All around bolt action for $1000ish

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MidRoad

MidRoad

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Upstate ny
Hey guys, havent been around here much the past year or so, nor have I purchased a new fire arm in nearly 2 years so the itch is something fierce.

As of right now im leaning towards a new all around bolt action for hunting. Would like to keep the rifle itself around $1000ish or less. I dont't NEED one i just WANT one.

A little background, I live in upstate NY and deer hunt in the thick stuff. My go to deer rifle is a ruger american compact .308 with a 2-7 leupold on it. Its short, the short LOP is handy when wearing a backpack or in a tighter stand. Its a great brush gun, that im not afraid to hunt hard with. Super easy to maneuver around thick second growth with. Honestly its perfect for my current hunting needs.

But im looking to pick up a nicer/higher end rifle in case i end up hunting some fields or maybe one day a western elk hunt or something when the kids are finaly out of diapers and off of formula no draining down the bank account LOL...so maybe one day. So i figured get a nice rifle that cam handle the task and become familar and comfortable with it over the next couple of years. Nor to mention it would be nice to have a second bolt action incase something was to happen to my ruger american.

This past winter i was able to snag a vortex viper HS 2.5-10x44 for $250 new from Midway. So i have a nice optic to put on the rifle

So id be interested in hearing some suggestions or rifle/calibers. Prefer this one to be synthetic/stainless or coated rather than blued. Wood and blued is beautiful and timless but im looking for practicality. The savage 110 storm has my attention. I like the idea that it wont need to be bedded and the stock is adjustable to fit. Thinking maybe in the 7mm mag flavor.

What do you guys suggest?
 
The Bergara B14 HMR can be found within your price range, is available in a number of good cartridges, and seemingly well equipped with some nice features. It'll also share magazines with your Ruger if it uses the AI mags.

It might be a little on the heavy side though.

If it's heavier than you'd like, a Tikka T3X would be impossible to beat for a great dedicated light weight hunting rifle under $1k.

There's nothing wrong with the Savages, I'm just not in love with the actions. They certainly seem to shoot well typically though. Purely personal preference.

The 7mag is a great, versatile cartridge. I don't particularly love belted magnums, or magnums really in general but the 7mag strikes a good balance between plenty of power, but not too much recoil.
 
Have a Savage 110 Storm in .223 and like it very much. Sub-MOA groups with hunting loads and match loads is no problem. Savage rifles may not have the fit and finish of a Tikka or Bergara, but they put a bullet on target. The biggest drawback with both of my Savage rifles has been the magazines. Based on the OPs description of what he`s looking for, I have no problem recommending a 110 Storm.
 
gotboostvr said:
The Bergara B14 HMR can be found within your price range, is available in a number of good cartridges, and seemingly well equipped with some nice features. It'll also share magazines with your Ruger if it uses the AI mags.

It might be a little on the heavy side though.

If it's heavier than you'd like, a Tikka T3X would be impossible to beat for a great dedicated light weight hunting rifle under $1k.

There's nothing wrong with the Savages, I'm just not in love with the actions. They certainly seem to shoot well typically though. Purely personal preference.

The 7mag is a great, versatile cartridge. I don't particularly love belted magnums, or magnums really in general but the 7mag strikes a good balance between plenty of power, but not too much recoil.
Click to expand...


That bergera wilderness ridge is pretty appealing! HMR is nice but a bit heavy
 
Viers said:
Up your budget about $700 and that will get you a Seekins Havak which is by far the best value for a production bolt gun available right now.
Click to expand...
I may have gotten a lemon, but I couldn't get rid of mine fast enough, better options (actions) out there, not to mention the chattermarks all down the barrel.
 
I've had bad luck with Bergara. Never seen a Tikka that didn't shoot.

My go-to rifle is a Winchester 70 Extreme Weather 308 sitting in a McMillan Edge stock. But you won't get that for $1000. If you can live with the factory Bell and Carlson stock you might be able to find one in the $1200-$1300 range. I know that is a little over your budget. But it would make a nice heirloom rifle to pass down.

The last Tikka's I priced were about $750 for SS, around $600 for blue. There isn't anything better than your Ruger, or less expensive than the Winchester 70 EW out there. Chances are good it will outshoot any other hunting rifle and hang with most target rifles weighing 2-3 lbs more.

But as much as I like Tikka, I sense you want something with a little more class. I think Tikka is a bit better gun than your Ruger. But it is still working-class rifle much like the Ruger you have. I believe I'd find a way to save up a bit more and get something more classic. It sounds like it may be a few years before you need anything more than what you have. And a Winchester 70 is about as classic as it gets. And the EW upgrades to modern weatherproof materials.

And 308 is fine. Don't get hung up on needing a more powerful rifle or needing something that shoots farther for western elk hunting. Modern 308 ammo is considerably hotter than 1960's era 30-06. Yes, 30-06 can always be loaded a little hotter, but if 30-06 was enough gun in the 1960's, 308 is even better today.
 
A couple years ago I was seriously looking at a win m70 extreme weather, not that the savage storm is a bad rifle. I just don't consider it a higher end gun. For caliber 280 rem or the ai version, which gets close to 7mm mag velocity with out the heavier recoil. The down side is that ammunition for the 280.

Don't get me wrong there is absolutely nothing a 380 can do that a 308 can't at a slightly shorter distance. You might think about getting your new rifle in the same caliber that you have so there is more familiarity with the round.

My go to hunting rifle is a rem 700 sps in 7mm08, I do have other rifles as well and try and carry all of them at one time or another during hunting season.
 
Go with a Tikka. Here is my 3 month old Tikka in 7mm Rem Mag with 100 yard 3/8” group. 7.4 pounds as shown.

index.php
 
stillquietvoice said:
A couple years ago I was seriously looking at a win m70 extreme weather, not that the savage storm is a bad rifle. I just don't consider it a higher end gun. For caliber 280 rem or the ai version, which gets close to 7mm mag velocity with out the heavier recoil. The down side is that ammunition for the 280.

Don't get me wrong there is absolutely nothing a 380 can do that a 308 can't at a slightly shorter distance. You might think about getting your new rifle in the same caliber that you have so there is more familiarity with the round.

My go to hunting rifle is a rem 700 sps in 7mm08, I do have other rifles as well and try and carry all of them at one time or another during hunting season.
Click to expand...

I wouldnt mind another 308 in the least bit, nor would i be opposed to 7-08, 270, 30-06 etc. Just curious to see what others are suggest to maybe open up my mind a bit. Unfortunately dont handload so need to stick with more mainstrean stuff.

@jmr40 Is on point. Mainly looking for something with a little more class than my current ruger american. Nice quality, accurate, dependable, and well nice looking rifle would be a plus.

Being that my ruger is a compact with a short LOP and a 18" barrel , im looking for a nice quality rifle with a 22-24" barrel, and a standard/adjustable LOP.

My rational beheind the 7mm mag was its a good bit flatter shooting, has more oomph behind it and seems like a really nice all around shooter without being overkill for deer. But honestly im not picky and maybe a mag really wont be the route to take, good points made.
 
I’ve been looking for a new rifle for a while. Tried a Tikka, nice gun but not the one. Then checked out a Christensen Mesa, not the one. Kimber Hunter, close but not yet. Anyway I have a Winchester extreme weather ss on order. It’s a little more than the others but it checked most of the boxes on my list. Chambering is your choice but if I didn’t already have a 7mm-08 the Winchester would be that.
 
What specific features are you looking for, and what design characteristics are make or break?

There's a lot of options and variations in action designs, as well as stocks and barrels.

While I think its unusual to buy a truly bad rifle these days, getting one that isn't what you're looking for isn't that hard.
 
Last edited:
I have a few Ruger American rifles, and I understand your desire for nicer. Better might be hard if plain old accuracy is the measurement, but many other guns are as accurate as rugers offerings. I have a Tikka T3 lite ss in 30-06. It is a very nice gun for what it is, smooth and light, awesome trigger, and amazingly nice to shoot. And it's so accurate you'd be surprised. With a limbsaver pad on there and your scope, you'd be happy. Just my shameless plug for my favorite choice in an all weather rifle. That said, a model 70 ew shows up, I'm buying one...
 
Here's a thought...

If you're already very happy with your Ruger American Compact...

What about picking up an American Predator or Standard and dropping it in a nice laminate Boyd's stock of your choice.

Maybe a slick bolt handle and muzzle break to finish it off.

It'd still leave quite a bit in the budget for some nice glass. It'd be familiar, yet different capabilities potentially, depending how you set it up.
 
Was kinda in same boat a couple.yrs ago.
Wanted a general big game rig, maybe a little nicer than avg.

Ended up w a Steyr Prohunter, reg 900 got on closeout for 600. .30-06......has 1 moa guarantee.

It does that w cheap win 150gr SP no problem. It is heavy though, and ugly.

But I dig it.

Had a .308 77mkII boat paddle. That was a neat rig. Had a .280 Ruger #1 too ...at same times as the others.

Of those 3 the Steyr remains. Its boring. Its ugly ( proly nentioned that ) .

Its just goofy enough to endear itself beyond its being boringly utilitarian.

Steyr dropped em, came back w em as PH2 in a Boyds stock and they went from cool ugly to so ugly as to never even consider.
Somebody in their marketing department IMHO seems clueless
 
LoonWulf said:
What specific features are you looking for, and what design characteristics are make or break?

There's a lot of options and variations in action designs, as well as stocks and barrels.

While I think its unusual to buy a truly bad rifle these days, getting one that isn't what you're looking for isn't that hard.
Click to expand...

Hmm, want a rifle that just feels quality. The american is a decent and accurate rufle but just feels like a cheap rifle, shes a work horse.

After thinking on it some more:
- 20-24" barrel
- solid stock sythetic that doesnt need to be bedded
- metal trigger gaurd
- mag or hinged floor plate
- stainless/cerakoted for weather resistance
- do prefer a 3 position safety, or atleast one that can lock the bolt in place. Thats one thing that gets annoying on the ruger american, if it put it on my left shoulder, the bolt handle hits my back pack and can open up.
- less than 8.5ish pounds
- moa accurate of course
 
jmr40 said:
I've had bad luck with Bergara. Never seen a Tikka that didn't shoot.

My go-to rifle is a Winchester 70 Extreme Weather 308 sitting in a McMillan Edge stock. But you won't get that for $1000. If you can live with the factory Bell and Carlson stock you might be able to find one in the $1200-$1300 range. I know that is a little over your budget. But it would make a nice heirloom rifle to pass down.

The last Tikka's I priced were about $750 for SS, around $600 for blue. There isn't anything better than your Ruger, or less expensive than the Winchester 70 EW out there. Chances are good it will outshoot any other hunting rifle and hang with most target rifles weighing 2-3 lbs more.

But as much as I like Tikka, I sense you want something with a little more class. I think Tikka is a bit better gun than your Ruger. But it is still working-class rifle much like the Ruger you have. I believe I'd find a way to save up a bit more and get something more classic. It sounds like it may be a few years before you need anything more than what you have. And a Winchester 70 is about as classic as it gets. And the EW upgrades to modern weatherproof materials.

And 308 is fine. Don't get hung up on needing a more powerful rifle or needing something that shoots farther for western elk hunting. Modern 308 ammo is considerably hotter than 1960's era 30-06. Yes, 30-06 can always be loaded a little hotter, but if 30-06 was enough gun in the 1960's, 308 is even better today.
Click to expand...

What kind of issues did you have with Bergera?
 
MidRoad said:
Hmm, want a rifle that just feels quality. The american is a decent and accurate rufle but just feels like a cheap rifle, shes a work horse.

After thinking on it some more:
- 20-24" barrel
- solid stock sythetic that doesnt need to be bedded
- metal trigger gaurd
- mag or hinged floor plate
- stainless/cerakoted for weather resistance
- do prefer a 3 position safety, or atleast one that can lock the bolt in place. Thats one thing that gets annoying on the ruger american, if it put it on my left shoulder, the bolt handle hits my back pack and can open up.
- less than 8.5ish pounds
- moa accurate of course
Click to expand...

weatherby vanguard of some flavor or another? https://weatherby.com/rifles/vanguard/

barrel - yes
stock- ?
metal - yes
hinged - yes
ceracoated - yes
3 position - yes
light - yes
moa - yes.

howa 1500 is the same gun.
ruger 77 mkii has a 3 position safety.
the thompson icon (and maybe the venture too) had a bolt lock feature. I think they've been discontinued though.
 
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