$1500.00 for a new setup, what would you get?

[Toptwo]

I find myself with the okay from the wife to spend 1500.00 or so on a new rifle. I am looking to get good quality, and light weight. I will be hunting deer/elk/bear type animals so am thinking about 30.06 I currently have a sako finnbear 7mm mag but packing 11+ lbs around all day gets a little much in my old age   

So, I am thinking about a Tikka T3 Lite, 30.06 with Leupold VX-3, 4.5-14, not sure which rings yet.

 What would you guys think about doing with 1500.00 for a hunting rifle?

Thanks!

[hunting4sanity]

A couple of friends of mine shoot Kimber Montana rifles, they really like their rifles a lot.  If $1,500 is total budget including new glass, then that might be pushing your budget, but just another one to check out. 

[superdown]

If it were me i would buy a Browning A-Bolt II /X-bolt in a short mag or a Browning BLR short action and spend the rest on a Leupold scope.No reason to buy a plastic gun chambered in a boring round like the 30-06 LOL

[CAMPMEAT]

I bought a Remington 700 SPS Stainless 300 RUM. Bought a Hogue over molded stock, Zeiss Conquest scope, Dednutz one piece mount, tactical bolt knob, Shrewd Precision 7 degree brake and a trigger adjustment. Right at $1500.

[ellensburgpo]

Kimber Montana in 300 wsm, Leupold vx2 2-7. Go forth and kill with a light setup...

[Bofire]

Your choice is fine. Look at Sako A7.  I like 3.5 X 10 better. Tikkas are way cool!
Carl

[jay.sharkbait]

I would buy this  http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,162401.0.html

Put it in an HS stock and upgrade the glass...

Keep the extra cash for rainy days.....

[yorketransport]

I would buy this  http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,162401.0.html

Put it in an HS stock and upgrade the glass...

Keep the extra cash for rainy days.....

Or, grab a Ruger Hawkeye in your caliber of choice. I absolutely love the Ruger 77 for hunting. It's a shame they don't have more offerings in 338 Win Mag.

Andrew

[jasnt]

Best bet is go handle some guns, see what fits you and feels good. If possible shoot as many as you can. You'll know the one when you find it

[RadSav]

I currently have a sako finnbear 7mm mag but packing 11+ lbs around all day gets a little much in my old age   

So, I am thinking about a Tikka T3 Lite, 30.06 with Leupold VX-3, 4.5-14, not sure which rings yet.

You have 4 pounds of scope on your Finnbear

Tikka is a nice gun for the price.  But after having a Finnbear I doubt you will be overly happy with it.  Huge quality difference between the two guns!  HUGE!!!

So you are looking for an $800 gun and plan on mounting a $700 scope.  Not a bad move there.  But you want to drop 1 pound off the current base rifle weight similar to the T3 Lite and I assume keep as much of the accuracy and quality as you have in the Finnbear.  Under $800 that might be a challenge.  You'd be lucky to find an A7 at that price.  Might be able to find an X-Bolt carbon stalker blued that would drop you 12 ounces and have a nice action.  Model 70 featherweight is in the quality range, but will only save you 4-6 ounces.  Hawkeye won't save you an ounce! Neither will the Weatherby.  Don't think any of the budget model 700s are going to save you much in weight over the Finnbear either.

Honestly, I don't see where you can get much better than the T3 and still keep in budget and drop a whole pound of gun weight.  But again, huge quality difference.  Probably very close to the same accuracy, but quality of everything else just pales in comparison.  And that push up to drop down magazine drives me nuts!!  Have that darn thing on my A7 and I curse it constantly

I think if it were me I'd send my Sako off to McMillian and have them fit an ultralight Hunters Edge stock on the Finnbear (I think that would be the AIII / L61R action).  You would come in under budget, maintain the Sako quality and I think easily drop your pound of weight.

[Toptwo]

RadSav, questioning where you got the weight for the Finnbear. The Sako 75 chambered in 7mm weighs in at 8 5/8 lbs. and I feel like mine weighs even more lol. Swapping for the Tikka would save me 2lbs right there, plus with my 40 year old Leopold I am sure a newer scope would weigh less, while providing brighter optics.

[RadSav]

I've had two Finnbear rifles.  Both were 24" barreled magnums.  One was 7.4# dry and the other was 7.6# dry.  Neither one was a 75 version so maybe that is where the difference is

If that is the case then the loss of quality in the Tikka might be made up by the weight.  Again very similar in accuracy!  I've had a few of the Tikkas and I really can not say anything bad about them other than the magazine release.  But every time I pick them up I instantly react with a shiver followed by a "This sure ain't no Kimber or Sako!"

I think that then opens up the door a bit more and makes the Winchester Featherweight a viable option.  Might need to search around a little to find one in your budget, but I'd bet you can find one!  Definitely puts some of the X-Bolt rifles in your wheelhouse too!

[jrebel]

Huge proponent of the savage rifles with the accu trigger.  If you want a light rifle I would consider the Savage lightweight hunter in .270, 30-06 or my favorite the 6.5 creedmoor.  You won't find a better out of the box shooter than a savage. 

Put a Leupold on top of it and you have a killer lightweight rifle.   

[RadSav]

I had thought about mentioning the lightweight hunter.  But then I remembered even the long action models have a 20" barrel.  Would be pretty wicked in 308 though!  If they offered it in stainless we would probably have two of them here in the RadSav house!  Although the same could be said for the Micro Medallion or the Model 70 FW compact.

[jrebel]

I had thought about mentioning the lightweight hunter.  But then I remembered even the long action models have a 20" barrel.  Would be pretty wicked in 308 though!  If they offered it in stainless we would probably have two of them here in the RadSav house!  Although the same could be said for the Micro Medallion or the Model 70 FW compact.

Stainless would be cool....I love the model 14/114 in stainless / wood.  They are not as light as the lightweight, but they are very pretty and fantastic shooters.  Best of both worlds....very rugged with a tough of class.    

[RadSav]

I had thought about mentioning the lightweight hunter.  But then I remembered even the long action models have a 20" barrel.  Would be pretty wicked in 308 though!  If they offered it in stainless we would probably have two of them here in the RadSav house!  Although the same could be said for the Micro Medallion or the Model 70 FW compact.

Stainless would be cool....I love the model 14/114 in stainless / wood.  They are not as light as the lightweight, but they are very pretty and fantastic shooters.  Best of both worlds....very rugged with a tough of class.   

I think they discontinued that rifle for whatever reason!  I agree that was one gorgeous gun!  Much the same weight or a little more than my Finnbears, but a dang classy product none-the-less.

[Taco280AI]

If you want a VX3 I'd get a 3.5-10x max for optics. Why? Because most of my shots on game are at 5 or 6x anyways and the extra power is only for the range, not for hunting. That and having looked through many of those and several 4.5-14s, for some reason I've never liked the 4.5-14 in comparison. Even on the same power setting they looked darker to me. Don't know why. You could get the new VX2 3-9x40, which is similar to the VX III from a few years back and better than the older Vari X III and save another $200.

That leaves $1000-1200 for the rifle. I have heard of many instances of Kimbers needing work to get them to shoot. I don't want to spend over $1k on a rifle and then have to figure out what it takes to make it accurate. But that's just what I've heard and not personal experience.

I have plenty of experience with 700s, most of which shoot well. I have never (ever) seen a 700 in 270 that wasn't sub MOA with me shooting it. Did briefly have a 7RM that was 1.5 on average and sent it down the road pretty fast. If you get some deals you could get a 700 and a McMillan stock of your choice with Edge fill and be fairly light already. Or I've had great experience with Brownings and I wouldn't mind getting another sometime. Or look to Winchester's Extreme Weather rifle. For me and that budget, that's what I'd look at.

[RadSav]

Good point on the scope to save money.  I'm not sure I can tell a difference in quality between my VX-3 and VX-2's.  And I think my Zeiss Conquest is even brighter yet at a really slammin deal!  100% agree on the 3-10 power.  I have a couple of each and I don't recall ever using anything above 12 power after leaving the range.  Most of my bear are taken with 4-6 power settings.  Out to 300 yards I don't think I ever move the scope off of 4X unless trying to tag bobcats in the head.

Does the 4.5-14 have a longer tube?  Thinking it does which would be why the 3-10 is brighter.  I'll need to break into the safe in a few minutes and measure them both. 

That extra $200 would really open up some serious doors of selection.  Too bad that Model 70 Extreme Weather is so heavy for a composite stock/fluted barrel gun.  I've yet to handle one that wasn't dang near perfect in action smoothness and detail.  And the new triggers are very nice!  Though even at $1,000 you might not find it in that budget.  If I were in the market for a factory '06 hunter that gun would sure be near the top of my list.  Probably right beside the Vanguard Back Country leaving me a near impossible decision

[Toptwo]

Thanks for all the great suggestions...next question, where in western Washington is the best place to go look at/handle the most guns (at hopefully the best prices) Cabela's lacey?

[vandeman17]

talk to 92xj on here. He has a pretty sweet set up up for sale 

[CAMPMEAT]

Thanks for all the great suggestions...next question, where in western Washington is the best place to go look at/handle the most guns (at hopefully the best prices) Cabela's lacey?

Low Price Guns in Bellevue
Wades in Bellevue
Discount Guns Federal Way ( I guess they moved )


Davidsons Gallery of Guns ( Gun Genie ) has the best prices I can find, especially where I live. They'll deliver to the FFL dealer you choose when buying it.

[Fl0und3rz]

Ruger Guide and decent glass with QR mounts.

[baker5150]

I went with the Kimber Montana in 300wsm.  Leupold VX II 4-12   shoots lights out.  Love the gun.

I don't even know the gun is on my shoulder its so light.

[RadSav]

I went with the Kimber Montana in 300wsm.  Leupold VX II 4-12   shoots lights out.  Love the gun.

I don't even know the gun is on my shoulder its so light.

I know when my Montana is against my shoulder...when I pull the trigger  

At the range my wife keeps backing up with every shot.  I asked if she wanted to shoot it, "After watching you...no flipping way!!"  This is the tough girl that shoots the 270WSM, 7mm RM and the 338WM without any worry.  In 325 it is not much fun at the range.  But somehow it doesn't kick, not even a little, when the bear have been in my sights   Love that gun!!!

I bought the Montana second hand from a member here on H-W.  Then bought the scope at a clearance sale when Wholesale sports was switching back to Sportsman's.  I think that got me right at that $1,500 mark.  I did do some work to it before it would shoot sub-MOA, but it was never a bad shooter by any means.  Now it shoots well under an inch.  Since picking it up I find I rarely take any of the other guns out of the safe when headed on a rifle hunt.

[Rich_S]

There's quite a few deer/elk/bear rifles in my safe, but when it's time to pack up the truck and head out, I always reach for the Model 70 Featherweight in .30-06. It wears a Leupold 3-9 Vari-X II and weighs in just under 9 lbs, empty with the scope. Importantly, for me, it carries 6 rounds in the magazine. I carry it with chamber empty - something tough to do on a magnum caliber which might only carry 3 rounds in the mag. It has a laminated stock (factory) which is tougher than Sgt. Emery. 

[baker5150]

I went with the Kimber Montana in 300wsm.  Leupold VX II 4-12   shoots lights out.  Love the gun.

I don't even know the gun is on my shoulder its so light.

I know when my Montana is against my shoulder...when I pull the trigger  

At the range my wife keeps backing up with every shot.  I asked if she wanted to shoot it, "After watching you...no flipping way!!"  This is the tough girl that shoots the 270WSM, 7mm RM and the 338WM without any worry.  In 325 it is not much fun at the range.  But somehow it doesn't kick, not even a little, when the bear have been in my sights   Love that gun!!!

I bought the Montana second hand from a member here on H-W.  Then bought the scope at a clearance sale when Wholesale sports was switching back to Sportsman's.  I think that got me right at that $1,500 mark.  I did do some work to it before it would shoot sub-MOA, but it was never a bad shooter by any means.  Now it shoots well under an inch.  Since picking it up I find I rarely take any of the other guns out of the safe when headed on a rifle hunt.

I got mine second hand as well.  It came with a trigger job and a break.  I can imagine it would pack a punch without the break on it.

Scope, Rifle, dies, and 4 boxes of ammo for $1200.  I just couldn't pass it up,

[addicted]

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=447358067

You can change the barrel/caliber on this (anything long action)with an Allen wrench. Returns to zero every time.

[JJB11B]

$1500 to spend?
Out of state license and tags! that would fix you up nice!

[Magnum_Willys]

Yep 325 wsm in an X-bolt is sweet. But it does kick pretty good.

[superdown]

Yep 325 wsm in an X-bolt is sweet. But it does kick pretty good.

I shoot an A-bolt II in 325wsm with a Leupold vxIII 2.5-8x36 and it kicks pretty good but has more of a shove rather then the really snappy recoil that an 06 has which just annoys me like someone yanking nose or mustache hair out without warning.

[Toptwo]

Thank you everybody for all of the responses! I went and "tried on" a lot of different guns. Browning A-Bolt, Browning AB3, Ruger, Weatherby, Tikka, Savage. After trying them all, and even walking up and down the aisles carrying the guns I still felt most at home with the Tikka. After a couple hours spent with all the rifles, I moved on to scopes. I tried Leupold, Vortex, Nikon, Zeiss...all in a few different powers. The one that was clearest and for some reason brightest for me was the Leupold VX2 4-12-40 A.O.  with the long range duplex in it. So, when all was said and done I ended up with:

Tikka T3 Stainless 30-06
Leupold VX2 4-12-40A.O

Managed to get a sale price and got the gun for 629, and scope for 499.

Took it to the range (bore sighted) and after firing a few to get it shooting 2" high at 100 yards, I shot a 4 shot 1.2" group. Using factory Remington 150 grain core-lokt ultra bonded psp rounds.

I am extremely happy with the gun, its accuracy, and its weight. and think for 1130.00 a GREAT price, so with 370.00 leftover I can take the wife to dinner (and maybe pick up a new pair of bino's) 

[CAMPMEAT]

You won't be disappointed at all.......good choices.

[RadSav]

How did you manage that?  I can never seem to make out of a gun shop under budget  

My Tikka rifles all liked Winchester's Advanced and Nosler's factory ammo the best.  Both shot nearly identical groups with that ammo.  With the exception of the 270WSM they shot those two brands nearly half the size of the Core-Lokt offerings.  Not sure why as Core-Lokt has always been great in my Winchester rifles, but in the Tikka there was a big difference!

Congratulations on the new man toy!  Seems to fit just about everything you said you wanted.  Now all you need to do is get used to that dang magazine release

[jasnt]

Thank you everybody for all of the responses! I went and "tried on" a lot of different guns. Browning A-Bolt, Browning AB3, Ruger, Weatherby, Tikka, Savage. After trying them all, and even walking up and down the aisles carrying the guns I still felt most at home with the Tikka. After a couple hours spent with all the rifles, I moved on to scopes. I tried Leupold, Vortex, Nikon, Zeiss...all in a few different powers. The one that was clearest and for some reason brightest for me was the Leupold VX2 4-12-40 A.O.  with the long range duplex in it. So, when all was said and done I ended up with:

Tikka T3 Stainless 30-06
Leupold VX2 4-12-40A.O

Managed to get a sale price and got the gun for 629, and scope for 499.

Took it to the range (bore sighted) and after firing a few to get it shooting 2" high at 100 yards, I shot a 4 shot 1.2" group. Using factory Remington 150 grain core-lokt ultra bonded psp rounds.

I am extremely happy with the gun, its accuracy, and its weight. and think for 1130.00 a GREAT price, so with 370.00 leftover I can take the wife to dinner (and maybe pick up a new pair of bino's) 

see like I said you'll know the rifle when you find it. Congrats