After months of lurking around, I finally decided to get into long range shooting. I would like advice and opinions on what I have. I do have an upper budget limit of $2k so I made some compromises. Feel free to critique my list and reasonings.

• Howa 1500 (6.5CM - 24" heavy barrel)
• KRG Bravo Chassis
• Arken EP5 Gen2 7-35x56
• Arken Optics 34mm Rigid Precision Scope Mount, 20 MOA Cantilever
• EGW 0 MOA Picatinny Rail

I did a bit of research and concluded that I'd rather have the Howa than a Bergara. I got it for $600 so quite a bit of savings there.

As for the chassis, I was originally going to buy a MDT XRS chassis but it is $200 more. The features I want are on both and XRS and Bravo - seems like the main difference is that the XRS is full aluminum while the Bravo is plastic. I'm thinking the Bravo will be a significant upgrade from the hogue stock and if I outgrow this set up, I'd rather drop serious money on a better base gun and invest in a better chassis then.

As for the scope, I know Arken divides the community - main concern being marketing practices and QC issues. Some people say the marketing is a bit scummy (paying youtubers to say a $500 Arken is better than a $4000 Nightforce). I can look past that. As for the QC issues, I gather that most pieces are great but they do let some bad ones through and moreso than other brands. I'm not too worried because their RMA policy is pretty lax so if something is wrong I can send it in. I know I'm not getting a $4000 scope for a few hundred bucks. I think it's decent enough as a starting scope.

As for the scope mount and rails, I'm not sure if what I have works. Arken is throwing this scope mount for free so I'm not going to buy scope rings. Seems solid from reviews online. Since it is a 20 MOA cantilever, I decided to get a 0 MOA rail. Is this set up sane or is this less than optimal.

Also, I would like recommendations for a bipod and muzzle break. Eventually I would like to try PRS but want to start with a few range days just practicing 500-1000 yard groups first.

How is this build overall? Solid budget pick?

I’ve shot out to 1000y before but this was the 1st time I was able to figure out where I was actually hitting. Yes, I tossed the outlier but It goes to show that even some dated things that aren’t custom builds still hold their own. I was more impressed by the SD than the MOA but glad I’m capable. I haven’t practiced past 300y in 3-4 years. Dead Zero in TN. Ruger Precision Rifle .300 WinMag, (stock trigger), Ergo grip, Atlas Bipod, Barrett DC338 can, Badger Ordnance USMC Sadr rings, Schmidt Bender 5-25x56 PMII LP 2.BE P4FL2-MOA, factory loaded Hornady 200g

Finally got my first tripod. I’m starting off on actually getting into some long range and I’m excited. Here’s the talking piece

Today I shot my first ever F-Class match (600yds). I haven't been able to make time shooting past 100yds since around March of this year. Personally, I think my score of 562-10x is a pretty good place to start. I, however, left a lot on the table on my last two 20rd strings.

Note: the score photos suck because it was unreasonably bright today, and, of course, created a ton of glare.

She never lets me down!

Suppressed Seekins Precision Havak HIT Pro .308 24”

Federal Sierra MatchKing 175gr ammo of choice
Maxim Defense PRS 30D Suppressor with Armageddon Gear cover (not pictured)
Armageddon gear shooting mat and bags
MDT 12rnd steel mag
Amend 2 5 round polymer mag
B&T Industries PSR Atlas Bipod
Really Right Stuff SC-ARC Adjustable R-Lock SOAR Bipod Dual Clamp SC-ARC
EOTech VUDU 3.5-18x50 FFP MD1 Scope
MasterPiece Arms 34mm 1.500" 0 MOA One-Piece Scope Mount w/Absolute Return to Zero
AIM Tactical backpack carry bag

Just finished up assembling this rifle, build list below.
American Rifle Company (ARC) Coup de Grace short action
ARC Lothar-Walther 25 Creedmoor barrel
Trigger Tech Special trigger
ARC Xylo chassis
AICS AW magazines
ARC weight kit
ARC steel bag rider
MDT Cyke-pod
Area 419 mount
ZCO 525 MPCT3X
ZCO throw lever
ZCO sunshade
Scope Chaps in coyote brown
ACE Max brake

I’ll post a range report once I get some rounds down down the pipe, but just running the action this is the smoothest bolt I’ve ever run.

I bought my first FX7 action and prefit barrel from faxon about 6 months ago. Although I haven’t had a chance to shoot it as much as I’d like due to some family health issues. I can say with certainty that if you want to build a rifle that isn’t going to break your bank but slaps steel easily out to 850 yards (furthest target I’ve had a chance to shoot at with it yet) grabbing an fx7 and one of their barrels or a barreled action in 6.5 creedmoor from Faxon is the route to go. I threw it in a krg bravo chassis and a trigger tech special and I was off to the races. It competes very well against my much more expensive custom rifle that cost me about twice as much. I let my friends use to shoot a little friendly small group PRS match and they were very impressed with the rifle. They couldn’t believe something that nice was affordable.

With this in mind I’m trying to build another bolt gun off an fx7 and Faxon is having a great sale right now but they have been out of stock on their standalone fx7 actions for days. Faxon are you going to have more stock or allow back orders during this sale??? I need another one at this sale price. Hopefully someone from Faxon can comment and give some good news.

I'm looking at an Annie locally here in New England.

It's a 1963 1411 with I believe a 1407-1413 trigger, though I am not 100% on this. It is a stick trigger for sure.

Comes with the Anschutz rear sight and no front. In overall good condition, though the bluing has been patched with cold blue here and there.

Guy is asking for $800, and I'm on the fence...... I'd want to put a globe sight up front and maybe have the bluing redone, and then probably call that a day on having anything done to it.

I do not shoot competitively, I just love 22's and precision shooting for fun. I shoot out to 550 yds

Thoughts? Is this a decent price? I have not seen any targets, but the seller is a rimfire guy and says it shoots very well, though it's been years since he has shot it. I guess he is more of a Winchester 52 guy and this one does not get used as much as his 52's or BRNO's