Best barreled action on a budget

C10

C10

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Hey there Gun Nutz, what is the best 6.5cm barreled action around $1500 or less. I’m playing with the idea of putting together my first precision bolt action rifle. I’ve had a lot of fun recently building a 10/22 and now I’m thinking why stop there. I’m looking for a 26” heavy barrel with a threaded muzzle and a smooth action. It’ll likely end up in an oryx chassis to match the 10/22. Any advice would be great!
 
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Howa Heavy Barrel 1500 in 6.5cm or .308. You can get it in a throwaway Hogue stock for about $850 from Tenda or Prophet River. Can fit an Oryx and a bunch of other chassis options.

I have one and love it - wanted to set up a prs rifle and not take on a second mortgage to do it. Action is smooth, not better than Tikka, but a heavy barrel Tikka is going to be significantly more and the Howa is great bang for the buck.
 
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My vote is Howa 1500, the barrelled actions. 24”, bull barrels threaded, usually sub $1000 new, $700-800 used. Sub moa with match ammo, really nice production quality, basically a licensed R700 with improvements.

The only bad shots I’ve made with mine came from poor technique and the environment, the rifle itself is superb, especially at that price range.
 
gorby said:
Howa Heavy Barrel 1500 in 6.5cm or .308. You can get it in a throwaway Hogue stock for about $850 from Tenda or Prophet River. Can fit an Oryx and a bunch of other chassis options.

I have one and love it - wanted to set up a prs rifle and not take on a second mortgage to do it. Action is smooth, not better than Tikka, but a heavy barrel Tikka is going to be significantly more and the Howa is great bang for the buck.
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A lot of folks seem happy with the Howas! I think if I were to go that route I’ll probably spend the extra money for the tikka action smoothness. I’m likely gonna try to hold out for a custom action and barrel because I’ve never been one to leave well enough alone😂
 
C10 said:
A lot of folks seem happy with the Howas! I think if I were to go that route I’ll probably spend the extra money for the tikka action smoothness. I’m likely gonna try to hold out for a custom action and barrel because I’ve never been one to leave well enough alone😂
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Totally makes sense!

I am on a bit of a buying freeze myself until c-21 is lifted, but the heavy barreled Tikka .223 is next on my list! A custom would also be sweet.
 
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gorby said:
Totally makes sense!

I am on a bit of a buying freeze myself until c-21 is lifted, but the heavy barreled Tikka .223 is next on my list! A custom would also be sweet.
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I just sold off a bunch of the collection. I’m trying to have nothing but really good quality stuff that I want to shoot and I really just love to tinker with stuff. Right now I’m between a bolt gun and an 1873 in 357 because all my pcc’s are banned, and I think it’d be fun to shoot. I sold off my crusader arms and a few lever actions that I never use and bought a beretta 1301.
 
C10 said:
I just sold off a bunch of the collection. I’m trying to have nothing but really good quality stuff that I want to shoot and I really just love to tinker with stuff. Right now I’m between a bolt gun and an 1873 in 357 because all my pcc’s are banned, and I think it’d be fun to shoot. I sold off my crusader arms and a few lever actions that I never use and bought a beretta 1301.
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That totally makes sense, trying to be deliberate myself and just get what I really will use and I am a sucker as well for tweaking and tinkering with things... just because.

Should the tide turn, I will be looking at a pcc!
 
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The aero precision stuff is a good value.

On the Rem700 footprint I really like the Kelblys too.

Unfortunately,.for $1500cdn, it'll be Tikka or Savage.

Pre 64 model 70 winchester is worth looking at too. The rifleman's rifle - just limited options in the way of stocks...

I like the Tikkas because they are a great action and great trigger. Prefit barrels are available and ever growing aftermarket support make that the 'easy button' IMO
 
I couldn't believe how accurate my 2 Savage 10LP rifles were. One short and one long barreled, incredible groups per dollar spent.
 
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