Best factory rifle?

[Rocketeer77]

I plan on "building" a rifle, and by building I mean upgrading What I deem necessary whether that be barrel (I hope not), stock, lugs, mercury tube, brake etc. caliber aside, in y'all's opinion what is the best factory rifle under or at a 2k$ price point?

Tikka by far the best bang for the bucks!

 

[dfitz7604]

I have to Seekins rifles and love both of them. Would highly recommend.

 

[SoloHtr]

You are not giving us much to go on here. What is the primary use for the rifle, what calibers do you want or have.
Most on this site have many rifles in their safe. I have many hunting rifles for under 500 yds, but did not have any for longer ranges.
I was initially interested in the Waypoint in 6.5 PRC. Read lots of good stuff in the magazines and then went to find one.
Not being a writer for a magazine there was none to be found.
Bought a Seekins Havak that was not hard to find.
Put on a Leupold VX-5HD (also readily available) and a TBAC Dominus CB and could not be happier with the setup.
Installed ARCA rail and use on a 2-vets tripod and am confident on hitting Game (this is a hunting site) out to 1000 yds.

I found 6.5 prc ammo at kosher supply in Houston for appx $1.80 a round. I bought 200 rounds for appx $360

 

[westexhunt]

Each time I buy a rifle or have one built I end up wondering why I didn't just do another Tikka.

 

[Dooner]

wondering why I didn't just do another Tikka

…In my case, it was because they didn't offer a fast enough twist rate in a 300 PRC.

 

[SoloHtr]

Christensen offers 1:8 twist on their 300 prc. A friend has a ridgeline and it shoots 1/2" or better.

 

[Dooner]

Christensen offers 1:8 twist on their 300 prc. A friend has a ridgeline and it shoots 1/2" or better.

Yup…That's why I went with a CA Traverse in 300 PRC. The only other manufacturer that offered a 1:8 twist in 300 PRC was Browning.

 

[WahooYahoo]

I'll add one more to the already mentioned list of Tikka and Bergera - Christiansen.

There are stories of some that wouldn't shoot, but in every case Christensen makes them shoot. The upside is most shoot very well without fooling with them.

If you price out the components, it's hard to beat a Christensen, especially if you pick one up on deal.

6lb Remington clone, so everything that fits a Remington fits a Christensen.
TriggerTech,
carbon barrel,
ultralight carbon stock,
Brake included (albeit a radial brake)
Great customer service

Regular price is around $1900-2100
Got mine on a deal from Eurooptic for $1675-ish.

Mine shoots very, very well and it's super light and well balanced.

 

[Jon Bischof]

I plan on "building" a rifle, and by building I mean upgrading What I deem necessary whether that be barrel (I hope not), stock, lugs, mercury tube, brake etc. caliber aside, in y'all's opinion what is the best factory rifle under or at a 2k$ price point?

Sauer 100. Simply put, for most hunting purposes it eliminates the need for customization. If you buy a Sauer, you will miss out on a lot of LEGO-type of aftermarket doodads trying to get a rifle to shoot.
You may also miss out on all the fun of trying to work up a load that will shoot less than 0.75 MOA, because the Sauer 100 will shoot better than that with factory ammo, depending on what cartridge it is chambered in.

It depends upon what you enjoy, if you enjoy tinker toying around with an action until you buy enough parts to improve it, there's lots of toys you can buy to improve a Remington 700.
But if you just want to take the rifle out of the box, scope it and go shoot some groups that are usually way under sub-MOA, then Sauer 100. It is boringly accurate, if that kind of thing bores you.

 

[SoloHtr]

I'll add one more to the already mentioned list of Tikka and Bergera - Christiansen.

There are stories of some that wouldn't shoot, but in every case Christensen makes them shoot. The upside is most shoot very well without fooling with them.

If you price out the components, it's hard to beat a Christensen, especially if you pick one up on deal.

6lb Remington clone, so everything that fits a Remington fits a Christensen.
TriggerTech,
carbon barrel,
ultralight carbon stock,
Brake included (albeit a radial brake)
Great customer service

Regular price is around $1900-2100
Got mine on a deal from Eurooptic for $1675-ish.

Mine shoots very, very well and it's super light and well balanced.

I picked up a CA in 6.5 prc for 1350 and its amazingly accurate usually under 1/2". Thought about selling it but then found a great deal on ammo. It's a keeper.

 

[.300 Dakota]

Sauer 100. Simply put, for most hunting purposes it eliminates the need for customization. If you buy a Sauer, you will miss out on a lot of LEGO-type of aftermarket doodads trying to get a rifle to shoot.
You may also miss out on all the fun of trying to work up a load that will shoot less than 0.75 MOA, because the Sauer 100 will shoot better than that with factory ammo, depending on what cartridge it is chambered in.

It depends upon what you enjoy, if you enjoy tinker toying around with an action until you buy enough parts to improve it, there's lots of toys you can buy to improve a Remington 700.
But if you just want to take the rifle out of the box, scope it and go shoot some groups that are usually way under sub-MOA, then Sauer 100. It is boringly accurate, if that kind of thing bores you.

I voted for the 101, and I've heard nothing but positive about the 100, just never owned one. But if it shoots as good as the 101 and if the trigger is as good, for about $750 less, it would be a slam dunk. Can't speak for the 100, but the 101 is just as smooth as a Tikka.

The Europeans have a couple hundred years on us in gun building experience, and it often shows up in the quality of the craftsmanship. CZ, Sauer, Mauser, old Sakos, Tikka/Beretta, Holland & Holland, and Steyr could move into my safe rent free any day.

 

[Jon Bischof]

I voted for the 101, and I've heard nothing but positive about the 100, just never owned one. But if it shoots as good as the 101 and if the trigger is as good, for about $750 less, it would be a slam dunk. Can't speak for the 100, but the 101 is just as smooth as a Tikka.

The Europeans have a couple hundred years on us in gun building experience, and it often shows up in the quality of the craftsmanship. CZ, Sauer, Mauser, old Sakos, Tikka/Beretta, Holland & Holland, and Steyr could move into my safe rent free any day.

Totally agree with your experience. The Sauer 100 is totally a no-brainer slam dunk no matter what you compare it to. It is better than a Tikka T3 in every way.

For the person who wants to buy a rifle that is ready to perform without playing the LEGO amatuer gunsmith game, this would be my recommended list:

1. Sauer 100
2. Browning X-Bolt Hell's Canyon
3. Mauser M18 (for those on a budget who want accuracy most of all)
4. Bergara (which model you want depends on how heavy you want it and for what purpose)

Don't see the point of spending more money for a rifle that won't shoot as well as the ones listed. Some folks must think that if they spend an extravagant amount of money, it will improve their marksmanship. Guys who couldn't shoot a quarter MOA group with a LASER beam think a $3000 rifle is going to make them better marksmen and when they do manage to get it to shoot MOA or better, they say, "Man, this custom rifle is fantastic!" I snicker and try to keep my mouth shut, knowing that they could do better with about $1800 less!

 

[STK-300]

D

 

[.300 Dakota]

Totally agree with your experience. The Sauer 100 is totally a no-brainer slam dunk no matter what you compare it to. It is better than a Tikka T3 in every way.

For the person who wants to buy a rifle that is ready to perform without playing the LEGO amatuer gunsmith game, this would be my recommended list:

1. Sauer 100
2. Browning X-Bolt Hell's Canyon
3. Mauser M18 (for those on a budget who want accuracy most of all)
4. Bergara (which model you want depends on how heavy you want it and for what purpose)

Don't see the point of spending more money for a rifle that won't shoot as well as the ones listed. Some folks must think that if they spend an extravagant amount of money, it will improve their marksmanship. Guys who couldn't shoot a quarter MOA group with a LASER beam think a $3000 rifle is going to make them shoot better.

I've got $4150 SO FAR in my latest full custom build, and I'll wager every penny it costs it's not going to handle better than the Sauer 101 or shoot better than my Lego Savage Axis (unrecognizable as such now...and this is just what I'm into, so a fun hobby) that I have $1400 in. It is just because it's chambered in a cartridge I couldn't get otherwise, and it will be better for certain, limited situations... and a heck of an heirloom. But shoot or handle better? Nah.