The best wooden stocked modern hunting rifle I would buy is a Savage American in 7-08 (7RM if you really must have velocity). Great and SAFE trigger, center feed detachable mag, sub MOA barrels, a stock that fits me (YMMV), and something that doesn't weigh a bunch.
I would hollow out the stock, line with fibreglass and back fill with expanding styrofoam. There is no solid wood stock that is immune from moisture.
I have used and hunted with Elite 4200 scopes for the last decade. Never had an issue holding zero or adj for LR shots. More then adequate glass, excellent low light ability and rainguard - cause it does rain.
For me, hunting rifles are pure function. I do not want a 'pretty' rifle cause bling does nothing for me in the bush. I want a rifle that will put that cold bore shot exactly where I am expecting every single time under any condition I plan on hunting.
I want a dead reliable bolt system that will not lock up if it gets a bit dirty or wet. I will never use a low tolerance custom action because of this. Some of the most valuable hunting rifles are built on the Mauser action due to its legendary ability to function when it matters.
The rifle must be accurate enough to put 3rds into a target the size of the boiler room at my max distance. MOA or better is all I will ever need on big game. 1/4 min range accuracy means absolutely nothing in the field if it means poor feeding/extraction or the chance of jamming up.
Many have spent thousands on hunting rifles. In fact, the most expensive rifles I know of are blinged out hunting rifles. Ironically, they don't shoot any better then a properly tuned Savage and all that embelishment may not stand up to rust in the field.
My second hunting rifle was a BSA sporterized P17 Enfield with its orig barrel. The stock was a nice walnut stock which I bedded and hogged out. That rifle had a bore the condition of most sidewalks and was green from the copper fouling despite using moly. I tuned the orig trigger to a nice single stage pull. It even had the floorplate shortened so it was flush with the stock just like a Rem.
Dirt cheap, nothing fancy but man did it work. It was dead on cold bore accurate out to 800yds. Repeated this over 5yrs and it never missed a shot as long as I doped the wind right. It was sub MOA accurate with 165gr SST's all the way out to 1000yds.
I sold that rifle for $150 and I am sure it is working great for its present owner.
If you really must spend the money, put the majority towards a great pipe and stock - laminated or a wooden stock with an alum chassis. That will do more for you then any fancy action ever will.
Jerry
