Looking to get a new bolt action

[klcmschlesinger]

I want to spend $1000 or less and get a real nice new bolt action. I will be getting stainless for sure and am open to wood or synthetic. I don't want to debate caliber but for everyone's information, I am going to get a quarter bore and it will mostly be used for paper, coyote and the possible deer or pronghorn. I put a poll on this but if you have another idea I would like to hear it. I am leaning towards the Browning myself.

 

[tiwil]

A lot of good choice but of the choice you got there I would take the X-bolt.The one I got is accurate and they fit me really good.

 

[pwrstrkd]

cant really beat a ruger hawkeye for the money. Extremely well built and is essentialy a mondern mauser. Browning is also a good choice but built in the USA is more important to me

 

[jmr40]

The Winchester Extreme Weather or Stainless Featherweight are the way I'd go. Kimber is good, but I don't know if you can get one for under $1,000. For the money the Hawkeye is a very good choice as well.

 

[usmarine0352_2005]

.

You should really narrow it down to caliber at least.


Browning X-Bolts, Savage, Winchester, and Tikka's are all great guns. Maybe something in 22-250 or such.
.

 

[klcmschlesinger]

Caliber

I have a Savage in 22-250. I am getting a 25, either 25-06 or 257 Weatherby. Quarterbore.

 

[Bubba613]

I have a Ruger M77. It's a nice gun and if I were going to punch coyotes with it it would be just fine.
But I ordered a Savage mdl 14 after discovering my cheap-o Savage Axis .223 would outshoot the Ruger by half quite easily.

 

[NCdrummer]

How about finding a Remington 700 Classic in .257 Roberts? They just released them again a few years back in stainless fluted with walnut stock. "Bob" as the Roberts is affectionally known, is a great deer caliber. May be a little strong for varmints smaller than coyotes, though. Very versitle caliber. I love mine. I believe the Remington is a much better choice than Ruger, as Ruger has been known to skimp on barrels. Savage is another good choice. Kinda ugly, but extremely accurate. Good luck.

 

[Kawabuggy]

The fact that you left Remington out of the choices completely tells me that you are smarter than the average bear. Whichever one you pick-it'll be a good one!

I voted for Browning X-bolt. If you have not yet handled one-please do so. Pick it up, and shoulder it. You'll note right away that somehow Browning has the magic formula for making a generic stock that fits most people exceptionally well. Then you'll notice how well balanced they are.. Then if you dry fire it you'll feel one of the best factory triggers to be found-FOR GUNS IN THIS PRICE RANGE. If you are not sold yet, take it to the range and shoot it.. Nothing else needs to be said..

The Sako's though.. That right there is a classier rifle, but at a higher price. I'd take Browning, or Sako every time.

 

[Kachok]

I am torn between the Sako, Winchester and the X-Bolt, both really nice firearms. The Ruger did not thrill me because of all the gritty metal and wobbley action, though some people seem to like that about them. Avoid the Remington 700 at all cost, Remingtons QC people need to be fired and tried for high treason. Yeah they are that bad I found out the hard way

 

[nathan]

GO Sako, the best there is .

 

[klcmschlesinger]

Thanks so far....

Thank you everyone so far for posting. For those that said Sako was a good choice, remember, I can't afford the Sako 85. The Sako A7 is the one in my price range. I think it is really nice as well, just wanted to make sure it was clear.

 

[PreMod70]

You should have posted "looking to get a crappy bolt action".

 

[rule303]

The Browning is a beautiful gun in blued/walnut medallion grade. For a synthetic/stainless gun I would say it's a tie with the Ruger.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I'd likely go with the Ruger.

 

[NCdrummer]

Obviously some Remington stingers on this thread. I have had excellent results with Remington rifles over the years, but if you have been burned then I don't blame you for not wanting another. Take a look at the Tikka. It's a poor man's Sako, and they shoot GREAT. Miroku makes some great guns, too, so don't run from the Browning, although the triggers are foreign to lots of users. A buddy of mine had a $1000 budget and ended up with a Tikka topped with Zeiss Conquest 3-9x40. I put it together and shot it in with Remington CoreLokt (cheap) ammo. No break in, no cleaning after initial, and the gun took 3 shots to zero after boresighting and then posted a 5-shot one inch group at 100. I was amazed, and the gun owner was and is very happy. Pretty good rig for the cash involved.

 

[wlewisiii]

For what you describe and with your budget, I'd go with a Winchester Stainless Featherweight, myself. Enjoy whichever you get!

 

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

Did this exercise myself 2 weeks ago---was down to the Browning and the Ruger.

I took home the Ruger.

 

[Sako Shooter]

This last fall, I traded in some rarely used guns and purchased an X-Bolt. I couldn't make up my mind between Weatherby, Sako or Browning. Do the research. The X-Bolt was named rifle of the year by various publications and you will find very few poor reviews on it. The one I have has a gold trigger and high gloss stock, which I like; it is definitely a "Browning thing", and my Browning 12 guage is the same way. I grew up shooting hand/me-down Brownings, so my opinion is admittedly biased. Pros for the Browning:

Great trigger, action bedded, barrel floated, great fit and feel, shoulders well, light weight and a great customer services in my experience. The X-Bolt is sort of like a factory-custom rifle. My X-bolt will shoot MOA or better with 3 brands of factory hunting ammo to boot.

 

[Kachok]

If you like the Sako you might want to check out the Tikka too. I got one and have been THRILLED with it. It really is a poor man's Sako. Action and trigger are the best that can be had at any price, the egonomics and weight are perfect for my frame, and accuracy is as good as my Savages. Now if only it had a Mauser action it would be the perfect rifle

 

[smcd1983]

sako then cz or tikka

 

[coloradokevin]

Out of the guns you mentioned I voted for the Sako. I own a Tikka (Sako's "cheap" brand) and I'm very pleased with it. If Sako is supposed to be even better than the Tikka, I can't see how you could go wrong with them. I'd buy another Tikka in a heartbeat, and the Sako line is kind of like a Tikka, all grown up

One of my dream guns is a Sako TRG42... they just look like beautiful pieces of machinery to me

 

[Germster]

If you want a new bolt action rifle go to a gun show and search for a Winchester Model 70. The older the better. A good Remington model 700 is good too, but you really want a Winchester. For all around shooting get a .270. It's a good varmit gun and an okay Elk rifle.

The best new rifle today is probably a Savage, but I don't like them. Sexless. A Ruger 77 is also a good rifle. I own a nice early one. One of the first made. It's a .257 Rbts.

IMO never buy a new rifle. Just don't do it. What you want is a pre-64 Winchester Model 70. I don't know what you have to pay for one now. A post 64 Model 70 isn't a bad rifle either, just uglier. Remember most rifles are never shot, or if shot not much. So a used rifle is nearly as good as a new one. If the gun has nicks and dings just sweat them out with a wet wash rag and your wife's iron. She'll give you hell for it, but just tell her you only need it for a few minutes. Then put Jasco paint remover on the stock and re-stain it and then apply some kind of varnish. Voila! like new rifle for not many sheckels.

 

[NCdrummer]

Ooops I forgot to mention the FN-made Winchester Model 70. Just handled a stainless/walnut the other day. Nice feeling rifle. Made in USA in Columbia SC. Quality is excellent, not too pricey. Sure is fun helping you spend your money!

 

[VAhuntr]

Of the the rifles you had on your poll, I voted for the T/C Icon. I have or have had a Tikka T3, Ruger M77 MKII, Remington 700's, Savage 16, Browning X-Bolt, T/C Icon, and a Winchester 70 Extreme Weather.

I like the T/C Icon, as it is a very robust and accurate rifle. I just recently picked up a Winchester 70 Extreme Weather and hope this will be a good rifle as well. IMO you should go to a gun store and handle as many different rifles as you can before you buy.