Hello. I'm new to the forum but not to shooting. I've been involved in firearms since I was 10. My dad was an avid shooter and I immediately was hooked. In 2012, I became a father, I now have two. I sold my Savage bolt gun and my Optics for baby funds. I had about $3k wrapped up in my rifle. I'm looking to get another bolt gun but would like to keep it around $1k for the rifle. The two so far I've been looking at are the Browning X Bolt and the Remington 700p. I like the 308 but I'm a fan of the 30-06 and 7mm also. I've been out of the game for a while so any input would be greatly appreciated. I will be using this for hunting and recreational shooting. Thanks.
Looking for a new bolt gun
- Thread starter Gerlon2fingers
- Start date
If it doesn't have to be new, check "The List" and get a great deal on a nice used rifle:
http://theshooterscorner.com/
Check the classifieds on this site, too. Patience will usually yield excellent value.
It might help us to know what you plan to do with the rifle.
http://theshooterscorner.com/
Check the classifieds on this site, too. Patience will usually yield excellent value.
It might help us to know what you plan to do with the rifle.
Welcome to the forum. Congratulations on the kids. Enjoy them while you can. They will grow up fast.
Do you want to shoot competition? If so which. I have no experience with the Browning but Remingtons are pretty good. I would look close at the one you want and make sure the bolt timing is good. From all accounts quality control has been lacking of late.
Tikka,Howa and Ruger have been doing well. All fine guns.
The 308 is good but my current affair is with the 6.5 Creedmoor. The 7-08 is good also. I load that for the two grandkids. Lots of good calibers to choose from.
Joe
Do you want to shoot competition? If so which. I have no experience with the Browning but Remingtons are pretty good. I would look close at the one you want and make sure the bolt timing is good. From all accounts quality control has been lacking of late.
Tikka,Howa and Ruger have been doing well. All fine guns.
The 308 is good but my current affair is with the 6.5 Creedmoor. The 7-08 is good also. I load that for the two grandkids. Lots of good calibers to choose from.
Joe
Take a good look at Tikka rifles, very smooth action for the cash. I bought 308 in a pinch and wish I had gone with a 6 or 6.5 caliber. The main benefits to 308 are loaded ammo prices and possibly knockdown power for short to mid range hunting. 6.5 cals are superior in almost all ballistics and on longer shots will hold more energy than 30 cals will.
Hunting would be possibly Elk one day, white tail, small game. I'm a fan of the 308, 30-06 and 7mm. I love all three rounds. 7mm can be spendy for recreational shooting though. SHTF is also in the back of my mind for uses too.
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My $700-$900 factory rifles don't seem to shoot much if any better than the ones I paid $400-$500. Mostly what I got for the extra money was either a fancy walnut stock, a CNC machined stock, or a name. Considering your goals and $1,000 budget I would recommend two rifles in the $500 range in two different calibers like .223 and .308/.30-06/7mm. Howa/Wby Vanguard and Tikka would be two to seriously consider in that price range. Larger calibers hunting rifles don't get shot often so I wouldn't hesitate to go used either.
Get one scope to swap between the two, and as money permits upgrade stocks and get a second scope. I think you would be much happier with the smaller caliber for recreational shooting and then maybe get the 7mm for hunting.
Get one scope to swap between the two, and as money permits upgrade stocks and get a second scope. I think you would be much happier with the smaller caliber for recreational shooting and then maybe get the 7mm for hunting.
Thank youI bought my first X-bolt. It doesn't shoot. My 700s do. Oh yeah.! Welcome to the forum! Lot's of good info, here. Lot's of very nice guys, too!
That's great advice. I'm looking at the Weatherby models now. They seem to have a lot of positive feedback.
If you get a Remington 700, look and make sure that the bolt is as close to front of notch in action as it can be. I seen one at a gun store last week that was so far back when I closed bolt it was rubbing back of stock and missed extraction cam by a long way. This was a brand new rifle. If your not sure what I'm talking about, there are a few gunsmiths that have videos on YouTube you can watch.
I personally like the Remington 700's. If you get the .308, later you can always get a different barrel to swap caliber and they are by far the most customizable as you get more funds.
Good luck
I personally like the Remington 700's. If you get the .308, later you can always get a different barrel to swap caliber and they are by far the most customizable as you get more funds.
Good luck
Alexander-M
Gold $$ Contributor
Don't overlook this one . . . I'll offer you a deal. . . It is Brand New . . . And 30-06!
http://forum.accurateshooter.com/threads/fs-brand-new-browning-a-bolt-medallion-30-06.3911656/
Alex
http://forum.accurateshooter.com/threads/fs-brand-new-browning-a-bolt-medallion-30-06.3911656/
Alex
CharlieNC
Gold $$ Contributor
If I was going to buy a factory rifle with no plans for a major modification, in your budget range it would be a Tikka. Slickest action, nice trigger, shoots great. Drop it into aftermarket stock that suits your style best. Howa would be my second choice. With a 10 twist barrel the ammo choices in 308 are "huge" for game and long range targets, and it won't beat you up after a day at the range.
Check out the remington 783 , great rifle , new design . Takes savage prefit barrels , copied a lot of good stuff . Been trading / selling my savages for these . So far I own 4 , no bolt timing issues like the older rem 700 design .
I've got one that was in 7 mag and one in 30-06 . Both shot good hunting groups . Now they are 7 mag 338 win mag and 300 win mag . All have Boyd's Provarmit stock .
Good luck , oh they can be had for $250 when on sale and $40 rebate . This allows for the Boyd's stock $100 , extra barrels .
I've got one that was in 7 mag and one in 30-06 . Both shot good hunting groups . Now they are 7 mag 338 win mag and 300 win mag . All have Boyd's Provarmit stock .
Good luck , oh they can be had for $250 when on sale and $40 rebate . This allows for the Boyd's stock $100 , extra barrels .
snert
Silver $$ Contributor
This says it. Tikka..Tikka and tikka at that price range. Best bang for buck...
Shynloco
You can lead a horse to water, but ........
Welcome to the forum, congrats on fatherhood and glad to read you are back to shootin for more fun. That tells me you are succeeding in your long term plans and goals for a happy life. And I'd imagine you are also realizing that the parenthood part, plays a very big part and impacts all the other plans you have made.
Having been down that road myself, it wasn't until AFTER I retired that I was able to buy some of the better made and straighter shootin toys that now allows me to happily reach personal goals at the range. And having said that, I would have to say that the best made, straightest shooting rifle that I have bought in the past 8 years or so, have been Savages. They are, IMHO, the best out of the box and across the counter rifles available in today's market. I will say, I recently bought one of my adult son's, a Remington 700 in .308. He, like you, is raising a young family and has two sons, so money is a concern. I wasn't impressed by the "feel" of the action, but with the right load, man does that baby shoot. Now it definitely ISN'T a competition rifle, but great for hunting, something you apparently seek. And as another replier mentioned, the costs of reloading MAY be a consideration if that is something you do. But because of your hunting desires, a .308/7mm is the smallest caliber I'd go for, although a 30 -.06 might better fit the Elk hunting search. Can't speak to a 7mm as I've never owned one, but hear they are a very fine shooting rifle/caliber. So if I were you, I wouldn't rule out finding a nice, clean and straight shootin used rifle, made by a manufacturer you feel comfortable with. And that search may take a little while, but from the experience you have, you'll know when the "right" rifle comes into your sights.
At any rate, keep tuned in here and best wishes with that young family you've started. Remember they are number ONE on that "must have" list. And remember, like fine wines, some things take time. Good luck on the search and happy shootin!
Alex
Having been down that road myself, it wasn't until AFTER I retired that I was able to buy some of the better made and straighter shootin toys that now allows me to happily reach personal goals at the range. And having said that, I would have to say that the best made, straightest shooting rifle that I have bought in the past 8 years or so, have been Savages. They are, IMHO, the best out of the box and across the counter rifles available in today's market. I will say, I recently bought one of my adult son's, a Remington 700 in .308. He, like you, is raising a young family and has two sons, so money is a concern. I wasn't impressed by the "feel" of the action, but with the right load, man does that baby shoot. Now it definitely ISN'T a competition rifle, but great for hunting, something you apparently seek. And as another replier mentioned, the costs of reloading MAY be a consideration if that is something you do. But because of your hunting desires, a .308/7mm is the smallest caliber I'd go for, although a 30 -.06 might better fit the Elk hunting search. Can't speak to a 7mm as I've never owned one, but hear they are a very fine shooting rifle/caliber. So if I were you, I wouldn't rule out finding a nice, clean and straight shootin used rifle, made by a manufacturer you feel comfortable with. And that search may take a little while, but from the experience you have, you'll know when the "right" rifle comes into your sights.
At any rate, keep tuned in here and best wishes with that young family you've started. Remember they are number ONE on that "must have" list. And remember, like fine wines, some things take time. Good luck on the search and happy shootin!
Alex
BountyHunter
Gold $$ Contributor
Look at the new Savage Stealth BA in 6.5 Creedmore. It is on the shelf at the $1k mark and looks like hell of a rifle. Held one today.
I appreciate your thoughtful reply Alex. I used to own the Savage 10 bas-k in .308. It was dead nuts accurate but I found the action to be less then desirable. It required way too much force to manipulate the bolt between rounds. I had a used Night Force scope on it. It shot great, but there were quirks. I'm getting a lot of feedback regarding Tikka, Savage and Remington. I can't find a lot of reviews on Tikka, except for the T3 version. Your reply was by far the most thought out and informative. I appreciate your time sir.
Which model of Tikka. The videos I find on YouTube aren't that great regarding quality and information. Thanks.
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