Bolt gun under $2000 - EU

[timmy75]

Long time lurker, first time poster here. Sorry, but my English is not perfect.

So, I live in European Union and I can buy a rifle anywhere there. I can buy it in USA (and would like to) but it is too complicated because of papers, etc...

I own bolt guns in 22LR, 223Rem, 7,62x39, 8x57IS and 30-06. Caliber discussion is not an option. I have decided to 308 WIN.

Now, I want bolt gun in 308 WIN because i have plenty of ammo available for a lets say "very good price".

Rifle will be used for hunting and shooting paper. I hunt European roe deer, red deer and wild boar.

In any given conditions I DO NOT PLAN to shoot rifle over 300 meters (330yd) because I'm simply not capable to. In hunting situations I'm not allowed to shoot over 150 meters (165yd).

Any bigger USA based manufacturer is available for purchase in EU stores. So, you can recommend almost everything. Keep in mind that prices here in Europe are around 30% higher than in USA.

Conditions:
feed type - not important
right handed
deatachable magazine desirable
fixed, one piece stock, hunting style shape. Laminated or synthetic
iron sights - if possible for backup
without any plastic parts, or as few plastic parts as possible

barrel from 18" to 22" long, threaded barrel is a must (american or european threading)

HUGE advantage if barrel is in stainless steel.

barrel twist 1:10 or 1:11, but 1:10 is better. 1:12 is NOT an option.

So, as you can see, I'm searching for a very good all round/scout/survival/fun rifle.

My first choice was Tikka T3X Arctic, but, it is simply too expensive. (2500 EUR = 3000 $)

I own S&B 1.5-8x42 scope and it will be used on that rifle because of versatility.

Thank you very much.

 

[RPRNY]

Hard to say because there may be big differences in manufacturer portfolios and, of course, there are huge differences in pricing. $2000 in the US gets you an awful lot of rifle!

From the US manufacturers, it would be a good idea to look at what's available from Savage. They have a solid reputation for accuracy, reliability, and value for money. the 16/116 "Weather Warrior" in Stainless and synthetic comes to mind but I don't know that it's available threaded. The 11/111 "Hog Hunter" model in the US is threaded, comes with iron sights, and otherwise fits your needs like a glove. But I don't know that it is available in stainless.

Ruger has a bunch of stuff from its American Rifle portfolio but not sure what will be available there. The "Ranch" and "Predator" variants are available threaded here, but no iron sights. The Ruger Gunsite Scout is available stainless and threaded here. The Guide Gun fits your bill as well, but not offered in 308 over here

Winchester and Remington will one would imagine have lots on offer.

From your side of the lake, Sauer is offering the 100 Classic XT here now at around $700, so it's worth looking at what they have on offer for EU markets.

Good luck.

 

[243winxb]

https://www.remington.com/rifles/bolt-action/model-700/model-700-stainless-5-r-threaded-barrel

Out of 29 different models, one should work for you.

 

[someguy2800]

Welcome to the forum,

Is it possible in europe to have a gunsmith modify a rifle? It is very cheap and easy in the US to have a gunsmith cut down a barrel and thread it. It will open up a great deal more options for you if you can just budget for having a gunsmith cut the barrel to the length you want and thread it. In the US it costs mabey $100-$150 to have a barrel cut, recrowned, and threaded. Then you can get something like this, modify it to suit, and have money left over for good optics

http://www.tikka.fi/rifles/tikka-t3x/t3x-laminated-stainless

http://www.winchesterguns.com/produ...t-production/model-70-extreme-weather-ss.html

 

[Legionnaire]

First, welcome to THR. RPRNY beat me to the draw; I was going to say if you like the Tikka, take a look at the Ruger Gunsite Scout. Looks like it would fit the bill.

 

[Mosin Bubba]

The Ruger GSR sounds perfect for you. It normaly sells for around $800 in America, so I am guessing that would be worth $1100-$1200 where you're at. Well within your budget.

 

[JeffG]

Welcome to the forum!

My vote would go to any of the Tikkas, and a high quality scope.

http://www.tikka.fi/rifles/tikka-t3x/t3x-laminated-stainless

 

[timmy75]

thank you guys.

cutting barrel is not an option because gunsmiths here just bad. they will do the job but not good enough.

1.
I like tikkas but where I live it will cost me 1500€ ($1800) to get T3X CTR in stainless.
Ruger GSR (18",threaded, stainless) = 1360€ ($1630) in europe

2.
pros tikka: brand sounds more premium in europe
pros ruger: 1:10 twist, mauser feed (I like it better because im used to), flash hider, iron sights, laminated stock (also, I like it better than synthetic), magazines are much cheaper than sako/tikkas, more aftermarket parts even in europe.

3.
cons tikka: nothing special
cons ruger: front mounted rail, but in fact that is not a problem because I will use scope and remove everything.

i feel that everything for tikka is more premium (expensive). I really doubt if tikka is clever choice and I like Ruger better.

if there are any good alternatives feel free to suggest.

 

[someguy2800]

At the range your hunting it likely won't matter but I will bet every dollar in my wallet that the Tikka will be a better shooter if your concerned about that.

 

[RPRNY]

thank you guys.

cutting barrel is not an option because gunsmiths here just bad. they will do the job but not good enough.

1.
I like tikkas but where I live it will cost me 1500€ ($1800) to get T3X CTR in stainless.
Ruger GSR (18",threaded, stainless) = 1360€ ($1630) in europe

2.
pros tikka: brand sounds more premium in europe
pros ruger: 1:10 twist, mauser feed (I like it better because im used to), flash hider, iron sights, laminated stock (also, I like it better than synthetic), magazines are much cheaper than sako/tikkas, more aftermarket parts even in europe.

3.
cons tikka: nothing special
cons ruger: front mounted rail, but in fact that is not a problem because I will use scope and remove everything.

i feel that everything for tikka is more premium (expensive). I really doubt if tikka is clever choice and I like Ruger better.

if there are any good alternatives feel free to suggest.

Above all makes good sense.

Also look into the Savage "Hog Hunter" 11/111. It may be available since it would be a good rifle for Central Europe driven boar hunts. Not premium but good value for money: http://savagearms.com/firearms/model/11HOGHUNTER

Savage has also jumped on the Scout wagon: http://www.savagearms.com/firearms/model/11Scout

 

[z7]

I would suggest a Tikka CTR. you have an amazing optic to put on the rifle, one that will most likely never fail and unless you mount all optics with a quick detach mount, you have no need for iron sights. I would use a really good set of rings or mount and put that scope on it and shoot a lot

 

[timmy75]

Glass is in unbreakable in normal conditions but, I dropped a rifle from a deer stand once, or brushed on a beech tree. Even than, optic was not broken but need to be zeroed again. That's why I want iron sights, but I can live without them.
Everybody is suggesting me a Tikka over Ruger. That is good to know.

I'm interested in shooting subsonics that is why twist rate of 1:10 is attracting for me. Good ammo loader can make subsonics for 1:11, but handloading here is prohibited by law. So you can buy Lapua and RUAG subsonics, booth 200gr HPBT adjusted for 1:10 twist.

For $2000 in Europe you can buy Mauser m12 impact but twist is 1:12
https://www.mauser.com/en/products/m12/m12impact/

or

Sauer 101 Alaska
http://www.sauer.de/us/products/bolt-action-rifles/sauer-101/sauer-101-alaska/features.html

but they look like low end products from "premium" brands to me.

Or you can have Howa 1500 for 1900$, with bell and carson full length aluminium bedding stock, timney trigger, 20MOA piccatiny and buffalo river sling. that is respectable rifle here for good price (eu market). blued or cerakote, stainless is not possible. that action is very good and barrel also.
https://www.howa1500.de/konfigurator.php

 

[armoredman]

CZ557 might work well and be easier to come by.

 

[timmy75]

I got offer for Sako 85 Varmint Laminated Stainless, 510mm (20") barrel, threaded, without any plastic parts, without iron sights, action and magazine are in stainless steel, twist is 1:11, trigger is amazing (comparing to other factory triggers). Rifle is simply beautiful.

$2245 for cash. new, unfired with all bundle and box.

 

[Poper]

I got offer for Sako 85 Varmint Laminated Stainless, 510mm (20") barrel, threaded, without any plastic parts, without iron sights, action and magazine are in stainless steel, twist is 1:11, trigger is amazing (comparing to other factory triggers). Rifle is simply beautiful.

$2245 for cash. new, unfired with all bundle and box.

Yowsa! That is a respectable price even in the US for that rifle. I would be on that one like white on rice if I was looking to buy. Sako 85 has an enviable reputation for reliability and accuracy. And they are pretty to boot. Savage? Not so much in the pretty department.

Did I mention I have a thing for pretty rifles?

 

[TexasPatriot.308]

where in the European union.....there was a time when Germany was German, France was French etc. etc...I am familiar with hunting in that part of the world, size of game anyway....the .308 is an all around caliber...

 

[timmy75]

Yowsa! That is a respectable price even in the US for that rifle. I would be on that one like white on rice if I was looking to buy. Sako 85 has an enviable reputation for reliability and accuracy. And they are pretty to boot. Savage? Not so much in the pretty department.

Did I mention I have a thing for pretty rifles?

Sako 85 is wonderful. Just holding it makes me feel good

where in the European union.....there was a time when Germany was German, France was French etc. etc...I am familiar with hunting in that part of the world, size of game anyway....the .308 is an all around caliber...

Croatia, part of Croatia which is not in Balkans but Central Europe. so, roe deer, wild boar and red deer. 308 is just slightly underpowered for red deer but it will work. red deer can weigh up to 300kg (650lbs)

 

[roscoe]

Have you considered a CZ 550? I have a CZ 527 and it is a fantastic rifle.

 

[Poper]

Sako 85 is wonderful. Just holding it makes me feel good

Perfect reason to buy it. If you don't but it, in the future you will probably wish you had!