looking for a high-end hunting rifle.

"...more than tactical..." That's because there's no such thing as a 'tactical' rifle. The term is a marketing thing only.
Three grand will build you a dandy custom rifle. Forget the .375 H&H though. The ammo is horrendously expensive, the felt recoil is stout and, like Boomer says, it's not a cartridge for an FNG. You certainly don't need one for moose either. Nor anything else in North America. Think .308, .30-06, .270 etc.
 
cellfishracing said:
which is a better rifle the mauser m 03 or m 98. i really like them both, now off to the kimber site.
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Haven't handled one, but they look sharp. Mauser M03, around $2700

mauser_m03.gif
 
the_big_mike said:
hey

I have my eye set on the T&C Icon coming out. It looks pretty slick and has some cool features.. here's a link:

http://www.tcarms.com/firearms/icon.php

Limited cartridge selection, ( 22-250, 243 win, 308 win) And the new 30 TC round.

I'd go with the 308 win!
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Wow.. some neat features totally nullified by some REALLY crappy design choices.

Why the new T/C will suck:
1) Detachable mag on a classic stocked bolt gun. HELLO! Detachable mags are only sought after by the "tacticool crowd" that likes synthetic stocks, not the high-end custom rifle market segment.
2) Spoon handle with sharp edges. Yuck. If you're going to copy a mannlicher bolt handle, at least make is smooth in the hand.
3) Weaver bases. Yuck. Who uses those crappy bases aside from the aforementioned tacticool crowd? Why not adjsutable redfield/leupold type bases, or classic Talley type dovetails? Would look (and work) WAY better.
4) Look at the "forks" on the removeable bolt handle. They don't look very sturdy, do they?
5) Stop trying to "out-Remington" Remington. The bolt head is a Remington bolt, but with the weaker Sako extractor (ie, no more 3 rings of steel) and a totally superfluous third lug. The gun is a push-feed with a complicated Remington-type trigger, but all the styling cues and the market they are going after is the high-end hunting rifle market that used to be OWNED by custom Mausers and claw-extractor Winchester model 70's which are CONTROLLED ROUND FEED and have simple cantilever triggers designed to work reliably in safari and artic conditions alike. Ever take a Remington to the arctic or desert? Better have a bone-dry trigger or it WILL malfunction or freeze up. I love Remingtons, but I won't take them to extreme climates.
 
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Want my advice?

Call Tradex and buy one of their Husqvarna rifles with an FN commercial Mauser 98 action. Yuo might even get lucky and get a barrel in great shape in a caliber you like - who knows? They are under $400 and it is the cheapest "really good quality" action you will ever buy. the stocks are beech and functional, but you will likely want to change it out for your price range. Then set aside $800 for optics and and mounts. You've now spent about $1200. Spend the other $1800 on a good gunsmith to turn the action, scope and mounts into the custom rifle of your dreams in the caliber of your choice. It will fit like a glove and won't be a compromise.

Bear in mind, however, that you might not get the very best grade of stock for that price range unless your action comes already equipped with the barrel you plan to keep and use.
 
Lots of money will not buy you more gun. Moose and deer will never know the difference.

Build your own Mauser,"custom gun", from a reasonable priced second hand rifle, then add a new Timney trigger, fancy scope and stock, including rebluing and eventually a barrel with lenght and contour of your choice, as well as a nice new bolt handle etc :)
 
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I think the Ruger 77 is the best real using rifle available today. While not perfect (I hate the trigger) it works. It's reliable, accurate, and decent looking. All of the higher end rifles offer snob appeal but little else. A 77 which has been properly bedded and tuned will give a lifetime of good, reliable service.
The new T/C Icon offers one really good feature, the integral Weaver style bases. These bases accept a plethora of rings from cheap to very expensive. They are strong, maybe stronger than any other design. They offer lower scope mounting than any other design (not so important now when everyone thinks they need a 56mm objective bell to be able to see). Other than that, the Icon is a turkey. The Tikka style bolt attachment and magazine are fine if you like that sort of thing but an integral bolt handle is even better. All in all, it is a collection of meaningless features and, ultimately, a turkey.
There was a time when "high end" meant Weatherby. Weatherby MKV rifles are still a fine rifle and are probably better now than they have ever been. I don't know that they still have the snob appeal they used to have.
A good custom rifle can provide more substance than any of the factory offerings but, again, I think a customized Ruger will give the most bang for the buck. My opinion only of course and others undoubtedly know better than I. Regards, Bill.
 
Leeper said:
I think the Ruger 77 is the best real using rifle available today. While not perfect (I hate the trigger) it works. It's reliable, accurate, and decent looking. All of the higher end rifles offer snob appeal but little else. A 77 which has been properly bedded and tuned will give a lifetime of good, reliable service.
The new T/C Icon offers one really good feature, the integral Weaver style bases. These bases accept a plethora of rings from cheap to very expensive. They are strong, maybe stronger than any other design. They offer lower scope mounting than any other design (not so important now when everyone thinks they need a 56mm objective bell to be able to see). Other than that, the Icon is a turkey. The Tikka style bolt attachment and magazine are fine if you like that sort of thing but an integral bolt handle is even better. All in all, it is a collection of meaningless features and, ultimately, a turkey.
There was a time when "high end" meant Weatherby. Weatherby MKV rifles are still a fine rifle and are probably better now than they have ever been. I don't know that they still have the snob appeal they used to have.
A good custom rifle can provide more substance than any of the factory offerings but, again, I think a customized Ruger will give the most bang for the buck. My opinion only of course and others undoubtedly know better than I. Regards, Bill.
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Perhaps, but not many others I suspect. ;)
 
my internet messed up so i could not check the thread in last 3 days. I am trying to stay away from a custom rifle as i know that road ends up costing alot more in the end. I say this mostly because i am the type of guy that keeps saying, ohhh that would be nice, and that.... on and on it goes, 4 grand later. by which time hunting season is over and all i have is a nice looking safe queen.

so probable stay away from the mauser 66 action, is it a little dated? what makes the 98 better then the 66.

I am thinking of leaning towards the sauer 202, P&D has a few and they are on special right now. plus they are already equiped with iron sights.
 
If nothing else, the Euro rifles have the ability to suggest exclusivity. Some are very good rifles. You seldom see a real good scope mounting system since the Germans seem to love complexity in a mount and have never embraced the idea of low scope mounting. Regards, Bill.
 
After buying a Ruger 77 hawkeye recently, if I had $3000, I'd buy one of these, get a aftermarket stock that is a wee bit better, bed it, and get the trigger tuned.

Install some iron sights if it doens't already have them, get a good mid power scope and you are good to go...;)
 
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