So who makes a good Bolt Action these days?

[vaupet]

sako, tikka, browning cz, can't go wrong, but don't overlook Howa, japanese quality with modular build.
lots of calibers barreled action, lots of stocks, indefinate posibilities

 

[HexHead]

At the top (well, a little above) of your budget, I'd go with a Sako. They are beautifully made rifles, and have to shoot a 5-shot sub-MOA group to leave the factory.

Well, within your budget, even with their beautiful Deluxe wood, the Weatherby Vanguard Series 2 is really hard to beat. Sub-MOA guaranteed accuracy, with a stock designed to mitigate felt recoil. I've had four of them, and all easily exceeded their accuracy guarantee.

 

[guyfromohio]

These answers have been extremely valuable. Thank you all! The Sako and Winchester super-grade are my top two right now. Looks like Sako hovers around that $2k mark and the Win around $1200.

 

[jakk280rem]

Sako has a wide variety of price points. The synthetic models can be had as low as 1100. The wood models start at 1400 or so. Check out the wood on this Finnbear.

http://www.gunbroker.com/item/580267203

 

[Poper]

I would buy a Kimber Mountain Ascent .308 in a heartbeat if this rifle did not have that "funky" muzzle break/ cap on the barrel. I have owned two Kimber rifles (84M .308 and 82C .22) for many years - both shot great (in the 84M, you have to get used to shooting a very light rife - very different technique). Kimber seems to get a bad rap - my experience has been great - mine are beautiful and very accurate shooters.

Kimber makes a pretty piece, no doubt.
If you ever have an issue, good luck. Their CS is the worst. If you don't believe me, just try calling them.

 

[Poper]

Sako has a wide variety of price points. The synthetic models can be had as low as 1100. The wood models start at 1400 or so. Check out the wood on this Finnbear.

http://www.gunbroker.com/item/580267203

That is a stock photo that E.O. uses on all the Finnbears.
With that said, my Sako Finnfire II two came from E.O. and the wood was much, much nicer than the stock photo they use for the Finnfire II ads.
If you buy a Sako, I sincerely doubt you will be disappointed. Very nice wood, fit and finish and a bolt that strips a round from the magazine as smooth as anything you have ever seen.
JMHO

 

[3212]

I have been happy with a $700 Ruger stainless/laminated M77 in .243.

 

[Rio Laxas]

I picked up a slightly used Winchester Featherweight (made by FN) in .30-06 on this forum 5 years ago or so, and it is a tack driver. I really like it.

 

[Sembob]

Has no one seen a Bergara Premier rifle such as the Stalker? I know they are on the pricier side but if they are of custom quality the price may be worth it. I just can't get a review of any worth on the Stalker.

 

[TRX]

Maybe we should flip the question around. Who is making junk rifles we should never consider buying?

Most of the really low-end makers are out of business now. While most people have strong brand allegiances, I don't personally know of any modern manufacturer I'd avoid as a matter of course.

 

[kituwa]

If i had $1500 to spend on a bolt gun, i would watch the gun shows and find a used older model Rem 700 and buy a custom stock for it and maybe a better trigger though the older 700's had pretty nice triggers. I like the 700 safety, the bolt handle is just right and they are accurate. Unless you are lucky it is hard to find most newer bolt guns with nice wood. The savage bolt guns have awful wood and the blueing on them isnt as nice as others but they sure do shoot accurate. One of the savage rifles in a custom stock may be ok, but i would go with a 110 over some of the newer made ones. Sako is great, i have had several of them in the past and they both had very nice wood on them. The browning usually have nice wood too but i dont like the feel of the bolt,,i guess im picky. Myself,,i much prefer a short action bolt so i would be looking at a .243,308 or 257 roberts depending on what i was going to use it for. One in .223 would be cool if you were not going to use it much on big game. For bigger stuff a 358 Win is very nice also in a short action. I have been without a centerfire bolt gun for a long time now too, and i have been wanting a good old model 700 in .308 with a med heavy 24 inch barrel and even a synthetic stock would tickle me.

 

[SakoSorry]

Sako 85 Finnlight Ejector Issues

I would not recommend the Sako. The action is very smooth and accuracy excellent I experienced extreme failure with respect to proper ejection of spent rounds. When researching my purchase I read many published articles and posts praising this rifle. Only after experiencing the ejection issue and searching blog posts for the specific issue did I learn of the problem. The problem is the ejecting shell is hitting the scope and dropping back into the rifle. Beretta's answer is mount the scope higher or move the scope. Both solutions result in a disadvantaged sighting and reduced accuracy. I traded mine in at a great financial loss.

 

[Paul7]

That is a stock photo that E.O. uses on all the Finnbears.
With that said, my Sako Finnfire II two came from E.O. and the wood was much, much nicer than the stock photo they use for the Finnfire II ads.
If you buy a Sako, I sincerely doubt you will be disappointed. Very nice wood, fit and finish and a bolt that strips a round from the magazine as smooth as anything you have ever seen.
JMHO

Do you have a photo of your new Finnfire? I have a Sako M78 with a beautiful European walnut stock, better looking and more durable than American walnut.

No ejections problems here with my Sako Finnlight 6.5x55. So far have taken 7 hogs, two cow elk, an antelope, and a Barbary Sheep with it.

 

[Poper]

Do you have a photo of your new Finnfire?

Here you go. See below. Sorry for the photo quality - it's not what I do best.
I use my Finfire II for metallic silhouette. I often receive comments on the quality of this little gun. Scope is a Vortex 6-24x40 w/30mm tube.



SakoSorry:

The problem is the ejecting shell is hitting the scope and dropping back into the rifle.

You probably may have been able to resolve the issue with a different scope. This is not a rifle issue. Wish I could have been the guy to buy yours.

I had a similar issue with a Winchester All Weather Super Shadow chambered in .243 WSSM. I initially blamed it on those short, fat cartridges, but after changing the Burris scope for a Nikon scope with a little longer eye relief, the windage adjustment turret moved forward just enough to prevent the ejecting empty case from hitting it and it now ejects cleanly, even when working the bolt with authority.

 

[Paul7]

Here you go. See below. Sorry for the photo quality - it's not what I do best.
I use my Finfire II for metallic silhouette. I often receive comments on the quality of this little gun. Scope is a Vortex 6-24x40 w/30mm tube.



SakoSorry:
You probably may have been able to resolve the issue with a different scope. This is not a rifle issue. Wish I could have been the guy to buy yours.

I had a similar issue with a Winchester All Weather Super Shadow chambered in .243 WSSM. I initially blamed it on those short, fat cartridges, but after changing the Burris scope for a Nikon scope with a little longer eye relief, the windage adjustment turret moved forward just enough to prevent the ejecting empty case from hitting it and it now ejects cleanly, even when working the bolt with authority.

Very nice, looks like Sako has gotten away from those dark stain Finnfire stocks they first came out with.