Honest Opinions Only Please

ShaunC said:
Hey everyone. I was just wondering what everyone's opinion on a brand of rifle. Pro's and Con's. I have a budget of 2500 and I do want a wood stock. Been told a Winchester Model 70 is my best option.
Also I do want a walking hunting rifle if that makes sense.

Thanks everyone
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Not knowing where and what you hunt this will be generalized.

There are a lot of very good rifles out there these days and as long as you are not buying the cheapest entry level - new or used - you should be fine.

Some thoughts on that. Weight is relative. If you don't walk a lot a heavier rifle is fine. If you are using a more powerful cartridge weight helps absorb recoil. Thinner barrels and ultralight actions and stocks = more felt recoil.

Barrel length for hunting, within reason, is preference. Anywhere from 18 to 26 inches is in a kind of standard range and shouldn't dramatically affect cartridge terminal performance.

Action type is also preference, most of them work well and all have pros and cons which you can chase down on the net with google.

I would counsel you to go to a very well stocked gun store and handle as many rifles as you can over several visits. A trend for what you like should appear. Example: I like the longer 24" to 26" barrels because they seem to lead and point better.

FWIW my favorite rifles are all bolt actions and they are a SS Model 70 Classic in 338wm with a 26" barrel and synthetic stock, a 1959 FN Browning in 3006 with a 22" barrel and a synthetic stock, and an absolutely pristine Model 70 in 6.5x55 Featherweight. I class them all as walkers and capable of anything in North America.

You cartridge may come down to what you find that "best feeling" rifle chambered in because in all honesty, for North America, any bottleneck cartridge from the 6.5 swede to the 375 H&H will do the job just fine.
 
To each their own, but I'm a Weatherby fanboy. I've never had mechanical issues and the rifle is dead accurate. The composite stock is one of the most comfy stocks I've used.

I've shot: Mark V in 7mm, 300 WSM, 300 WBY Mag & Vanguard/ VS2 in 223, 270 and 30-06.
I own the Vanguard 30-06, best bang for your buck in my opinion.
 
Tikka T3x Hunter (maybe even stainless) or Battue. Personally i would keep the barrel 20" or under, that gives you plenty of velocity with modern/efficient cartridges. Handy, fast pointing, fast cycling. In the current market, Tikka seems to be the value leader again, with very few compromises. You do not say caliber, but you have plenty of options there. With that budget, you can direct a significant amount towards the right optic, which arguably is more important than the rifle. In the end, you will have a heirloom piece that should last generations.

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