Help me decide on a new bolt gun

B

Blade37db

New member
Turning 5-0 in the next 2 months and would like to get myself something that is missing from my collection - a nice bolt gun in a medium caliber. My criteria are:

Caliber: .308 or 7mm-08. 6.5x55 Swede (and other 6.5 calibers) was considered but smaller than I'd like. .308 about as high on recoil scale I'd like to go so no 30'06.

Barrel Length - 20" is optimal. Willing to consider 18"-22"
Sights - Must have decent irons with the ability to easily scope
Adjustable length of pull would be nice
Weight - I don't want a featherweight or a boat anchor. Around 8lbs seems to be optimal.
Magazine - Detachable or hinged floorplate.
Nothing tactical (ex. Ruger Precision Rifle)
Budget - Trying to keep it under $2k
Use - multipurpose/fun. Not a hunter but would like it to be good in that role should I try it.

The ones that seem to check the boxes so far are:
Ruger Gunsite Scout
Steyr Scout
Remington 7 LS
Savage 110 Scout (new model). They did shorten the new models to 16.5" barrels though


Mossberg MVPs check the boxes but I view them as low end and nothing special.

Savage 110 Hog Hunter (new model). Checks the boxes but doesn't seem to be anything overly special.

I know a lot of folks speak highly about CZs (I have a 455 .22) but they don't seem to have any models I can find that meet my criteria.
Tikka's are also highly regarded, but they don't seem to come with irons (unless I'm missing something).

And before anyone asks, I do have the Springfield M1A under consideration (even though it's a semi). Always liked the look but may be a tad heavier than I'd like.

Looking forward to other suggestions/ideas.

Thanks!
 
Forget irons. They are about as useful as a screen door on a submarine anymore. The military doesn't even use them on AR's at this point. That will open up a lot more options for you. And if you absolutely must have irons you can choose any rifle you want and have a gunsmith add irons later. And you'll have much better irons. Most of the ones coming from the factory are more for decoration than real use.

You said nothing tactical, but 3 out of 4 you are considering are tactical rifles?

Since you've already opened the door to a tactical type rifle, then this.

http://www.tikka.fi/en-us/rifles/tikka-t3x/t3x-compact-tactical-rifle

They are absolute tack drivers. Barrel is 20" and threaded. While "tactical" is in the name they are really a lightweight, walking around target or varmint hunting rifle. Mine, with a scope on it weighs 8 1/4 lbs, about 7.5 lbs naked. Street price in blue is about $900, $1000 for stainless. They come with stock shims to adjust LOP. Comes with a 10 round detachable magazine.

Calibers are 308, 260, and 6.5 Creedmoor. Mine is 308, simply because that was the caliber the one I found on the used gun rack was. For your use I'd go 6.5 Creedmoor.

The Creedmoor is a little more accurate with about 25% less recoil compared to 308. Out to 600-700 yards there isn't much difference in performance, but beyond 700 the 6.5 Creedmoor smokes 308. The 308 really runs out of gas past 1000, the 6.5 Creedmoor is still supersonic out to 2000 yards. The 260 will do anything 6.5 Creedmoor will do, but only if you hand load. The 6.5 Creed will kill the 260 in another 10 years. If I had one that is one thing, I wouldn't buy one at this point over the 6.5 Creedmoor.

Either caliber has ammo readily available at good prices. Either cartridge will take any large game in the lower 48 out past 400 yards.

If not the CTR, then any of the Tikka's. Or with your budget two Tikka's. And if not having irons isn't negotiable just have them added.
 
Thanks JMR40.
I don't consider scout rifles to be "tactical" like the Ruger Precision (and others like it). Maybe "tactical" was the wrong word.
Appreciate the input.
 
Look at the Sako Model 85. There are some that have iron sights. They will be at the top of your limit and certain ones will be higher.

Just checked the Remington website and they show the 700 BDL with iron sights.

Google is your friend.
 
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I second the idea of not limiting to having iron sights. Quality optics are very durable these days, and limiting yourself will be down to a very few models.

For under $2K I would definitely look at the Sako A7 (Around $1,000-$1,200) or the Sako 85. You will feel the quality and enjoy shooting out fo the box with silky smooth bolts, light, crisp triggers, and what I think is perfect balance for a field gun. And they are about the most accurate factory hunting rifles.

If you want something more tactical than hunting then consider the tactical versions of the Tikka T3.

Also consider a Browning, Kimber or Cooper rifle. Lots of smaller firms making quality rifles in the $1,500-$2,000 range. The Savage and Ruger scouts are good rifles but are not in the same league of quality feel, finish, and design as the ones mentioned above.
 
just my .02, I'd go with either a good Rem 700 SPS in 6.5 cm, at only 7.5 lbs. Maybe do a Rem/Age conversion on it down the road. It's hard to beat a finely tuned Rem 700 without spending a fortune.
Or go with a Savage 10/110 in 6.5 cm, it's only 8.5 lbs. And if you tire of a caliber, simply switch it out, run the go/no go gauges, and you're good to go. You can change up from .204 Ruger, 22-250, .223, .243, .260, or 6.5 cm with the Savage 10/110 Predator.

I have and love my RPR 6.5 Creedmoor, but you said you didn't want a heavy tactical type rifle. But this thing drives nails. g/l on your choice, just don't rush in a decision.
 
It may help us to know what type of shooting is planned with this rifle.
Hunting,? What type of terrain, altitude, distance of expected shots.
Target? 100 yards, 300-600 yards, 1000+ yards.

If target, what type? Informal range fun, silhouette, F class, PRC?
 
For me, based on your criteria/budget I'd look at:

a 7mm-08 rifle made by:
Sako
Cooper
Christiansen
Montana Rifle Co

Can't go wrong there.
 
jmr40 said:
Forget irons. They are about as useful as a screen door on a submarine anymore. The military doesn't even use them on AR's at this point
Click to expand...

The Army still has sights on the M4, and the last time I qualified in 2016 before retiring we still had to use them. We had optics sure Aimpoints, ACOG, and night vision scopes, but we were still mainly training on the use of aperture sights. However, I do agree about forgetting the sight requirement for a new rifle. Most new production rifles have stocks that were designed for the use of optics and not sights.
 
Blade37db - There are a lot of great options in addition to what you mentioned, but I'd like to affirm one in your list!

I think Remington 7 LS in 7mm-08 would be a great gun! I have a 7mm-08 Ruger and my Father in law has Rem 7 in 6mmRem. I've actually had the thought that if the two would come together and have a child, I would happily adopt! 7mm-08 excels in shorter barrels, and the Remington 7 is a quality set-up. I have never had any issue with Rem triggers, having owned 3, but if you have or ascribe to the school of thought against them, a Timney would be a minor upgrade to have a really rock solid set up.

I would keep the irons. One of my greatest laments is that all of my current rifles are scope dependent. And while 95% if my shots will be great with a scope, it'd be nice to be prepared for the other 5% and be in a position to take them when they offer themselves.
 
Seems like the only option you have is to have a rifle built for you. Not that being picky is a bad thing, but, IMHO I don't think you are going to find what you want in a commercially made firearm.
 
Thanks for all of the replies and insight.

It looks like the Sako Bavarian 85 is the leader in the clubhouse. If the price tag ends up scaring me off, I think the Remington 7 LS is next up.

Cheers!
 
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