$5k plus rigs, what do you have? Favour?

On the infamous MD Poll thread re distance of last killing shot I asked @whanahuia:
"On the off chance I might one day be in the mood to spend that sort of money, what was the rig you bought?"

I'm asking from a perspective that MD would possibly applaud, when he's reinstated of course - my minimal larger game hunting experience has mostly been in the 50 -120m range with the occasional foray to 220m..this reflects my decidedly limited field experience as well as my kit which tends to feature older 2nd hand wood and blue rifles and mid-level or cheaper projectiles..however I have slowly been creeping up. Over the last few.years I've moved slowly from Iron sights to optics with my "best" being 3-9x40 in either pre-owned Leupolds, or Fullfield IIs, plus a couple of Vortex Crossfire IIs.

I do have a couple of rifles in 270Win and 308 that are capable of a lot better. So next step is a better scope and range practice to be able to hit the gong at 300+m.

I'm guessing there are plenty like me out there who will probably never go further because we already have what it takes to fill the freezer or get the odd trophy. But, just in case, it would be interesting to hear what others would spend around that $5-6k mark on if acquiring a complete rig.

Let's hear it.

PS. The question is not "what's best", rather what you liked enough to buy.

Saw your question so thought id come over and start.

Ive only ever bought one brand new rifle in my life too this point. That was a BRNO 270, and I bought it at 21 years old. Among other reasons I tuned 50 this year and thought I could shout myself another one and moving too the south island I had an idea in mind.
So I tracked down what might possibly be the last brand new Barrett Feildcraft in .270, in the world, as they stopped making them a couple of years back. On top of it I put a GPO 30mm 1.5-9x44 with illuminated dot and MIL dots.

My thinking was that Im not interested in whats now described as long range shooting. I want a set up thats great on dusk and dawn. Good in the bush. Uses a cartridge that I can get hold of anywhere in the world. Is flat shooting enough that I do not need to carry a rangefinder. And that will allow me to comfortably kill out too 400 meters if warranted. It also had to be light weight as I intend to carry it more than shoot it.
Also the 270 really had to have a 24 inch barrel to get the best out of factory ammo and make my life easy as far as reloading gos.

https://i.postimg.cc/c181cdw1/New-rifle-1.jpg

Reload group with 130 grain speer hot core and 53gr ar2209 doing 3100fps
It will also shoot similar groups with winchester Accubond ct 140gr factory ammo
https://i.postimg.cc/WbzYw2YF/20231205-171751.jpg

Mondays effort.

https://i.postimg.cc/bJDXfLk2/Rough-creek-Cham.jpg
And it works in the bush as well.
https://i.postimg.cc/jjL4Snwb/New-farm-boar.jpg

What would I change? I dont know that I needed to have the 30mm tube. I could have saved some weight and gone for a one inch tube possibly. I like the scope and its performing well but I always intended to upgrade to a swaro when I get the chance. Just to give me that bit more morning and evening ability.

From personal experience:
Howa rifle in calibre of your choice, ali chassis stock, VX3 or similar, Bipod/some type of support, range finder. Spend remainder on ammo and trigger time.

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Originally Posted by whanahuia

Saw your question so thought id come over and start.

Ive only ever bought one brand new rifle in my life too this point. That was a BRNO 270, and I bought it at 21 years old. Among other reasons I tuned 50 this year and thought I could shout myself another one and moving too the south island I had an idea in mind.
So I tracked down what might possibly be the last brand new Barrett Feildcraft in .270, in the world, as they stopped making them a couple of years back. On top of it I put a GPO 30mm 1.5-9x44 with illuminated dot and MIL dots.

My thinking was that Im not interested in whats now described as long range shooting. I want a set up thats great on dusk and dawn. Good in the bush. Uses a cartridge that I can get hold of anywhere in the world. Is flat shooting enough that I do not need to carry a rangefinder. And that will allow me to comfortably kill out too 400 meters if warranted. It also had to be light weight as I intend to carry it more than shoot it.
Also the 270 really had to have a 24 inch barrel to get the best out of factory ammo and make my life easy as far as reloading gos.

https://i.postimg.cc/c181cdw1/New-rifle-1.jpg

Reload group with 130 grain speer hot core and 53gr ar2209 doing 3100fps
It will also shoot similar groups with winchester Accubond ct 140gr factory ammo
https://i.postimg.cc/WbzYw2YF/20231205-171751.jpg

Mondays effort.

https://i.postimg.cc/bJDXfLk2/Rough-creek-Cham.jpg
And it works in the bush as well.
https://i.postimg.cc/jjL4Snwb/New-farm-boar.jpg

What would I change? I dont know that I needed to have the 30mm tube. I could have saved some weight and gone for a one inch tube possibly. I like the scope and its performing well but I always intended to upgrade to a swaro when I get the chance. Just to give me that bit more morning and evening ability.

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Excellent response! Thks

It's lucky MD is taking a break :D

I don't own a $5K rig, but it's not that much if you think about. You could easily blow $2-2.5K on a Tikka variant, $2-2.5K on a decent scope and $500 on a suppressor.

so 300rum with nikko stirling?

Sako carbon light and a Swarovski

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The only time I’ve spent anywhere close to the figure of $5k, was my mixed breed AR, with IOR scope, set up for Service Rifle open class. I got it perfected just in time to say goodbye to it.
It was quite a capable 500m match shooter.
That was the first and last time I have ever spent that kind of money on a rifle.
That being said, I’m quite interested in what fancy rigs other people have, just in case I win lotto…

I’d be lucky to have $5k of stuff in total….wonder at times s how I ever get to shoot anything….


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Shooting goats/tahr/deer up to about 250-280M is one game that I happily do with just about any rifle scope combination that will hold a reliable zero. Shooting them around 300 starts to get interesting and I like a rifle that will consistently shoot under 1.5 moa - practically any modern centrefire.

Past 350 and it's a different game, and my first thought always is to get closer, which is nearly always possible in any terrain for anyone who has spent a bit of time in the high country and is proficient in reading "the lye of the land". It's more reliable, easier and cheaper to learn to get a bit closer than it is to learn to shoot at long range.

And a rifle to do it then? Well first you're gonna have to get you head around the old adage "spend more money on your scope than your rifle" - the scope is the critical tool.. The rifle under it - just about any modern well tuned factory rifle with careful handloads along with plenty of practice will get you shooting sub MOA and that's good enough think about extending your range past 400M.

Personally, despite frequently shooting my hunting rifles to 600Y on the range, I wouldn't bother trying to shoot a deer past 400M, and that would be in extreme circumstances. Recently I watched one of the best stags I've ever seen from 360M but passed up the shot, just too hard to read what the wind was doing accross the gullies. We stalked in closer but he'd jisted it. Still better that wounding and losing it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by tiroahunta

I’d be lucky to have $5k of stuff in total….wonder at times s how I ever get to shoot anything….


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I think thats the point of Mickys other threads. You dont need to spend that much too do well. The way i read this thread its about what and why people choose to go that bit further price wise.

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Originally Posted by tiroahunta

I’d be lucky to have $5k of stuff in total….wonder at times s how I ever get to shoot anything….

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Hey Micky! I don't think anyone is saying you have to spend $5K, but clearly there are those that can afford it and like nice toys. Where's the harm? As per my previous post, I think the $10K question would be more revealing.

You don't need to spend 5k or a rig to shoot 3-500m.

My 7mm08 xbolt was brought second hand, put a new leupold 3x9 50 cds and home loads and we shoot targets past 500m all the time

easy enough to spend 5k

Tikka t3x + Leupold VX5 + DPT suppressor + Blacklanz/MTN Bipod.

Not saying you have to, but with prices where they have gone in the past few years 5k is no longer a whole lot for a decent shooting rig.

So the thread was not intended to be about what you do or don't need to shoot this distance or that. Nor about what is best or worst. Rather it was an invitation to those who have spent large $$$ on rigs to share what they bought, maybe a bit how they have found it etc. As @whanahuia kindly did

I buy most of my gear secondhand but I do like better quality equipment.

It’s not hard d to acquire 5-6 k outfit’s at good discount, particularly during tough times if you have bit spare. Ie gfc, now and into future.

Merkel k4, kahles,
Blaser R8 with multi barrels, mounts and euro scopes etc


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A thread I wish I could contribute to! I know exactly what I'd like to get for a PR or LR setup, but sadly it is likely to stay a theoretical exercise for the foreseeable future.

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Originally Posted by Jhon

So the thread was not intended to be about what you do or don't need to shoot this distance or that. Nor about what is best or worst. Rather it was an invitation to those who have spent large $$$ on rigs to share what they bought, maybe a bit how they have found it etc. As @whanahuia kindly did

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Fair enough, Shanks gave you a very nice run-down. However as a regular range officer I see a fairly common "situation" that makes me kinda upset. Joe Bloggs has gone off and spent 5-10K on a rig, often its been set up by "the shop" with a load etc. Usually fairly powerful rifles. They try and verify their zero at 100M as per our range rules, and WHAT, groups are nothing like "special" and the guy with the Howa on the next frame is making them look a bit silly.

Next thing I see it for sale somewhere.

Point is (that as an artist of some note you may have an inkling of) is that you need to know a lot before you commission such a "project" and the for sale column here tells me many people simply don't make enough effort to learn about themselves and "the game" before they lay down their $$. Sorry if that butt hurts some people but I guess I can get banned to the naughty corner with MD.

@Tentman You make fair points in both of your posts, Worthwhile discussion points that should not get anyone butt hurt. I mean its the same through any outdoors recreation. How many top quality tents do you see come up on TM that have been used once? Someone bought them thinking they were going to do a whole heap of tramping and camping, and then didnt.
I think there are two ways to learn. Do an apprenticeship and take advice from someone with experience. Or buy from a shop and learn from your mistakes. Probably a good percentage do the later. I well remember being in Sportways in auckland and listening too the sales man tell a young guy that " This will snot anything in the country." by way of sales advice, and thinking I should be a prick and walk over there and help the young guy out.
When I was doing some guiding for meat hunting, 70% of animals shot were not shot where the shooter said they had aimed, and most of those guys were new too the sport and had a gun city tikka with the label still on the barrel or stock.
No one should see a thread like this and think in any way that this is what you need to be successful.
Maybe with your experience, a complimentary thread with what you actually do need would be a good idea? Because I kind of agree with you that people new too the sport are getting lead down an often expensive path.

5k is very easy to spend, he'll some of the European rifles guys wn are more than that without 3k worth of glass on top.

IMO a Tikka is the best starting point regardless of your budget, they just offer the best bang for the buck and really don't leave anything to be desired for the most part.

A Tikka with your choice of suppressor will leave you with about 3k to spare.
I'd probably spend all of that on an optic but you could go for a VX5 for around 2k and then have 1k left for a carbon stock if that's your thing.
For a do everything rifle a Tikka CTR + a 2k scope would be hard to beat, leaves you a bit of money left over for suppressor or whatever other accessories you want/need.

The much harder thing to justify IMO is spending 3k+ on decent binos.
I know top tier RF binos are fantastic and you won't regret buying them but shit that's a decent chunk of someone's budget spent just finding the damn animals.

No different to going on any other forum tho.
There are the shoestring budget guys and the best of everything guys.
You can go 4wdriving in a 1500 dollar terranno or you can spend 20 on a nice 80 series and then another 50-100k on it if you like....both of them will drive up the leitham or 95% of places.

I've got a couple of "expensive" rifles now after coming from a 303 and 308 neither of which were good for more than 100y.

One of the expensive rifles was born of wanting a lightweight tops and open country rifle with lower recoil than what I had so that I could take my then puny Son hunting and only carry one rifle that could do it all from 0-700ish and recoil soft enough that the Son could take a shot when appropriate.
He shot his first public land deer with it at around 220y from memory....that made it worth at least what it cost because it filled that niche.

He could have shot it with his Howa mini 223 but then I would have had to carry that too.

I’ve had most things now, been on the forum since I was 18 on a shoestring student budget, now not so budget inclined and like nice things

I’ve settled on a blaser r93 for numerous years now, have had many barrels.

Current configuration is in carbon stock, 7prc barrel, nx8 scope and dpt. Spartan bipod, mountain gear sling. It’s pretty nice for what I want.

Have another barrel 6.5prc with a March scope which is equally as handy.

Will get a k95 at some stage.

Also have a desert tech with a few barrels and another nx8 on top. That’s getting into kinda expensive territory.

Don’t get me started on shotguns if you think rifles are expensive

Alexander Henry falling block 450 no2 Musket
Makes the 5k and no scope !
Made 1873 so 150 years old a few months ago

Big money but I thought it will be the only one I will ever own.
It's so bloody good I'm actively looking for another now in a different caliber.
Quality of build is extraordinary and despite its age 100% perfect condition

5k, Tikka and a Nightforce. Probably closer to 6-7k if buying new, certainly don't regret spending that coin on mine.

I've got a Tikka T3 7mm Rem Mag and a VX6. Nothing too fancy but works for me. Regularly shoot 5-600 yards and sometimes further. All up would cost about $5k I guess.

@Philipo. You have traded up recently?

Have rolls royce taste on morris minor budget sadly. Especially from this Friday for a bit.
Registration has been helpful as means it has curbed my desire to buy anything new.
For hunting I make do with a Tikka in........................308 / Leupold scope and a Montanna 300WSM also Leupold scope.
For the amount of deer I shoot both work fine as its the closer the better. Need to practice more.

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Originally Posted by MB

Hey Micky! I don't think anyone is saying you have to spend $5K, but clearly there are those that can afford it and like nice toys. Where's the harm? As per my previous post, I think the $10K question would be more revealing.

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Bro I'm all good with it. Each to their own

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Currently I have a 4k thermal sitting on an $800 rifle. It's a learning curve but I'm getting there. Does that count.

5k will get you a great set up nowadays even brand new ( go forum 2nd hand deals & you get awesome shit ) $2000 factory rifles shoot friggen amazing compared to 25 years ago, slap on some rings n glass & ya good to go.

But 5k is nothing in the current environment, Leupy VX6's used to be sub $1500 etc as MB said 10k would be far more interesting question.


I always find it entertaining when the old "how much money did you spend on that" comes up, people all have different lives, incomes & priorities ( some are just proper cunts ) but I work farken long hours, am self employed & like nice things, two scenario's came to mind when I read the title of this thread


One from a few years back, on a fly in roar trip with the friend "of a friend" ( my mate pulled out at the last minute ) this guy loved hunting, was his thing, had a great job on great money but had the shittest gear n equipment, his Ridgeline raincoat n putties were absolutely fucked used an old Ruger n scope combo, moral of that story is he came to the tops under powered, shit gears & binos = he missed a great Stag & I had to finish off two of his fucked up shots that were very gringy

Second, from yesterday funny enough. I went to get my pre Xmas hair cut from a lady who works from home & I've supported of over 10 years, I turned up in my RAM as I'd been getting a new set of rubber fitted, her husband arrived home & I got to listen to him giving me arseholes while I got my hair cut about what a flash truck I'm driving, then how he'd cooked his bosses truck doing in the vicinity of 30k plus of damage was not an issue. I responded with that, I worked all weekend attempting to get a job finished before Christmas & haven't had a day off for the last two weeks, must be great working your whole life for wages n smoko breaks aye, funny how people think, we are definitely all different

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Originally Posted by Philipo

5k will get you a great set up nowadays even brand new ( go forum 2nd hand deals & you get awesome shit ) $2000 factory rifles shoot friggen amazing compared to 25 years ago, slap on some rings n glass & ya good to go.

But 5k is nothing in the current environment, Leupy VX6's used to be sub $1500 etc as MB said 10k would be far more interesting question.


I always find it entertaining when the old "how much money did you spend on that" comes up, people all have different lives, incomes & priorities ( some are just proper cunts ) but I work farken long hours, am self employed & like nice things, two scenario's came to mind when I read the title of this thread


One from a few years back, on a fly in roar trip with the friend "of a friend" ( my mate pulled out at the last minute ) this guy loved hunting, was his thing, had a great job on great money but had the shittest gear n equipment, his Ridgeline raincoat n putties were absolutely fucked used an old Ruger n scope combo, moral of that story is he came to the tops under powered, shit gears & binos = he missed a great Stag & I had to finish off two of his fucked up shots that were very gringy

Second, from yesterday funny enough. I went to get my pre Xmas hair cut from a lady who works from home & I've supported of over 10 years, I turned up in my RAM as I'd been getting a new set of rubber fitted, her husband arrived home & I got to listen to him giving me arseholes while I got my hair cut about what a flash truck I'm driving, then how he'd cooked his bosses truck doing in the vicinity of 30k plus of damage was not an issue. I responded with that, I worked all weekend attempting to get a job finished before Christmas & haven't had a day off for the last two weeks, must be great working your whole life for wages n smoko breaks aye, funny how people think, we are definitely all different

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Yeah, but what about your rifle?

Hahahahaha yes mate I got slightly side tracked

Fuk me this time of the year with a few voddies brings out the sidecar

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Originally Posted by Philipo

Hahahahaha yes mate I got slightly side tracked

Fuk me this time of the year with a few voddies brings out the sidecar

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:D:D:D

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Originally Posted by PerazziSC3

I’ve had most things now, been on the forum since I was 18 on a shoestring student budget, now not so budget inclined and like nice things

I’ve settled on a blaser r93 for numerous years now, have had many barrels.

Current configuration is in carbon stock, 7prc barrel, nx8 scope and dpt. Spartan bipod, mountain gear sling. It’s pretty nice for what I want.

Have another barrel 6.5prc with a March scope which is equally as handy.

Will get a k95 at some stage.

Also have a desert tech with a few barrels and another nx8 on top. That’s getting into kinda expensive territory.

Don’t get me started on shotguns if you think rifles are expensive

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I know a couple of shot gun owners,2 or 3 shot guns get you a deposit on a nice home.Unbelievable.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Philipo

5k will get you a great set up nowadays even brand new ( go forum 2nd hand deals & you get awesome shit ) $2000 factory rifles shoot friggen amazing compared to 25 years ago, slap on some rings n glass & ya good to go.

But 5k is nothing in the current environment, Leupy VX6's used to be sub $1500 etc as MB said 10k would be far more interesting question.


I always find it entertaining when the old "how much money did you spend on that" comes up, people all have different lives, incomes & priorities ( some are just proper cunts ) but I work farken long hours, am self employed & like nice things, two scenario's came to mind when I read the title of this thread


One from a few years back, on a fly in roar trip with the friend "of a friend" ( my mate pulled out at the last minute ) this guy loved hunting, was his thing, had a great job on great money but had the shittest gear n equipment, his Ridgeline raincoat n putties were absolutely fucked used an old Ruger n scope combo, moral of that story is he came to the tops under powered, shit gears & binos = he missed a great Stag & I had to finish off two of his fucked up shots that were very gringy

Second, from yesterday funny enough. I went to get my pre Xmas hair cut from a lady who works from home & I've supported of over 10 years, I turned up in my RAM as I'd been getting a new set of rubber fitted, her husband arrived home & I got to listen to him giving me arseholes while I got my hair cut about what a flash truck I'm driving, then how he'd cooked his bosses truck doing in the vicinity of 30k plus of damage was not an issue. I responded with that, I worked all weekend attempting to get a job finished before Christmas & haven't had a day off for the last two weeks, must be great working your whole life for wages n smoko breaks aye, funny how people think, we are definitely all different

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Yep. I once bought a 6.2 meter Haines hunter. Some dude comes along and tells me im lucky. In a manor that wasn't that friendly. He never saw me out every night I could for 3 years after work, shooting and plucking possums to pay for that boat.

Quite a few years ago I had, what was at the time, quite an expensive Mt bike. People would say to me "You could buy a car for that". Will that was true, but I didnt want a f#%king car, I wanted a good Mt Bike. Same goes for anything you buy. It's your money and you prioritise where you spend it.

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Originally Posted by Shearer

Yeah, but what about your rifle?

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You need to add a few more numbers to get close to anything in Phil's safe

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I've got a custom built remmy in a carbon fiber stock, with flash trigger and bits. Owes me well over 5k before you start looking at scopes and rings.

Lovely rifle that shoots fucking mint.

Don't hunt fuck all with it though, my kimber that I bought off here for 1100 bucks, topped with an older vx3 that I bought off here for 550 bucks, with an old second hand muzzle forward dpt does all the killing.

Well a few years back I felt a need for a rifle that would out shoot me, I already had some reloading gear from Dad for his lever gun and his nice bolt rifle was left handed due to an eye injury so no Good to me. Caliber was sorted.
Went to Barnard for an SM repeating action, trueflite for a fast twist barrel, Hardy for silencer and Boyds for a thumb hole stock and Nikon Monarch III 3-16scope on 1"tube.
Today I would look at the At-One boyds's stock and a better Scope but it was what could get and afford.

Wanted it as a day walk carry rifle for hunting Bush edges on farm land, mostly prone or over a rest/side of a tree and range target shooting weapon.
now I hardly use it as its too easy compared to my medium bore lever gun that's away's challanging my technique.
Z

I've got a Sako 85 7mm-08 with a vx3i 3.5-10x40 CDS.

I bought it because the rifle became available at a very good price and I like nice rifles, not because it performs any better than the Remington 700 I had or the Tikka I could have bought cheaper. At some stage I'll upgrade the scope to get better optics, more zoom and better dials, but I already had the vx3i and it does the job for now.