What rifle would you buy?

fishnguy · #1 12-13-2019, 06:34 PM

I know, kind of a general question, but I am looking to buy a new rifle. A nice rifle. And I am pretty lost.

What I already have:
- BLR in 7-08, but not sure I will be keeping it;
- X-Bolt in .243, will definitely keep.

I looked at a whole bunch of different rifles, but can’t really decide what to buy. Not really sure about the caliber even. I was mainly looking at guns under $2,500.

What I want:
- something very accurate, of course, and first and foremost;
- something fairly light, not the lightest gun out there, but not “heavy”;
- I don’t reload, so ammunition availability and price is a factor;
- something I would potentially keep for the rest of my life;
- stainless/weather resistant;
- something “nice”.

I know it’s a very personal thing, but I ideally I want something I would just keep forever.

The purpose:
- to practice shooting probably within 400-500 m;
- once (and if) I feel confident about my shooting, maybe take an elk within that distance; I am not even close to being comfortable shooting an animal at this distance at this point;
- occasionally take it with me to a “field hunting” (rare occurrence); it is highly unlikely to ever hit the bush, so will likely stay in a nice shape as long as I have it.

The gun will likely be mounted with Leica Magnus 1.5-10x42 scope.

I actually wasn’t going to make this post, but I just can’t make a decision. I kind of settled on .300 win, but then keep jumping to .270, 6.5 cm, 7 rem mag, etc. So I am kind of lost, lol, and would appreciate your thoughts and experience.

After reading a whole bunch of reviews, etc, I keep coming back to a simple Tikka Lite. I even went through the check out process and stopped short of pressing the “complete order” button with 6.5 cm stainless tikka in my cart for $945 taxes in shipped to my door. I think the only thing that is stopping me is the stock.

I feel like I forgot to mention something, so let me know if I skipped some important info.

As always, I greatly appreciate all your thoughts and experience.

Thanks, guys.

GMX · #2 12-13-2019, 06:52 PM

First of all have you shot any of these calibers before and are you comfortable shooting them? Browse over the ballistic table compare bullet weights distance FT/Lbs of energy at said distance plus velocity.

I bought my boy a 270 tekka T3 light it’s very accurate kicks a little more than my Remington 700. Jack O’Connor’s caliber lol. Lots of extremely knowledgeable people on here will have more information to help your decision. Good luck with it.

ghfalls · #3 12-13-2019, 06:57 PM

Ridge line in 7 mag

35 whelen · #4 12-13-2019, 06:58 PM

My vote 270 win

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Kurt505 · #5 12-13-2019, 07:13 PM

Christensen Ridgeline without a doubt. Pick the chambering you want. After playing with one in 28 nosler, it’s the one I would choose.

cowmanbob · #6 12-13-2019, 07:15 PM

A Winchester featherweight in 270 or 30-06.

catnthehat · #7 12-13-2019, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cowmanbob

A Winchester featherweight in 270 or 30-06.

I love the Winchester Featherweights but if I could find a Ruger1B in a cartridge that grabbed my fancy I’d jump at it - IF I were looking for another rifle !

Cat

cowmanbob · #8 12-13-2019, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catnthehat

I love the Winchester Featherweights but if I could find a Ruger1B in a cartridge that grabbed my fancy I’d jump at it - IF I were looking for another rifle !

Cat

That’s a great second choice.

catnthehat · #9 12-13-2019, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cowmanbob

That’s a great second choice.

Hello, my name's Cat and I'm a Ruger No. 1-aholic!

Cat

cowmanbob · #10 12-13-2019, 08:20 PM

There’s a nice one listed on Hallowell in 7x57. Left hand cheek piece though.

BGS906 · #11 12-13-2019, 08:20 PM

My choice is the Browning X Bolt , synthetic stock with the dura touch camo finish it is great to handle. The action on the X Bolt is so smooth and the overall quality of the Browning is excellent. Price point is okay so just pick the caliber that suits you.

catnthehat · #12 12-13-2019, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cowmanbob

There’s a nice one listed on Hallowell in 7x57. Left hand cheek piece though.

This one recently came back to me so i'm good for a bit!

Cat

cowmanbob · #13 12-13-2019, 08:33 PM

I had one in 6mm heavy barrel back in the eighties that I regret selling.

Rhino81 · #14 12-13-2019, 08:53 PM

7mm ultra mag gets my vote

JohnB · #15 12-13-2019, 08:57 PM

6.5 prc

6.5 shooter · #16 12-13-2019, 09:22 PM

Tikka t3..in 6.5x55

I had a bunch of reasons why you should buy this rifle typed out but this stupid puter kicked my message.

Trust me it is pretty hard to go wrong with this rifle.

ram crazy · #17 12-13-2019, 09:35 PM

The Kimber Hunter in a .270win would be a great rifle

338Bluff · #18 12-13-2019, 09:57 PM

7mm Rem Mag in whatever brand floats your boat. I'd buy the Sako Grey if I wasn't so cheap.

Dweb · #19 12-13-2019, 10:14 PM

Remington 700 CDL in 25-06

Rhino81 · #20 12-13-2019, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 6.5 shooter

Tikka t3..in 6.5x55

I had a bunch of reasons why you should buy this rifle typed out but this stupid puter kicked my message.

Trust me it is pretty hard to go wrong with this rifle.

and non of them made any theoretical sense lol.

NCC · #21 12-13-2019, 10:30 PM

If I had $2500 to spend, I would purchase one of the customs in the buy/sell priced at 50-70% of the build price.

I wouldn't get too hung up on the caliber. There are a bunch of good choices and anyone who has put the effort into building a custom rifle will have likely chosen a cartridge that will work for you.

dfrobert · #22 12-14-2019, 01:38 AM

Winchester Model 70 Extreme Weather. In 30-06, 270, or 7mm. Should be able to spend close to $1000 on glass and come in around the $2500 mark gun and optics.

scalerman · #23 12-14-2019, 06:04 AM

Browning 1885 in either 270 or 7MM Mag

Mayhem42 · #24 12-14-2019, 06:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dfrobert

Winchester Model 70 Extreme Weather. In 30-06, 270, or 7mm. Should be able to spend close to $1000 on glass and come in around the $2500 mark gun and optics.

264 win mag as well - underrated imo

58thecat · #25 12-14-2019, 10:54 AM

rem mod 7 stain/syn...7-08.

510-Gem · #26 12-14-2019, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kurt505

Christensen Ridgeline without a doubt. Pick the chambering you want. After playing with one in 28 nosler, it’s the one I would choose.

X 2. I own an MPR in 6.5 PRC - my first expensive rifle, and by far my favorite.

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510-Gem · #27 12-14-2019, 11:43 AM

Truth be told, if I had $2500 to spend right now I’d be all over this deal at Bighorn...

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honda610 · #28 12-14-2019, 12:08 PM

My buddy just got the Tikka t3 lite strata in .270 win. Very nice rifle I believe he was all in for 1400 with phrophet rivers sale with free shipping.

Bushleague · #29 12-14-2019, 12:14 PM

Personally, if I wanted something to "keep forever" I would not be buying a Tikka. JMO.

Since someone is bound to point out that I'm being unhelpful, I'll give an opinion. If I was purchasing a new rifle today for general hunting purposes it would be either a Winchester All Weather, a Remington Mountain Rifle, or a Weatherby Vanguard Backcountry. Either 270win or 30-06 for me.

Justfishin73 · #30 12-14-2019, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dfrobert

Winchester Model 70 Extreme Weather. In 30-06, 270, or 7mm. Should be able to spend close to $1000 on glass and come in around the $2500 mark gun and optics.

This, bang on. 30.06