Help me choose a "nice" Rifle

[Vapor]

I'm thinking of a nice, walnut bolt gun.

Something pretty but tough.

I have already pretty much settled on a .308. I've already got a long range rifle in .308. I do already also have a .243 and 6.5 as well, but I want a truly big game gun. Probably will top it with a vx3.


I was thinking of the following:

Ruger m77
Weatherby vanguard s2
Cz-557? Not sure if this is the correct model.
Tikka t3


The m77 has the ruger proprietary rings, mixed reviews on accuracy.

The weatherby has that long 24" barrel. Otherwise I very much liked the Howa I had


The tikka isn't a short action. Great reports on accuracy, but harder to get parts.

I'm just looking for ideas. Any other thoughts or suggestions.

 

[BDinPutnam]

You need to give us a budget.

My Howa-made Weatherby Mk V in 30-06 will outshoot me and most everything else in my arsenal any day of the week. And my father in law's Magnaported Howa 300 WinMag is similar and actually has less recoil.

That said I dont think of Howa as high end.

So.... give us a budget. And, maybe, an application for it. Moose/bear hunt? Punching little groups at 500 yards? What do you want it to do?

PS I thought the Vanguards were all synthetic but I havent looked at Weatherby's lineup lately.

 

[Jaywmustang]

I would vote for the tikka t3x from your list. The tikka action are the same for the long and short action but the bolt throw will be different. I believe this is accomplished with the bolt stop.

 

[GOPerfect]

X-Bolt

 

[GOPerfect]

X-Bolt Varmint Special

I have this one, I for one think this is beautiful

I have always been a big fan of the Browning line.

 

[Jaywmustang]

I have the browning xbolt stalker long range in 6.5 Creedmoor. I haven’t sighted it in yet but plan on it before rifle season starts. It is a nice gun in hand, just need to see how it shoots. Smooth bolt, easy trigger adjustment (I adjusted mine to just over 3lbs) and light.

X-Bolt Stalker Long Range

 

[GOPerfect]

I have the browning xbolt stalker long range in 6.5 Creedmoor. I haven’t sighted it in yet but plan on it before rifle season starts. It is a nice gun in hand, just need to see how it shoots. Smooth bolt, easy trigger adjustment (I adjusted mine to just over 3lbs) and light.

X-Bolt Stalker Long Range

Back when I was selling guns, the Brownings were so easy to sell. I am sure you will love yours.

 

[Jaywmustang]

Back when I was selling guns, the Brownings were so easy to sell. I am sure you will love yours.

I have high expectations for this rifle. Lol read mostly positive things about it. I am using it as a hunting rifle

 

[Acer-m14]

here ya go @Vapor .. get a Mosin and a few spam cans .. and get some brass hunting rounds to reload and fine tune .. have fun ..

 

[Vapor]

 

[Vapor]

That's the weatherby I was thinking of.

Budget is $600-$800.

General hunting rifle. Maybe 400 yards max. Something pretty to look at too. Anything further than that and I have a chassis rifle.

 

[Bustedknees]

Pretty , you say.. That is my Winchester model 70 featherweight. European walnut and high gloss blue.
A more rugged / heavier stocked gun is the model 7 Remington in walnut,
Yes I'm a carbine fan when it comes to carrying in the field.

 

[meketrefe]

best value right now are the Bergara (Based on R700 but much better) and the Savage Predator (not xp) or LRP series.
The bergara is on top of the list based on on the quality, reliability and features.
Those are the two most popular, reliable, battle tested actions in the world aside form mauser.
The most popular in terms of aftermarket too. Those models do not need anything thought.
Well below moa out of the box.

 

[Vapor]

I'm a bit sad the CZ 550 is discounted. The 557 carbine is nice, but I can't seem to find one in .308.

 

[Vapor]

Bergara is on my radar!

I have multiple savages already. Wonderfully accurate machines. I'm just looking for something different.


Homestly, I have two savages, a tc, and a howa.

None of them shoot more than an inch with the right load.

One savage is well under an inch. Lets say an actual average of .75" .

The only rifle I have that comes close is an ar variant..

 

[meketrefe]

The Bergara gives you features found in actions x3 x4 its price.
- integral recoil lug.
- external left side bolt release button
- timmey trigger
- claw extractor with sligth degree offset angle (better than the expensive sako and badger ordnance retrofits)
- AI magazine bottom metal
- Bergara barrels are the results as partnership with shilen. Shilen supermatch equivalent.
- Even the budget stocks a step above of everyone else.
- very nice machining and finish.
- Remington 700 blueprint the way it should be made.

The savage LRP people buy them and go compete with those as they are.

do some searches. we wrote and discussed extensively in these type of threads. Some good tests too.