put some money into your optic. Mine wears an older Leupold Mark 4. Yeah, it cost a bunch more than the rifle but a great scope will really pay off.
Not sure what varmints your looking to kill so I'm not going to recommend a cartridge. The Ruger does come in a pretty good range of cartridges.
A proud grandson with the B&C pronghorn he shot from the far ridge ..one and done with the Ruger.
my rifle and targets shot at 200 yards
I have one chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor. It shoots a number of different factory loads 1/2 MOA.
No matter what you go with put some money into your optic. Mine wears an older Leupold Mark 4. Yeah, it cost a bunch more than the rifle but a great scope will really pay off.
Not sure what varmints your looking to kill so I'm not going to recommend a cartridge. The Ruger does come in a pretty good range of cartridges.
A proud grandson with the B&C pronghorn he shot from the far ridge ..one and done with the Ruger.
my rifle and targets shot at 200 yards
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Yendor357
Well-known member
Budget is not a standard unit of measure.
A dollar amount is required for a reasonable answer.
A dollar amount is required for a reasonable answer.
Find a good used CZ 527 in 5.56/223.
OP
Well maybe I did not pick a great topic. 
As for budget, I was thinking 1500 without the scope.
I have a Ruger 77V in 22-250 and a Browning safari hb in 222. I was thinking of something in a 6mm Rem or a 270 W
As for budget, I was thinking 1500 without the scope.
I have a Ruger 77V in 22-250 and a Browning safari hb in 222. I was thinking of something in a 6mm Rem or a 270 W
If you want to spend more money than the Ruger American Gen 2 or a Savage, the Tikka T3X Supervarmint is available in 223 Remington, 22-250, 243 Winchester and 6.5 Creedmoor.
I have not shot one myself, but people I respect have nothing but praise for the Tikka T3X. Building a significantly better rifle would cost nearly 2x the $1,600 price tag and there would be uncertainty about the outcome with any custom build.
I have not shot one myself, but people I respect have nothing but praise for the Tikka T3X. Building a significantly better rifle would cost nearly 2x the $1,600 price tag and there would be uncertainty about the outcome with any custom build.
Well maybe I did not pick a great topic.
As for budget, I was thinking 1500 without the scope.
I have a Ruger 77V in 22-250 and a Browning safari hb in 222. I was thinking of something in a 6mm Rem or a 270 W
The M77 is an outstanding rifle in any caliber. AFTER you replace the trigger.
Charlie Foxtrott
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For a solid 500 yard rifle, I'd go to something more than the 223/5.56. Most likely a larger caliber.
25-06, 6.5 Creedmoor, just to name two.
When I need a new barrel on the old No.1V/223, 1:12,
I'll most likely up the caliber. Always wanted a 25-06, but the 6.5s are interesting.
Glad the kids live in the Rockies.
Have two 6920's, 1:7, will keep one OEM, just put a Geissele SS in one, have heavy bullets, will see how it shoots, and might get a
longer and better barreled upper for the heavier bullets.
Have the T36 on it now
Have a Ruger 5.56, that is still unfired, and might be 1:9.
As stated, store bought varmint rifles are available.
Add quality glass and load your own.
25-06, 6.5 Creedmoor, just to name two.
When I need a new barrel on the old No.1V/223, 1:12,
I'll most likely up the caliber. Always wanted a 25-06, but the 6.5s are interesting.
Glad the kids live in the Rockies.
Have two 6920's, 1:7, will keep one OEM, just put a Geissele SS in one, have heavy bullets, will see how it shoots, and might get a
longer and better barreled upper for the heavier bullets.
Have the T36 on it now
Have a Ruger 5.56, that is still unfired, and might be 1:9.
As stated, store bought varmint rifles are available.
Add quality glass and load your own.
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OP
Replace the trigger? On the 77 or the 77 MK2 or both?
I cant remember what my trigger pull is like. I have not fired it in 45 years
My only experience is with M77 in 22LR and 338 mag.
Both had terrible triggers. Dropped in Timney triggers made a huge improvement.
They both belong to my father. He also has CZ 527 in 5.56/223 and 221 Fireball. The Fireball is his favorite.
He reloads for both.
I’ve never been a big fan of the Ruger rifles, even though I’ve owned/tried a number of them over the years. We all have our favorites, but two picks we’ll within that budget would be a Tikka or possibly a Weatherby Vanguard.
270 Winchester strikes as a bit much bit of a varmint cartridge, but I’ve been guilty of varmint hunting with a 308 so I guess I can’t throw stones.
270 Winchester strikes as a bit much bit of a varmint cartridge, but I’ve been guilty of varmint hunting with a 308 so I guess I can’t throw stones.
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OP
I’ve never been a big fan of the Ruger rifles, even though I’ve owned/tried a number of them over the years. We all have our favorites, but two picks we’ll within that budget would be a Tikka or possibly a Weatherby Vanguard.
270 Winchester strikes as a bit much bit a varmint cartridge, but I’ve been guilty of varmint hunting with a 308 so I guess I can’t throw stones.
With the lighter bullets it is fast and flat and a great distance choice
OP
There have been a couple mentions of good glass. What would meet that requirement? I have been out of the scope main line for quite some extended period.
I think I have a couple vintage Redfields and a couple Lupolds
I think I have a couple vintage Redfields and a couple Lupolds
I have heavy barrel varmint rifles in .223, .223 Ackley Improved and 22-250. All of them are based on Remington actions and shoot well. I don't try to shoot much past 300 yards because I only use 12X optics.
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