Advice Needed: New hunting Rifle

I

Iceman11

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Salmon arm , BC
So I have a $2000 max budget for a new hunting rifle. Just rifle not optic. I mainly hunt for deer and bear. There are a lot of great rifles in this price range. What would you get? Once I get a few options I will go see which ones feel and fit best. Right now my list is.

1. Christensen Arms Mesa
2. Tikka T3x stainless laminate
3. Winchester model 70
4. Sako S20
 
I just bought a tikka t3x stainless synthetic,looking for optics now.it was on sale and I always wanted one having tried one of my buddy's at the range and being very impressed with his.
 
Iceman11 said:
So I have a $2000 max budget for a new hunting rifle. Just rifle not optic. I mainly hunt for deer and bear. There are a lot of great rifles in this price range. What would you get? Once I get a few options I will go see which ones feel and fit best. Right now my list is.

1. Christensen Arms Mesa
2. Tikka T3x stainless laminate
3. Winchester model 70
4. Sako S20
Click to expand...

Here's all you need in your price point. www.ruger.com
 
Tikka.
Under budget, sub moa, 10$ trigger spring is all you need.
Plenty of aftermarket support.
Ctr, aics or stock mags if you want to change.

I run a battue in a ctr stock for deer personally.
A stainless 223 in a ctr stock for predator.
 
Oft times the caliber will influence the optimum choice.

You have specified deer and black bear, I'd like to know what is the normal range that you shoot your game, or what range are you comfortable with.

Does the total weight of the firearm matter to you?

Is the availability of factory ammo an issue?

I've always liked the Model 70 except that it has the noisiest safety in the world. It's also heavy, the featherweight helps.

I've always liked the firearms that were a notch above, I did most of my hunting with a Sauer 80 in 30-06. For me I liked the loaded round indicator, silent safety, safety that locked the bolt and the button to remove the bolt with the safety on. If the safety does not lock the bolt, I don't want the rifle. If I can't open the bolt without taking the safety off, not for me either.

I've tried and sold some pretty nice rifles that didn't have the features I wanted.

Nitro
 
In that price range I would look at the Browning X-Bolt Hell's Canyon, Winchester Model 70 Extreme Tungsten, Tikka T3x variants (like the Superlite), Sako S20 Hunter, Weatherby Vanguard (especially the Meateater edition), Bergara Wilderness series, or the Savage Ultralite with the Proof Research barrel. Those would be my first considerations as of the current market.
 
Warden70 said:
Winchester model 70 Compact in 308.
Click to expand...

This ^
Or if you cant find one, a Model 70 extreme weather is an amazing rifle for the money. I have one in .30-06 but wish it was a .308win.
Do you hunt mostly by walk/stalk, blind/ ladder/tree stand or vehicle (quad/skidoo etc)?
Style of hunting usually dictates what gun I buy.
On the move means short, light, handy for me.
Stationary means heavy and sturdy.
 
Since I own a T3x laminate stainless and shoot deer and bear with it that is what I would recommend lol.

I replaced the bottom plastic 'metal' with real metal but that's not necessary. The mags are expensive but otherwise, great rifle.

Depending on vendor and calibre (and what province you are in for tax) you should be $1500-1600 for the rifle alone
 
I definitely prefer to get out and walk so I don't want a tank. That being said I work out doors and pack a vest that is 20lbs so it's not a really big deal. I also don't want something with a really long barrel. I would say 95‰ of my shots are well under 300 yards. Thanks for all the responses!
 
All the choices presented so far will get the job done, get out to a few local gun shops and try a few out on the shoulder and see how they feel. Tikka are a favourite of mine, and I have recently picked up a Win M 70 FWT which I am looking forward to get in the field. Keep your intended purposes in mind and see what you like best. Good luck!
 
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