Best $1000 Bolt Action Rifle?

Rem 700 mountain rifle or Tikka Ruger Hawkeye would be some to consider it never ceases to amaze me on these forms how some people just go of on a tangent not even near the question that was asked .
 
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Yes please consider that I want a wood stock and the barrel has to be 22" long!!!

A Stevens 200 with its synthetic stock or a Remington CDL with is 24" barrel will not cut it for me!
 
Max,

I think you might rephrase the question as looking for a rifle under $500. The biggest mistake you could make, in my opinion, is to cheap out on the scope. A missed opportunity on game is far more likely to come from scope problems than rifle problems, and for the first $300-500 optical quality and reliability really do improve meaningfully with price. With that and tax taken into account it seems $500 is where you're at.

I certainly agree that life is too short to hunt with an ugly gun. Perhaps if you broadened your criteria to include plastic, with a plan to upgrade next year, you would have more luck. Either that or used - providing guns are not abused, they don't go bad.

RG

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Max-4 said:
I want a bolt action rifle in 30-06 for Ontario deer, moose and bear this fall. I want a walnut stock and a 22" barrel in matte black or blued steel. I only have $1000 to spend MAX on the rifle alone but if we can aggree on a $700-$800 rifle too I am all for it! I would like it to be in the 7 to 7.5 pound range without a scope as the 30-06 doesn't deserve a real lightweight in my opinion. So what is the best rifle in those guidelines out there that can get me started? Thanks
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Check out Trade Ex for a Husqvarna 30/06. Spend the change on a scope, bedding job and maybe a recoil pad. You'll be well set.

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You could buy a Winchester Model 70 now. Hunt with it for 40 years. Your son or daughter would treasure that gun for another 40 years.

I "splurged" on a Husqvarna Crown Grade 20 years ago for that same reason. I wanted a 'keeper" and finally found one.
 
Yep, Winchester Model 70 Featherweight looks perfect for your needs and cash limit. Go and look at one at a retailer. The new ones are very well made and nicely balanced.
30-06 22" Barrel 7 lbs. $799
 
struff55 said:
Rem 700 mountain rifle or Tikka Ruger Hawkeye would be some to consider it never ceases to amaze me on these forms how some people just go of on a tangent not even near the question that was asked .
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Like you suggesting the 700 MR, which is no longer made in wood/blued. ;)

IMO, the only ones that meet the criteria are Rem 700 BDL, Ruger Hawkeye, and the Winchester Model 70 FWT.
Sorry all you Tikka guys, the barrel is 22.5", which does not meet the OP's specs...:D
 
Sadly, the build quality of most well known hunting rifles have gone down in recent years. A side effect of "more profit at any cost" mentality that has plagued western economies. Just think about icons like Remington 700 and 870 series and their quality reputation in recent years, which rivals Ford Escort! So, in recommending any gun, Please make sure that you are talking about the new products. Could be totally different quality than your dad's Gun with the same name.

Personally, I found the new Win. 70 Sporter very attractive. But will Waite for reviews, before I put down a grand for it. Completely wrong to assume that it is a good gun because of its predecessor's reputation.
 
I would highly recommend the CZ 550, as I have one in 30-06, and I really like it. I found it used, very lightly used for about $1150 WITH a Leupold VXII 3-9x50 and the CZ rings.

Alternately, one of the Ruger M77 variants comes to mind, I know that a few of my hunting buddies have them, and I have never heard a complaint about accuracy or quality from them.
 
Home3 said:
Personally, I found the new Win. 70 Sporter very attractive. But will Waite for reviews, before I put down a grand for it. Completely wrong to assume that it is a good gun because of its predecessor's reputation.
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You either like controlled feed or pushfeed. Two schools of thoughts. I like them both. Having a hinged floorplate and controlled feed on the Win 70 is a nice combo.

IMO, I'd rather get a new Win 70 than those pre-64's because of the collector cost status. Just because it's older doesn't always mean it was built better too. Case hardening and temper done wrong has seen old Mausers, Win pre-64's, Springfields blow apart.
The new FWT's I looked at impress me like an older Remington. CNC fit and finish with nice walnut and blueing. Bolt travel rivals a CZ in smoothness.

Looks like I'm talking myself in getting a new FWT myself. :redface:
 
My choice would be a used M65 Tikka Deluxe - hard to beat for accuracy and quality. You can get them from $600 to $800 (we're not talking about the T3 line here) .

An example of one in close to new condition:

http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=344140&highlight=tikka+m65

This seller has a OBO so you probably could get it for around $700. I realize it's not a 30-06 but a 7 mm Rem mag is only slightly more powerful and ammo can be found anywhere.

I don't use wood stocks on my hunting rifles and if I did, I would grab this one.

Duke1
 
You should be able to find to a used Sako for 1000$. That would be my first choice!!
If you want to save money I'd go for a used Weatherby Vanguard
The Tikka is also nice but lately the price of them new or used is to high
 
wood

Attention said:
You should be able to find to a used Sako for 1000$. That would be my first choice!!
If you want to save money I'd go for a used Weatherby Vanguard
The Tikka is also nice but lately the price of them new or used is to high
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Vanguards come with some nice walnut, CZ as well. There was quite a lot of video on You tube for the new Win. from last years SHOT Show. FS
 
Thanks

Thank you for your opinions here guys!!! I am not that anal that the 22.5" barrel of the Tikka is going to be a deal breaker but the weight might. Can we please discuss weight, since this is a 30-06 and will be shooting 200gr bullets at moose each year isnt the 6.5lb Tikka Hunter too light for this?

I would think 7lbs is the lowest you would want to go here, does anyone have a Tikka T3 in 30-06 that can comment on the recoil.

I think I have narrowed it down to a Remington 700 BDL, Tikka T3 Hunter, Winchester M70 Featherweight, Ruger M77 Hawkeye.

So 2 mausers and 2 pushfeds are in the running, I have seen some posts talking about the Ruger M77 poor accuracy, can anyone else comment on this?

I am big on fit/finish and the use of steel parts all around, I do not like alloy on the trigger guard and floor plates.
 
No need to go new!!!
$1000 is a fair chunk of change when it comes to the used market.Be patient, and a very good deal always comes along.
 
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