If you had $1500 to spend on a new hunting rifle...

[HereDuckyDucky]

If you wanted to put together a new all-purpose big game rifle (rifle, glass, accessories), consistently reliable to 500 yards, and had a budget of $1500, what would you buy?

Make / Model?
Caliber?
Glass?
Additions?

RW

[ghosthunter]

Rem 700 7mm Long Range with a Leupold scope.

[HereDuckyDucky]

Rem 700 7mm Long Range with a Leupold scope.

Thanks for the quick reply!  I'm really interested in details - make / model / reticle / magnification / etc.

RW

[superdown]

I would get this a Ruger No.1 in .257 weatherby and save up some more for glass
http://www.gunblast.com/Ruger-No1-257Wby.htm
http://www.lipseys.com/itemdetail.aspx?itemno=RU1B257WBYMAG

[lewy]

Tikka
300win, 300wsm, or 7mm
Talley rings
4.5-14 leupy 3 with turret

[Taco280AI]

Rem 700 Stainless          ($500)
Leupold FX3 6x42 LRD    ($386 online)
McMillan Hunters Edge    ($600, on sale, shipped)

For deer: 243, 25-06, 260 Rem, 7-08, 270
deer/elk: 270WSM, 7RM, 300WSM/WM

Can go further with it down the road with a Timney trigger and send in the scope to have a CDS installed. I have the dial but use the standard MOA and not load specific dial.

[kukusya]

Howa 1500 Alpine 308 top with Burris Z ring and Vortex PST 2.5-10x44
Blackpowder Products Original Series The Claw Rifle Sling

91+18+2+3= 114 oz or 7.1 lb set up

900+500+35+20+10%tax=1600$

[Stein]

That is exactly what I spent a few years ago.

Rifle - Remington 700 stainless 30-06 ADL version on sale     449.99
Bell & Carlson Alaskan II stock Olive Green w/black Spiderweb   259.99
Timney 40X trigger   123.99
Talley 1-piece rings/bases   35.99
Vortex bubble anti-cant   34.99
Blackhawk rifle cheek rest   16.99
Butler Creek 33   5.09
Butler Creek 17   9.99
Vortex Viper 6.5-20 x 44 PA   429.99
Claw Sling   22.99
Trexler Remington Kwik Klip   32.99
Trexler Kwik Klip conversion   79.99
   
   1502.98 total for everything

500 yards is pushing it for the 30-06 ballistics and my shooting, I think of it as a 400 yard field gun, 500+ at the range.

[Curly]

Savage model 116, 6.5x284, Leupold VX-3 4.5-14x40.

[jdb]

Remington 700 .243.
Bell and Carlson Alaskan ti.
Timney trigger
Talley one piece rings and bases
Leupold 4.5x14 vx3 cds.
I'd load it with nosler 70 grain ballistic tips.

[Dan-o]

Savage model 116, 6.5x284, Leupold VX-3 4.5-14x40.

X2

[huntandjeep]

Savage model 116, 6.5x284, Leupold VX-3 4.5-14x40.

X2

X3

[CAMPMEAT]

My Avatar. 700, 300 RUM, Hogue overloaded stock, Shrewd Precision 7 Degree Brake, Zeiss Conquest Scope/Dednutz Mount. Right at $1500.

[crazywednesday]

Savage model 116, 6.5x284, Leupold VX-3 4.5-14x40.

X2

X3

X4

[Reidus]

Tikka t3 lite stainless synthetic. 300wsm
Zeiss conquest hd5 3-15 ($600 at cabelas right now)
Talley one piece base/rings epoxied to action n hand lapped. Anti-cant level and Harris swivel bipod.

[Curly]

Here's a good article on the savage mentioned: http://www.realguns.com/articles/629.htm

[2labs]

Nice of people that suggest Remington's, also include a parts list

[mountainman]

Nice of people that suggest Remington's, also include a parts list

lol

[dontgetcrabs]

Savage model 116, 6.5x284, Leupold VX-3 4.5-14x40.

X2

X3

X4

X5

[Buzz2401]

Kimber Montana with a Zeiss Terra 3-9
or a Tikka T3 with a Zeiss Conquest

[coachcw]

Tikka t3 lite stainless synthetic. 300wsm
Zeiss conquest hd5 3-15 ($600 at cabelas right now)
Talley one piece base/rings epoxied to action n hand lapped. Anti-cant level and Harris swivel bipod.

no doubt buy your ziess right now from cabellas 3-15 x42.HD .. I'd buy the Tikka or a savage longe range hunter in  6.6 x284 or 300 wm.

[thinkingman]

Nice of people that suggest Remington's, also include a parts list

I was trying not to giggle.

[lewy]

Nice of people that suggest Remington's, also include a parts list

[b23]

Savage model 116, 6.5x284, Leupold VX-3 4.5-14x40.

X2

X3

X4

X5

X6

I'm usually not one to jump on the bandwagon and in my opinion Savage actions are just about the ugliest made, but these things just flat shoot and ugly or not, there's no denying their accuracy.

[Utah]

Kimber Montana  84L 30-06
VX2 3x9x40 w/M1 dial
150gr TTSX

[Stein]

Nice of people that suggest Remington's, also include a parts list

I had trouble finding a nib stainless rifle for $450 that had a bedded stock and match trigger.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Shooting Stix]

sako rifle with Leopold scope

[Lucky Eric]

Savage model 116, 6.5x284, Leupold VX-3 4.5-14x40.

I see several guys like this gun/scope combo, what makes it so popular? Just asking because I'm also looking at buying a new gun and have never heard of this caliber.

[Curly]

Savage model 116, 6.5x284, Leupold VX-3 4.5-14x40.

I see several guys like this gun/scope combo, what makes it so popular? Just asking because I'm also looking at buying a new gun and have never heard of this caliber.

I said Savage because of the reputation for accuracy and the reasonable pricing. I said model 116 because of it's  stainless.

6.5 mm bullets have high bc's.

6.5x284 is a factory round that seems to be gaining popularity  (probably due to how well guys are doing with it in competition shooting.)

140 gr 6.5 mm bullet at around 2800 fps or so is good medicine for antelope to elk.

[Tegantunadog]

Kimber Montana   300 WSM  any 20 power scope,  let me know we can meet up and you can shoot mine at Matts house !!!
!

[Karl Blanchard]

Jump on the Zeiss 3-15 with the turret and then look into an ershaw.  300wsm

[Simcoe hunter]

Savage model 116, 6.5x284, Leupold VX-3 4.5-14x40.

X2

Notice the lack of a parts list.  It's 'cause you don't need one with a Savage.  You buy the gun and all the rest of your money goes into scope and rings. Tah dah!  Just like that.

X3

X4

X5

X6

I'm usually not one to jump on the bandwagon and in my opinion Savage actions are just about the ugliest made, but these things just flat shoot and ugly or not, there's no denying their accuracy.

[PNW_Hunter]

Currently going through this same process with the same budget myself...

Keep going back and forth between the Savage 116 Weather Warrior and Tikka T3 Lite. Was originally considering the Vanguard S2, but can't get over the fact that it's over a pound heavier, with a shorter barrel length (in .300 WM), and that it's a marked up Howa 1500 (excellent rifle, btw). Do like that it's a forged bolt, however.

Well, it appears I have narrowed it down to the popular options 

Was considering the Sake A7 too but lots of reviews are stating they aren't worth the extra over the tikka.

Best of luck!

[Smossy]

1500. I'd buy a new bow.

[pianoman9701]

I have a couple of nice hunting rifles and I don't think I need more, so I'd get a mid-50s Winchester Model 64 in excellent condition. I killed quite a few deer with a model 94 Sears and I made the mistake of selling that. Good brush gun for the wetside.

[PNW_Hunter]

Did you decide which make and model rifle, OP? I am going to go with the Savage, fwiw.

[Hot Lunch]

To shoot 500 yards you do not need a $1500 rifle setup. I would look at a Savage simply because they are extremely accurate shooters out of the box, inexpensive and made in the USA. I have broken way to many remington shotgun parts to trust remington. I picked up a savage 270 wsm and can reliably shoot out to 500-600 yds. I put a Leupold VX3 CDS 4-12x50 scope and the entire package was about $750. I added a black hawk cheek pad which raises my cheek off the stock about 1/2" and carries my magazine when I'm not hunting. If you do want to spend some money I would look carefully at the Kimber's or Tikka, they both have very hit and miss reputations as shooters. Some guns will be sub moa others you will have to send back.

[PNW_Hunter]

To shoot 500 yards you do not need a $1500 rifle setup. I would look at a Savage simply because they are extremely accurate shooters out of the box, inexpensive and made in the USA. I have broken way to many remington shotgun parts to trust remington. I picked up a savage 270 wsm and can reliably shoot out to 500-600 yds. I put a Leupold VX3 CDS 4-12x50 scope and the entire package was about $750. I added a black hawk cheek pad which raises my cheek off the stock about 1/2" and carries my magazine when I'm not hunting. If you do want to spend some money I would look carefully at the Kimber's or Tikka, they both have very hit and miss reputations as shooters. Some guns will be sub moa others you will have to send back.

If you look online, the Savage 116 FCSS can be had for ~$30 - $80 more than the Tikka T3 lite, fwiw.

[Hot Lunch]

I am currently upgrading my optics to Swarovski and looking at going to Kifaru for a new pack. As soon as those higher priories are taken care of I will be looking hard at getting a custom rifle, this is catching my eye at the moment.

http://www.rokslide.com/forums/showthread.php?30980-Cooper-model-52-long-range

[timberfaller]

I wouldn't spend it on a hunting rifle.  I have what I needed/wanted, I would spend the $1500 of buy lead shot so I could shoot trap more often 

[X-Force]

Savage model 116, 6.5x284, Leupold VX-3 4.5-14x40.

X2

Notice the lack of a parts list.  It's 'cause you don't need one with a Savage.  You buy the gun and all the rest of your money goes into scope and rings. Tah dah!  Just like that.

X3

X4

X5

X6

I'm usually not one to jump on the bandwagon and in my opinion Savage actions are just about the ugliest made, but these things just flat shoot and ugly or not, there's no denying their accuracy.

I have the same setup except Savage 16 260 XV3 4.5-14x40 CDS

[HereDuckyDucky]

I ended up picking up a Remington 700 Long Range in .300wm (got a heck of a deal) and put a Vortex Viper 6.5-20 on top (also heck of a deal).  With a Timney trigger and Harris pod, plus solid bases and rings, I was out the door at $900.00.

I already have a Savage 116 in .300wm, so no reason to get another one for this setup.

Thanks for everyone who posted and sent me PMs  .

RW

[Old Man Yager]

I'd probably buy a Savage combo, and with whatever is left over buy one of them bushmasters and a bunch of ammo

[wapiti22]

I'd look for an original pre-64 Winchester model 70, in 300 H&H magnum with a 3x9 Leupold.  Will handle anything in the state of WA.

[bearpaw]

I ended up picking up a Remington 700 Long Range in .300wm (got a heck of a deal) and put a Vortex Viper 6.5-20 on top (also heck of a deal).  With a Timney trigger and Harris pod, plus solid bases and rings, I was out the door at $900.00.

I already have a Savage 116 in .300wm, so no reason to get another one for this setup.

Thanks for everyone who posted and sent me PMs  .

RW

Sounds like a real nice setup! 

[jackelope]

I ended up picking up a Remington 700 Long Range in .300wm (got a heck of a deal) and put a Vortex Viper 6.5-20 on top (also heck of a deal).  With a Timney trigger and Harris pod, plus solid bases and rings, I was out the door at $900.00.

I already have a Savage 116 in .300wm, so no reason to get another one for this setup.

Thanks for everyone who posted and sent me PMs  .

RW

Sounds like a real nice setup! 

How's it shoot??

[finnman]

I just saw this thread, funny, I just went through this whole process and made my purchase today!
I was leaning toward a Kimber Montana in 7mm-08 or .308, however I was going to spend more on the scope, so that rifle put me out of my budget. I have owned 6 different Browning A-bolts, but had trouble finding one that fit my bill since they are not making them any longer. Looked at all of the large gun web sites and finally found someone who was still stocking the older A-bolt II! Believe it or not it was Bass Pro shop in Tacoma! I found a .308 Win in Synthetic Stainless, 22" barrel, for $649! I then found the scope I was already going to get on clearance! I put a Zeiss HD5 2-10x42mm with the Rapid Z 600 ballistic reticle, got it for $649! With Leupold dovetail rings and bases I was at $1,500.
Once I work my loads up I should be clipping paper plates at 500 yards!

[pianoman9701]

Sounds like a great gun and set up. 

[jasnt]

I think you would be much happier putting $1500 in to a rifle you already own.
Imo to shoot consistently at 500 you will need a scope with parallax (side turret preferred) I'm sure some one will argue it's not needed but ime it will really help with groups when your cross hairs are actually pointing at what your aiming at.
Hard to go wrong with a viper PST.