New hunting rifle

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Champjwest

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Hey guys. I'm starting to think up of my forever hunting rifle. I have quite a few of rifles but none that have become the "one"
My question to put out there is what route should I go?
I've been really tossing around the idea of an A-bolt, X-bolt, rem 700, or Weatherby Vanguard.
Any recommendations or cautions to any of these?
I will be getting a Boyd's stock (or any other suggestions for the stock) after I purchase my rifle.
 
I have never owned a browning. I have owned a few remingtons. Found they scratched and got dinged up really easily.

I will for ever be a fan of Weatherby. Their triggers are the best stock triggers out there. Great two stage triggers. I personally LOVE 2 stage triggers. Also I have always had good ones that are sub moa rifles with 5 shot groups... Not 3 as garunteed.

I think that weatherbys are the best "bang for your buck" rifles out there. Not as cheap as savage, but not as pricey as tikka or browning. Top preformance on all spots. They just dont offer much in the "tacticool" variations. Not an issue when you want a hunting rifle though.

If you have the cash to get a Mark V instead of a Vanguard. I would. Higher chance to become "the one"
 
A Weatherby Vanguard would be my choice - and if your planning on using it as a hunting rifle then either 240 wby or 257 wby would be my choice of caliber - sure the ammo is expensive but you will likely use 1/2 box of ammo to sight it in at 100 yards - no need to spend more money on a stock on this one either - now if you want to shoot the lights out of your 'forever' rifle then this isn't for you - it will always put meat in the freezer.
 
The new Winchesters are for all intents and purposes are a Browning. Excellent quality guns. The wood stocks are super nice, the EW had a Bell and Carson.

I think the Browning built M70 are the best yet.
 
Sauer 404, steyr SM12, etc. I lean towards the European rifles because the fit and finish is way better, they have options like fluted barrel, single set trigger and larger capacity magazines that other brands do not and the European rifle designs just seem to fit me better (worst case they will custom fit a stock to you) yes, having a rifle that actually fits you makes a huge difference
 
If you have a bunch of other rifles id suggest a full custom. Choose the cartridge you want and get action to fit it. Custom barrel and aftermarket stock. Be more money in the long run but it would be exactly what you want. Once you find you use it for everything sell of your other rifles to recoup the money

If stuck on a factory rifle kimber or cooper are great choices that would surely stand out.
 
Champjwest said:
Hey guys. I'm starting to think up of my forever hunting rifle. I have quite a few of rifles but none that have become the "one"
My question to put out there is what route should I go?
I've been really tossing around the idea of an A-bolt, X-bolt, rem 700, or Weatherby Vanguard.
Any recommendations or cautions to any of these?
I will be getting a Boyd's stock (or any other suggestions for the stock) after I purchase my rifle.
Click to expand...

On your choice I won't comment because you have your views, based off your life experience and your personal preferences.

As for the topic, great idea, I did my "one" rifle over 10 years ago now. No regrets, still take that one out first. Mine was a build based on a New Haven, Model 70, SS, Classic action. I did a bunch of reading and thinking which was entertaining in it's own right and then did the build. I got exactly what I wanted and was/am thrilled with the result.

I would recommend doing some research on every aspect starting with the action.

SELECTING AND ORDERING A CUSTOM HUNTING RIFLE by CHARLIE SISK & OTHERS

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34628281-selecting-and-ordering-a-custom-hunting-rifle?from_search=true

I wish I had owned this book before I built mine. This fellow, Charlie Sisk, is gunsmith in Texas. He writes the book for someone who would like to do what you are contemplating in a common sense kind of way with quite a few little stories about what this guy or that guy built and why it was good or bad. A number of other outdoor writers like John Barsness contribute material to the book as well. As I recall Charlie doesn't really push one action over another but he does dissect the pros and cons of them. For example, he does not recommend a Browning ABolt for a build. Why? Apparently the barrel is a ##### to get off - nothing about the ABolt being a bad rifle just that the way the barrel is attached makes it a challenge to do well.

I highly recommend reading this book before you start.

Good luck.
 
30-06 tikka T3. You can hunt anything anywhere and get ammo anywhere with the ‘06. Tikka is one of the best value for money rifles out there. Accurate , well made and easy to carry all day.
 
Champjwest said:
Hey guys. I'm starting to think up of my forever hunting rifle. I have quite a few of rifles but none that have become the "one"
My question to put out there is what route should I go?
I've been really tossing around the idea of an A-bolt, X-bolt, rem 700, or Weatherby Vanguard.
Any recommendations or cautions to any of these?
I will be getting a Boyd's stock (or any other suggestions for the stock) after I purchase my rifle.
Click to expand...

Why not buy one of the rifles you mention with a factory walnut stock? It will cost a lot less and look a lot better.

The Vanguards are heavy. I personally would look for a T3 Hunter for a nice walnut rifle that will shoot well and not weigh a lot.
 
I'd be happy with the new M70 Featherweight units. The the compact versions be 6.8 lbs and the stainless FW's be 4 oz. more.

Featherweight Compact..jpeg
Featherweight Stainless.jpeg
 

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I would prefer an X Bolt with a nice piece of wood on it... or a 700 with a nice piece of wood on it... or a Model 70 with a nice piece of wood on it... or an A Bolt with a nice piece of wood on it...
 
guntech said:
I would prefer an X Bolt with a nice piece of wood on it... or a 700 with a nice piece of wood on it... or a Model 70 with a nice piece of wood on it... or an A Bolt with a nice piece of wood on it...
Click to expand...

I have to agree with this.

Actually with anything other than their "budget" rifles most makers provide good products. Why anyone would buy a low end rifle and then spend several hundred dollars "upgrading" it is beyond me.
 
All depends where and what you are hunting. If in the bush and after big game than go with the marlin sbl leveraction in 45/70 cal. Has rail mount for all types of optics . If want to have a hybrid of modern/traditional than replace handguard with a Midwest industries . Stainless steel finish with the color of the stock is a real eye piece
 
Of the four you listed I would personally choose the X-bolt first, closely followed by the Vanguard. I prefer the 60 degrees of bolt lift on the X-Bolt versus the 90 degrees on the Vanguard. The rotary detachable magazine is another nice touch but not the deal maker. I have had both Vanguards and Brownings and have found accuracy to be resonable.
The Vanguards are still priced to sell and are a good quality price point.
 
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