sub 1000$ Gun (Not Custom)

[Bigeclipse]

All,
I appologize as I have made a couple threads already for specific guns I was looking at and I know this is yet another thread but instead of stating the guns I was looking at I would like your opinions on a sub 1000 dollar gun in 30-06 caliber. I will most likely never customize it and again 1000$ is the absolute MAX I want to pay so please dont state "well for just a bit more you can buy this". Not sure how much a trigger job would cost but if not much...that would be the extent of customizing the gun. Accuracy with factory loads is what I am after. Anything at or under 1 moa would be great. I was thinking synthetic and possibly stainless depending on costs, although many say synthetic can suck so I dont know. The reason for synthetic is it will be in the woods hunting and everytime I have scratched my current wood gun...it makes me mad haha. I am open to all suggestions. I have been to the shop and held x-bolts, remington 700s, savages, tikkas and ruger m77. all felt fine but I am not an expert on what it "should" feel like so I really dont know. I am at my wits end and really have no idea what to go after/buy. When you read so much on the internet you can find flaws in almost anything so I would like to leave it to you "experienced" guys to put me on a good path towards a rifle I hopefully wont regret. Thanks again for understanding all my posts/threads on this.

 

[teddy12b]

First of all, you're on the right track with the 30-06. Sounds like you're looking for a "do all" rifle and the 30-06 certainly fits the bill. Factory loads range from 150gr soft points for deer, 168gr match ammo for precision long range, to 220gr soft points for anything that could endanger you.

I haven't read your other posts but there's a lot of questions remaining to be asked. For example, are you 100% sure you want a bolt action? The remington 750 woodsman might be a nice option, as well as a single shot encore. I've got a stainless encore in 30-06 that was the first rifle I took a deer with. I've also got a bolt action heavy barreled savage in 30-06 that I use for target shooting at the range out to 1000 yards.

How far are you capable of shooting now, and how far do you want to be capable of shooting? If you're talking in the 500 yards and less arena then I'd just buy the heaviest barreled savage that you can carry and put a fullfield II with ballistic reticle, or a vortex crossfire with ballistic reticle and be done with it.

How big of an animal are you looking to hunt? At what range will you hope to shoot at? How far are you going to be walking in with this rifle?

 

[ILtoMT50]

ruger and savage both have some newer rifles that are pretty reasonable. im not sure on the model of savage but heres a link to the rugers

Ruger American Rifle® Bolt-Action Rifle Models

*if you plan on spending $1000 just for the rifle itself and not the optics or any accessories you can do better than these but if that's all for your total package then youd still have around 500 left to play with.

 

[Bigeclipse]

ruger and savage both have some newer rifles that are pretty reasonable. im not sure on the model of savage but heres a link to the rugers

Ruger American Rifle® Bolt-Action Rifle Models

*if you plan on spending $1000 just for the rifle itself and not the optics or any accessories you can do better than these but if that's all for your total package then youd still have around 500 left to play with.

To clarify...I do mean 1000 dollars for the gun alone. I already have good optics. This will be used MAINLY for DEER but I may use it on ELK and some range/bench time. I feel confident shooting a deer out to say 400 yards...most shots will definitely be 300 or less. I was thinking about going with a cheaper gun like tikka or savage but decided would prefer a gun I would be proud of and may last years. I am looking for out of the box accuracy as I stated I dont want to have to customize it but I guess MAYBE customizing down the road COULD happen but I doubt it. The remington 700 mountain ss was something I was looking at but it is definitely at or slightly above my price point...

 

[BrentM]

I have a remington 700 BDL in 3006 and love that rifle. I had thought about using the action etc for a custom build but this rifle was present from my father when I was kid. It was first real rifle and I can't bring myself to change it too much. I had the trigger worked on and the stock bedded. It shoots .35" 100 yard groups and at 300 1.25". Love the caliber and rifle.

I mentioned on your previous thread, hands down I would still look at a Savage.

 

[Bigeclipse]

I have a remington 700 BDL in 3006 and love that rifle. I had thought about using the action etc for a custom build but this rifle was present from my father when I was kid. It was first real rifle and I can't bring myself to change it too much. I had the trigger worked on and the stock bedded. It shoots .35" 100 yard groups and at 300 1.25". Love the caliber and rifle.

I mentioned on your previous thread, hands down I would still look at a Savage.

I appreciate your input...only worry with the savage is I have heard from others the savage synthetic stocks are garbage and even the ones with the accustock are simply the crap plastic with crappy aluminum bedding. A lot of people have commented that the tikka t3 synthetic is better than the savage 111 accutrigger/accustock synthetic. So I figured maybe bumping my price from 600ish to the 1000ish mark might bring in some better rifles. The whole point of synthetic was NOT for weight savings but because I CANNOT stand it when I scratch my pretty wooden stocks haha.

 

[jdk81]

I love my BDL. The stock is actually in the process of curing from a bedding job right now. Prior to bedding I was getting groups a little under MOA at 100 yards. I hope that the bedding increases its accuracy.

 

[ntg]

I haven't read your posts prior...but here's what I'd do if I had that budget. I'd get the following:

Vanguard Series 2 Stainless | Weatherby.com

These are great rifles and it'd leave you $300 for buying more ammo, etc.

I also think there's nothing wrong with the x-bolt you mentioned. And I think the a-bolt is a great option too.

Remington...yes there's lots custom/after market stuff...it would be an o.k. choice in my mind. They're not what they use to be IMO.

Let us know what you decide.

 

[Dr. Vette]

I haven't read your posts prior...but here's what I'd do if I had that budget. I'd get the following:

Vanguard Series 2 Stainless | Weatherby.com

These are great rifles and it'd leave you $300 for buying more ammo, etc.

Let us know what you decide.

Same recommendation here, but you might want to think about upgrading to a Bell & Carlson stock. It's not mandatory and you can always do it in the future.

Vanguard S2 in stainless from Gunbroker - $630 + shipping and FFL fee.
Bell & Carlson stock from Red Hawk Rifles - $235 + shipping

for $865 + fees (under $950 total) you have a rifle that will go anywhere and do anything.

 

[BrentM]

I have no clue why people bash on Savage. The stock is junk yet my rifles have all shot lights out without any gunsmithing? Go figure. You seem to be following the same path as the naysayers. Maybe I am just not bitter about the brand because I have had nothing but good luck. I also bought this rifle to shoot 1000 and beyond and have 100's of rounds at the longer ranges with superb results. I am also not sure what the issue is with a free floating synthetic stock with an aluminim block and rail. Seems that is the way many aftermarket manufactures go. Perhaps an internet search outside of this forum would be helpful. Not all rifles have to cost 5g to 12g to shoot and be dependable. Now, I really want a custom rifle that is amazing to look at. However, I don't know if I will get beyond .25moa accuracy with it. I will say I don't consider my savage to be sleek and sexy but my targets are just as dead as anyone elses.

Remington, Tikka, and Weatherby all have good reputations. Perhaps you can search for a deal on a Remington BDL. I don't know what they cost but it seems like Remington is still the top of the chain for performance based rifles. Even an ADL and then replace the stock with a Hogue or something would be good. I think you can find a good stock on this forum for a remington without too much effort or $.

 

[MudRunner2005]

I appreciate your input...only worry with the savage is I have heard from others the savage synthetic stocks are garbage and even the ones with the accustock are simply the crap plastic with crappy aluminum bedding. A lot of people have commented that the tikka t3 synthetic is better than the savage 111 accutrigger/accustock synthetic. So I figured maybe bumping my price from 600ish to the 1000ish mark might bring in some better rifles. The whole point of synthetic was NOT for weight savings but because I CANNOT stand it when I scratch my pretty wooden stocks haha.

Spend about another $200-300 and get a Sendero SF II in 7mm Rem Mag or .300 WinMag, or a 26" 5R MilSpec in .300 WinMag and you will have an awesome gun with a really nice high-end fully aluminum bedded HS Precision stock from the factory.

 

[Bigeclipse]

Spend about another $200-300 and get a Sendero SF II in 7mm Rem Mag or .300 WinMag, or a 26" 5R MilSpec in .300 WinMag and you will have an awesome gun with a really nice high-end fully aluminum bedded HS Precision stock from the factory.

I Wish the sendero came in 30-06 and I would consider it but the biggest point is I want a 30-06 for choice/selection and easily attained factory loads here in new york. I heard the remington mountain was on par with the sendero...but maybe not...Is there anything else on par with it in 30-06?

 

[benchracer]

I am a mauser style controlled feed rifle fan. With that bias in mind, here are links to my recommendations:

CZ-USA -> CZ 550 American

The CZ is an excellent rifle, with features and quality that cannot be found on any other rifle in its price range. If you can live with a wood stock, here is a screaming deal on a CZ 550 in 30-06:

CZ 550 American 30-06 : Bolt Action Rifles at GunBroker.com

I am in love with the new production Winchester Model 70's. I have a standard sporter in .264WM. I am not a big fan of their synthetic stocks, though. YMMV.

Model 70 Ultimate Shadow, Bolt Action Deer Elk Big Game Rifle -- Winchester Repeating Arms -- Product Model

These can be had pretty reasonably. Here is an example:

Winchester Model 70 30-06 Ultimate Shadow 24" : Bolt Action Rifles at GunBroker.com


The Zastava M70 (actually a commercial Mark X mauser sporter) is, IMO, about the best deal going. It's also one of the least well known options out there. I have several rifles on this action.

Century International Arms

These rifles can be had for not much more than most domestic manufacturers' budget rifle. Here is an example:

98 Mauser,Commercial Mauser,Walnut,30-06 : Bolt Action Rifles at GunBroker.com

If you shop carefully and bid carefully, this rifle can be had for under $500. If you can't live with the wood stock, $250 buys you a Bell & Carlson fiberglass stock with aluminum bedding block in the color of your choice.

Any of the above rifles are quality arms that will shoot accurately right out of the box. When you get your rifle, test it with match grade ammo first to see what its potential is with factory ammo. Then test regular hunting ammo until you find a load that you are satisfied with.

With an off-the-shelf rifle shooting off-the-shelf ammo, you will run into practical limitations that will most likely prevent you from hunting at long range with it. With some practice, however, you should be good out to 4-500 yards. If you handload and tweak your rifle a bit, you should be able to extend that by a fair amount.

A standard sporter should serve you well in this role. For what you are going to ask of your rifle, you don't really need a heavy barrel.

There are cheaper rifles out there than the ones I have recommended. The above rifles, however, represent what I consider to be real value for the money. I believe that they are good examples of a balance between quality and cost.

 

[MudRunner2005]

I Wish the sendero came in 30-06 and I would consider it but the biggest point is I want a 30-06 for choice/selection and easily attained factory loads here in new york. I heard the remington mountain was on par with the sendero...but maybe not...Is there anything else on par with it in 30-06?

Once all this crap blows over and the administration quits trying to screw us out of our rights one by one, you will be able to find 7mm RemMag and .300 WinMag everywhere. Those are 2 calibers that are about as popular as the .30-06 & .270 Win.

You should look into handloading. Getting started handloading for 1 or 2 calibers can be fairly inexpensive....But can be very addicting.

Also, the the great thing about handloading is that you can mix & match your bullets & powders to find one that your gun loves, and it will cost you about 1/2-1/4 of what factory ammo does, if you save your brass.