Looking for a new rifle. Need help!!

[Burat1600]

A little background first. 67 year old, eyes not so good and a bad right rotator cup (feels like 40 grit sandpaper when I move it the wrong way). Currently shooting a Marlin 336C in .35rem (shoulder can handle the recoil). Looking for a bolt action rifle Probably .243 or 25-06. My pic is a T/C Venture in 25-06 with a Nikon Prostaff 4-12x40. Looking to spend a max of $600. Any better choices out there? BTW the gun will be used for deer hunting, target shooting (300yd max) and possibly some varmint shooting in the wonderful state of South Carolina! All help appreciated! AJ B

 

[savagedasher]

A little background first. 67 year old, eyes not so good and a bad right rotator cup (feels like 40 grit sandpaper when I move it the wrong way). Currently shooting a Marlin 336C in .35rem (shoulder can handle the recoil). Looking for a bolt action rifle Probably .243 or 25-06. My pic is a T/C Venture in 25-06 with a Nikon Prostaff 4-12x40. Looking to spend a max of $600. Any better choices out there? BTW the gun will be used for deer hunting, target shooting (300yd max) and possibly some varmint shooting in the wonderful state of South Carolina! All help appreciated! AJ B

308 Savage if you can did one with off and on muzzle brake . Larry

 

[dkhunt14]

From what I hear the TC Venture is an accurate rifle. The 243 would not have very much recoil. The 25-06 would have a little more. The Tika rifles also have good accuracy but I am not sure about cost. The 243 with a Sierra 85 grain HPBT would do everything you want, both deer and varmints. Matt

 

[Riesel]

From what I hear the TC Venture is an accurate rifle. The 243 would not have very much recoil. The 25-06 would have a little more. The Tika rifles also have good accuracy but I am sure about cost. The 243 with a Sierra 85 grain HPBT would do everything you want, both deer and varmints. Matt

I would take a look at the Remington 783. I know it's been getting a lot of criticism from the "it ain't a 700 crowd" but it offers a lot of bang for the buck. I have purchased three and the .243 had excellent accuracy. The trigger is adjustable and is set up nicely. Built a 6.5 Creedmoor on one of the actions and the accuracy is superb. I read that Savage is going to offer the 6.5 CM as a factory. Might be worth looking into. I really like the 6.5. That ought to stir the pot!

 

[th82457]

If you can find a Savage bolt gun in 250-3000 and ammo for it, it will do everything you need with less muzzle blast and recoil than even the .243. Problem is ammo or brass availability if you reload. Otherwise, lot's of accurate economical .243's to choose from. Good Luck

 

[sbhooper]

Ruger American.

 

[hunter243sgk]

Ruger American.

Yes.They are a good buy for the money.When mine was all fatory it was a 243 and with my hand loads I was getting good accuracy with several different loads. And now there are a few after market parts out there for it.

 

[coldboreshot]

Personally, I would go with the Savage 10 or 12 series in what ever caliber you prefer. For the money, a good accurate rifle including the benefit of user friendly barrel changes with minimal tools and knowledge.

 

[coldboreshot]

Sorry, i forgot to mention the numerous aftermarket precision barrel makers who can fasion a barrel as a direct copy of the Savage factory barrel and chambered in many different custom chamberings.

 

[Ironworker]

I had a t/C Venture Predator in 22/250 it was accurate,but horrible trigger

 

[k22hornet]

I have the T-C Icon in 243. It is very accurate. So far, I've run 55gr BT, 75gr Vmax, 80gr TTSX and 85gr TSX through it and have found sub-MOA with each bullet.

Good luck with it.

 

[22DASHER]

Find yourself a good deal on a Tikka T3 and then on a scope. Comes with rings already, an adjustable trigger, detachable mag.... And plus they drive tacks with little to no effort!

I feel the Tikka dominates in that price range!

 

[sofarfrome]

I vote for the 257 Roberts. There is one on gunbroker right now, a Rem 722. Bidding is at $480 at the moment.

 

[GTshooter]

I currently own multiple tikka t3's and a t/c venture. The tikka's are undoubtedly very accurate rifles out of the box and ask shoot sub moa with handloads. However, for the money you can't go wrong with the t/c venture. I own one in 243 and it shoots 1/2 moa consistently with the occasional 5 shoot group below .3 inches. I can't say it shoots everything I put through it because it shoots this week with the first load I feed it so I haven't felt the need to try anything different. Based on the results I got we had a few others from the club purchase them and we all shoot them at 400 yd deer rifle shoots in sporter class where we remain competitive with the guys and gals that are shooting custom builds. Hope that helped, I am going to try and get to the range next week, if I do I will post some pics of the targets.

 

[Zero333]

Savage 11 trophy hunter XP
Winchester XPR
Ruger American
Mossberg Patriot

All of the above are affordable, accurate, and have scope package models. In the order I listed them is how "I" would choose. Can't go wrong with any of them.