Build vs Buy for us poors

[bobinmi]

Hi my name is Bob and I identify as a poor. I want to get into a "beanfield" type rifle. 99% of my rifle hunting is for whitetails in ag land and I have other options for sub 400yd shots. I'm debating between building a savage package gun long action 30-06 that I've had sitting in the safe for years. I'd like to turn it into a 280 AI. Every time I price it out, I rethink my options. Seems like I can buy a Browning max long range in 280AI or a Bergara in 300 win and just be done with it for pretty close to the same money. What does everyone else think? I'm 100% sure that someone will ask "why not a tikka"... Because they don't make what I want right now and by the time I buy the action it doesn't make sense to me. This is not a caliber discussion, I don't care about weight because its not going to be carried very far, and I'm not brand myopic.

 

[AZ_Hunter_2000]

If you want to go as cheap as possible, then commercial is your only option. Find a 280 AI that fits you and is within your budget.

 

[letrbuck]

Call up Crown Ridge and NSS to price out a prefit 280ai barrel.

Tools and gauges to do the swap will cost you another 100-150 bucks.


But, you're probably best off buying a new rifle unless you are the type that loves to tinker. A factory 280ai can be had at decent prices, especially if you aren't married to the x-bolt

 

[MThuntr]

Skip the savage (not a savage hater...I own 3). Either of the other 2 will treat you well. Word of caution...280ai ammo can be tricky to obtain and pricey when you do find it. Personally if you're not a reloader a 7mmRemMag will be a better choice.

 

[Tberg]

I bought a Bergara HMR wilderness 300wm back in December. I bedded it, and it is one of the best shooting rifles I own. Shoots 208gr eldm and 208gr Berger's exceptionally well. I think you will be happy if you go with the Bergara.

 

[LeftyWilbury]

our store manager has a bergara HMR 300wm that he loves.
all of our customers who have purchased bergara rifles have had great things to say about them
met a guy out hunting who was lugging around a HMR in 6.5CM and his comment was, "i hate how much this thing weighs, but it shoots so damn good i can't leave it at home."

i'd seriously consider one....but i'm already addicted to tikkas.

 

[colby12]

Send the build, scratch the itch! (I know nothing of the process, have never done it, but am currently going through the same thought process with the same caliber)

 

[Newtosavage]

3rd option - Savage Ultralight in .280ai. At the end of the day, just buying one of those will save you money.

I built a .284 Win on a Savage LW Storm action (I've actually done 2 now) and when it's all said and done, I have over $1k in this rifle. For 200 more, you can get an Ultralight with a CF Proof Research barrel. Just do it.

 

[Rknight]

Sell the savage and buy the browning. I love my dad’s bergara but I really want a 280ai

 

[False_Cast]

Being poor doesn’t mean you have to be stupid.

Bullets are more important than headstamps and it’s not close.

Whitetails in Michigan >400 yards?

What optics?

 

[bobinmi]

Being poor doesn’t mean you have to be stupid.

Bullets are more important than headstamps and it’s not close.

Whitetails in Michigan >400 yards?

What optics?

Not sure what your trying to get at with the bullets and headstamps stuff but yes, well over 400 yds in MI. I've got permission on 4 different farms that have powerlines or abandoned railroad tracks. I could shoot at a mile on one of them if I was so inclined. These farms were very recent acquisitions and I figure that 280 AI or a 300 win or some other magnumesque caliber would afford me more opportunities than the 9.3x62 that has been my primary deer rifle for a long time. As far as optic goes I've got a Primary arms PLX 5-30x56 with a mil horus reticle that a guy gave me in lieu of payment for discing his farm.

Sent from my SM-G981V using Tapatalk

 

[HeavyForCaliber]

Agree with @mthuntr about 7RM for cheap more available ammo. 7RM is not trendy lately so if you want to mod your 30-06 on the cheap, you can look for factory 7RM takeoff barrels popping up on GunBroker and eBay, which usually go for less than $150 (and get a magnum bolt head). There may be more takeoffs if/when 7PRC is released later this year. Unfortunately most takeoffs are sporters; I like a 26" Remington Sendero / light varmint profile for beanfields if you build one. 7RM is also carried in cheaper pre-fits like EABrown $260 including tool eabco.net/savage-rifle-barrels-by-eabco.html.

Speaking of takeoffs, one of the most common ones I see is the 270 which is not too far from what you're looking for with good ammo. Here's one for $130 gunbroker.com/item/924702930.