A good long action DM hunting rifle?

M70-338

M70-338

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Had a few rifles over the years and settled on 7mm RM for my all around mixed bag hunts. I prefer detachable magazines over floorplates.
The Finnlight is close to meeting my needs except the stock. I was handling a Finnlight recently and noticed the stock isn't very stiff in the forend and probably doesn't have a bedding block. At two grand I feel it should have a better stock. I suppose I could buy a Sako 85 of sorts and get an aftermarket B&C, McMillan or HSP but I'd like to find a more cost effective solution.

So I'll put it out to you, is there a rifle that meets the following criteria under $2000 factory or custom ?

1. Stiff fiberglass stock with bedding block
2. Detachable flush metal magazines
3. No plastic triggerguard, bolt knob or shroud
4. Must be long action (7mm RM)

I don't care if it's CRF or push feed, just as long as it's reliable, good quality, DM and has a great trigger.
 
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Tough list. There are a few options with decent stocks like win 70 extreme and some weatherby models, but no DM.

Cooper M56 excaliber meets all, except the $2000 price...
 
blargon said:
Tough list. There are a few options with decent stocks like win 70 extreme and some weatherby models, but no DM.

Cooper M56 excaliber meets all, except the $2000 price...
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I'd buy a Model 70 Extreme Weather if I could find one, I'll have to check out the Cooper 56.
 
Browning x bolt
mine has
-26" fluted barrel
-metal almost everywhere
-fantastic trigger
-det. mag
-its a comp. stainless, stalker
-i really like the 4 screw base system -insanly strong
 
Tikka T3 Hunter in 30-06. Enjoy a nice, sturdy wood stock. It won't crawl up in a hole and die if it hits the elements.

edit: never mind, I see you don't want a polymer trigger guard and "bottom metal". I felt the same way until I used a T3.
 
Looking for the same I came across a Tikka M65. The stock was in rough shape and the price was right. 8 months later the McMillian arrived and I now have a great shooting rifle that meets all of your criteria for under $1500.

Down side to this solution is the M65's can sometimes be hard to find, parts are non-existant, extra mags are very expensive / rare and 8 months waiting on a McMillian can be pretty painfull. That being said I'm quite happy with the old tikka.
 
M70-338 said:
I'd buy a Model 70 Extreme Weather if I could find one, I'll have to check out the Cooper 56.
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M70 extreme weathers pop up in the EE from time to time,there is one right now in .270.I have one in 300 win and I just love it.I want to swap out the hinged floorplate for a detachable mag. but have yet to find a reliable gunsmith in my area.
 
I think your fiberglass stock and bedding block requirement is a bit of a deal breaker for an off the shelf detachable mag rifle.

Wait it out for a used Sako 75 series rifle and see if your happy with the accuracy and factory stock. You could sell it pretty quick if you weren't happy with it.
 
.284 said:
I think your fiberglass stock and bedding block requirement is a bit of a deal breaker for an off the shelf detachable mag rifle.
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If I could buy the rifle and an aftermarket stock for $2000 or under, that would work too.

I just found a great deal on a new Finnlight and am really considering getting it, despite the stock.

Many shooters of the Finnlight complain of non rigid forend, muzzle jump and recoil in the magnum calibers. Hmmmmm?
 
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As mentioned, find a used Sako m75 rifle and maybe go with a MacMillan stock.

Me, I am happy with all my Sako m75ss and Greywolf rifles.

Another option would be to look at the Fierce rifles, but I think they are closer to the $300-3500 mark.
 
cooper all the way. love there detachable mag. looks like a floorplate works slick as can be. the only downside is cost but i think there worth the $.
 
In '99 I bought one of Remington's new 700 SS DM's in 7m/m mag in their Tupperware stock. I really wanted that DM ,but one day I dropped my spare mag into the Kakwa river in Alberta. To me a DM is just one more thing to lose while hunting and no faster to load . Just my thoughts.
 
I have a browning A-Bolt in 7mm Rem Mag. it do have a floor plate but the mag is detachable from the floor plate. Great fun. Shorter turn angle to release the bolt is also great to have. The rifle and a nice 600 yard scope out me at a bout 1500 bucks.
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So you like the finnlite, except for the stock. Why not get a finnlite and buy a McMillian. You will have a better stock than any factory rifle and you already said you like the rifle. It will go over your 2 grand budget, but you should be able to get a little bit of coin reselling the finnlite stock.
 
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