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

[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.