Factory Rifle

Look at Barrett Fieldcraft. In a 7-08 it weighs 5.25 pounds, has a 3" magazine and will be an 8 twist. For the money it's a great gun. I have one in 6.5x55 which has a little longer barrel and 3.4" magazine. Sub MOA shooter out of the box.

Should be able to dig one up somewhere as Barrett has temporarily stopped production due to a military contract taking precedence.

I think your both right,but the resale seems to favor the custom action by far,even if we dont know if it is "true "or not

fmuguira said:

Look at Barrett Fieldcraft. In a 7-08 it weighs 5.25 pounds, has a 3" magazine and will be an 8 twist. For the money it's a great gun. I have one in 6.5x55 which has a little longer barrel and 3.4" magazine. Sub MOA shooter out of the box.

Should be able to dig one up somewhere as Barrett has temporarily stopped production due to a military contract taking precedence.

Click to expand...

Get one while they last. Barrett isn't making again till who knows when.

Mike J said:

I have 2-2.5k budget for a new rifle. I'll choose a mild caliber (7mm-08, 6.5 PRC, 280 AI, 270 wsm etc). I plan to use the rifle as both a primary and backup for anything up to and including elk size. I'm out of the loop these days (spent the last 10 years black powder) and I'm looking for recommendations on quality rifle manufacturers.

Click to expand...

For the money you are looking at spending I would look at going custom you will be able to design it the way you want and have something that is you and not off the shelf If you don't want to wait any of the semi customs mentioned are fine rifles though I like going custom so I can pick twist rate barrel length and throating the way I want

Don't rule out Bergara. I now have three and they are all great shooters. there actions are very good, they are also known for quality barrels. Barrels broke in very quickly with very little copper. I have to say they are grouping very close to several of my custom setups. In particular the 7-08 and 280AI are great shooters.
You have been given numerous worthy options.
Be sure to put quality glass on your choice.

I just picked up a barely-used Cooper 52 in 280AI for well under your budget number. I was close to doing a semi-custom, but jumped on the Cooper when I saw it. A new one can be had for close to your budget. I'd put it among the best of the factory rifles.

I wouldn't rule out Bergara, either. The Premier action is what a Remington 700 should be.

Tikka has a CTR in 7-08 it will do all that you ask and more. I have a Seekins Havik in 6.5 Creedmoor, a Tikka in 308 and a Fierce Edge in 270 WSM they all perform as advertised 1/2" at 100 yards, I do handload. I would suggest that you find examples of what you are after and see which one feels best to you. Then buy the Tikka, you will not be disappointed, and have $1500 leftover to put towards a nice scope.

If I had your budget I'd be calling R.W. Hart and having them build me a 280AI. I have several rifles that have been accurized by them and they built my 6.5-284 benchrest rifle. I love every gun they have touched that I own.

I have a CA in a Traverse and a Fierce in the Edge and both shoot exceptionally well. The edge I bought is in 6.5 x 284 and it shoots in one hole at a100, .5MOA to 1000 with 140 Berger Elite Hunters. Have taken game up to Elk Size (Kudu Bull) with it and all one shot kills. I actually have two CA rifles an both shoot well under 1MOA to 600 so far. All were under the $2,500.00 mark. There are so many good rifles out the these days that my suggestions would be to go to a large gun store and shoulder as many different models as you can get your hands on. Pick the one that feels the best to you and then look for the caliber you want. Look at the $ signs after. People can say whatever they want but I got a good lesson in humility last year when a friend turned me on to a Ruger American Predator in 6.5 Creedmoor. The Gun looks like hell but shoots unbelievable. I bought three different manufacturers ammo in three different weight classes and they all shot to the same point at 200 yards and all were .5 MOA. I paid $325.00 for the rifle brand new. It comes up great and it shoots even better. Was I lucky, yeah probably but what I am saying is don't give up completely on over the counter guns, some manufacturers still care enough to build a good rifle that the average blue collar worker can afford.

Get a SAKO 85 in that 7mm-08 (or any of those excellent calibers). It'll set you back a bout $1800.00 and it will shoot lights out right out of the box...great triggers. I have three of them--black laminate stocks and stainless Bbl/Actions. If you're gonna drink the 6.5 Kool-Aid take a look at the 6.5 RPM new out from Weatherby in their rifle. Also look at Fierce firearms for a bit higher end rig. Got a couple of those too.

If you are looking for a factory in that price, I don't think you could beat what Bergara has to offer in the lineup they have. Take a look at the B14 HMR, HMR premier Pro, HMR Wilderness, the triggers in the Pro series are Trigger Tech. I own the B14 HMR, just got it, the trigger is not a trigger tech, but breaks clean on my Creed at 2lbs from the factory, the 7Rem Mag I just purchased for my Grandson Graduation in B14 HMR came from the factory breaking at 2.5lbs all are measured with wheeler gauge and broke same weight three times in a row. The barrel is free floated and stock is very good. I don't believe you can find a better factory rifle and it runs pretty good with my Custom built 28 Nosler that I paid 4500.00.

Thanks for all the feedback guys! Tempted to build my own since I can use the savage style barrels with controlled feed from bighorn. Havak does appear to offer a lot for the $ with a 25% coupon.

fmuguira said:

Look at Barrett Fieldcraft. In a 7-08 it weighs 5.25 pounds, has a 3" magazine and will be an 8 twist. For the money it's a great gun. I have one in 6.5x55 which has a little longer barrel and 3.4" magazine. Sub MOA shooter out of the box.

Should be able to dig one up somewhere as Barrett has temporarily stopped production due to a military contract taking precedence.

Click to expand...

Every time I hear Barrett makes me remember lugging around the M107 back in the day... Ty for the input - I'll take a look!

Kmccord said:

If you are looking for a factory in that price, I don't think you could beat what Bergara has to offer in the lineup they have. Take a look at the B14 HMR, HMR premier Pro, HMR Wilderness, the triggers in the Pro series are Trigger Tech. I own the B14 HMR, just got it, the trigger is not a trigger tech, but breaks clean on my Creed at 2lbs from the factory, the 7Rem Mag I just purchased for my Grandson Graduation in B14 HMR came from the factory breaking at 2.5lbs all are measured with wheeler gauge and broke same weight three times in a row. The barrel is free floated and stock is very good. I don't believe you can find a better factory rifle and it runs pretty good with my Custom built 28 Nosler that I paid 4500.00.

Click to expand...

I will double that. As stated earlier... leave yourself plenty dollars for real quality in your glass selection.