Hunting Washington Forum

Equipment & Gear => Guns and Ammo => Topic started by: rgalanti21 on June 03, 2013, 08:40:33 PM

Title: Rifle Recommendations
Post by: rgalanti21 on June 03, 2013, 08:40:33 PM: I've been looking for another hunting rifle after I sold off my .300 RUM Rem 700, and have been really digging the Browning X-Bolt Stainless Stalker. Before I pull the trigger, pardon the pun, on the X-bolt, is there any other rifle recommendations around the same price that I should hold and shoulder? I just want to make sure I am "covering my bases" since I plan to keep this rifle as a go to gun.

A little background info:

I'm going with a .338 WM for the caliber (please no caliber suggestions lol, using this as a pretty dedicated elk and bear gun)

Strongly prefer stainless since I hunt the westside predominantly

Want to stay around the price range or less of the X-Bolt before optics, but if there is something out there thats a far better deal i'm all ears

Any suggestions are welcomed and I'd love to hear from anyone shooting an X-Bolt. Thanks!
Title: Re: Rifle Recommendations
Post by: splitshot on June 03, 2013, 10:09:50 PM: you are either a big dude or you like punishment. how bout a 270 sm? i am partial to a 25-06 with a good scope and shot a lot and sighted in well for elk. i prefer head shots at less than 200 yards. go bigger if you want but that is my choice. moosr , yep the old 300rum is the ticket. mike w
Title: Re: Rifle Recommendations
Post by: rgalanti21 on June 03, 2013, 11:33:09 PM: I'm 6'6" tall and 250 lbs, so "recoil sensitive" is not even in my dictionary. I also shoot a .300 RUM which has fun recoil as well :chuckle:
Title: Re: Rifle Recommendations
Post by: birdwacker on June 04, 2013, 02:20:39 PM: Tikka T3 Stainless. :tup:
Title: Re: Rifle Recommendations
Post by: black hog on June 04, 2013, 03:16:13 PM: i own a tikka t3 n a 338 wm great gun shoots very good and less money than the x bolt and you can use the extra money for better optics
Title: Re: Rifle Recommendations
Post by: Scott on June 04, 2013, 07:30:04 PM: I have what you want but in 7mm...I Love it!!
Title: Re: Rifle Recommendations
Post by: Bofire on June 04, 2013, 08:21:39 PM: :) Many!! :chuckle:
Carl
I am not an A bolt fan, but that X bolt looks interesting. Love T3's too
Title: Re: Rifle Recommendations
Post by: coachcw on June 04, 2013, 08:22:20 PM: how abut a savage weather warrior in 338 with the factory break. good shooters and walking stick .
Title: Re: Rifle Recommendations
Post by: Halo on June 04, 2013, 08:29:11 PM: Quote from: coachcw on June 04, 2013, 08:22:20 PM
how abut a savage weather warrior in 338 with the factory break. good shooters and walking stick .

I love mine. Shoots great, one shot will drop a bison.
Title: Re: Rifle Recommendations
Post by: rgalanti21 on June 04, 2013, 09:20:55 PM: hmm I do like that savages are american made, and ive heard good things about them and that they are tack drivers. I'll look at the weather warrior, but I highly doubt i'll put a break on it. Recoil isnt really a concern of mine
Title: Re: Rifle Recommendations
Post by: Ingwe on June 04, 2013, 09:31:46 PM: I don't have an Xbolt but do have A-bolt and a Tikka T3 stainless, both in .338 win mag. My A-bolt is old, from first year they were made. Both are very accurate and lite weight. Tikka T3 is only 7.5 lbs with scope. I use it most of the time now. I like them both better than any other rifles I have.
Title: Re: Rifle Recommendations
Post by: Halo on June 05, 2013, 06:31:45 AM: Quote from: rgalanti21 on June 04, 2013, 09:20:55 PM
hmm I do like that savages are american made, and ive heard good things about them and that they are tack drivers. I'll look at the weather warrior, but I highly doubt i'll put a break on it. Recoil isnt really a concern of mine

That's the nice thing about the Savage I have, the 16/116 bear hunter, you can turn the brake on or off with just a twist.
Title: Re: Rifle Recommendations
Post by: C-Money on June 05, 2013, 06:37:06 AM: I am an A-bolt fan, great rifles. Also, the Rugers are hard to beat. Have fun with the big gun. I am 6'3'', 290, and am a recoil wussy.
Title: Re: Rifle Recommendations
Post by: high country on June 06, 2013, 05:12:40 PM: No brainer. M70. There is nothing to ever go wrong in the trigger....which is where the crud will end up, extraction is a non issue, never going to rip a bolt handle off or bust a plastic magazine or trigger guard.
Title: Re: Rifle Recommendations
Post by: huntnphool on June 06, 2013, 05:59:44 PM: .338 on the Westside might be a tad overkill, I think you are unnecessarily limiting your options. ;)
Title: Re: Rifle Recommendations
Post by: rtspring on June 06, 2013, 06:02:20 PM: I think selling the RUM was a bad choice! Why did you sell it?? Mine will have to be pryed from my cold dead hands!!
Title: Re: Rifle Recommendations
Post by: superdown on June 06, 2013, 06:25:02 PM: I shoot an A-bolt II in 325wsm so very similar to the 338wm and the recoil isn't bad at all. I would definitely recommend either the A-bolt or the x-bolt for the price point or the Mdl 70. The remington, savage and tikka just aren't as nice. I have owned all of them except the tikka and wouldn't buy one anyway not because i think they are bad rifles they just feel cheep to me. :twocents:
Title: Re: Rifle Recommendations
Post by: 762Armo on June 19, 2013, 10:38:58 PM: I have the X bolt, I love it.
Title: Re: Rifle Recommendations
Post by: Alchase on June 20, 2013, 12:45:32 PM: I am partial to Sako's myself

http://www.sako.fi/sakoa7.php (http://www.sako.fi/sakoa7.php)
Title: Re: Rifle Recommendations
Post by: sticky on June 28, 2013, 04:49:01 PM: I also have the X-bolt in 06. You won't be disappointed.
Title: Re: Rifle Recommendations
Post by: slm9s on July 24, 2013, 10:41:08 PM: If recoil is no problem, I'd look at a Kimber Montana.
Title: Re: Rifle Recommendations
Post by: CAMPMEAT on July 24, 2013, 10:52:02 PM: 6.5 Creedmoor
Title: Re: Rifle Recommendations
Post by: hoyt2002 on July 24, 2013, 11:24:13 PM: m70
Title: Re: Rifle Recommendations
Post by: Rooster1981 on July 25, 2013, 06:55:19 AM: The X Bolt is my gun of choice if I were to replace my 30-06. I shopped around quite a bit and looked at alot of differant rifle brands, but I'm a wood - laminate stock kind of guy. The X bolt in 300 wsm was what I liked the most for the money.
Title: Re: Rifle Recommendations
Post by: woodswalker on July 25, 2013, 07:28:41 AM: This one....338 WM, durable as all get out...no extraction issues and SS/composite stock for the wet. its the big brother to my Go-To rifle in 30-06...and the twin to my .338

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,129004.msg1716538.html#msg1716538 (http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,129004.msg1716538.html#msg1716538)
Title: Re: Rifle Recommendations
Post by: tsimp1211 on July 25, 2013, 12:42:54 PM: I can honestly say that I love my X-Bolt Stainless Stalker. The bolt does have some very minor surface rust that likes to appear every now and then, but I USE IT! I would reccomend it over the T3, Sako, Winchester, and Savage. I looked at, and shouldered all of those rifles before choosing the X-bolt. In MY opinion it has a better stock feel, weight balance, and grip. The new stock on the X-Bolt really is fantastic. It comes with a palm swell, which I really like. At 6'5" 250 it might feel a little on the small side for you. I am 6'0" 225 and it fits me perfect. The new recoil pad, trigger, and bolt releast are all great. The 4 screw configuration front and back ring mounts are very solid. I put Talley rings on it and a VXII 4-12X50. Very accurate and shoots great. Mine is 7MM-08, so I can't speak to the caliber you want. Good luck!