Mid Grade Rifles

ShrtRnd

ShrtRnd

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Contemplating a movement of some of my 700’s not only to pare down but I’m at a level of wanting a one-n-done unit but not a Gunwerks type of level commitment.

For those that have had or currently own mid-grade rifles what are your thoughts on the various makes, leaving the ballistic masturbation of Calibers out of it completely.

- Kimber
- Christensen
- Fierce
- Weatherby
- etc etc
 
I have no experience with the other brands that you listed, but many Weatherby Mark V are chambered in Weatherby cartridges - a few years ago, was exceeding hard to find to buy ammo in Canada, and very expensive if you find some - we paid about $8.30, each cartridge, in 2020 for 7mm Weatherby Mag - that was factory Weatherby ammo with 160 grain Nosler Partition bullets - I have no clue what they would go for today. I think at one time, Remington produced ammo for Weatherby cartridges - I never bought any - so I do not know what they cost. Also, for some of them - there was an unusual extended free-bore cut into the chamber - so it has happened that "custom" barrels in those Weatherby cartridges that omit that free-bore, result that the factory loaded Weatherby ammo is "too hot" for a non-free bore barrel.
 
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I am a big fan of Kimber have had a few Weatherby mark v and backcountrys but like the Kimber alot more.
 
Kimbers have increased a ton in price but are well built guns. Ultralight rifles are not for everyone, despite what you may read on cgn.

Look at your style of hunting and consider if you truly need one. Learning to shoot them is a learning curve for some people.

From what I’ve seen of christansen arms owned by friends I am not super impressed. Fierce are nice guns but ultimately ultralight SAKO. My personal opinion is that you might as well buy a Bergara or a SAKO instead of a christansen or fierce. Ask if you really want or “need” a carbon fibre barrel, 5.5lb gun etc. You will be paying for it


If your budget is 2-3k “Semi custom” is a good option, mcmillan or wildcat etc on a good action (older SAKO, m70, FN Mauser etc). Good way to stretch your money if that’s what your looking for and the way I went when asking this question myself. After buying a Kimber and then replacing it with a Haenel that fit my tastes more I restocked a SAKO Aiii in a mcmillan and cut down the barrel and added sights. Allowed me to get what I wanted and nothing more.
 
Don't forget about Mauser, Cooper, Sako, etc. Honestly, if you're used to a Remington 700, you'll find any well-made rifle a joy to shoot and hunt with. I don't mean that as an insult - there are some very well-made 700s - I just mean the step up to your first fine rifle.
 
Spending more doesn’t necessarily get you more when it comes to rifles. Buying older guns in good condition seems to be the best value lately. For the price of a new Cooper, Sako or Kimber.... I think these are now poor value because of the high price.
 
I know that you are listing ready made firearms to choose from, but here is another thought. I went from a fierce carbon edge up to the custom.

Go custom! I put mine together for around $6500, and you could do it for less. More because of the things I wanted it to have than really costs. That is just more than a fierce, but WAY less than a gunworks.

Defiance action in their lightest version and top line in the anti X runs around $2K. Can easy build on a deviant action $1350. Decent IBI barrel you can get $1K. Can go with a chassis that does not require a bottom metal in the $1K range. Defiance is a prefit, so you order a prefit barrel and twist it on at home without a need for a smith. This depends on the caliber a bit, but smithing costs would be around $400 if required. Add a trigger for $400 ish and your all set for glass and still under $4K.

That said, Antler creek, used to make the fierce rifles here in Canada before they went fully manufactured in the US, now has their Antler Creek rifles. I believe a copy of fierce. Have been hearing the Christianson FFT rifles are decent as well.

GO Big Tactical has some barreled actions usually around as well at a decent price. Cadex defense is another contender as well for a complete rifle, or action to build from.

Lots of possibilities out there now for a Really nice rifle! One other option is to buy someone's used custom rifle. There are plenty out there for great savings as well. Know of a custom 300 WSM build on a defiance action, 20" Proof carbon barrel, with a Paradigm stock and he is selling a year old rifle at a decent price. Just over 5lbs.
 
I am pleased with the browning x-bolt pro. Smooth bolt, pretty light. Not a lot of customization options but I don't really care about that. I personally like the polymer rotary mag design but some people don't. I see it has substantially increased in price though and I don't think I'd shell out the current price for it.

I also have a couple sako 85s (finnlight, stainless synthetic and kodiak) and a buddy had a nice black bear. I like them but the price has increased to the point where I don't think they are worth it anymore. Some people have complained about ejection issues but I have not had any. The finnlight is a light enough gun that you don't need carbon IMO. I moved along a 300 win mag as the recoil was too much for me.

Another nice rifle worth mentioning is the sauer 101. Very smooth bolt. PR still has an alaska from the MD Charlton closeout a while back.

not sure what your overall goal or budget is, but personally I'd rather have a higher quality scope on a lower tier rifle (within reason).
 
Appreciate the input fellas. See if I can cover everyones comments here.

I was just curious as to other end users thoughts and findings of the brands I had mentioned and I’ve toiled over specs by most if not all on my list and the others mentioned. While I have no complaints about my 700’s in the field, it’s just time to try something different.

I’m certainly not an Ultra-Lite (5-1/2lb), carbon fibre barrel/stock and latest greatest fad cartridge type of guy that’s going on his once in lifetime Sheep hunt, but I do prefer the 6-3/4 to 7-1/2lb range as I age.

Given some thought to a semi-custom off one the 700’s as a possibility, it’s the re-sale further down the road that stops me. I’m honestly surprised that some EE ads for them or stock 700’s don’t move quicker given the plethora of aftermarket support out there. i have looked at Defiant and other actions to build off as well, but I figure a factory configuration at roughly the same cost is a lil easier for me at the moment.

The Browning X-Bolt WH LR or Speed LR almost had me as I did like my OG A Bolt in 7RM
 
I had a Kimber with a wonky safety that I sold, it was a fine rifle that just happened to need a repair out of the box. Very light, fairly accurate. Just didn't fall in love, so off it went.

I have a Weatherby Mark V that is a tack-driver, but heats up FAST at the range (like, 3 shots smokin' hot). I also had to shim the recoil lug to properly align the barrel in the barrel channel to get a perfect "float".

Browning X-Bolt (non-Pro) was very good. Trigger was a bit too heavy for my liking so I put an Mcarbo spring in it and that got it into a decent range. Sold that to a fellow from up north.

I had a stainless Sako 75 that I regret selling, that was a great shooting rifle. Not super light, just a good all around sporter weight. Very accurate, very smooth feeding and cycling, I decided I was getting out of magnums (lol yeah, right) and didn't need it anymore.

I looked at a Christensen Mesa I think it was, it was a nice rifle but I've seen some real hit-or-miss reviews on them. That's a lot of bread to hand over on something that has some notably poor online reviews. In the hands it was excellent.

I'd love to check out a Fierce or Antler Arms out of Quebec some day. And I plan on a Bergara someday as well, but likely a B-14, I think the Premier would be more appropriate for a semi-"high end" rifle. Those look very nice.

Also interested in maybe doing a build with KS Arms, I love the idea of a Canadian barrelled action with a Triggertech trigger and Wildcat stock.
 
ShrtRnd said:
The Browning X-Bolt WH LR or Speed LR almost had me as I did like my OG A Bolt in 7RM
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Decent options. Depending on what type of hunting you do, something to consider is that those versions have pretty long barrels. If you want a Magnum, then fine but if you're looking for a smaller caliber maybe not optimal for carrying. I paid what those models cost for the pro and pro LR maybe 4 years ago. Although I do like the handling of the longer heavier barreled pro LR in 300 win mag with the lighter stock, If I were buying new at today's prices I'd go for a more basic xbolt (I like stainless) and spend the difference on optics.

Fwiw I'm not impressed with the cerakote on the pros. It easily chips, much much more so than what I've had done by black box customs. I'm not sure if all models are the same or if it's changed in the last 4-5 years but I personally would not pay a premium for a new OEM cerakoted xbolt. My 2c.
 
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Not to long ago i was looking at fierce rifles (the one with the 85 action), read up many reviews about them. One issue that they tend to have is the extractor failing, apparently they snap. Something to keep in mind. As with anything you want to buy, read up on reviews, it can save you from having a headache.
 
I'm not sure that if I had the money, that I would buy a mid-range, $3-$6k rifle. I have a rifle that shoots well, is very well made and has the smoothest bolt that I've ever
had on a rifle. It is a 1950's vintage Husqvarna Commercial M98 in 8x57. It weighs 8lb 2oz with scope and sling. If you are a fan of lightweight rifles this would not be a
good choice for you. For the type of hunting I do in BC, it is ideal, and I paid $425 for it. I have several others, a 9.3x57, a 9.3x62, and a re-chambered 8x57 that is now
an 8mm-06 Improved. If they come a little rough around the edges but have a good bore, it doesn't take much work to make them look pretty again. It's getting hard now
to choose which one to carry, I like them all.
 
Yes OP should buy an intersurplus husqy or a browning ladyhunter


Why not suggest a savage axis while we’re at it? Hear they shoot great, real lightweight too
 
doctor_meltdown said:
Decent options. Depending on what type of hunting you do, something to consider is that those versions have pretty long barrels. If you want a Magnum, then fine but if you're looking for a smaller caliber maybe not optimal for carrying. I paid what those models cost for the pro and pro LR maybe 4 years ago. Although I do like the handling of the longer heavier barreled pro LR in 300 win mag with the lighter stock, If I were buying new at today's prices I'd go for a more basic xbolt (I like stainless) and spend the difference on optics.

Fwiw I'm not impressed with the cerakote on the pros. It easily chips, much much more so than what I've had done by black box customs. I'm not sure if all models are the same or if it's changed in the last 4-5 years but I personally would not pay a premium for a new OEM cerakoted xbolt. My 2c.
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I’ve carried up to 26” barrel lengths in the past, but I’ve got shorter options avail if needed. Something around 24” is what I’m thinking might be optimal.

As for Cals (ya I’ll open this can of worms here). Considering everything from 6.5 up to .300. Possibly one of the PRCs or just go with tried and trued 7mmRM/.300Win for ease of reloading/factory ammo options. Then again everything seems to be insanely hard to source these days….

I’ll agree with your observations on Brownings Cerakoting. The HC Speeds that I’ve handled didn’t seem to have a good coating of it. Wasn’t expecting say a R700 SPS thickness, but it did look rather thin and susceptible to being damaged.
 
Feels dirty to mention the husqy Mausers in the same sentence but you gotta love cgn advice threads going of the rails.

Some folks just can’t “play by the rules” lol

Since you are a rem 700 guy I really have to suggest looking at some of the higher end bergaras in person if possible.

Prophet River has some good deals on med/high end guns on their used rack right now, SAKO weatherby etc. Sorry no axis, micro Midas or husqvarna mausers.
 
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