[csc-453v7]

Im kinda lost trying to put together a rifle + scope + suppressor setup. I'd like the silencer out of kindness to my wife and the neighborhood an eighth mile away.
New to distances beyond sporting clay range so theres just so much info and opinions to sift through. But I've landed somewhere that Im hoping will fit my budget, needs, and ability.

Budget: $2300 max for rifle, scope, and silencer (waiting till closer to 2026 to avoid stamp)
Needs: Primarily 300yds and under since thats about as far as the ranges around here go. Dont expect to ever go beyond 500yds.
Ability: Not practiced enough to make great gains from nice triggers or super tactical stocks or super duty barrels.

Thus far I've gathered that some great budget options are the Ruger American and Vortex scopes, plus baking in ~$1000 for a silencer.

I'm sure everyone has an opinion and I'd like to hear them.

 

[Goshen Swamp Retrievers]

I’d rather spend more on the rifle and optic and forgo the suppressor initially. You will be much better served in precision and accuracy to do so. And I’d leave the ruger American on the shelf.

 

[BR-549]

Recommended Setup
🟢 Rifle: Remington 700

• Price Range: ~$600–$1,000 depending on model and finish.
• Why It’s a Great Fit:
  • Legendary bolt-action reliability and accuracy.
  • Wide variety of calibers available—from .223 Rem and 5.56 NATO to .308 Win and 6.5 Creedmoor—allowing customization for recoil, range, and ammo cost.
  • Strong aftermarket support for stocks, triggers, and barrels.

🔭 Scope: Vortex Diamondback Tactical 4-16x44

• Price: ~$400
• Why It’s Ideal:
  • Excellent glass clarity and tracking for the price.
  • Perfect magnification range for 300-yard shooting, which aligns with your typical distance.
  • Durable and backed by Vortex’s lifetime warranty.

🔇 Suppressor Options

• Budget-Friendly Picks:
  • Odin Works: Starting around $320, great for entry-level suppression.
  • Aero Precision: Mid-range options between $500–$800, offering excellent build quality and performance.

💡 Caliber Recommendation: 5.56 NATO

• Why 5.56?
  • Affordable ammo and widely available.
  • Low recoil, making it ideal for newer shooters.
  • Compatible with many Remington 700 variants and suppressor-ready barrels.

💰 Estimated Total Cost

Component	Estimated Cost
Remington 700 (5.56)	$700
Vortex Diamondback	$400
Suppressor (Odin Works)	$320
Total	$1,420

This leaves room in the budget for accessories like a bipod, sling, or upgraded stock.

 

[Goshen Swamp Retrievers]

Recommended Setup
🟢 Rifle: Remington 700

• Price Range: ~$600–$1,000 depending on model and finish.
• Why It’s a Great Fit:
  • Legendary bolt-action reliability and accuracy.
  • Wide variety of calibers available—from .223 Rem and 5.56 NATO to .308 Win and 6.5 Creedmoor—allowing customization for recoil, range, and ammo cost.
  • Strong aftermarket support for stocks, triggers, and barrels.

🔭 Scope: Vortex Diamondback Tactical 4-16x44

• Price: ~$400
• Why It’s Ideal:
  • Excellent glass clarity and tracking for the price.
  • Perfect magnification range for 300-yard shooting, which aligns with your typical distance.
  • Durable and backed by Vortex’s lifetime warranty.

🔇 Suppressor Options

• Budget-Friendly Picks:
  • Odin Works: Starting around $320, great for entry-level suppression.
  • Aero Precision: Mid-range options between $500–$800, offering excellent build quality and performance.

💡 Caliber Recommendation: 5.56 NATO

• Why 5.56?
  • Affordable ammo and widely available.
  • Low recoil, making it ideal for newer shooters.
  • Compatible with many Remington 700 variants and suppressor-ready barrels.

💰 Estimated Total Cost

Component	Estimated Cost
Remington 700 (5.56)	$700
Vortex Diamondback	$400
Suppressor (Odin Works)	$320
Total	$1,420

This leaves room in the budget for accessories like a bipod, sling, or upgraded stock.

Add 250-300 for a trigger tech trigger because there is nothing acceptable about a rem 700 trigger. I agree, I’d recommend a 700 with new trigger, and a much better optic than a diamondback.

 

[csc-453v7]

Add 250-300 for a trigger tech trigger because there is nothing acceptable about a rem 700 trigger. I agree, I’d recommend a 700 with new trigger, and a much better optic than a diamondback.

If the 700 with a threaded barrel is ~$700 would it be more worth to bump up to a bergara?

 

[Goshen Swamp Retrievers]

If the 700 with a threaded barrel is ~$700 would it be more worth to bump up to a bergara?

The biggest bump up you will see is in the optics. A 700$ rifle with a 1800$ optic will get you farther in shooting than a 700$ rifle with an 800$ optic and 1000$ in a suppressor.

 

[csc-453v7]

The biggest bump up you will see is in the optics. A 700$ rifle with a 1800$ optic will get you farther in shooting than a 700$ rifle with an 800$ optic and 1000$ in a suppressor.

Fair enough, so why avoid the Ruger?

 

[Goshen Swamp Retrievers]

Fair enough, so why avoid the Ruger?

Because you mentioned the cheapest centerfire they make and it’s just that, cheap. The handful I’ve held felt like they used sand or mud in the place of oil and they are just rough all around. There is very little aftermarket support and look at what most custom receivers are modeled after………the rem 700. Ruger perfected the semi auto 22, not the centerfire.

 

[csc-453v7]

Because you mentioned the cheapest centerfire they make and it’s just that, cheap. The handful I’ve held felt like they used sand or mud in the place of oil and they are just rough all around. There is very little aftermarket support and look at what most custom receivers are modeled after………the rem 700. Ruger perfected the semi auto 22, not the centerfire.

Hmm also a fair point. Ok one more question, since I'm 0 for 2 with my picks what makes a good optic for my use case? What does the vortex diamondback tactical need to be a great fit?

 

[Goshen Swamp Retrievers]

Hmm also a fair point. Ok one more question, since I'm 0 for 2 with my picks what makes a good optic for my use case? What does the vortex diamondback tactical need to be a great fit?

You can find used nightforce nxs or possibly a nx8 that will be leagues beyond that diamondback. There is a difference in a 400$ vs 1500$ vs 3500$ optics. Clarity, tracking, durability just to name a few. I know a truckload of people who will say “but vortex has an unbeatable warranty” and they will tell you how they used it. I know very few people who have used the nightforce warranty or Schmidt and Bender warranty or Zero Compromise or Tangent Theta warranties, why? There is no need to use them and the few that did got the same service vortex has. Yes, I’ve shot a few vortex from the diamondback to the razors and the razors are ok at best but wouldn’t be in my top choices at that price point.

Sure you can find someone with a ruger American and a vortex diamondback who has shot a sub 1/2 moa group or three, but are they doing it day in and day out at 300, 500, or longer? The last factory gun I spent a little time with, about 500 rounds out of it, was a rem 700 sps in 308 (and I do not care for a 308) that was a good friend’s gun about 12 years ago. I switched the trigger to a jewell and worked a load up that would consistently shoot sub 1/2 out to 800 yards. Yes he had a vortex viper pst on it. It was not braked, light for me and had no suppressor. I’ve shot factory guns since then, but haven’t been as impressed as with that little rifle at that price point. I think he paid about 500$ for it and then the trigger was 250$. No, I’m not selling you one of my jewell triggers since they are no longer being made, but the trigger tech diamond is right there with them.

 

[csc-453v7]

You can find used nightforce nxs or possibly a nx8 that will be leagues beyond that diamondback. There is a difference in a 400$ vs 1500$ vs 3500$ optics. Clarity, tracking, durability just to name a few. I know a truckload of people who will say “but vortex has an unbeatable warranty” and they will tell you how they used it. I know very few people who have used the nightforce warranty or Schmidt and Bender warranty or Zero Compromise or Tangent Theta warranties, why? There is no need to use them and the few that did got the same service vortex has. Yes, I’ve shot a few vortex from the diamondback to the razors and the razors are ok at best but wouldn’t be in my top choices at that price point.

Sure you can find someone with a ruger American and a vortex diamondback who has shot a sub 1/2 moa group or three, but are they doing it day in and day out at 300, 500, or longer? The last factory gun I spent a little time with, about 500 rounds out of it, was a rem 700 sps in 308 (and I do not care for a 308) that was a good friend’s gun about 12 years ago. I switched the trigger to a jewell and worked a load up that would consistently shoot sub 1/2 out to 800 yards. Yes he had a vortex viper pst on it. It was not braked, light for me and had no suppressor. I’ve shot factory guns since then, but haven’t been as impressed as with that little rifle at that price point. I think he paid about 500$ for it and then the trigger was 250$. No, I’m not selling you one of my jewell triggers since they are no longer being made, but the trigger tech diamond is right there with them.

Thanks for your input, would a good rule of thumb be to have a scope twice the cost of the rifle?

 

[Goshen Swamp Retrievers]

Thanks for your input, would a good rule of thumb be to have a scope twice the cost of the rifle?

To a point, when you start getting into upper end rifles and customs, you will be hard pressed to find one double the rifle cost. As you progress you can always sell the rifle and keep the higher end optic for you new, better gun. Or if you start customizing a 700 with a new barrel, new stock, have the receiver tried, etc, you’re optic will be as cable as the gun. If you start out with the lower tier optic, not only will you replace the rifle in the future but the optic to progress in your skill level.

 

[rjcote1049]

Im kinda lost trying to put together a rifle + scope + suppressor setup. I'd like the silencer out of kindness to my wife and the neighborhood an eighth mile away.
New to distances beyond sporting clay range so theres just so much info and opinions to sift through. But I've landed somewhere that Im hoping will fit my budget, needs, and ability.

Budget: $2300 max for rifle, scope, and silencer (waiting till closer to 2026 to avoid stamp)
Needs: Primarily 300yds and under since thats about as far as the ranges around here go. Dont expect to ever go beyond 500yds.
Ability: Not practiced enough to make great gains from nice triggers or super tactical stocks or super duty barrels.

Thus far I've gathered that some great budget options are the Ruger American and Vortex scopes, plus baking in ~$1000 for a silencer.

I'm sure everyone has an opinion and I'd like to hear them.

Do yourself a favor and stay away from cheap Vortex scopes They offer good scopes if you’re willing to spend Nightforce money on one. The under $500 Vortex’s are notoriously unreliable.
Buy a medium priced Burris or Leupold and you’ll be fine. The gun shop I work at has a large box of junk Vortexes that won’t track properly and more come in all the time.
Just my .02 cents.

 

[308Tom]

Im kinda lost trying to put together a rifle + scope + suppressor setup. I'd like the silencer out of kindness to my wife and the neighborhood an eighth mile away.
New to distances beyond sporting clay range so theres just so much info and opinions to sift through. But I've landed somewhere that Im hoping will fit my budget, needs, and ability.

Budget: $2300 max for rifle, scope, and silencer (waiting till closer to 2026 to avoid stamp)
Needs: Primarily 300yds and under since thats about as far as the ranges around here go. Dont expect to ever go beyond 500yds.
Ability: Not practiced enough to make great gains from nice triggers or super tactical stocks or super duty barrels.

Thus far I've gathered that some great budget options are the Ruger American and Vortex scopes, plus baking in ~$1000 for a silencer.

I'm sure everyone has an opinion and I'd like to hear them.

Put your money in the glass. Most modern rifles do 300 yards easily. Don't neglect the trigger. And caliber certainly makes a difference on range and the ability to suppress.

 

[308Tom]

Recommended Setup
🟢 Rifle: Remington 700

• Price Range: ~$600–$1,000 depending on model and finish.
• Why It’s a Great Fit:
  • Legendary bolt-action reliability and accuracy.
  • Wide variety of calibers available—from .223 Rem and 5.56 NATO to .308 Win and 6.5 Creedmoor—allowing customization for recoil, range, and ammo cost.
  • Strong aftermarket support for stocks, triggers, and barrels.

🔭 Scope: Vortex Diamondback Tactical 4-16x44

• Price: ~$400
• Why It’s Ideal:
  • Excellent glass clarity and tracking for the price.
  • Perfect magnification range for 300-yard shooting, which aligns with your typical distance.
  • Durable and backed by Vortex’s lifetime warranty.

🔇 Suppressor Options

• Budget-Friendly Picks:
  • Odin Works: Starting around $320, great for entry-level suppression.
  • Aero Precision: Mid-range options between $500–$800, offering excellent build quality and performance.

💡 Caliber Recommendation: 5.56 NATO

• Why 5.56?
  • Affordable ammo and widely available.
  • Low recoil, making it ideal for newer shooters.
  • Compatible with many Remington 700 variants and suppressor-ready barrels.

💰 Estimated Total Cost

Component	Estimated Cost
Remington 700 (5.56)	$700
Vortex Diamondback	$400
Suppressor (Odin Works)	$320
Total	$1,420

This leaves room in the budget for accessories like a bipod, sling, or upgraded stock.

Excellent write up. BUT - I'd put more emphasis (money) in the glass.

 

[Real Sailor]

Arkin scopes are another one to look at. I have 2 EP5's and I think that they are better than vortex for less money

 

[wildlifeprocessing]

Do yourself a favor and stay away from cheap Vortex scopes They offer good scopes if you’re willing to spend Nightforce money on one. The under $500 Vortex’s are notoriously unreliable.
Buy a medium priced Burris or Leupold and you’ll be fine. The gun shop I work at has a large box of junk Vortexes that won’t track properly and more come in all the time.
Just my .02 cents.

You gonna piss a bunch off but that statement is so true. Vortex is a marketing masterpiece for people to play what they do for mediocrity at best and who would pay razor money for one when you could get top of the line German glass for those prices......

 

[Goshen Swamp Retrievers]

You gonna piss a bunch off but that statement is so true. Vortex is a marketing masterpiece for people to play what they do for mediocrity at best and who would pay razor money for one when you could get top of the line German glass for those prices......

For the price of a razor gen 3 mine wear NF atacr and if you add a couple grand you get a TT, SB, or ZC.

 

[wildlifeprocessing]

For the price of a razor gen 3 mine wear NF atacr and if you add a couple grand you get a TT, SB, or ZC.

Thats what Im talking about. No comparison to those

 

[Elov Anderson]

1- Good Barrel
2- Good bedding
3- Good trigger
4- Good Glass.