Need a new rifle -- Recommendations!

[alaska]

Hello all,

I'm in the market for a new hunting rifle, chambered in 7mm rem mag. I hunt black bear, deer and elk and I would like accuracy capabilities on game out to 500-600 yards and steel out to around 1,000. I plan to use handloads as well.

I had my eyes on the Bergara B14 Hunter, but just recently heard some less than satisfactory things about them and I am now directing my eyes elsewhere. For my budget, I'd like to stay under $700, but if it's really worth it I can move up to $800.

Please let me know your recommendations.

Much appreciated!

Bergera B14 in 300 Win Mag would be a great rifle
Much better bullet selection in the 300 Win.

 

[gunmunkey]

I think at your price point all the rifles mentioned above would do fine, just avoid the entry level rifles. Each of the brand's has something negative about it. I own/owned all of these and enjoyed them all but here's what I didn't like....

Tikka T3x- magazines are absolute garbage. Plastic and seemed like it belonged on a $299 rifle.
Remington 700- trigger as mentioned above is so so
Browning Xbolt- very little aftermarket parts
Savage- I bind the bolt when working the action and have had feeding issues. I think that's just me, not the rifle.
Heaven forbid I had to pick just one I think it would be an Xbolt, then the T3x, 700, Savage 110.
Stretch your dollars and browse the used rifles on the reputable used gun stores online and you'll get more rifle for your $. Plus, if you don't like it you'll recover most of your money when you sell it. That's how I test drove rifles until I found out what I liked.

 

[FIGJAM]

I have a Remington long range 300 win mag. Forget the 7 mm and go 300 win or 338 win mag. I use 338 win mag for every thing deer and up on 98 mauser action. I looked at Begara and Savage and they are fine but Remington just seemed better built and the long range on a Bell and Carlson stock is a much better choice. Ammo is easy to find. And accuracy is great. Get a good scope. That will be a cost to consider.

I think I am going to disagree with you here on a couple things. There is nothing wrong with the OP's choice of 7mm. Its a badass cartridge. He doesn't need a 300 or 338. Remington is an ok rifle, they aren't what they used to be and their triggers suck donkey balls. I would take one of savages new 110 models over most remingtons anyday.

 

[gunmunkey]

The OP also isn't asking about what caliber he should choose. Sounds like he's decided that already.

 

[FIGJAM]

Bergera B14 in 300 Win Mag would be a great rifle
Much better bullet selection in the 300 Win.

Is the bullet selection really that much better in 308 vs 284? Even if you are talking weights, and elk will never know the difference between a 195 out of a 7mm vs a 230 out of a 300.

 

[gunmunkey]

OMG not this argument again. Different threads cover that. Don't hijack.

 

[HobieH3]

Hello all,

I'm in the market for a new hunting rifle, chambered in 7mm rem mag. I hunt black bear, deer and elk and I would like accuracy capabilities on game out to 500-600 yards and steel out to around 1,000. I plan to use handloads as well.

I had my eyes on the Bergara B14 Hunter, but just recently heard some less than satisfactory things about them and I am now directing my eyes elsewhere. For my budget, I'd like to stay under $700, but if it's really worth it I can move up to $800.

Please let me know your recommendations.

Much appreciated!

Take a look at the Ruger American Magnum.
I've got the regular in 270 and it's a good shooter. Kicks like a mule but if your in the market for a 7mm RM that's prolly not a big concern

 

[jpope02]

Hello all,

I'm in the market for a new hunting rifle, chambered in 7mm rem mag. I hunt black bear, deer and elk and I would like accuracy capabilities on game out to 500-600 yards and steel out to around 1,000. I plan to use handloads as well.

I had my eyes on the Bergara B14 Hunter, but just recently heard some less than satisfactory things about them and I am now directing my eyes elsewhere. For my budget, I'd like to stay under $700, but if it's really worth it I can move up to $800.

Please let me know your recommendations.

Much appreciated!

Tikka T3x lite would be my choice. Rock solid out to 800yds on game using 162 eld-x @ 3100fps. 1836 fps with 1213# @1000.

 

[25WSM]

You can do a semi custom in your price range and be way ahead of the game. Barrels are the single most important part of an accurate rifle. So I would buy a new Remington 700 action. 375. Put it in a Boyd's stock off their discount list. 100 . Get a Remage barrel from a good barrel maker.250 to 350. Glass bed the stock and you will have a nice rifle. I adjust Remington triggers all the time. They make nice triggers but the lawyers adjust them for remington.
Shep

 

[FIGJAM]

Take a look at the Ruger American Magnum.
I've got the regular in 270 and it's a good shooter. Kicks like a mule but if your in the market for a 7mm RM that's prolly not a big concern

Isn't there something with the Ruger americans where their bolts can come open easily while you are hiking around?

 

[skipglo]

What about one of the Howas in 7mm win mag? Lots of stock and barrel variations using the same action.

You absolutely can't go wrong with a new Howa!

 

[FIGJAM]

You absolutely can't go wrong with a new Howa!

Those all have 24" barrels don't they?

 

[FIGJAM]

I think if you want a 24" barrel you should shoot a 280AI. The 7mm Rem mag shines with a 26" tube.

 

[T-rev]

I have a Browning Hells Canyon Speed and love it. I held a lot of different rifles before I bought mine and the browning came up and felt much better than the others. I was dead set on getting a Christensen Arms until I took a look at the Browning and it changed my mind.