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Bolt Action ?s

Sparty_76
Live in Midwest but not a Midwestern deer hunter. Never liked just sitting beside or in a tree all day. Have 5 12 ga and 2 22 LR in my collection but no center fire rifles. Thought it would be good to add a couple to my collection. One will be a M1 Garand (for the history, see my earlier posting). The second will be a bolt action just to shoot around with and maybe go out West hunting (a freind of mine is on my case all the time to go with him). I know I want a black synthetic stock to match my three Benelli shotguns.

I have been looking at them all. I like the look of the Ruger 77. I like the reputation of the Remington 700 (I have had an 870 since I was 15 and never had a problem with it). The salesman at Cabelas was a huge Savage 11 fan and recommended it above all others. One guy at Scheels loved Winchester 70s. Another guy at Scheels raved about Tikka T3s and said he had 4 and has owned 6. My son-in law loves his Browning A-Bolt (270). After looking at them all I think I am leaning to the Tikka, just liked the action and look. I was wondering what you pros felt about them all with your experience.

I am thinking 30-06, 308, 300 WM, or 7MM but cannot make up my mind but leaning to the 308 (1st) 30-06 (2nd). Any + or - to the Short mags? Sorry for all the questions.
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Comments

10 comments

Date Votes
  • Nwcid
    For the most part what gun you like is kinda like what car do you like. None of the guns you listed are bad guns.

    I personally like the Rem 700 but I also have a Walmart special Savage 110 in .243 that is my main hunting gun.

    For calibers for what you intend to do I would stick with the more common calibers. Cant go wrong with the .308 or .30-06.
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  • BoltactionMan
    Have owned them all and generally liked them. My T3 is very accurate and light and handy.

    Any of the calibers listed will be very satisfactory for general shooting and hunting purposes.

    KC
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  • drl50
    All are good as previously stated. I have heard great things about Savage triggers and barrels as a super value for the price.
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  • 11b6r
    You have not listed a bad rifle nor a bad caliber. Some folks like Bud, some like Miller, some like Coors. For the money, I think Savage is hard to beat- but would not turn up my nose at any of the rifles mentioned. If you go .308, you will shoot more- check ammo prices.
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  • oldgunman
    I love 30-06s. Don't think brand really matters to me. Grew up with my dads Winchester and being left hand, had to buy a Remington when I got my own rifle. Love them both but that's just me. You should have one rifle with that caliber for most all big game. Have owned many 308s and always seem to sell them first. Don't know why, just don't ever keep any rifle with that caliber. We are all quite different on our likes and THAT I'm sure is a good thing.[:)]
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  • wpage
    All good quest and answers.
    Go with 30-06 caliber has the most grain selections to meet needs.
    Both Rem 700 and Savage 110 are great rifles the savage trigger is a little easier to adjust.
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  • tsr1965
    Like the rest of the poster's, you have listed a bunch of very good rifles. Of the ones you listed, my top two choices would be a Winchester Model 70, and the Tikka T3...neither favored over the other.

    One more I will add to the list you have going is the Thompson Center ICON...absolutely great rifle, and great company.

    My chambering of choice would be the standard 300 Winchester Magnum, but as said, it is hard to beat the 30-06.

    Best
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  • PJ
    Take a look at the CZ.
    Pete
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  • ern98
    So you are thinking about a western hunt with your buddy. What ranges and game are you considering? What I would want for a antelope hunt would be different then what I would ideally carry for a elk hunt. You might want to also think thru at what ranges you would be willing to take a shot. IMHO, if the answer is along the line of 300yds and in then 308 and 30-06 are great choices. If the answer is 400yds plus then I'd lean towards 270win/280rem or the magnums. As far a the rifle itself; go for the one that feels and handles the best in your hands and at your shoulder and you can't go far wrong with any on your list....
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  • JustC
    I also prefer a rem700 for a working rifle.

    The tikka has some things that I am not in love with, but that is just me. I figure, why buy a Tikka, when I should buy the SAKO. You have to remember, Sako makes Tikka, and there are reasons they cost less than a sako. in manufacturing, you can't reduce (almost never) cost at retail, without reducing cost of production. When you cut costs, you most always sacrifice quality, fit , finish, etc.

    Win70's in controlled feed are very nice rifles, but cost more than rem700's and don't provide any increased accuracy. And rem triggers are better for "tuning"

    savages aren't pretty, but VERY accurate due to their use of button rifles barrels. I have shot several savages from the past 10yrs, and they are great shooters. Just don't expect them to feel like a more expensive rifle, in your hands. be happy with the accuracy.

    I wouldn't go in the WSSM direction, maybe a WSM. However, my go-to rifle for north america is a 7mm rem mag. It is what has worked very well for me. My pard loves his 300win mag. Another pard swears about his 270. .....you see where I am going with this[?] Any capable chambering, when used by a PRACTICED SHOOTER, will be more than sufficient on this continent.
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