[Kingcreek]

Background info: 2 years ago I was diagnosed with serious health problems that made it very unlikely that I would ever hunt again, much less work or play like I was used to. I expected to die in a nursing home in 10 years or less. I sold 17 very nice guns to pay medical bills and kept several and gave my Remington 700 stainless .300 win mag to my son-in-law. He's a great guy and he appreciates it. It's the only gun he has and he went elk hunting with it last year. I can't ask nor do I expect him to return it.
Recently, I found out I was probably misdiagnosed, mistreated, and thank God Himself, I am actually improving and I actually expect to be able to hunt again in the next year or two. I still have a sweet little .243 model 70 featherweight but I need one scoped rifle that can do for deer or elk or whatever else I might go after when the time is right. I probably won't be able to handle a grueling mountain hunt but I'm looking forward to a few more years of hunting.
I'm not recoil shy and I've been reloading for 25 years. I really liked my .300 but I'm thinking a 30-06 might be just fine. I'm not impressed with the newer Remington's.
I like the savage and the tikka. I would like to stay around 1000. For rifle and scope. Anything else I should consider? Hoping to get synthetic and stainless and good glass. I've got a year or more to put it together.
Any help is appreciated.

[ColtPythonElite]

It sounds like you already know what you want and have time to get it. I'd start shopping for an older used 700 in SS/synthetic in .30-06 or .308 and top it off with a quality 3x9 or so scope.Probably used, too. I'd rather have a used Leupold than some of the newer/cheaper stuff out there today....Now is a great time to be shopping for a used big game rifle.

[Kachok]

Savage and Tikka are both fantastic rifles, especially since they cost so little. I have owned half a dozen Savages and been thrilled with them all, but my Tikka is my favorite, it is so silky smooth and the trigger is second to none, plus I got it in my all time favorite caliber that Savage does not offer (6.5x55)
There is nothing wrong with a 300 magnum, but if you are not shooting elk at very long range I don't see the need for it, the old 06 is more then enough in the real world, 30-06 brass is everywhere and dirt cheap.

[Grumulkin]

First of all, I'm glad you're better.

1. For the rifle, I'm not sure I have your answer since everyone's preferences are different. What I shoot the most that are in your price range are the Thompson/Center Encores and Contenders. If you're not in a huge hurry, you should be able to easily put together an Encore for in the $550 range.

2. For scopes, I usually go with Leupolds. I have a 2-7X on a Contender at this time and have used it to dispatch a crow at 311 yards and, yesterday, a Raccoon at probably a bit over 350 yards. I've had that scope a long time; in fact for a time I had it on a 458 Lott and, if I remember correctly, I bought it on eBay for less than $200.

3. There are bunches of cartridges that would be suitable for your purpose and the 30/06 is one of them.

http://www.orchardphoto.com/h29zo99.jpg

I have several Encore barrels that are exceptionally accurate and they are 30/06, 270 Winchester and 300 Winchester Magnum. If I were going after Elk, especially at longer ranges, my choice would be the 300 Win. Mag. From personal experience, I've found the 300 Win. Mag. to be suitable for everything from Groundhogs (if you don't care how much is left), to Raccoons and Deer; I've never been Elk hunting.

[627PCFan]

The Tikka in 6.5x55 is a well sought after rifle, and highly recommended by me, and I like my Savage but not as much as my t3

[Kachok]

^ Yeah I think I got the last one in the country, the first time to the range a friend loved mine and wanted one for himself, I tried to find him one but there were NONE anywhere, to my knowledge they have not yet imported another batch of Sweeds yet. They are supposed to import more later this year.

[Robert]

I'd get a Tika or a Winchester M70 in 30-06. I just picked up a new M70 and it is an amazing rifle.

[Savage99]

Kingcreek,

Good for you that your going hunting again. I am a old timer as well and I cherish every day.

I like the M70 Winchesters, Rugers and Kimbers most of all. The Winchester M70 Featherweight in 30-06 is pretty much a standard of the world.

For a light weight rifle I have the Kimber Montana 308. Truly a landmark rifle.

The three position safeties on the M70's and Kimbers impress me and I want CRF as well on my hunting rifles.

[dprice3844444]

pachmeyer magnum decellerator recoil pad and a http://www.gentrycustom.com/ muzzle break should tame the blast and recoil probs.

[Shadow 7D]

If you aren't too much on weight, consider a 'bubba' rifle, you can find lots of 6.5, 7mm, 8mm and 30.06 rifles for cheap, and it won't be a problem since you reload, AND many have been reworked, it's a hell of a way to find a great custom gun for cheap.

[Sheepdog1968]

If I were to do it all again for a general hunting rifle, the Ruger 77 in either 308 or 30-06 would be my choice with a fixed 4x scope. I think it also fits your budget nicely. Good luck and I'm glad to hear they were wrong.

[snakeman]

If I was getting a new 30-06 I would choose only one combo...a Howa m1500 and a zeiss conquest or leupold vx3 scope.

[Kingcreek]

One of the rifles I sold was an early Ruger .270 with Leupold 3x9. I wish I had kept it. I think I'll start looking for a Winchester model 70, I sure like my old model 70 in .243.
BTW, I don't think of myself as an old timer, I just turned 54, but it seems like its taking a long time to regain what I lost physically.
I hope to hunt elk with my son in law next year 2013.
So I think I'm looking for a 30-06 and will likely mount a 2x7 Leupold or something comparable. Anybody got a line on a featherweight? And does anybody make one in stainless?

[dubya450]

I've reccomended it to a few people, a model 70 extreme weather. I've got one with a Leupold vx-3 2.5-8x36 that I love. Winchester made a new m70 featherweight stainless but i think they discontinued it this year. My hunting buddy has one and really likes it.

[nachogrande]

being a handloader opens up a whole lot of caliber options. if this is going to be your only and possibly last rifle, I'd try to make it something as nice as possible, definately save $ by buying a used/unusual caliber not found in stores. keep recoil on the low side as possible imo. 257AI,280AI, 270wsm. keep your eyes open, no telling what you may find a great used deal on. glad your feeling better and able to get more hunting in. my 2 cents.

[303tom]

If you have a .243, sounds to me like you have all the rifle you need.............

[shaggy430]

My all purpose rifle is a Tikka T3 Lite SS in 30-06 with a 4-12x40 Redfield Revolution. About the perfect rifle in my opinion.

[Kingcreek]

I like the Tikka T3 lite stainless. I'll have to try to get my hands on one. Reasonably accurate for a hunting rifle?

[Sniper66]

Hey KingCreek,

What a great story, the second part anyway! Here are my thoughts: Let your circumstance and your intimate acquaintance with your own challenges help you with your decision(s). We out here are glad to help, but we can't really put ourselves in your shoes. My story: I have really bad feet and had gotten to the point where I could no longer chase pheasants. So, I switched to shooting rifles and now shoot lots of prairie dogs. Since then, I have had 3 major surgeries to reconstruct my feet/ankles and can walk pretty good, still can't manage rugged terrain. The important thing to remember is that nothing stays the same and our needs shift constantly. The solution?....buy lots of guns as often as you can afford it. Like you, I am looking forward to years of some kind of hunting and plan to have my gun cabinet full of guns to choose from. I am up to more than a dozen guns and still looking for others. Have fun buddy!! Be Well.

[Kingcreek]

Thanks. I sold some nice guns, rifles, shotguns, handguns. Hated to do it but it was what I had to do to get by at that time. I actually feel fortunate that I had them to sell when I needed the money. I think dad would forgive me for selling his sweet 16 auto 5 (beautiful gun but I couldn't hit anything with it anyway).
I still have some special guns, about 20 or so, just no rifles for deer and bigger. I have an M1a but it's too heavy to hump around the hills, and the .243 is just not quite enough for elk and a little light for most deer tho I have popped several antelope with it in years past.

[Kachok]

I like the Tikka T3 lite stainless. I'll have to try to get my hands on one. Reasonably accurate for a hunting rifle?
No they are not a reasonably accurate hunting rifle, they are a SUPERBLY accurate hunting rifle, at 6 1/4 lbs to shoot sub moa groups with boring regularity is simply amazing in my book. While I can stroke my Savage to group slightly tighter with handloads my Tikka shoots everything well even bulk Prvi factory fodder comes in around .75" at 100yd, I never had another rifle that would do that. I also recommend the T3 Stainless, it just looks fantastic.
BTW you won't know it until you hold one, but the synthetic stock on the T3 is vastly better then those on other rifles in that price range, it is not mold injected plastic like the Remington, Winchester, Ruger......etc they are a fiber/matrix composite much like a Kimber synthetic.

[Sniper66]

Yeah, that .243 is a bit light for elk. I have heard really good things about Tikka rifles. A friend of mine has shot several with a Tikka .270...he says it is very accurate and reasonable to carry. modestly priced too.

[Art Eatman]

If recoil is not a problem, I'd go with the old '06 as an adjunct to having a .243. That's worked well for me for some forty years...

[HGUNHNTR]

Wow dude. Well congrats on "getting better", sorry you had to go through the agony of having a condition you didn't have.

I really like my Tikkas. I have a T3 Hunter and one of the older Tikka Deluxe versions in 7mm. It would sure be tough to beat a T3 in a 6.5x55, .270, 30-06 or 7mm for elk. Best of luck. Buy some good quality glass, ammo and boots too.

[JEB]

i would say you have it pretty well figured out. i have heard lots of good things about the savage and tikka, and i was going to suggest the 30-06 before i even finished reading your post. throw in a good scope (personally i would go with leupold) and you should be good to go.

[Kachok]

Seems like we have the rifle nailed down, as far as your caliber goes there have been some excellent recommendations here. Let's break them down shall we.
30-06
Pros: Ammo/brass is everywhere, and cheap. It has the power to put down any elk that ever walked within reasonable ranges and with proper bullet selection/placement.
Cons: Not very original, everybody has one.
308
Pros: 95% of the 30-06s umph in a compact short action package.
Cons: Cannot effectively use the ultra heavy 200+gr bullets the 06 can.
300 win mag
Pros: Speed and trajectory of a smaller caliber and the punch of a 30 cal, as long as you are not recoil shy what is not to like.
Cons: Brass and ammo are $$$$, real world performance is not that much higher then the 06 of the same barrel length truth be told.
6.5x55
Pros: Superb ballistics, very mild manners, easy load development, and disproportionate killing power for a small caliber.
Cons: You HAVE to reload to extract performance potential, and good brass (Norma or Lapua) can be hard to find locally, as are the rifles at times.
270 Win
Pros: Shoots flat and fast, quality ammo/brass is in abundance.
Cons: Few bullets in this caliber are really made for elk sized game.
7mm Rem mag
Pros: Shoots flatter then even the 270win, and delivers almost as much punch downrange as the 300 win.
Cons: As with all magnums the brass is $$$$ and there is some concern about barrel life with the 7mm RM, it is a bit overbore.

[Timmypage16]

Grumulkin did you change anything on the encore to get it shoot that well? Also who do you buy your barrels from?

[kolob10]

I vote for a remington model 7 in 308 Remington, 150 gr Nosler accubonds loaded to 2850 FPS or use Hornady super performance loads if more velocity is needed. Small whitetails to Elk at ranges under 300 yards. I'm getting older and the rifles are getting heavier. Top it off with a Leupold VX2 2.5x10.

[Mentokk1]

Since there is a lot of talk about the Tikka T3 here I thought I'd ask about it since I planned on getting one. I have heard about their great accuracy, amazing trigger, and smooth action, I just want to know how does their synthetic stock feel? Is it grippy or is it slick. I want to know if it feels good in the hands cause thats basically the bottom line when it comes to a hunting rifle.

[Grumulkin]

Grumulkin did you change anything on the encore to get it shoot that well? Also who do you buy your barrels from?
The only modification to the rifle was a trigger job. The other part of the equation is good handloads.

Not all Encore barrels shoot that well but a significant number shoot very well. It would be pretty unusual to get an Encore rifle barrel that wouldn't do at least 1.5 MOA and by far the majority will do less than 1 MOA. I would say the average would be about 0.6 to 0.8 MOA. I also have different Encore handgun barrels with which I've shot 3 shot 200 yard groups measuring about 1.5 inches.

I acquired most of my barrels from places like eBay, gunbroker.com and internet forums. Most of them were in used but pristine condition.

[shaggy430]

I like the Tikka T3 lite stainless. I'll have to try to get my hands on one. Reasonably accurate for a hunting rifle?

They are very, very accurate. My 30-06 is sub-MOA with everything I put through it. My favorite hunting load is a max load of IMR4350 under a 165 grain Accubond. Shoots about 1/2" groups and is plenty for pretty much anything with a hoof. It also shoots cheap factory Remington, Federal, Winchester, etc. into about 3/4" of an inch.

[Kachok]

Since there is a lot of talk about the Tikka T3 here I thought I'd ask about it since I planned on getting one. I have heard about their great accuracy, amazing trigger, and smooth action, I just want to know how does their synthetic stock feel? Is it grippy or is it slick. I want to know if it feels good in the hands cause thats basically the bottom line when it comes to a hunting rifle.
I think their stock has a fantastic feel, never had any issues with traction or anything like that, since it is a real composite it does feel harder then the injection molded stocks, but I think that is a good thing. The egronomics of the rifle are very slim, like it was designed for smaller shooters to grip comfortably, but some large friends of mine say they like that too........go figure. The butt stock is not flat but is slightly curved to contour to your shoulder which I also really like. But these things are subjective, someone else might hate those same features, the only way to know if it is for you is to shoulder one.
Now to the two things I don't like about Tikka, their recoil pad is just too darn hard, mind you not even remotely an issue with a sissy kicking 6.5x55 but if I were shooting a 300 win or above I would insist on an aftermarket piece, and the other is that they don't use longer barrels on their overbore standard cartrages, I would not want a 22" tube on a 25-06 but with a 30-06 22" works just fine.

[elrowe]

Just to add to the complexity of your choices, I recommend the Vanguard, take a look at them if you haven't. .30-06 is the way to go. Unless you have a supressed itch to chase brown or polar bears someday, it will do everything you need and ammo's more economical (ammo's never cheap...) than the less popular chamberings. As far as scopes, I just bought a Nikon ProStaff with the BDC reticle and am really impressed at the quality for only $180.

[GSG1911]

I love the Remington 770. I guess that you would call that one of the "newer models" but I love it. It has the stainless steel barrel and camo stock. Also it is very reasonably priced. Just about $400 after tax and shipping etc. I upgraded the scope on mine as the one that came on it was not the best. It was good for a start but... anyway I bought a Centerpoint scope that was much nicer.
Al in all I found it to be a great gun for a good price.

Round wise, you can't go wrong with the .30-06. The .270 is great as well!

However, the Remington 700 is also a GREAT gun!

Buy the 770 and get another gun with the rest of the $1000 ;)

[Texaszach]

I'd rather pay 400 for a weatherby vanguard/howa 1500 or savage than a remmy 770 any day!

I have a vanguard in 243 and would like a stainless one in either 270 or 30-06.
And the s2 versions(new stock and now moa guaranteed) are getting great reviews.

I feel the vanguard looks/feels better than my savage but the savage gets things done just as well in the field.

[Kachok]

I'd rather pay 400 for a weatherby vanguard/howa 1500 or savage than a remmy 770 any day!

I have a vanguard in 243 and would like a stainless one in either 270 or 30-06.
And the s2 versions(new stock and now moa guaranteed) are getting great reviews.

I feel the vanguard looks/feels better than my savage but the savage gets things done just as well in the field.
BIG +1 A Vanguard/Howa is a thousand times the rifle a 770 is, now as much as I admire the Weatherby's fantastic barrel, and "strongest in the industry" action the stock sadly does not fit me :( in an attempt to perfect ergonomics they ended up making the stock a but too bulky/heavy for little ol me (I am only 5'5") but I will be the first to admit that the Vanguard SII is amongst the best in the industry, a worthy rival for Tikka or Savage.

[MCgunner]

Sue for malpractice and buy something for Africa. LOL

Glad to hear you're NOT going to have to give up hunting. I'd not like that idea, myself. Although, if I were in a wheelchair, I'd build a box blind big enough for my wheelchair and pave a path to it. :D

Lots of good, accurate, used 700s at a gun show. They're not completely run off by the tacticool stuff. Savage is a good gun, good buy. Goes up from there, of course. Thompson Center has this new switch barrel bolt gun out that looks novel. I don't have any idea how it shoots, but it's amazingly affordable for a cool concept gun. I don't really need another rifle, of course, but I'd like to play with one.

[Kingcreek]

Sue for malpractice and buy something for Africa. LOL
Actually, that thought has crossed my mind.
Problem is proving negligence would not be easy.

[der Teufel]

When one asks for hunting rifle suggestion, one must expect that most of the responders will simply reply with the type of rifle they are using. That's probably because they like it, otherwise they'd be using something else. I'm no different!

I like .308 and 30-06 because ammo is so easily obtainable. That's not such an important factor if you're reloading, but if you are the variety of bullets is staggering compared to most alternatives. I and most of my friends use .30 caliber rifles and we're happy with our choices.

Whatever decision you make, if you start out with a positive frame of mind it will probably turn out well.

Best of luck!
--

[bison]

I have a Tikka T3 in .270 and really like it. As others have said, it shoots really well and is hard to beat for the money.

With that said, I LOVE my M70 in -06. Much better feel than the "plastic" of the Tikka, better safety, no plastic magazine, etc. Just an all around more pleasing gun to carry around and look at.

You can't go wrong with either.

[porktornado]

[QUOTE]If you have a .243, sounds to me like you have all the rifle you need............./QUOTE]
+1

[QUOTE]Yeah, that .243 is a bit light for elk. I have heard really good things about Tikka rifles. A friend of mine has shot several with a Tikka .270...he says it is very accurate and reasonable to carry. modestly priced too./QUOTE]

since when is a .243 too light for elk? i have seen a .243 take a brown bear down in 20 yards first hand. Moose too! IMHO i would keep the m70 .243(which is an exceptional rifle) and spend that $1000 to top it with a high quality scope. the featherweight will really help you get around easier. carrying extra .243 rounds with you will cut down on weight compared to those .30cal rounds you will have to pack in. every oz matters.

[Kachok]

243 for brown bear?!?!?! I love the little 6mm but that would never be my first choice for dangerous game, my policy on big teeth, claws or horns is the largest caliber heaviest bonded bullet I can place with a high level of precision, and that is way larger and heavier then a 243.

[porktornado]

bigger calibers are for bigger misses... to each their own i guess. it was winchester factory ammo, 100gr soft point, 150yd shot. it wasn't a pass through but it made it all the way to the hide on the opposite side. i found it while i was skinning it. still have it actually. it squared at 8'6".

unless the OP is planning some seriously long shots, or is not certain of his shooting abilities, the .243 would be adequate for elk. IMHO thats what i would stick with, and spend the money on a scope for it.

[Kachok]

bigger calibers are for bigger misses... to each their own i guess. it was winchester factory ammo, 100gr soft point, 150yd shot. it wasn't a pass through but it made it all the way to the hide on the opposite side. i found it while i was skinning it. still have it actually. it squared at 8'6".

unless the OP is planning some seriously long shots, or is not certain of his shooting abilities, the .243 would be adequate for elk. IMHO thats what i would stick with, and spend the money on a scope for it.
I don't see it that way, if I cannot place a 300gr 375 H&H with just as much confidence as my 6.5x55 I won't bring it along, and placed in the same location the larger caliber will have a much greater effect, while both are surely fatal, the larger caliber causes more tissue damage and faster blood loss. Never met a dangerous game hunter who said "I wish I brought a smaller caliber" 243s are a fantastic little rifle, and many underestimate their deer dropping power, but I would absolutely draw the line at elk with premium bullets at reasonable ranges.

[porktornado]

hahaha i agree with you Kachok, I've never met that hunter either. this guy was a special case and we assured him it would be ok and we would be there for backup shots with our .375s. i am definitely not saying go do it by any means. I'm just saying what it is capable of doing in the right hands. we had another guy take a moose with a .220 swift. he has been all over the world harvesting animals with that caliber, including an elephant. theres just something appealing about taking a large animal with an over looked, smaller, "incapable" caliber. i agree with all of the calibers and rifles everyone has suggested, they would all do the job. i was just trying to save the OP some cash with an adequate set up.

[Kachok]

Tiny calibers require surgical precision on larger game, while some enjoy the extra challange of CNS shots I perfer having the extra umph for quick kills, I am a good shot by any standard, but if I want to show off I do it on paper and use cartrages of a reasonable level of overkill on live tragets. It is just more humane for the animals and alot safer for me.
I like overlooked calibers as well, some of my all time favorites are some of the old Mauser cartrages, I have never once felt handicapped with a 6.5x55 or 7x57 on deer or hogs. The only get so dead so quick no matter what you hit them with, no 300 magnum ever held a better track record of quick kills then my Sweed :)