Recommendations for bolt action rifles
- Thread starter Harry007
- Start date
- Location
- Nova Scotia
Would 308 even be good enough for BB out to 400 yards?
Yes, if the operator has the skill set.
$1.5K? Is that for a complete package, including ammunition?
That's a good starting point for a decent, mid range new rifle, but shouldn't include a scope.
At that price range, you're looking at Weatherby Vanguard II/Savage and others of similar quality.
MY suggestion to you would be to go to a local gun shop or big box store and look at/handle what you can afford.
Be very careful when listening to the counter jockey. They can and will try to promote rifles that appeal to them or the store is trying to unload.
Be very careful with Brownings. They can be very difficult to find parts for.
Don't be afraid of European offerings, such as Tikka, Mauser, Bergara, etc.
Then choose which type of stock suits your needs or sensibilities best. Wood, Laminated wood, Composite, Polymer.
Laminated wood and Composite types are the easiest to maintain.
That's a good starting point for a decent, mid range new rifle, but shouldn't include a scope.
At that price range, you're looking at Weatherby Vanguard II/Savage and others of similar quality.
MY suggestion to you would be to go to a local gun shop or big box store and look at/handle what you can afford.
Be very careful when listening to the counter jockey. They can and will try to promote rifles that appeal to them or the store is trying to unload.
Be very careful with Brownings. They can be very difficult to find parts for.
Don't be afraid of European offerings, such as Tikka, Mauser, Bergara, etc.
Then choose which type of stock suits your needs or sensibilities best. Wood, Laminated wood, Composite, Polymer.
Laminated wood and Composite types are the easiest to maintain.
I'd pass on the AXIS, but the rest are decent rifles. Nothing fancy. All function and accurate. I have a Model 11 here in 223 that I quite like.
^^ This ^^
I went to cabela's and tried all the tikka models and for me all models were comfortable. One thing common that I noticed in all of them, the action it is so damn smooth. I chose my brand and I chose my caliber the only thing is which one should I grab from all those models with that budget. Just wanna make it clear one more time I'm willing to pay $1500 just for the rifle itself.
If you liked the feel of Tikka and have a set budget for one, I’m also +1 for the Finnish woodpecker. If you buy new make sure to do a proper barrel break in, and make sure the barrel is floated (sometimes even factory new will have some contact points).
Lots of good options on the market new or used.
Spend as much as you can, you get what you pay for ( even if there's alot of great budget priced rifles ).
When you *taste* quality, you don't want to go back to budget rifles
Spend as much as you can, you get what you pay for ( even if there's alot of great budget priced rifles ).
When you *taste* quality, you don't want to go back to budget rifles
Harry, if you've chosen the Tikka, good choice IMHO.
I prefer the 30-06 over the 308Win, for lots of good reasons, most because you can shoot bullets heavier than 165 grains FASTER and they are available as factory-loaded ammo.
You might want to consider a different cartridge, but if I were you, I would stick to the something that you're sure will be available, no matter where you shop.
Most gun shops will have a decent selection of most common cartridges, in several brands, and grades.
Both the 308 and 30-06 are included.
There are other good cartridges with the same advantage, but once you get to out of the way areas, choices are limited, sometimes extremely limited to three or four cartridges, depending on which the store owner shoots.
The 308Win has the advantage of being able to buy bulk surplus ammunition, which is all Chinese these days, but the odd lot of European stuff comes available from time to time. The war in Ukraine is gobbling most of it up these days.
I was actually buying the new Bergara Sierra Wilderness 30-06 at first place but unfortunately it is out of stock everywhere in Canada because it just came out. I also posted a thread about that gun if anyone bought one recently from canadian gun store and where because that was my first choice but I didn't get the response. I'm still trying my best to find one online. I hope if I'll get it. I prefer 30-06 over 308. Maybe you guys can help if you know the best place to get. B14l801 this is the product number.
FatCatsDad
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
lol
Go to a real gun store where they have a variety of rifles. Look at them, hold them, inspect them. If something catches your eye THEN you can start asking for opinions on it.
$1500? what's the ruger Hawkeye hunter going for? must be close, it's a beauty in 308, 20" barrel like a 308 should be, try to find a short action 20" as that's what a 308 should be, I have tikka 308 but chopped it to 20" and still hate the long magazine on a short cartridge but like all tikka's they do a ton right to look the other way, I'm also a huge fan of the ruger American...and don't do the 30-06, in a tikka lite, it will kick the shat out of you and be zero fun to shoot, 308 is the right choice and will easily do everything you want to past 400, depending on ammo and your set up there's plenty left at 500-500 yards with many decent ammo options
when you buy some ammo for group testing day make sure you try all 3 fusion weights(150/165/180) and hornady 168 eld-m match white box, and federal 150gr blue box....if you can't find some decent tight shooters in those options then something wrong with rifle or scope/rings/mounts...
when you buy some ammo for group testing day make sure you try all 3 fusion weights(150/165/180) and hornady 168 eld-m match white box, and federal 150gr blue box....if you can't find some decent tight shooters in those options then something wrong with rifle or scope/rings/mounts...
slinkylegs
Regular
- Location
- Hudson Bay, SK
I also have a couple old Huskies (1900's),and I love them. A bit on the heavy side if you walk a lot, but I mainly sit in a blind so it isn't a huge deal. I have a 6.5x55 and a 9.3x62, and the 9.3 has a German Claw mount that allows for a quick removal of the scope (without losing the zero). Neat feature, and not a cheap one to get done!
To the original question, it is hard to go wrong with a Tikka, as many have pointed out already. I have one in the 204, my dad has a 270, both are tack drivers. I have a buddy who swears by Weatherby and Savage, but with your budget I'd get something nicer looking than Savage. I'm kinda surprised no one has mentioned CZ yet. I've had a few of them in the past (still have two 22's) and they are well built, nice to look at, and shoot great. I don't know tons about the new 600 series, but I'm sure there are nice used models that you could snag.
Also, if you are buying new, Canada Day is coming up, and many shops will run a sale of some sort. I'm sure there are discounts to be had!
