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

[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!