What is the best mid-priced "Go To" Rifle?

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frankgrinder

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Okay, I know that I am the standard newbie asking the same old question...."What should I buy as my first hunting rifle?"
Well, my situation is along the same lines but a little more specific.
I have been shooting all my life, but always with other people's rifles and usually just for a bit of fun target practice or for shooting gophers.
I have recently taken up hunting and am looking for my first rifle. I want a rifle that I can rely on and be happy with for many years. I am sure I will be buying many more guns in my life, but I would like to have a good "Go To Rifle" that I can count on being accurate and reliable when hunting season comes around.
I have already decided to go with a 30-06 caliber for its versatility and availability (I plan on hunting mostly deer, elk and moose).
I don't want to waste my money on the cheapest bargain rifle and scope combination, I may as well spend some extra money up front so I am happy for longer than a single season.
I have browsed the catalogues and manufacturer's brochures and made my short list of potential purchases:

Remington Model 700 SPS Stainless

Remington Model 700 XCR II

Browning X-BOLT Composite Stalker

Weatherby Vanguard Series 2 Synthetic

Winchester Model 70 Ultimate Shadow

Tikka T3 Lite Synthetic

Savage Arms Weather Warrior Model 16/116 FCSS

I would appreciate any feedback on this list and also any advice or opinions on the listed rifles. I would really like to draw from everyone's experience to help me narrow down the list. I will of course go to the local sporting goods store and get a feel for every rifle on the list but some second opinions would be greatly appreciated. I am also open to any suggestions to add to the list if there is something I am missing.

Thanks
 
Winchester, Browning, or Tikka

I personally would choose them in that order for a long term go-to rifle that will get handed down.
 
I think all are good choices, a friend has put a lot of meat in the freezer with his T3 lite Syn. 30-06 and really likes it.
My Browning X-Bolt finally sold yesterday and I won't own another but thats just me, many others swear by them.
Handle a few and see for youself which you feel most comfortable with, after all its your dollar and you're the man using it .
Let us know your choice, Best of luck shopping...
 
Your last pic, Savage weather warrior with Accustock. IMO dollar for dollar Savage has figured out a way to make a very accurate quality hunting rifle for less than their competitors.
 
Kevan said:
I think all are good choices, a friend has put a lot of meat in the freezer with his T3 lite Syn. 30-06 and really likes it.
My Browning X-Bolt finally sold yesterday and I won't own another but thats just me, many others swear by them.
Handle a few and see for youself which you feel most comfortable with, after all its your dollar and you're the man using it .
Let us know your choice, Best of luck shopping...
Click to expand...

Kevan,

What didn't you like about your X-bolt? I like mine, with a couple caveats, the bolt handle needs to be bigger, and although the trigger is light, it feels a little on the dead side. Otherwise a very nice hunting rifle, as light as I want, great feel in the hands, and an absolute tack driver, all in a stock rifle.

If by some horrific event that I could only have one rifle, right now I'd go with a Winchester Featherweight. If it were a synthetic, I'd go Browning, or Tikka. The Tikka would need a limb saver, where the X-bolt has a superb recoil pad from the factory.
 
IMHO opinion the only thing I don't care for about my X-Bolt is the lack of pretty wood, but it is a stalker and I purchased it for a reason, and as a tool. It is actually a flawless tack driving dependable rifle.

That being said, I hate the looks of the wood X-Bolts, they look horrible with that ugly mag well.
 
frankgrinder said:
Okay, I know that I am the standard newbie asking the same old question...."What should I buy as my first hunting rifle?"
Well, my situation is along the same lines but a little more specific.
I have been shooting all my life, but always with other people's rifles and usually just for a bit of fun target practice or for shooting gophers.
I have recently taken up hunting and am looking for my first rifle. I want a rifle that I can rely on and be happy with for many years. I am sure I will be buying many more guns in my life, but I would like to have a good "Go To Rifle" that I can count on being accurate and reliable when hunting season comes around.
I have already decided to go with a 30-06 caliber for its versatility and availability (I plan on hunting mostly deer, elk and moose).
I don't want to waste my money on the cheapest bargain rifle and scope combination, I may as well spend some extra money up front so I am happy for longer than a single season.
I have browsed the catalogues and manufacturer's brochures and made my short list of potential purchases:

Remington Model 700 SPS Stainless

Remington Model 700 XCR II

Browning X-BOLT Composite Stalker

Weatherby Vanguard Series 2 Synthetic

Winchester Model 70 Ultimate Shadow

Tikka T3 Lite Synthetic

Savage Arms Weather Warrior Model 16/116 FCSS

I would appreciate any feedback on this list and also any advice or opinions on the listed rifles. I would really like to draw from everyone's experience to help me narrow down the list. I will of course go to the local sporting goods store and get a feel for every rifle on the list but some second opinions would be greatly appreciated. I am also open to any suggestions to add to the list if there is something I am missing.

Thanks
Click to expand...

I'd go Browning First and Savage Weather Warrior Second. Reason being the bolt throw of the Browning, and there accurate. And the Savage is accurate too.
 
I have been extremely pleased with the new zastava rifles as of late, I picked up one in 6.5x55 with great wood, open sights and in my opinion based on the best action of all time. Check out some of the deals on them from trade ex a sponsor at the top of the page. If it was based off of your list I'd go with a tikka or the browning.
 
I own a Browning A bolt and a Winchester 70 I have owned and liked a Weatherby Vanguard and have owned 3 Savages presently own one and will probably never buy another one. The Browning has the nice short bolt lift and is very accurate, my favourite is the Winchester for its fit and CRF, Vangaurds are a little heavy. My son just finally decided on a Tikka T3 in 270wsm and has no regrets, I have never owned a Remington but I am considering a model 7 for my wife. Of the rifles listed I would cross the Savage off and add Ruger I own one in 338, I would hold and shoot as many of the others as you can. Have fun deciding .
 
Homesteader said:
Kevan,

What didn't you like about your X-bolt? I like mine, with a couple caveats, the bolt handle needs to be bigger, and although the trigger is light, it feels a little on the dead side. Otherwise a very nice hunting rifle, as light as I want, great feel in the hands, and an absolute tack driver, all in a stock rifle.

If by some horrific event that I could only have one rifle, right now I'd go with a Winchester Featherweight. If it were a synthetic, I'd go Browning, or Tikka. The Tikka would need a limb saver, where the X-bolt has a superb recoil pad from the factory.
Click to expand...

I had feeding issues with the first one and also with the one the dealer replaced it with and hunting in Grizzly country makes that an absolute no-no regardless of who made the rifle. And as you stated the trigger was not the best,
I also found it prone to getting moisture in the bolt from around the button on top of the bolt itself when backpacking,
I took a serious bath on it when selling, but oh well live and learn...
 
Any Remington 700 variant or a distant second, Winchester. I have a Rem 700 SS in 300 Wby that has been my go to rifle for more than 20 years. This rifle has more miles on it and seen more of the world and killed more game, than most people. It shoots 3/4 MOA and has never let me down in rain, snow, sleet, blowing sand, -50 deg C to +50 deg C from sea level to 18,000 ft, and I'm not exagerating. I know Rem quality is slipping lately but go to lots of stores and look around and you'll find a good one. My son shoots a Rem 700 SPS Stainless in 300 RUM and it is the same story after about 10 years. Never a let down. Don't listen to the bunk on here about Rems being junk, I own more than 20 right now and have owned more than 100 of them in my life, from the 17 Rem to the 416 Rem and they are the best value for your money out of the box bar none. JMHO
 
Nice list, Any of most of those will perform great for years to come.
I personally have Abolt, Rem700 sps, and the Ruger M77, believe me its a toss up on which particular rifle to take on a hunt, i often am undecided until that morning..
Ive also shot Tikkas, although i have nothing bad to say about performance etc, im just not a tikka fan.

The weatherbys a good gun an so would the thompson centre line.

All your choices will be fine, whichever feels the best an floats your boat the best, buy it!

If it were me, id look at the Rem mountain Ti .308 mmmmm

WL
 
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