Which would you pick for a higher-end bolt rifle?

[yidava25]

I've gone and sold everything that's not sentimental and will at some point be in the market for a nice hunting rifle or possibly a couple, maybe a lighter/heavier situation rather than one all-around.
I'm open to suggestions but right now I'd like to hear thoughts on new-production model 70s vs Wby Mk Vs, if the budget was under about $2500 for the bare rifle. That gets me a base model Mk V or a slightly fancier Mod 70. I've owned both actions (not a new M70 but the New Haven version I believe) and would like to have both eventually. Also open to pretty much any chambering from the 6.5s up to .300 mags. I really like the Mk V action but would prefer a 22-24" barrel at most which cuts down a lot of options from Wby.

What would you pick if you had the money in hand and had to buy today?

If there's a different action I should be looking at feel free to throw that out too. Not going to buy Savage or Browning (sorry) but have nothing against Sako, etc...

 

[pathfinder76]

High end and $2500 is a tall order these days.

 

[156821]

I’d get the model 70. Probably a maple one

 

[yidava25]

High end and $2500 is a tall order these days.

hey to some of us that's still pretty spendy
Intersurplus still has rifles that go bang for $300, if that's the low end I'd say 8x more money could be called higher-end

 

[rar]

sako s20 or a winchester featherweight.

 

[struff55]

both are excellent i prefer the model 70
or a kimber classic or classic select
montana 1999

 

[45C]

I’d get the model 70. Probably a maple one

I had one of those,heavy MF for a hunting rig lol
Beautiful piece of work though

 

[45C]

I just sold my fierce 6.5 PRC and bought a Tikka Chambered in 6.5 PRC .
The bolt is smooth as butter and first 3 shots were .7 MOA.
For a hunting rig it’s hard to beat.
I’ve spent thousands trying to get a rifle that serves as hunting/target rifle and it just never pans out.

 

[chuckAA]

Winchester Model 70 Supergrade in 270 win.

 

[yidava25]

Winchester Model 70 Supergrade in 270 win.

I'm currently reading O'Connor's "Complete Book of Rifles and Shotguns" and it's getting difficult to not want one, even though I had a Sako 85 in .270 Win and found the cartridge somewhat underwhelming.

 

[yidava25]

sako s20 or a winchester featherweight.

The thumbhole look would be somewhat of a departure for me, but I know how comfortably they hold.

 

[iron cat]

For me it would be a Ruger#1A or a Browning 1885.
I don't consider either really high end though, that would be a Parkwest Arms ( formerly Dakota I believe)
Cat

 

[FLHTCUI]

I've gone and sold everything that's not sentimental and will at some point be in the market for a nice hunting rifle or possibly a couple, maybe a lighter/heavier situation rather than one all-around.
I'm open to suggestions but right now I'd like to hear thoughts on new-production model 70s vs Wby Mk Vs, if the budget was under about $2500 for the bare rifle. That gets me a base model Mk V or a slightly fancier Mod 70. I've owned both actions (not a new M70 but the New Haven version I believe) and would like to have both eventually. Also open to pretty much any chambering from the 6.5s up to .300 mags. I really like the Mk V action but would prefer a 22-24" barrel at most which cuts down a lot of options from Wby.

What would you pick if you had the money in hand and had to buy today?

If there's a different action I should be looking at feel free to throw that out too. Not going to buy Savage or Browning (sorry) but have nothing against Sako, etc...

The site sponsors have pretty good e-commerce web sites and some have several hundred pictures with prices of Good and some linib available.

Guys on Fraser St. in Vancouver have a Wby Ultralite in .257 with a Zeiss scope iirc for something close to your budget plus tax and shipping though.
That does add up.

 

[wasrupzuk]

I’m very partial to Sako’s but a new 90 (the one I’d want) is well past the budget.
So to stay in the number next is a model 70 super grade, likely in 7RM or 300WM…but wouldn’t count out a deal on a 30/06.

 

[GreenIce]

Out of the model 70 or the Mark V. I would get the model 70 as I prefer the way the safety works, the flat bottom receiver and the 90 degree bolt. The Mark V looks fancier and has a quicker 60 degree bolt but I am not usually in a hurry to toss another round down range when hunting big game - and don’t really shoot high pressure rounds which the Mark V is kinda made for I think.
HOWEVER! Even better yet would be a Ruger #1 in stainless with a grey laminate stock chambered in 30.06. Uh, if you could find one

 

[sask378]

 

[Irons78]

Sako Bavarian Carbine Model 85 in 6.5x55.

 

[Pointdexter]

I've been shooting long enough to know that an ill-fitted rifle stock can make a 300wm rifle recoil worse then a stock that properly fits

 

[bisonviril]

What are your plans for game? In what environment?

That may help narrow things down.

 

[BigBraz15]

I have had multiple examples of both rifles you are looking at.

Of the two my pick would be, and is, the Mark V. I have chased around so many chamberings and configurations over the years… I ended up with a Mark V Hunter in 280 AI. It is the most accurate rifle out of the box that I have ever owned, and I have had some good ones. It is very effective, and seems to be my rifle that gets the nod almost every time out.

I still have a 300 win mag for a “heavy option” but on what I have been seeing from the 280 it is more than capable of most of my needs.

I had a 30-06 in a Winchester that I tried really hard to make my one gun, and it lasted for a while, but just didn’t stick. Either one of those chamberings would do whatever you need it to.