Best rifle for me?

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TuckerNielson

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Okay crew, I need the best bolt action rifle I can get (funds are not unlimited). So on a previous thread somebody asked what the best hunting rifle was. Obviously there is no single right answer so let me respond to a few previously asked questions:

Budget - Not unlimited but i do not buy rifles frequently. I hope to pass this gun onto my grandchildren (I'm currently 30) so I want an extremely well made rifle. To make things easier lets say that I don't have a problem spending less than 4k, which includes scope and hard case, accessories etc.

-Definition of "large" game. Since most of my time is spent in Utah and Idaho, I really won't be hunting anything bigger than Elk. I also have already decided on 308 due to the availablility of ammo, and I just like that round.
Although this rifle may be hunted with, my primary goal is for it to be a tactical/Precision rifle effective at extreme (for me) ranges (like 700 yards).


-Territory / Terrain type(s) - Everything from windy plains to piney canyons to desert plateaus. I would like to be able to be accurate in any condition or temperature.

-Affinity or aversity to recoil - I don't like recoil, but I understand that sacrifices need to be made for long range accuracy:rolleyes:.

-Age and general fitness level - I'm 30 years old, 185 lbs and thanks to my marathon running wife I'm in great shape.

-Longest shots you are willing and skilled enough to take - currently I'm a beginner. I am getting professional training and I am passionate about the sport.

-Affinity for one action type vs. others - Nope.

-Affinity for traditional wood/blued vs. others - I prefer fiberglass/composite stocks and stainless steel/match grade barrels.

-Current models you're looking at - Love the Ed Brown tactical but I think that may be just outside my price range. I wondering if something similar can be had for less.
 
Sako on the high end, Tikka T3 if wallet is tight. Same company, Tikka will run you under $500.00
 
Here's kind of a "gamble" you might consider -

Model 1999 Montana Rifle Company barreled actions

Accurate Innovations stocks

I had these two companies put together a very nice Model 70 copy (which is what the M1999 is...) in .30-06 with a stainless barrel in a laminated stock. Other options are available, as you can see by checking the links.

I would call this a "semi-custom" rifle, as you're having it built from a fairly limited choice of options.

I believe that the total cost of something like this, including nice optics, would be around $2500-3000.
 
For the money spent, the CZ has proven to me time and again to be the finest, most refined, action available. The fit and finish is remarkable, and their walnut stocks are works of art. None of that rough "tactical" finish... no. This is polished metal, blued, no sharp edges, none of that.
 
Tucker

You will get lots of "answers" to your question and some will inevitably contradict what others have just told you. Before I give you my opinion let me be upfront and tell you that I am an unabashed, flag waving, Savage fan. I own 9 Savage rifles and they all shoot incredibly well. My recomendation to you would be to get either the FT/R rifle or one of their Law enforcement series of rifles. I like their FCP with the HS precision stock. Either of these two rifles will run around a thousand bucks. The FT/R has been written up in two magazines and has delivered sub 1 inch groups at 500 yards with factory ammo. F-class rifles from Savage are winning matches. If you intend on lugging this thing around much I would get the FCP. It is lighter and shorter. Again, this rifle is recognized as being incredibly accurate. All of my rifles will 1/2 MOA or better and I would expect no less and probably better from this rifle. If you really want to stay at the low end of things get a 12 BVSS or VLP. These run around $700. These are what I shoot.
 
IMHO You should be looking as much if not more crefully at what scope you are looking to buy. Many times the scope will run you as much as the gun, and often more if you look into real high end optics (Zeiss, Swarovski, etc.)

As far as the caliber. I may look into something with a little more umph like a .300 Weatherby Mag or my personal fav for long range hunting a .300 Rem Ultra Mag.

On a last note. Wood is gorgeous on stocks, I still like the feel of it over anything else, BUT it will swell and change with humidity and temp changes. A good synthetic stock is much more consistent IMO.

Good luck and wish I was your grandchild :)
 
Tucker.. the 700y .308 shot is streeeeetching the caliber to the MAX!
I know, I know, shortly you'll be hearing of 1000y + shots, hitting exactly were the shootist was intending, happening on a regular basis.

If you would like to believe in the such.... by all means... ;)

If your set on spending that kind of cash on a rig, fly on over to 6mmbr.com and check out the gunsmith section. There are a slew of custom builders that can whittle out a nice Neska, Steller, Panda ect. action rifle with a custom barrel of your choice for 2-2.5k.

If you want to save the piggy bank... the Savage 116/16, 12(Heavy to carry)-
The Remington Sendero(heavy to carry), XCR, SPS Stainless, ect..
The Tikka T-3 Stainless Hunter-
The Weatherby Sub MOA Vanguard Stainless-
Browning A-Bolt Stainless-

I prefer, and have had the best luck from the Savages.

It will be somewhat difficult to come up with a 'hunting' weight/configuration rifle that will be a good 700y gun also. JMHO!

It is plain ol' physics.. the faster you go, the more drag you create!
 
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Thanks

thanks everybody for your valuable input. Obviously I need more education on the subject before i throw down some serious money on a rifle. I'm looking seriously at the Savage line and CZ offerings. Anybody had any experience with Ed Brown rifles? Are they worth the pricetag?

Thanks Again,

Tucker
 
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CZ ultimate hunter. It comes with a nightforce scope mounted, so you wouldn't need to hunt for a good scope, and it is MOA guaranteed to 1000 yards. Its only chambered in 300 win mag though. It is right at the 4k mark. Sounds like the rig you are looking for.
 
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All the rifles mentioned are fine for what you want to accomplish.
A little plus provided by the Savage rifles is the ability to change calibers by changing barrels, with a barrel nut wrench and a headspace gauge, should you ever have the inclination.
It's easy to do and provides you with a range of calibers that works for varmints to large animals to long range target.

NCsmitty
 
Given today's tooling, it's hard to find a hunting rifle that doesn't shoot quite accurately. Some might need a little tweaking of the forearm bedding, but that's a trivial matter.

The most important factor, to me, is the fit of any given rifle to your own body's dimensions. Length of pull is easily modified if necessary. Castoff and drop of the comb are different matters; if wrong, they're a bit of a problem.

Feel and fondle. Mount the rifle to your shoulder with your eyes closed. When you open your eyes you should be looking right through the sights or right along a line that's aligned with the centerline of the barrel--without moving your head from a firm cheek weld. No different from a shotgun.

Purely personal opinion: I don't see the point in "tactical" anything. I'm not into "kewl". My old Weatherby '06 provided sub-MOA groups at 500 yards, and I figure that it would do quite well out to the transition zone from supersonic to subsonic, whatever that might be. In my young and healthy years I could tote that 9.5 pound critter some 12 to 15 miles per day in rough-country mountain hunting. Now, I'm happy with 6.5 pounds of Rem 700 Ti. :) But, whatever; ain't my problem.

Heck, a Ti in .308 oughta do fine for elk on down to varmints, and be passed on down to kids and then grandkids. Dunno what they cost, now; I gave around $1,100 including sales tax, for mine in 7mm08. 3/4 MOA, nice trigger.
 
I like Browning A-Bolts and the new Winchester Model 70s look pretty good too. AFAIK the A-Bolt is not offered in .308, but is available in the venerable .30-06, which is pretty close in all respects. If you really want the best hunting rifle get a Christensen Arms, but it won't leave a lot of cash for optics, mounts, case, et cetera. Me personally, I would go for a good rifle (as detailed above with the Browning or Winchester) and get really good optics to go on it. Put a Ziess, Kahles, Swarovski, et al. on the rifle and it will shine.
 
For 4k I'd get about 3 rifles and any one of them would be able to shoot better than almost anyone you could put behind them.
 
The BEST bolt rifle I might want to have hand-built for me might cost about $1500. I have a friend who specializes in custom rifles built on Mauser actions, I have fantasized about having him build me a matching set in 22-250, .243, .308, 30-06, and 7 Rem mag.
 
I have been a levergun hunter for many years here in Alaska. They have served me well until I moved to Nome where it is all tundra.

For brush and thick woods hunting the levers are great. I have been using a T/C Encore in .350 Rem Mag for moose and Caribou. It has worked great, but it is no fun to shoot with handloaded 250 gr Nosler Partitions.

So now that we are moving back down to the lower 48 I am planning to buy a Tikka T3 Hunter in 6.5x55 for most of my hunting needs. When I need a heavy thumper I will use the .350 RM or a Marlin 336 in .356 Win.

I think the 6.5 Swede will be a perfect L'er48 hunting round. Low recoil but high performance on game.

Good luck finding your new rifle.

Greebe
 
Tucker,

Start with the features that you want in a rifle. For I have been hunting for over half a century and have a complete battery of pre 64 70's, ZB Brno's, Kimbers etc. I have settled on some necessary things that I want in a big game rifle.

They are:
A three position safety that locks the firing pin. The M70 type is what I mean.
Control round feed.
A strong extractor such as what a pre 64 M70, Brno, Kimber have.

You could easily get two rifles with your budget and have lots of money left over. A second rifle is great as a back up.

Just some old rifles that I like at the range.

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