Help me put together a rifle

[Rat44]

They do make reduced recoil loads for the 30-06 .
That may be  an option that will work for you and you get to keep shooting a rifle you are familiar with.

[Wingin it]

The recommendation on the Springfield Model 2020 is a good one but the rifle alone exceeds your stated budget. I'd look at Tikka or even a Browning X-bolt in the 6.5 Creed or PRC given what you seem to be looking for here. Can’t really go wrong with either caliber but as previously stated the PRC is a bit faster and flatter shooting. Certainly nothing wrong with the tried and true trusty .06 though. I’ve taken several animals with one myself.

[okie john]

The Tikka T3x is the Glock 19 of long guns. Mount scope, zero, hunt. Everything you’d upgrade on other rifles is already there. In Grays Harbor County, I’d pay the extra for stainless.

To stretch the 6.5 Creedmoor’s legs without destroying your budget, get the Nightforce 3-10x42 SHV with illuminated reticle (SKU: C611), then mount it in Warne Mountain Tech rings and a Mountain Tactical 1913 rail.

https://cameralandny.com/ is the place to buy optics. Call them for the deals they don’t advertise.


Okie John

[jasnt]

Any of the budget 6.5’s will suit your needs just fine.  Best just go handle some models and see what feels good to you.  As far as scopes you could shoot 400 with a $99 scope from Walmart.  Where the high dollar scopes really pay the bill is at last light when it actually matters. 

Just getting the rifle you will actually shoot will do more for your shooting skill than any fancy gizmo.   Pick one that fits and get to shooting