11-14-2017, 04:44 PM
started shooting benchrest in International Benchrest Shooters events in 1973. I still own several rifles. An “affordable” upper is questionable if you want a 1/2” gun. An accurate rifle depends on many factors. A great barrel is ruined by a crooked chamber. A perfectly straight chamber won’t shoot well with a bad barrel. I doubt seriously the potential of reaching your goal with a $700 upper. It’s possible but not probable. Match barrels are expensive, meticulous chamber cutting is time consuming and expensive. Can the seller of your upper tell you the amount of run-out in your chamber? Precision Firearms can but they cost twice your budget.
Barrel length is not that important but a longer barrel may make the gun nose heavy and be harder to control on the rest. Barrel harmonics are important but as long as they’re consistent you can develop a hand load that will shoot well. If you’re limited to factory loads harmonics may be a problem. To be honest your chances of having a legitimate 1/2” upper for $700 are slim.
Barrel length is not that important but a longer barrel may make the gun nose heavy and be harder to control on the rest. Barrel harmonics are important but as long as they’re consistent you can develop a hand load that will shoot well. If you’re limited to factory loads harmonics may be a problem. To be honest your chances of having a legitimate 1/2” upper for $700 are slim.