The plan - Gun I can sling up and walk with anywhere in the US but also enjoy on the range. I have so many specific purpose guns and they are mostly heavy, that I'd like a nice all-arounder I can grab for and know will be able to do anything.
Budget - Limited to about $700 max on the rifle. Have about $500 for optic.
Lightweight - Around 9lbs w/optic. 10lbs may be pushing it.
Universal - Hunt pretty much anything in North America, still have fun on the range. Max range for hunting = 600yds, for target 1200+
Low Recoil - I understand physics of a light gun and big caliber, but if need be, I'll add a brake to tame.
Magazine - prefer to have a magazine, but not end-all-be-all.
Action - Maybe long action to have more choices down the line for a rebarrel
Caliber - I reload so pretty much anything will work, but I prefer to stay away from ultra mags and wildcats that components are hard to find. Availability of components is critical. Calibers that come to mind are 30-06, 280AI, 300WM/WSM
Base rifles I've been tossing around : Savage and Tikka
Savage - I have a few Savages and all been good guns. I like that I can spin off a barrel and put a new one on at the house. Decent part selection. Don't care for the factory synthetic stocks, though they don't seem to harm accuracy.
Tikka - I have one in .223 and love it. Light weight, compact, super smooth bolt and nice trigger. Twists are a little slow for heavier projectiles which is a bummer and their only flaw. Not sure how their recoil lug stands up on magnums (if went this route). Even with the sporter barrel profile these seem to shoot 3-5 shot groups well from reports.. a big plus for when at the range (not hunting).
Thanks ahead of time for your input.
Budget - Limited to about $700 max on the rifle. Have about $500 for optic.
Lightweight - Around 9lbs w/optic. 10lbs may be pushing it.
Universal - Hunt pretty much anything in North America, still have fun on the range. Max range for hunting = 600yds, for target 1200+
Low Recoil - I understand physics of a light gun and big caliber, but if need be, I'll add a brake to tame.
Magazine - prefer to have a magazine, but not end-all-be-all.
Action - Maybe long action to have more choices down the line for a rebarrel
Caliber - I reload so pretty much anything will work, but I prefer to stay away from ultra mags and wildcats that components are hard to find. Availability of components is critical. Calibers that come to mind are 30-06, 280AI, 300WM/WSM
Base rifles I've been tossing around : Savage and Tikka
Savage - I have a few Savages and all been good guns. I like that I can spin off a barrel and put a new one on at the house. Decent part selection. Don't care for the factory synthetic stocks, though they don't seem to harm accuracy.
Tikka - I have one in .223 and love it. Light weight, compact, super smooth bolt and nice trigger. Twists are a little slow for heavier projectiles which is a bummer and their only flaw. Not sure how their recoil lug stands up on magnums (if went this route). Even with the sporter barrel profile these seem to shoot 3-5 shot groups well from reports.. a big plus for when at the range (not hunting).
Thanks ahead of time for your input.
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