What would you consider the best long range gun available for under $5000. That's includes scope and rings. What ammo would use in that setup?

Define what is long range (distance)?

Let's say 600

Available as in off the shelf? If you’re talking about a factory gun then the Tikka CTR is hard or possibly impossible to beat. NF rings are never wrong but there’s many good manufacturers. The Burris XTR Pro is proving to be a good acope.

Ammunition: assuming you don’t reload, you’ve saved some money on the above set up. Go to Garvey and have him set up your equipment and tune a load for you. If you have any money left have him tune you while he’s at it. A class to cover the basics is a giant step forward in shooting. You can shoot for years with the wrong discipline and knowledge and never achieve what you yourself are capable of.

What caliber?

If you’re going to buy ammo the 6:5 Creedmoor is the only caliber. Factory support for it is awesome. If you or someone else is loading I’d say anything the CTR comes in except the .223. That’s just me not wanting to be limited.

6.5 CM or .308 as far as factory Ammo goes

Xbolt
CTR
Ridge

As far as reasonable to be had

VX6

I am not a long range guy but I know that will work for 600 yards

I watched a guy dust a sow at 525 w a new 700 (one of them sorry sum bucks that’s I wouldn’t own) in 308 this winter, factory ammo and VX5

Hand loads are better, time on trigger is better, NF is better

If you’re hunting beyond 600, although I have two, you want something bigger than a 6.5 CM. If this is for paper and steel, then the CM will get you to 1000-1200 pretty easily.

So, live or stationary targets? If both, what percentage of each?

Paper for hobby

Then I heartily vote for the 6.5 CM, followed closely by the 6CM, 22CM, and .223/.223AI. Since weight isn’t an issue, in factory guns I would look at the Tikka CTR or UPR, Bergara b-14 HMR, Springfield Waypoint 2020 (non-carbon barrel). If you will not be suppressing/braking it, then the Tikka Varmint might be the best of the bunch, particularly for the money. There are others as well.

600 isn’t that far. For a scope I’d start with the SWFA 5-20HD, Burris XTR II in any size, Bushnell DMR, or just about any Nightforce. Rings, Badger Ordnance, Nightforce, Seekins, several others.

Off the shelf with upgrades.
Remington 700 5R's in 6.5 CM. Scope is leupold MK4 4.5 x14, hand loaded ammo shooting Hornady 140 gr. ELDM's

Upgrades:
Trigger Tec Trigger
Muzzle brake
Bedding
Cheek piece

These two guns will shoot and 500 yards is a chip shot for them.

Bergara Premier series
Browning Long Range X-Bolts

Sig Cross in 6.5 CM or .308

sig cross(BRO edition has longer barrel and arca rail) or springfeild waypoint
Bushnell LRHS-2 4.5-18 X 44 G2H RETICLE

6.5 CM and look at the custom ammo makers like Dallas reloads, Unknown munitions, and Copper creek.

Tikka CTR in 6.5 Creedmoor.

Night Force NX8 4-32X Mil-C reticle (if you can find a Mil-C)

You're under $5k, and I would take that combination anywhere in the world.

I think I would agree with Buzz and go Bergara Premier series mainly because of REM 700 footprint and TT trigger upgrade.
Scope would be Zeiss S3 4-25 or 6-36 version.
6.5 Creedmoor with Berger ammo should do fine.

This is where I would be but with such a healthy budget, I'd probably spring for nice chassis for the adjustable cheek and length of pull function. We added, what i think is a very affordable, krg bravo to our tikka varmint and it didnt change accuracy or anything that I noticed. But it did make shooting the rifle much more comfortable. Personally, i really like the vertical grip and larger palm swells.

Good luck on your long range journey. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have/am.

Hell if you want a long-range rifle I a few Bat action rifles with March 10x 60 scopes I would see for 5 grand. Ask Buzz he has seen most of them shoot

Really depends on what your trying to attempt here, if your a hand loader then you have all kinds of possibilities.
Either way I am a huge believer in a custom gun, Alamo Precision is an excellent builder in DFW. Any caliber that you desire they can build.

I saw you said 600 yards, with that being said I personally would recommend a 6mm creed or maybe a 6x47 lapua.

Either of these take about half the elevation dial of a 308 from a 100 yard zero to 600 yards.
My 2 cents and strictly my own humble opinion.

600yds is perfect for the 223 or 223ai.

Seekins havak and a bushnell elite dmr 2 or pro. Egw 20 moa rail and warne rings in 6CM for target. That’ll get you 1200 yds no issues. The g2 reticle is about the best crossover reticle between hunting and target out there when it comes to a value proposition.

My all factory Tikka Varmint in 223 will easily hold 2 - 3 inch groups at 600 with my handloads on a calm day.

I think the .223 is a great round but has challenges for a beginner. The wind being one of them.

That 100% depends upon the circumstances. My 223ai runs a 80gr bullet at 2948 and it mimics my 6mm BRA with A-Tips in both wind and elevation to around 700ish yards. Yes if the wind is extreme the 223 will give up more deflection but unless it's 20mph plus its within .2 mil of the 110 atips i run in the bra. In my opinion when you are learning rounds down range help the most and a 223 is affordable and easy to feed lots of rounds without as much wear and tear on the barrel.

I’m partial to 6 dasher