Which rifle to suggest...

11 February 2023, 23:36

AB Joint Outfitters

I know everybody always loves these lol. But at least on this one there's some more specific criteria. I haven't been as active in the rifle game for a while so I thought I'd throw it out there and see what suggestions you guys might have. Not overly worried about chambering as there's a slew of different cartridges that'll work great, more just the platform.

Budget- $1500-1800 rifle alone. Optics separate

Usage: North American game, if we go for elk/moose I told him that half the fun will be getting a different rifle for bigger critters. .

His wants:
Stainless action/barrel. He prefers fluted barrel if possible
Fairly light weight as we walk long distances
Lasting quality and value

I was thinking Sako 85 finlight or M70 extreme weather. I've loved both of those rifles that I've had, but I'm not sure if they're still top choices.

With that budget and plan what would you get?

12 February 2023, 00:09

Skyline

Hard to keep up with all of the new rifles out there and no way to try them all.

I'd go with the M70 Extreme Weather. I have a couple and they are tack drivers.

12 February 2023, 02:17

p dog shooter

Ruger 77 MKII

12 February 2023, 02:43

Use Enough Gun

I have two Model 70 Extreme Weather Rifles. One in 6.8 Western and the other in 300 WSM. Both have Swarovski 3.5X18 44mm scopes with custom ballistic turrets. Love them both!

12 February 2023, 03:15

Kanec

Buy use gun in 7 or 30 cal and use rest of your money for hunting trip
Frugal is not bad

12 February 2023, 06:26

ted thorn

This will be my next rifle
https://www.springfield-armory...er-barrel-evergreen/

12 February 2023, 09:24

delloro

Tikka T3X lite SS in 30-06 or 270. Or 7mm-08 or 308 if he wants short action.

Top with a trijicon 3-9 accupoint in talley LW one-piece rings.

12 February 2023, 10:06

Cougarz

quote:
Originally posted by Skyline:
Hard to keep up with all of the new rifles out there and no way to try them all. I'd go with the M70 Extreme Weather. I have a couple and they are tack drivers.

+1
Definitely an excellent choice.

12 February 2023, 22:47

MARK H. YOUNG

Model 70 Extreme weather in 300 WM. It will shoot the light bullets as fast as the smaller magnums and hit hard with 200 gr bullets. You don't really need anything else for pronghorn to moose.

Mark

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7094 Oakleigh Dr. Las Vegas, NV 89110
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13 February 2023, 03:18

AB Joint Outfitters

Loving the feedback guys! Thank you so much.

13 February 2023, 07:19

Scott King

Oh, Jesus, Mary and Joseph,....

https://www.floridagunshows.co...a-gun-show-schedule/

Why not go shop for something built with some craftsmanship, some quality material, some history.
I saw an add I think here on AR recently for a rifle that had some wear from being to Africa a few times and had some surface rust. Sincerely, it looked gorgeous.

My first rifle was a 95 Mauser in 7x57. It was and is classy, accurate and deadly. There isn't a single rifle behind the counter at Sportsman's Warehouse that compares.

http://forums.accuratereloadin...1078981/m/2551025372

Here it is. Price aside, you get my point and you know there's others in your budget.

13 February 2023, 16:18

p dog shooter

quote:
Budget- $1500-1800 rifle alone

A 9000 dollar rifle on a budget.

Most likely not.

13 February 2023, 20:29

Scott King

quote:
Originally posted by p dog shooter:
quote:
Budget- $1500-1800 rifle alone

A 9000 dollar rifle on a budget.

Most likely not.

Try reading.

13 February 2023, 21:12

bwanamrm

Bergara makes a nice accurate rifle at a reasonable price.

On the plains of hesitation lie the bleached bones of ten thousand, who on the dawn of victory lay down their weary heads resting, and there resting, died.

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings - nor lose the common touch...
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son!
- Rudyard Kipling

Life grows grim without senseless indulgence.

13 February 2023, 22:28

crbutler

If he’s wedded to a lightweight stainless gun, the new M70 isn’t a bad choice. I also think the Tikkas are nice. Kimbers look nice, and the ones I’ve had are good, but they are also a bit spotty QC wise from reports online.

I’d stay away from something just introduced in the last year or so…

If he wants a different rifle for moose at that point, I’d stay away from anything magnum, and stick to a common hunting caliber. .243, 6.5 creed, 270, 7/08(maybe), .308, or .30-06 depending on his likes.

In my mind, there are lots of used rifles out there that are real value added choices- one can find a 8-9K custom for your price range on occasion. If I was starting out, that’s what I would do.

13 February 2023, 22:35

carpetman1

30-06 if not .308 Leupold scope Win model 70 or Win 88

14 February 2023, 00:02

p dog shooter

quote:
Originally posted by Scott King:
quote:
Originally posted by p dog shooter:
quote:
Budget- $1500-1800 rifle alone

A 9000 dollar rifle on a budget.

Most likely not.

Try reading.

Try searching,

Exceptionally well made. Convex cheekpiece with shadow line, deep red alkanet root color, Wiebe's custom bottom metal holding five down without being a drop box! Action functions and feeds spectacularly. Has made several trips to Africa and shows the expected wear. Has minor surface rust in a few places. $9,000

14 February 2023, 01:19

phurley5

Personally I shoot a Model 70 all weather stainless in .270 WSM and would support that chambering or .300 Win. Either would take all you want to hunt. I took my 9.5 ft Brown Bear at Cold Bay Alaska with the .300 using a 200 grain Nosler Partition at 2900 fps a one shot kill. Good Shooting.

14 February 2023, 02:58

Dale

No one seems to like the Sako M85, bit I would recommend them. I have the M85 Finnlite in .300 Win. and the M85 Bavarian in .270 WSM. The both shoot 2.0-3.0 inch groups at 300 yards. The .300 Finnlite has a stainless, fluted barrel and synthetic stock so is probably more what your friend is looking for. I have a Win. M70 Extreme Weather in .270 Win. that has not been nearly as accurate as my Sakos. I realize not every rifle shoots the same, because I have other M70s that shoot very well.

14 February 2023, 03:31

Lhook7

I had similar criteria several years ago and ended up purchasing a Kimber Montana. I’ve been very happy with its performance in the field.

14 February 2023, 07:56

Scott King

This isn't a great option?

http://forums.accuratereloadin...1078981/m/5861034372

If not, I don't get it.

14 February 2023, 18:54

Atkinson

Im not much on stainless steel and plastic stocks, but I have one bad weather rifle, A Ruger all weather boat paddle stock in 338, but they come in other calibers, and nothing is as durable, they are handy accurate and just plain tough, finding a used one is doable,
they are a discontinued item but can be found usually for around $800 to $1000.Ruger also makes a new model but without the boat paddle stock. I, personally love that boat paddle stock you could club a bear with it and not hurt that stock and it feels good in your hands.

One never goes wrong with a 30-06..mine is a pre 64 mod 70 fwt..

14 February 2023, 22:45

ZekeShikar

Speaking of stocks:

Nothing beats wood for look and feel!

On the flip side:
Nothing beats carbon fiber or Kevlar for absolute performance (repeatable accuracy) and durability. (not the cheap-ass injection molded plastic since MOST are too flexible, IMHO)

Thanks God we live in a Country where we can choose for ourselves and even have some of BOTH if we want.

I really like the all weather 70's. Son used one for a number of years in a 300 RUM and it shoot extremely well.

Since I'm more of a one-off guy, I usually like to build a semi-custom. Generally you get the best chance that it's a hummer!

Zeke

15 February 2023, 00:57

shoulderman

For value, I love a savage 116stainless steel, composite stock 30.06. Mine shoots very accurately 150gr corelokt factory toads to 220 Nosler partition hand loads. That will kill everything in north america.

15 February 2023, 01:58

bradhe

Not exactly traditional, but I have Sig Cross in 308 that I like a lot for bad weather.

15 February 2023, 03:15

RAR60

quote:
Originally posted by shoulderman:
For value, I love a savage 116stainless steel, composite stock 30.06. Mine shoots very accurately 150gr corelokt factory toads to 220 Nosler partition hand loads. That will kill everything in north america.

I also have a Savage 116 FLSAK in 300WM. I put a Timney Trigger in it and it shoots very well. I have it set up for Barnes and also shoots
Noslers well. Hunted with it a lot in the past.
Good recommendation.

16 February 2023, 02:35

shoulderman

Also put a timney in mine. Love it

16 February 2023, 19:42

Atkinson

For myself I like wood, been good to me for at least 75 years..I like the pre 64 mod 70s, I have a 30-06, 308, fwts, and a 300 H&H..and some other odd ball stuff like a Ruger #1 in 270..Ya just gotta get what suits you, not what fits someone else..You will never go wrong with a 30-06..

17 February 2023, 23:51

TREE 'EM

quote:
Originally posted by delloro:
Tikka T3X lite SS in 30-06 or 270. Or 7mm-08 or 308 if he wants short action.

Top with a trijicon 3-9 accupoint in talley LW one-piece rings.

Tis is a great platform and optic choice!
There's a good bit of aftermarket product support for the Tikka and they're easy for the do-it-yourselfer, if that's of interest.

Sako is a great choice too, but you're not really getting much more for the extra money over a Tikka.

In .270 or 30/06, a man could go a lifetime and never need anything else.

20 February 2023, 14:51

MD375

quote:
Originally posted by AB Joint Outfitters:
I know everybody always loves these lol. But at least on this one there's some more specific criteria. I haven't been as active in the rifle game for a while so I thought I'd throw it out there and see what suggestions you guys might have. Not overly worried about chambering as there's a slew of different cartridges that'll work great, more just the platform.

Budget- $1500-1800 rifle alone. Optics separate

Usage: North American game, if we go for elk/moose I told him that half the fun will be getting a different rifle for bigger critters. .

His wants:
Stainless action/barrel. He prefers fluted barrel if possible
Fairly light weight as we walk long distances
Lasting quality and value

I was thinking Sako 85 finlight or M70 extreme weather. I've loved both of those rifles that I've had, but I'm not sure if they're still top choices.

With that budget and plan what would you get?

Howa 1500 300 PRC in a stocky's carbon stock. You will have plenty of change left over for a top class scope.

26 February 2023, 20:26

Jarrod

quote:
Originally posted by TREE 'EM:
quote:
Originally posted by delloro:
Tikka T3X lite SS in 30-06 or 270. Or 7mm-08 or 308 if he wants short action.

Top with a trijicon 3-9 accupoint in talley LW one-piece rings.

Tis is a great platform and optic choice!
There's a good bit of aftermarket product support for the Tikka and they're easy for the do-it-yourselfer, if that's of interest.

Sako is a great choice too, but you're not really getting much more for the extra money over a Tikka.

In .270 or 30/06, a man could go a lifetime and never need anything else.

Tikkas are functional and accurate but man are they ugly.

27 February 2023, 03:39

clayman216

Winchester Model 70 All Weather. Excellent rifle. Mine is in .308 but a 300 Win Mag will take anything here.

28 February 2023, 12:27

bghntr416

Browning x-bolts also have a great reputation and a number of options.

03 March 2023, 20:10

cooperjd

I would watch the classifieds here, rokslide, long range hunting, etc... You can probably find a semi-custom for that budget. Factory guns...tikkas are difficult to beat in terms of quality and accuracy. You're limited by magazine length depending on the cartridge if you're a hand-loader.

If you want lighter weight, Kimbers are tough to beat for a factory gun. The "Hunter" series is very light, but same limitations of the removable magazine length.

Weatherby Hunter or Backcountry are also nice and light weight.

You could also take a rifle you have that maybe isn't getting much love and turn it into something custom. New barrel, stock, some true-ing, and turn an old rifle into something really cool.

05 March 2023, 18:59

AB Joint Outfitters

Thank you very much to everyone who replied for all the opinions and suggestions.

quote:
Originally posted by cooperjd:
I would watch the classifieds here

You could also take a rifle you have that maybe isn't getting much love and turn it into something custom. New barrel, stock, some true-ing, and turn an old rifle into something really cool.

I've been watching the classifieds like a hawk for a while hoping something really cool would pop up.. and it's almost gotten me in trouble from buying too many guns I see that I want lol.
I thought about taking a model 70 .308 that I have and turning it into a custom gun for him.. but I'm just not sure I like him that much to actually give it to him when I'm done

06 March 2023, 06:17

bluefish

Ruger SS MKii or Hawkeye in 06. Move along.

11 March 2023, 19:11

Michael Robinson

quote:
Originally posted by AB Joint Outfitters:
I thought about taking a model 70 .308 that I have and turning it into a custom gun for him.. but I'm just not sure I like him that much to actually give it to him when I'm done

I, too, would go with The Rifleman's Rifle, as Roger Rule would say.

It can be had in stainless steel and will forever be a classic.

The 7mm Rem. Mag. would be my choice of caliber.

Good luck!

13 March 2023, 17:07

Kolo-Pan

I like my stainless Kimber Montana. Mine is .325 WSM but its available in many other calibers as well. Controlled round feed, and very light weight.

18 March 2023, 17:22

JamesStambough

Which company took over building Ed Brown’s rifles? They’d be my first choice in that price range. Bill Wilson bought out Melvin Forbes’ New Ultralight Arms a little while ago, I don’t know what the price will be but is likely more than the point quoted. Would definitely and see what’s available.