I need a big game bolt action rifle...

These are all in the $750 range, is there one that blows all the others away with quality and accuracy? This will be my 30-06 hunting rifle for the next 30-40 years hopefully!

-Ruger M77 Hawkeye
-Winchester M70 Featherweight
-Savage 114 American Classic
-Tikka T3 Hunter
 
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Pick up a Winchester Featherweight. Either that or find a used Rem 700 Mountain rifle. The new ones are laminated and stainless, which I think is cool, but doesn't fit your requirements. The easiest is the Winch. FW. I doubt you'll be disappointed.
 
Max-4 said:
These are all in the $750 range, is there one that blows all the others away with quality and accuracy? This will be my 30-06 hunting rifle for the next 30-40 years hopefully!

-Ruger M77 Hawkeye
-Winchester M70 Featherweight
-Savage 114 American Classic
-Tikka T3 Hunter
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Not because I'm selling one, but the savages and tikkas are both known for good accuracy and nice triggers (all tikka triggers, and savage accutriggers are nice). I've seen pictures of VERY nice wood on the new winchesters, someone posted fantastic pics in this forum a while back. The tikka hunters have nice wood too.
 
Rifle

I think I am going to take the Savage 114 out of the running because of its super LONG action. Its just too long and I do not want to have to use extension rings of any kind to get proper eye relief.
 
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I love everything about the Featherweight, it's gorgeous and feels good in the hands. The only thing I like about the Ruger is the action, I can do without the rest of the rifle. They just don't appeal to me. Best thing to do is hold both and buy the one that feels right.
 
Lefty #### said:
The I fixed it for you.
Should have read rings, more specifically the top mount ones, the Grand Slams are OK, but any ring if a wee bit over tightened and will crush or crease a scope is not worth jack in my books.
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Perhaps your scope is made of cheap steel. :D


Lefty #### said:
Ever wonder why those wonderfull Waever rings never see use in any shooting competition?
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Because in part many times such competitions are as much about how much money you have dumped into your rifle as it is hitting the target. :D

But you are right about the over-torquing issues...of course this can happen with any rifle component.
 
Max-4 said:
Ok, I have it narrowed down to two rifles now. I do NOT like the plastic on the Tikka T3's, its a nice enough rifle but the plastic would drive me nuts. The Savage 114 long actions are too long, to mount a scope you have to use special extended mounts to get eye releif, that would also drive me nuts!!!

I have it narrowed down to the Winchester M70 Featherweight or the Ruger M77 Hawkeye. What are the opinions and thoughts on these two rifles? Thanks
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I found I had to take the extension rings off my Savage 114 and use them on my Sako A7, both with the scope back as far as possible, so if you have a long action don't take for granted you wont need extension rings (depending on the scope of course). I have a bushnell 4200 3x9 with 3.3" eye relief. I'd say go handle each rifle, the reason I went from the savage to the sako was a better fit, the other sako features are just gravy. Fit means everything if you want to be able to get a shot, including eye relief. Rather than focus on rings get a scope with long eye relief for a long action. Bushnells are low but consistent, leupold seem to vary, short eye relief for increased zoom but long for hunting (4-6 power) range. Minox has one that IIRC has 4" consistent eye relief which is equal to the bushnell in millet extension rings.
As for plastic, I was ALWAYS a wood/steel guy but I love the way the sako handles, hollow sounding stock and all, and I'm now a convert (like both).
 
I have a 1959 BSA custom grade .30-'06 on a surplus First World War US M-1917 action. It still has the original October, 1917 barrel in place. It is fitted with a 1959 steel-tube Weaver K-4 and it puts them all on an old-time SILVER 5-cent piece at 50 yards.

Swap out the ancient Weaver for a more modern scope and you're ready for anything.

These old rifles were absolutely beautiful work, they shoot very well indeed and they have barrels which will last five-eighths of forever. You can pick up a rifle and scope combo for 300 bucks, second-hand, any old time..... and you have the single most SOLID bolt-action mechanism ever constructed. AND it has a true Mauser long-claw extractor with controlled-round feed.

That gives you a spare thousand bucks for hunting licences or to put down for your first trip to Africa.
 
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1)Stevens 200 in 30-06
htps://www.cabelas.ca/index.cfm?pageID=79&section=&ID=5426
~$360

2)Mossberg ATR is also know to be a great bang for buck value, and its on sale

htps://www.cabelas.ca/index.cfm?pageID=79&section=&ID=3960
~$260
 
CanadianReich said:
1)Stevens 200 in 30-06
htps://www.cabelas.ca/index.cfm?pageID=79&section=&ID=5426
~$360

2)Mossberg ATR is also know to be a great bang for buck value, and its on sale

htps://www.cabelas.ca/index.cfm?pageID=79&section=&ID=3960
~$260
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This is what bother me about this board. People recommending a crappy rifle (although accurate) when the OP states he wants quality. Hes got $1000 budget. Not a $400 one. He wants a quality accurate rifle, not a crappy accurate rifle.

Buy a real gun and feel the difference.
 
Cheap

Yes, a Stevens 200 and Mossberg ATR are out of the question for my money.

I have been considering the Tikka T3 a bit more now, I really am scepticle about the polymer magazines and trigger guard. I want to get the hunter model with the walnut stock and blued metal.

Really its down to 3 rifles all in 30-06 that I am going to try and handle in the near future before I decide.

Winchester M70 Featherweight
Tikka T3 Hunter (no sights)
Ruger M77 Hawkeye

Savage 114 is out and the CZ 550's barrel is too long, I want a 22" barrel give or take half an inch.
 
You said this will be your rifle for the next 30-40 years. As much as I love wood, I'd go stainless & synthetic. Can't fault you one bit on a Winchester M70. I like the Featherweights, but the Extreme Weather according to the specs. is a little lighter and shorter. I think this would carry nicely, provide long term durability, and provide better reliability than the other two. It's a classic big game action. I'd go:

Model 70 Extreme Weather
S&K SKulptured bases & smooth Kontoured rings in stainless (very low profile)
Leupold VX-3 1.5-5x20 Illuminated w/German #4 dot reticle
Turner Saddlery Biothane AWS sling
Eagle stock pack w/Otis rifle cleaning kit

Everything you need for a self contained day in the woods!

The Leupold will provide all the magnification you need, plus can be dialed down for close work and illuminated in low light. Also it's not big and bulky. You could even have the custom shop install a BDC reticle for a particular load if you wanted.

It doesn't sound like you're going to skimp, and if you're keeping it long term every extra penny spent for quality components will be worth it. It's refreshing seeing someone not cheaping out for a change.
 
blasted_saber said:
This is what bother me about this board. People recommending a crappy rifle (although accurate) when the OP states he wants quality. Hes got $1000 budget. Not a $400 one. He wants a quality accurate rifle, not a crappy accurate rifle.

Buy a real gun and feel the difference.
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Im just giving him options.

Ive never heard anyone say a Stevens 200 was low quality crap.

A person on a $1000 budget may not want to actually spend $1000 if they can get quality at a lower price....
 
I recently purchased a Ruger stainless hawkeye in .270 win with the rubberized green hogue stock, and I have to say..........its one super nice rifle. Just check out the Rugers if you get a chance, the triggers are nice and crisp.
 
Ive never heard anyone say a Stevens 200 was low quality crap.
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Sorry, that's nonsense. They are low quality, the finishing on the action is not particularily good, the stock is pathetic, the action is far from what most consider optimum for reliability. As a $300 base action for a target or varmint gun they're ok, much better options out there but they fill a need for those on a tight budget or looking to tinker on their own and have some fun. Quality they are not!
 
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