All around bolt action for $1000ish

Status
Not open for further replies.
I have a compact Winchester in .308 that also has a low power variable optic on it.

I also was going to suggest the Mauser M18. 6.5 Creedmore or 7 mm Remington Magnum would probably be the calibers I'd consider.

I have an M18 in 7 mm, and I recently got an Athlon 3-12x40 scope with illuminated etched reticle to mount on it.

John
 
Ruger American Hunter comes in under $1,000. My recommendation is to stick with a platform and caliber you know. You already are comfortable with the Ruger American build and shooting style, and you can get the Hunter in the same caliber (so you won’t need to re-learn a new one), but this time with a 20” barrel. Statistically speaking, that will cover all hunting distances you’ll shoot at.
 
Ruger American Hunter comes in under $1,000. My recommendation is to stick with a platform and caliber you know. You already are comfortable with the Ruger American build and shooting style, and you can get the Hunter in the same caliber (so you won’t need to re-learn a new one), but this time with a 20” barrel. Statistically speaking, that will cover all hunting distances you’ll shoot at.
Thats a good and very practical suggestion
Doesn't really meet the requirements of being a nicer rifle though.
It's definitely a nicer stock IF one likes the way the magpul hunter feels (which I do), But it's still the same action with the same positives and negatives.... The thing is also a brick...
 
I have a compact Winchester in .308 that also has a low power variable optic on it.

I also was going to suggest the Mauser M18. 6.5 Creedmore or 7 mm Remington Magnum would probably be the calibers I'd consider.

I have an M18 in 7 mm, and I recently got an Athlon 3-12x40 scope with illuminated etched reticle to mount on it.

John
If I catch the m18s on sale again I'll probably end up buying one in 7mag..... Don't need it, but I liked that gun well enough that I wouldn't mind having another in the stable.
 
Thats a good and very practical suggestion
Doesn't really meet the requirements of being a nicer rifle though.
It's definitely a nicer stock IF one likes the way the magpul hunter feels (which I do), But it's still the same action with the same positives and negatives.... The thing is also a brick...
Ahhh- sorry. I missed the requirement of it being nicer. Technically, it’s a little nicer….
 
I have a Browning X-Bolt in 7 mag with a 2-12 Leupold. Shoots +/- .5 with hand loads. It’s a quality rifle IMO.
That's another really good suggestion I hadn't thought about. The X-bolts are some of the more slender options also if that matters.
Mine was a SLR in 28 Nosler, and a fairly large heavy rifle, but it handled like a much lighter gun.
 
That's another really good suggestion I hadn't thought about. The X-bolts are some of the more slender options also if that matters.
Mine was a SLR in 28 Nosler, and a fairly large heavy rifle, but it handled like a much lighter gun.

Don't forget about the A-bolts too.

I've owned all the generations and think they're all great rifles, but prefer the 1's over the 2's and the 2's over the 3's.
 
Im going over to my brothers house tomorrow for a cook out and some shooting. He just got a leupold scope back from repair. That scope usually sits on xbolt in 308. Ive shot it a year or so ago and liked it. Ill see if he will bring it out since the scope will need to be dialed in and throw a few rounds down range.
 
I own two Savage 110s and a few barrels, it's how I get down. One is a 6br I average in the .3s with a repeater action. It leaves the door open for many options. I use shilen barrels and recommend them. If you like hunting brush 338 federal is your huckleberry
 
That's another really good suggestion I hadn't thought about. The X-bolts are some of the more slender options also if that matters.
Mine was a SLR in 28 Nosler, and a fairly large heavy rifle, but it handled like a much lighter gun.
I’ve never weighed mine, but it feels relatively light for the power it has. Very good trigger, great recoil pad.
 
Would be my top choices. I HAD a 7Mag for several years. What it did better than .30-06 or .308? Ammo cost more. Used more powder. Kicked harder.
Stick with .308.

You forgot "shot flatter" and "hit harder".

Yeah, .308 works fine for short to medium range deer. Larger/further game might warrant something a little more powerful.
 
You forgot "shot flatter" and "hit harder".

Yeah, .308 works fine for short to medium range deer. Larger/further game might warrant something a little more powerful.


It did, it served it's purpose, at the time. A purpose I no longer have. .30-06 and .260 do everything I need done.

OP has a .308. Why move to a 7Mag, unless he has a desire for one.

The Mag is an awesome cartridge. Not everyone needs that much power.
 
It did, it served it's purpose, at the time. A purpose I no longer have. .30-06 and .260 do everything I need done.

OP has a .308. Why move to a 7Mag, unless he has a desire for one.

The Mag is an awesome cartridge. Not everyone needs that much power.
"I don't NEED one I want one...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"

OP's words, before he mentioned 7mm. He said he wants a nicer rifle, that might be flatter ("fields")/hit harder ("elk").

John
 
Don't forget about the A-bolts too.

I've owned all the generations and think they're all great rifles, but prefer the 1's over the 2's and the 2's over the 3's.
Yeah, those are some of my favorites as well. I had actually excluded them because they are out of production, but if used is on the table......A-bolts would get my Vote.

I’ve never weighed mine, but it feels relatively light for the power it has. Very good trigger, great recoil pad.
Scoped with a Bushnell Forge my SLR was 10lbs 13oz...... I think the scope weighed 28 oz but I can't remember for sure, and the barrel profile on the SLR is what they're calling a "heavy sporter" and noticeably thicker than the X bolt standard barrels. I'd figure all in a standard X bolt stalker or stainless stalker would probably weigh something about 8.5-9.5 lb depending on the scope and accessories.
 
Last edited:
"Thinking maybe in the 7mm mag flavor.

What do you guys suggest?"


7Mag ammo is hard to find at this time.
.308 is available. Perfectly capable of taking elk.

Get a nice rifle, mount the Vortex and enjoy.
What I suggest.

I started with a .30-06, used a 7Mag for 20 years, went back to .30-06. YMMV
 
I have a savage 110 lightweight storm. Shoots 1moa with handloads without much fine tuning, ive got 3/8 moa groups before with factory loads. Great quality, no problems, ive killed deer at 300 yards with 6.5cm. I live in Wyoming county, ny and hunt fields and woods, worked great so far.
 
"Thinking maybe in the 7mm mag flavor.

What do you guys suggest?"


7Mag ammo is hard to find at this time.
.308 is available. Perfectly capable of taking elk.

Get a nice rifle, mount the Vortex and enjoy.
What I suggest.

I started with a .30-06, used a 7Mag for 20 years, went back to .30-06. YMMV
Hey, I like an '06. This is for a projected hunt in the OP's future. Let 'im dream.

Art Eatman's old Springfield and the does I dropped at 225 and 178 yards.
 

Attachments

  • drcity.jpg
    drcity.jpg
    27.3 KB · Views: 18
The .308 will kill deer dead as a hammer at any sane range. Let's say 500 and in, but can you make that shot 100% of the time? So let's say 300 and in. 7MM Mag is a great caliber, but there is no real need for it for 90% of the hunting around here. Me? I don't like the way the 7MM mag kicks, but I'm a wuss, so don't mind me. The recoil is sharp vs the .308. If I want flatter, don't need it, but if I wanted it, it wouldn't be 7 Mag.
 
The .308 will kill deer dead as a hammer at any sane range. Let's say 500 and in, but can you make that shot 100% of the time? So let's say 300 and in. 7MM Mag is a great caliber, but there is no real need for it for 90% of the hunting around here. Me? I don't like the way the 7MM mag kicks, but I'm a wuss, so don't mind me. The recoil is sharp vs the .308. If I want flatter, don't need it, but if I wanted it, it wouldn't be 7 Mag.
AC,

What would your choices for flatter and more thump for larger game be? (And i definitely agree that 7mm Mag is more gun than needed for deer at any reasonable range. Hell, I'm okay with taking deer with as little as 5.56mm, at least whitetail )

John
 
I've had shoulder surgery so big thumper are not really on my list of cartridges anymore however, I shot @troy fairweather's 6.5 prc today on a range trip we took. Instead say the recoil on his rifle was tolerable from the bench, it was stout, but st a fast recoil more of a heavy push. I'd certainly consider buying a rifle in that cartridge. Plenty of velocity and downrange energy.
 
I've had shoulder surgery so big thumper are not really on my list of cartridges anymore however, I shot @troy fairweather's 6.5 prc today on a range trip we took. Instead say the recoil on his rifle was tolerable from the bench, it was stout, but st a fast recoil more of a heavy push. I'd certainly consider buying a rifle in that cartridge. Plenty of velocity and downrange energy.
Ya it definitely kicks less then I would have thought. They were warm loads and 147s. Factory with 143 should be pretty mild, or load some 120-130s. With that stock design it would be very easy to add weight, bet 10lbs of shot would fit in the butt stock.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top