Which would you pick for a higher-end bolt rifle?
- Thread starter yidava25
- Start date
thewoodsrunner
Regular
Higher end? Rigby Big Game Lightweight, below. You might be able to get a basic one for 20K or so Canadian. The new Mauser 98's would be my second choice.
I'd call anything $2500 and under "working class." Anything from there up to 10K mid-range, and once you're over 10K you're getting into higher-end territory, arguably, though 10K is "really low high end." I mean, lots of guys pay more than that for side by side or a motorcycle, which compared to a rifle ain't so special.
Nothing wrong with a really good working class rifle. In today's world i would pick a walnut and blued steel Winchester Model 70. I like the lines/design, mystique and reputation of the pre-64 guns (which will likely go in the mid-range, though i witnessed one being auctioned at just shy of 100K and passed on a really nice .270 that i didn't need for $800 at a show priced so low cos it was not collector-grade) yet have noted reviewers suggesting that today's European made rifles are the best Model 70's in the history of the arm. That's saying a lot. That's a lot of gun for the money.
I'd call anything $2500 and under "working class." Anything from there up to 10K mid-range, and once you're over 10K you're getting into higher-end territory, arguably, though 10K is "really low high end." I mean, lots of guys pay more than that for side by side or a motorcycle, which compared to a rifle ain't so special.
Nothing wrong with a really good working class rifle. In today's world i would pick a walnut and blued steel Winchester Model 70. I like the lines/design, mystique and reputation of the pre-64 guns (which will likely go in the mid-range, though i witnessed one being auctioned at just shy of 100K and passed on a really nice .270 that i didn't need for $800 at a show priced so low cos it was not collector-grade) yet have noted reviewers suggesting that today's European made rifles are the best Model 70's in the history of the arm. That's saying a lot. That's a lot of gun for the money.
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That’s the funny part. They actually don’t. There is a lot more to a good shooting rifle than a couple of good groups.
Depending on the gunsmith you choose and the quality level of the finished rifle, $4000 probably would not buy it.
Chris Griesbach charges $10,000 for a nice custom 98 but not over the top. BTDT a few year ago before his prices went to this level.
You might be better to buy a nice pre64 M70 in 30-06, have it worked over and stocked in a nice pc of English walnut.
Yeah $4000 doesn’t buy you much now a day in custom rifles department. But you can certainly get a really nice gun for that or even less! I have a cz550 in 9.3x62 custom work made by Ralph Martini( that is what I was told and stick to it
) and I paid less than $2k but it as a composite stock a nice one but it ain’t claro walnut!! I have a withworth express rifle with really nice wood that shoot pretty good that I had Gary Flach do some work on it and all in that rifle didn’t cost me $2k
If you keep your eyes open on the EE you can find some pretty darn nice stuff!!
Very nice rifle and a lot less than what a full custom would set you back. Well done!Yeah $4000 doesn’t buy you much now a day in custom rifles department. But you can certainly get a really nice gun for that or even less! I have a cz550 in 9.3x62 custom work made by Ralph Martini( that is what I was told and stick to it
I have a withworth express rifle with really nice wood that shoot pretty good that I had Gary Flach do some work on it and all in that rifle didn’t cost me $2k View attachment 1211017
If you keep your eyes open on the EE you can find some pretty darn nice stuff!!
Those are a factory rifle, Rigby london best rifles start at 72K CAD.
May or may not be considered “high end” by some but Tikka T3X Ace Game in 308 or 6.5 cm would be my pick at $2500 (rifle only) price point. Timely thread as I am considering a new hunt rig.
If I was buying today, I would go with above in 6.5 cm and pair it with a Burris scope with a 6.5 cm reticle. I had a similar setup on a Tikka CTR and can tell you it was dead nuts accurate using the reticle out to 400 yards shooting factory loads in the 2710fps range. Developed hand loads at that velocity were even more accurate.
Keep us posted on what you end up choosing
If I was buying today, I would go with above in 6.5 cm and pair it with a Burris scope with a 6.5 cm reticle. I had a similar setup on a Tikka CTR and can tell you it was dead nuts accurate using the reticle out to 400 yards shooting factory loads in the 2710fps range. Developed hand loads at that velocity were even more accurate.
Keep us posted on what you end up choosing
One thing about this thread, it made me look at retail prices of factory rifles for the first in awhile. Holy crap when did that happen?
Anyways it would seem that the answer to what higher end rifle to get for 2500 might be nothing.
Maybe its time to start selling stuff
Anyways it would seem that the answer to what higher end rifle to get for 2500 might be nothing.
Maybe its time to start selling stuff
Shoot a rifle that is actually consistently accurate. Year after year. Zero’s don’t wander, groups stay consistent, cold bores produce results inside the group, etc. Accurate junk isn’t generally a thing. It’s still just junk.
I was originally interested in buying a Rigby but went with Chris instead. The price was lower and you pay a premium for that Rigby logo.
I've never been one attracted to "brands" so the rifle I bought was inline more with what I wanted.
