Shopping for a new rifle - input rifle/caliber?

[buckfvr]

Tikka T-3.........all the way.

[Bean Counter]

My 300 wsm rounds only cost me about .50 each 

For factory loads or just bullets for which you then have to go buy brass, powder, and primers?

[thinkingman]

Tikka T3 Stainless. 300win mag for lower-cost ammo. Bushnell 4200 Elite scope (rainguard coating on lense) 6.5lbs will feel a lot different that that Rem 700 after hiking a few miles in.

[30.06]

Nothing wrong with the good old '06. 165 or 180 gr. Somebody in camp will probably have extra rounds.
That being said, I sometimes use my Model 70 .300 Win mag for elk and bear. Nice confidence builder.
Heavier rifle settles down easier when my lungs are still burning. Brownings are quality. Capital Q. Luck!

[bobcat]

You just can't beat the 30/06. I'd go with that. Unless the majority of your shooting will be at 350 yards or further, then there's no need for any more velocity than what a 30/06 will give you.

[losdaddy7]

First; 30.06
second; .338

[deerslyr]

For a 1K budget id go with a kimber.

[whitetailslyr]

7mm Rem mag is my go to round

[coachcw]

Im very impressed with the 300 wsm's 180 accubonds are a good all around choice. tikka t3 or sako stainless if the buget is a bit more . I'd spend your money on good glass leupods new turret models would be a nice fit on either one .

[Wazukie]

My 300 wsm rounds only cost me about .50 each 

For factory loads or just bullets for which you then have to go buy brass, powder, and primers?

I don't have to buy brass or primers, so that is for powder and bullets.  Even if you have to buy your brass it'll only cost about a buck ea. for your first 50 rounds then about 40-50 cents ea. after that.  That's my experience anyway.

Back to the op, if your budget is 1k,, you have pretty good options.  I would go fondle some rifles and see what feels best, then do the same with some good glass.

[demontang]

I think Id look at a weatherby, kimber,  tika, howa  really depends on how the gun fits and what brands you like and what glass you want, I personally don't like Browning's they just don't fit. As for what cal I like the .338's myself, Ive taken ground hog-elk  with my win mag. Its about the same as a 300 win to shoot but to me its more of a push then sharp recoil. Theres the .338 fed which I think will be my next gun in a light weight package. The 25-06 and up will do what you need just look at ballistics and see how much energy the cal's have at 100-400 yards, look at the cost to by ammo and how offten you see the cal at little stores in case you forget your ammo at home

[bod]

Tikka stainless 30-06 and a new style leupold vx1 2-7x33. Middle priced rifle and scope + the tikka comes with a set of rings, and they are just fine no need to buy aftermarket rings.

[j.galloway]

if you want something with a lot of bark & bite get the 300RUM,

 

look at the cost to by ammo and how offten you see the cal at little stores in case you forget your ammo at home

Good point about that, largely places around here only have a few calibers in stock. I just will make sure not to forget ammo 


So it pretty much sounds that any of these rifles can stand the elements well.

I know a shop here in town that may have a Rem 700, I think I will go by and check how it feels before thinking about committing.  I had my Dads  A-bolt when hunting in ND and it was real nice. Only thing I could say negatively about it, was it was heavy... but when I saw some deer... it was light as a feather. 

[demontang]

It's the same with the recoil of the big cal's don't feel it when you have game in the sights.

[bobcat]

It's the same with the recoil of the big cal's don't feel it when you have game in the sights.

But the issue is that a rifle is shot more often at targets than at game animals (or should be). If you develop a flinch from sighting in your rifle from a bench, you'll most likely still shoot with a flinch when shooting at game.