Good hunting rifle recommendation

[montana_native]

What would be a good/accurate hunting rifle? Been hunting with a Model 70 featherweight in 7 mag. I want to stay with the 7 mag. What would be recommended in the $6-700 range? I don't mind packing a little extra weight around and neither does a horse, so it doesn't need to be an ultralight gun. I'd really like something that could shoot a Cope-can sized group at 3-400 yards. Must be stainless/synthetic also so it can take a little bit of abuse.

Thanks a lot for any advice

 

[2506]

Get a Savage with the accutriger. Good sound gun, most are very accurate and if not you can change the barrel yourself in about 5 minutes. The price is right also. They come in stainless/synthetic. By the way what is a "Cope-can"? LOL

 

[onesonek]

I don't chew, just so happens my son had a cope can sitting here. That equates to .6+ moa at 400 yds.
Without going custom to keep the budget. Savage stands as good as chance as any.

Dave

 

[kgpcr]

Savage all the way! They just plain shoot great groups!

 

[britz]

I'd like to throw an honorable mention to Tikka T3 lite. 300wsm will often shoot 5 rds in less than an inch at 200. I just purchased a savage and it is showing promise too.

 

[montana_native]

Heck,

Looks like I might be getting into a Savage then.

Thanks guys.

 

[MrMister]

Don't forget Remington.

You'd be happy with any of the one's above but on your budget I think Remington, Savage, and the Tikka will do everything you need.

 

[TheBlueEyedBear]

If you're a MONTANA native, you might want to drive down to Stevensville and check out COOPER Rifles of Montana. They really build some great 'stuff' that won't break the bank.

 

[rem40x]

Ditto on the Tikka. Friend and I bought one, machined out the back of the magazine box and some on the bolt stop so that the rifle would hold a round that would hit the leade. 300WSM w/ 155 Berger VLDs will shoot in the 2-3s at 100. Have taken several larger varmits out to 475 w/ a 4x14 leupold. We call it the T-5 w/ the two modification. Made me put my other long range stuff back in the safe. Light, cheap, smooth action, great trigger, shoots great, good tree-stand gun or further yardages.
Oh yeah, put a sims recoil pad it it also.

 

[BigJim]

Forget Remington,Over Priced) - Savage, Stevens or Tikka all the way.

Jim

 

[DogBuster]

Savage or Tikka has some configuration that would work well for you...

 

[gunnermhr]

They may let you look at a Cooper for $700 but you for sure wont take one home for that kinda $$. They sure are a nice rig though. Forget Remington??? Over Priced??? I guess you don't own too many Remington's huh! For the most part they are pretty accurate out of the box. You can't take anything away from Savage but you certainly need to take a look at the Remington Sendaro for a long range accurate Hunting Rifle.

 

[M700]

So... What's the matter with your Winchester Model 70? If it's not producing the accuracy you want, consider spending the money on having the action trued and a new custom barrel installed - like a Krieger or Lilja. Model 70's can be real tack-drivers and have been popular as target rifles for a long time. I've got a couple that are great. BTW - I too think highly of a 7mm Rem mag for an all-around western hunting cartridge.

 

[Snare1]

Hi,look this one up, It`s my .22 250 that you can get from Ozark Guns, it`s a CZ 550 Varmint Laminate,forged heavey barrel, mausser styleclaw extractor,square bridge reciever and single set trigger.product No,sku)04162. in 2006 it was priced atUS$627. this rifle as surpassed all that I had expected from it.
Good hunting.

 

[Akbushape]

To each his own, but I quit packing the 7mm mag a long time ago
'cause it tears up to much meat. I'd go 30-06. One point though, they are making some bullets these days that don't
explode on impact.,Maybe some of the experts could name a few.)
The 7mm is a good flat shooter, but sure can tear up some meat.

 

[britz]

I have Savage, Remington, CZ, and Tikka. The Tikka will outshoot all the others any day and twice on Sunday! Cheazy and expensive clip, but absolutely wonderful factory trigger and one of the best barrels ever put on a factory rifle. My T3 lite 300wsm will pretty consistantly hold .5 moa out several hundred yards. I have had a lot of problems with my Savage so I've got a sour tast on them, but I will admit that most really love em. I don't like the low profile safety switch on the Savage either, I prefer somthing that stands up a little so it is easier to flip while wearing gloves. JMHO

Good luck.

 

[Dgd6mm]

Buy you a Savage in any caliber you want. They are the most acurate factory out of the box rifle made. You can't beat the price. I have a plastic stock varmit model I bedded, swapped barrels from 22-250 to 7-08. Excellant hunting rifle. Remington's For Sale.

 

[Akbushape]

If your'e looking to hit a cope can at 400 yards then you would do well to listen to M700. ,Thats a copenhagen can and means
a group of about 2.5 inches) It would be an exceptional factory
barrel that would do that consistently. Have your m70 action
trued and rebarreled with a good custom barrel. If you have it
done with a factory contour you can use your original stock and
you should be able to get it done in your specified price range.

 

[AckleymanII]

I have had many Rem 7 Mags, A Bolt, and a Win 70.

What is the main factor you are wanting is the accuracy. I also hunted off of mules and horses, longer shots are not uncommon.

Synthetic stocks are a real catch 22, they offer the durability, but are heck on wheels to get the extreme accuracy with due to stock flexing. I tried putting 1/4" steel rods in the forearms, epoxy with steel filled epoxy, bedding, and all but one of them were dismal failures. What I look for in my 7 Mags is 1/2" groups and less.

As soon as I put a standard wood stock on the 700's that was pillar bedded, added a muzzle break, I started getting 1 1/2" groups at 400 yards using Bushnell 4-16 4200's

In as far as the scratches on the wood stock, they all serve to reminid me of that particular hunt, what I was doing, etc.

Remington made a "LSS" model that was stainless with a black laminate wood stock that shoots simply unreal.

The Boyd's laminate stock are simply a fantastic buy and come with pillars in them already installed, tough enough to run over them with your truck.

 

[songdogslayer]

before you even LOOK at a cooper, please read this:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2008-10-30-gun-ceo-ousted_n.htm

I own mostly Savage rifles - like them a lot. I've had nothing but great "luck" with mine. Best shooting rifle I own is my Savage .243 with the stainless, fluted bbl. Can't say anything bad about Rem or Tikka - have friends and relatives shooting both - and they really like 'em. BUT, they are deer hunting on foot and taking shots that are typically inside 200 yards. That doesn't mean their rifles won't hammer a deer out past 400 yards . . . they just haven't had reason / occasion to attempt it.

Good luck and God bless,
~Scott