Rifle Recommendations

[rgalanti21]

I've been looking for another hunting rifle after I sold off my .300 RUM Rem 700, and have been really digging the Browning X-Bolt Stainless Stalker. Before I pull the trigger, pardon the pun, on the X-bolt, is there any other rifle recommendations around the same price that I should hold and shoulder? I just want to make sure I am "covering my bases" since I plan to keep this rifle as a go to gun.

A little background info:

I'm going with a .338 WM for the caliber (please no caliber suggestions lol, using this as a pretty dedicated elk and bear gun)

Strongly prefer stainless since I hunt the westside predominantly

Want to stay around the price range or less of the X-Bolt before optics, but if there is something out there thats a far better deal i'm all ears

Any suggestions are welcomed and I'd love to hear from anyone shooting an X-Bolt. Thanks!

[splitshot]

you are either a big dude or you like punishment.  how bout a 270 sm?  i am partial to a 25-06 with a good scope and shot a lot and sighted in well for elk.   i prefer head shots at less than 200 yards.  go bigger if you want but that is my choice.    moosr ,  yep the old 300rum is the ticket.    mike w

[rgalanti21]

I'm 6'6" tall and 250 lbs, so "recoil sensitive" is not even in my dictionary. I also shoot a .300 RUM which has fun recoil as well 

[birdwacker]

Tikka T3 Stainless.

[black hog]

i own a tikka t3 n a 338 wm great gun shoots very good and less money than the x bolt and you can use the extra money for better optics

[Scott]

I have what you want but in 7mm...I Love it!!

[Bofire]

  Many!!
Carl
I am not an A bolt fan, but that X bolt looks interesting. Love T3's too

[coachcw]

how abut a savage weather warrior in 338 with the factory break. good shooters and walking stick .

[Halo]

how abut a savage weather warrior in 338 with the factory break. good shooters and walking stick .

I love mine. Shoots great, one shot will drop a bison.

[rgalanti21]

hmm I do like that savages are american made, and ive heard good things about them and that they are tack drivers. I'll look at the weather warrior, but I highly doubt i'll put a break on it. Recoil isnt really a concern of mine

[Ingwe]

I don't have an Xbolt but do have A-bolt and a Tikka T3 stainless, both in .338 win mag. My A-bolt is old, from first year they were made. Both are very accurate and lite weight. Tikka T3 is only 7.5 lbs with scope. I use it most of the time now. I like them both better than any other rifles I have.

[Halo]

hmm I do like that savages are american made, and ive heard good things about them and that they are tack drivers. I'll look at the weather warrior, but I highly doubt i'll put a break on it. Recoil isnt really a concern of mine

That's the nice thing about the Savage I have, the 16/116 bear hunter, you can turn the brake on or off with just a twist.

[C-Money]

I am an A-bolt fan, great rifles. Also, the Rugers are hard to beat. Have fun with the big gun. I am 6'3'', 290, and am a recoil wussy.

[high country]

No brainer. M70. There is nothing to ever go wrong in the trigger....which is where the crud will end up, extraction is a non issue, never going to rip a bolt handle off or bust a plastic magazine or trigger guard.

[huntnphool]

.338 on the Westside might be a tad overkill, I think you are unnecessarily limiting your options.

[rtspring]

I think selling the RUM was a bad choice!  Why did you sell it??  Mine will have to be pryed from my cold dead hands!!

[superdown]

I shoot an A-bolt II in 325wsm so very similar to the 338wm and the recoil isn't bad at all. I would definitely recommend either the A-bolt or the x-bolt for the price point or the Mdl 70. The remington, savage and tikka just aren't as nice. I have owned all of them except the tikka and wouldn't buy one anyway not because i think they are bad rifles they just feel cheep to me.

[762Armo]

I have the X bolt, I love it.

[Alchase]

I am partial to Sako's myself

http://www.sako.fi/sakoa7.php

[sticky]

I also have the X-bolt in 06. You won't be disappointed.

[slm9s]

If recoil is no problem, I'd look at a Kimber Montana.

[CAMPMEAT]

6.5 Creedmoor

[hoyt2002]

m70

[Rooster1981]

The X Bolt is my gun of choice if I were to replace my 30-06. I shopped around quite a bit and looked at alot of differant rifle brands, but I'm a wood - laminate stock kind of guy. The X bolt in 300 wsm was what I liked the most for the money.

[woodswalker]

This one....338 WM, durable as all get out...no extraction issues and SS/composite stock for the wet.  its the big brother to my Go-To rifle in 30-06...and the twin to my .338

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,129004.msg1716538.html#msg1716538

[tsimp1211]

I can honestly say that I love my X-Bolt Stainless Stalker.  The bolt does have some very minor surface rust that likes to appear every now and then, but I USE IT!  I would reccomend it over the T3, Sako, Winchester, and Savage.  I looked at, and shouldered all of those rifles before choosing the X-bolt.  In MY opinion it has a better stock feel, weight balance, and grip.  The new stock on the X-Bolt really is fantastic.  It comes with a palm swell, which I really like.  At 6'5" 250 it might feel a little on the small side for you.  I am 6'0" 225 and it fits me perfect.  The new recoil pad, trigger, and bolt releast are all great.  The 4 screw configuration front and back ring mounts are very solid.  I put Talley rings on it and a VXII 4-12X50.  Very accurate and shoots great.  Mine is 7MM-08, so I can't speak to the caliber you want.  Good luck!