Free: Contests & Raffles.
If you don't reload I'd recommend a 270, or maybe a 257 Weatherby if you don't mind paying twice as much for your ammo. Another option but not as much fun as buying a new rifle- switch to 150 grain bullets in your 30/06. Recoil should be a lot more tolerable.
I'm not sure why you want a heavy contour barrel. It adds weight and is of little value on a big game rifle.
I'd look hard at a rem 700 in 260 rem with a 2.5 lbs timely trigger 24 to 26 inch pipe . 4x14 vx 3 glass .... I think if you shop around you can fit the budget .
I don't think you will mod one for 1500 but a 24 pipe will shoot well in a 260 . You can barrel down the road . I'd spend money on glass and trigger first. A good bypod like a extreme would be sweet to.
Does your $1500 budget include the scope?
Quote from: Bob33 on December 31, 2015, 08:07:52 PMI'm not sure why you want a heavy contour barrel. It adds weight and is of little value on a big game rifle.I'm interested in a heavy contour barrel for the heat and harmonic properties that it has, not to mention the reduced recoil from the reduced mass.
700 are the most cost effective to customize as the budget allows if that's your fancy
Quote from: coachcw on December 31, 2015, 08:46:51 PM700 are the most cost effective to customize as the budget allows if that's your fancyI think thousands of Savage rifle shooters would disagree with you! A $30 wrench and a barrel vice and you can headspace a barrel yourself in 5 min. To get a custom barrel installed on a 700 action is hundreds of dollars. Lots of stocks/dbm/triggers also. That said, I much prefer the 700 platform! If elk are on the menu, I'd not go below a 270. Like said above, I might try a ttsx or e-tip 150gr or so in your 30-06 before buying another rifle.+1 on staying away from a varmint barrel on a hunting rifle. Unless your sitting in a stand all day, you'll regret it very quickly walking up hills. When I was young and dumber, I hunted elk with a Savage 10fp 308 one year. It felt like carrying a shotput after the 1st hour.I have two "standard weight" elk rifles, both custom 700s in 7STW and 300H&H. I also have a light weight option, Forbes rifle in 30-06 if I plan to be doing many miles of walking. It makes a difference!For a $1500 budget, I'd look for a used full custom rifle. If you want to buy new, research the new montana rifle company offerings. Or find a Win Extreme Weather. Or an early serial number Forbes rifle. There are great deal on Sako 85s right now also - check euro optic. Kimber Montana/Select is another great platform. A stainless browning xbolt with the duratouch stock would be great in our rainy november elk seasons.Good luck!
I'd go with the 270 Win or 7/08 Rem over the 6.5x55, unless you really just want to be different. Factory ammo will be more consistent and probably just as cheap, or cheaper, especially with the 270. Even handloading data is very inconsistent for the 6.5x55, I have heard, and it just seems like for someone who is going to be getting into reloading for the first time, it would be much simpler to have reliable and consistent data to use. Recoil and ballistics will be very close with any of the three. 260 Rem is another option if it's available in the Tikka.
Quote from: bobcat on January 05, 2016, 11:13:08 AMI'd go with the 270 Win or 7/08 Rem over the 6.5x55, unless you really just want to be different. Factory ammo will be more consistent and probably just as cheap, or cheaper, especially with the 270. Even handloading data is very inconsistent for the 6.5x55, I have heard, and it just seems like for someone who is going to be getting into reloading for the first time, it would be much simpler to have reliable and consistent data to use. Recoil and ballistics will be very close with any of the three. 260 Rem is another option if it's available in the Tikka.You do know that 6.5x55 has been in production for well over a hundred years? That there is extensive loading data available and is one of the most popular hunting cartridges in the world?Most of the factory ammunition is loaded pretty light as it can be chambered in one of the hundred of thousands of military Mauser based rifles that were built for that chambering.
Quote from: jay.sharkbait on January 05, 2016, 11:41:54 AMQuote from: bobcat on January 05, 2016, 11:13:08 AMI'd go with the 270 Win or 7/08 Rem over the 6.5x55, unless you really just want to be different. Factory ammo will be more consistent and probably just as cheap, or cheaper, especially with the 270. Even handloading data is very inconsistent for the 6.5x55, I have heard, and it just seems like for someone who is going to be getting into reloading for the first time, it would be much simpler to have reliable and consistent data to use. Recoil and ballistics will be very close with any of the three. 260 Rem is another option if it's available in the Tikka.You do know that 6.5x55 has been in production for well over a hundred years? That there is extensive loading data available and is one of the most popular hunting cartridges in the world?Most of the factory ammunition is loaded pretty light as it can be chambered in one of the hundred of thousands of military Mauser based rifles that were built for that chambering.Yes, and that's why loading data and factory ammo is inconsistent. Some is intended for old military rifles, some for modern rifles, and then there are apparently differences between European and American made factory ammo.I'm sure it's a great cartridge and none of the things I mentioned are a real big deal, but just something to be aware of. I used to like oddball cartridges myself, but as I got older I have gravitated towards making my life simpler.
In these threads it is always stated that the lighter the rifle the worse the recoil. In general this is accurate, but in a well designed well balanced rifle the "recoil is minimized".I have had many stainless and composit rifles in belted magnums, and have a few with wood stocks. I can tell you my Sako Finlight in 300 win mag has Substantially more manageable recoil then my browning A-bolt in 300 win mag, or my Ruger M77 mkII in 7 mm mag both a couple pounds heavier with wood stocks.I can't say that with the other composit/synthetic stocked rifles though.
Quote from: Alchase on January 05, 2016, 08:01:33 PMIn these threads it is always stated that the lighter the rifle the worse the recoil. In general this is accurate, but in a well designed well balanced rifle the "recoil is minimized".I have had many stainless and composit rifles in belted magnums, and have a few with wood stocks. I can tell you my Sako Finlight in 300 win mag has Substantially more manageable recoil then my browning A-bolt in 300 win mag, or my Ruger M77 mkII in 7 mm mag both a couple pounds heavier with wood stocks.I can't say that with the other composit/synthetic stocked rifles though.That's the hard thing about buying guns in general - so much of it comes down to personal preference and fit. It's crazy to think about these tools launching projectiles accurately hundreds of yards when people are all so different.