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.