Build or buy

[C-grunt]

My wife and my ten year wedding anniversary is a bit over a year away. For her present she is throwing the wedding reception party she never got as I was a private (ie poor) when we married. For my present I am getting 5k to spend on a gun.

My budget of 5k is pretty strict as we are also trying to pay off our new house in the next 10 years.

So my two options I have been eyeing have been an AI AE MKIII 308 (or something similar like a GAP Crusader) or buying a Remington 5R and slapping a buch of stuff on it.

If I go the purchase route it will only leave me approximately 1k to spend on a scope. I would then save up for a good scope like a Nightforce NXS but because of the house pay off plan it would likely take me a year or so to do it. In the 1k range I was looking at either the Viper PST, a lower end Leupold Mk4 or maybe finding a better scope used.

On the other hand if I go the Rem 5R route I could purchase some really nice glass to start and just keep the rifle fairly simple. Now obviously this choice would seem to be the most logical as common wisdom says that good glass is more important than the rifle.

However my problem with this is I think it will be much easier to save up the money to buy good glass for a superb rifle than to save up for a top end rifle to go with the high end scope.

This rifle will be used for target shooting and maybe competition in the future. I dont get out to shoot at range enough to become a real competitor but even coming in last place would still be a fun and educational experience.

[Moltke]

Do you own any NFA stuff? Have you considered getting a cheap full auto?

[fallenromeo]

Do you own any NFA stuff? Have you considered getting a cheap full auto?

I thought the terms "cheap" and "full auto" were mutually exclusive? I don't know much about NFA because I am in Commiefornia, but what full auto can you buy for sub 5K? Not questioning you, just curious what is out there for that price?

[Moltke]

MAC's, Reisings, M2 Carbines, SW76's, Stemple's, Sten's...

Cheap fun subguns, nothing awesome, but now I'm realizing this was specifically in the bolt gun subforum and he's only talking about bolt guns - so I'll just withdraw the question.

[taliv]

don't forget to budget cost of ammo in there, and match or range fees



i remember when i was a broke college student buying my first car, i spent all my budget on a nice car and couldn't afford gas to drive it! that sucked! I don't make the same mistake with rifles now.

[C-grunt]

Ammo isn't in my budget as its a constant payment. Much like any other bills. Plus I have reloaded in the past for match 308 so I would just start that back up. This budget is specifically for the gun and glass. I might be able to go over slightly but nothing significant.

I was just doing some online shopping and found some AE MkIIs for 3300 and Nightforce 3-15 NXS scopes for around 1500. That fits in my budget. I would be probably just be buying the AI scope mount from them and I already have a Harris bipod and would probably save up for a nicer one.

[taliv]

cool

look at this scope then. it's better than any of your options above. FFP, 3-21x locking turrets, lightweight. very good reticle. http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubb...44#Post3441144

[amac]

Have you considered a semi-auto precision build? I know this is the bolt action forum, but for your intended use, it seems you're over gunning. You can save over $1,000 and buy a bad ass Knights, LaRue, LWRC, etc and put that sweet piece of glass on top. Semi-auto's are fully capable out to 1,000 and will hold moa groups if you and the gun are good enough. Just saying you may want to consider this as an option.

By the way, congrats on the upcoming anniversary!

[C-grunt]

Have you considered a semi-auto precision build? I know this is the bolt action forum, but for your intended use, it seems you're over gunning. You can save over $1,000 and buy a bad ass Knights, LaRue, LWRC, etc and put that sweet piece of glass on top. Semi-auto's are fully capable out to 1,000 and will hold moa groups if you and the gun are good enough. Just saying you may want to consider this as an option.

By the way, congrats on the upcoming anniversary!

I have considered them and they still are an option. I do like bolt guns better for the more extreme ranges and simple system. I have considered the Larue and LMT extensively but have never seen a KAC for under 4k.

[anthony1]

I feel like scopes have come a long way recently in the 1k price range, the vortex pst, weaver tac ffp and bushnell ffp are all solid scopes- I've had or tried just about every scope worth owning between me and my brother and once you get into the top of the line optics diminishing returns are very real- yes USO and SB are better than a pst but are they 2k$ better? Only you can be the judge, I would try to see if you can check out scopes befor buying. If your fine with a 1-1.5k scope I'd get a gap and be done with it. You really have to get behind some rifles with different scopes if possible, I like my bushnell hdmr better than my brothers night force.

If you build a rifle you could just get a rem 7, new barrel, trig and stock for 2-2.5k easily. That would leave you enough for about any scope. Even a stock 5r is more than enough accurate for the majority of shooters. The only real problem here is there are no guarantees that when it's all slapped together it will shoot to your liking.

It is quite a tough decision but I would lean towards a gap or equivilent rifle (a sako trg is worth a look) and a decent scope and saving up then upgrading the scope after you know exactly what scope you want.