Opinions and Recommendations on a Hunting Rifle

I am currently looking at options for my next firearm. I am looking at a hunting rifle pretty much for one purpose - big game. Specifically I want a gun that I can use on elk, and maybe even moose. I know the size of the round that I want to shoot, but I am looking at all the options for a quality gun that would have no problems taking a 800 yard shot.
Some of the firearms I have been looking at are the Browning X-bolt, Ruger M77, and the Remington 700. Each gun I have been looking at 7mm mag.
I have been reading all of the info available on each company’s website, and each gun has some very nice features. Of the three, I have been most impressed with the Browning and think that is the direction I want to go.
I know that a purchase like this comes down to how the gun feels in the hand. I am hoping that I can get some opinions from people who have owned or shot any or all of the guns.
My budget for the gun is $800-$1000

 

X 2

 

Remington 700 SPS FTW!!!

 

remington 700, however have you checked out savage new accu system?

 

Don't be cheap! buy a good weatherby rifle
It will last you for the rest of yOur life and
Then pass it Down to your kid

I got a 300 weatherby mag from my dad and still feels
And looks like a brand-new rifle after 40 years

Just my 2 cents tho

 

I havent looked much into the Rems to be honest. I owned a 700 ADL in .223 a while ago and I wasnt very impressed at all with the accuracy. I do really like the Sendero, but they weigh a lot, and cost a lot.

I appreciate the input so far, but it doesnt do me much good. What makes the Remington so much better to justify it as your choice?

 

Is $1000 cheap for a gun only? I think thats a healthy chunk of change for any fire arm.

 

I have a Tikka T3, and I love it. Comes off the same production line of Sako, just a couple hundred less. I believe Beretta is the parent company and also sell a T3. They come in a variety of calipers and models. They bolt is extremely smooth too.
http://www.tikka.fi/t3rifles.php

 

reliability... our military snipers have been using the remington 700 for years.

 

I have the 700 in a 7 mag, stainless barrel and have never regretted it, but I'd be tempted if someone wanted to trade me their Weatherby!

 

yeah thats a nice one too. with the accu stock and the accu trigger.. CAbelas has one for sale for like 700 and its stainless steel.

 

What sucks about weatherby's is that their ammo is expensive and you could only use their ammo.. So it sucks it you just want to go out and shoot..

 

Thank you for that.
I guess by posting this thread I was hoping to hear peoples opinions on why the decided to get the guns they prefer to shoot. Maybe there is something about the trigger system for a specific gun that one person may like. Maybe the quality of the barrel of a certain gun is preferred for some reason. I like hearing first hand why people shoot what they do. Maybe I am overlooking something in the brands I listed and am hoping that some insight from members may give me new things to look into. When people say get a 700 because its popular, it does me no good. I am hoping for explanations. They must be popular for a reason, so what is that reason?

That gun you posted is very cool. If I were going to pay that kind of money for a gun, I think I would get a Christensen Arms Carbon gun. Check them out. There are unbelievable http://www.christensenarms.com/

 

I understand what you are saying now. I am thinking that Ive been looking at this all wrong from the beginning. Maybe I should build the gun to what im after rather than trying to just pay the premium for a complete factory gun from the store.
If the Rem is at all like an AR, I could get a Hogue overmold, buy a match grade barrel in my desired size, find a good trigger system and what ever items I may need. I could probably have it bedded and end up with a gun for around 1000-1100 that rivals someting in the 1600 range at the gun store.

Thanks

 

I have a tikkaT3 300 win mag, I would definently consider it. Tikka is one of two rifles in the world that guarantee a 3"group out of the box at 100 yards. By far it is one of the lightest high caliber rifles on the market and is a streight shooter. With my 300 I don't have to compensate for distance 400 yards or closer.

 

A rifle is something very personal to me. I guess is going way back when I had to depend on my rifle.


#1- decide what you are going to use it for ???? you may be surprise to find out some day that,,, you may need another gun if you decide to do some high brush, short distance hunting.

#2- decide wich caliber is right for you ???. Now remember,,, one of the guys here raised a good point. You want something thats readily available at all most every gun shop and does not kills your wallet. You want something that you can afford to shoot 40-50 shoots every few months.

#3- now that you have an answer to first two question,,, make your way to a good -big- gun shop. Don't go to a big shop on a Sunday. You will be surprise to see how many guys that don't know much about guns,,,, find theirs way behind that counter. You can't blame the guy. He is trying to make some extra cash. Go there, look around with out getting too close to the counter but close enough to hear what the guys are talking about it. You will get an idea, very fast, of witch guy knows his job or not. Try to work your way to him and explain to him what you want, your budget and your planed usage,.

#4- now a good guy,, should offer you, at least two different guns from the same manufacturer. You will find out that the choices are BIG. There is no -bad gun- in these days. You can take a $1000 rifle and you will find out that ,, there is not much difference in performance. If there was ???? that manufacture would be in trouble.

#5- the most important thing is that- when you pull that rifle to your chin ,,, she becomes part of you body. IT FEELS RIGHT. If a rifle fits you good and feels good in your hands,,, then you will love it for loooong time. If it does not and you decide to buy it because- I, Joe or someone else is telling you that,,, is a good rifle ,,,,, . You just waisted your money.

I have only one rifle. Browning,lightweight, take down,lever activated,pistol grip, 30-06 cal. Zeiss 3-9x40.

#1- I choose the take down for is size when packed and is benefit when traveling.
#2- I chose the lever activated,,, because I get a faster recharge time and in the same time i find it a little bit more classic then bolt activated. In my eyes ,, the fact that, I don't have to take my finger off trigger, load and ready to shoot,,,, is a big benefit.
#3- I choose the 30-06 for its avalabilty and grain choices 150 -210. You can find it at al most any gas station and the prices are still reasonable.

Now,, I know that this rifle will not give me a good MOA passed 300 yards, at least not in my hands but is ideal for tight corners and is light enough for all day walk.

Good luck with your choice.

 

Got to ask. What ever happened to the time when a gun "off the shelf" couldnt do the job required? It's a money thing?? Hell my dad had a surplus Mauser in 8mm that he sporterised and it did him just fine. Bought scope mounts hunting ammo, and it has never let him down. Now this was in something like 1964 but ....it still shoots great, and I bought a surplus Mauser because i liked it. Mine shoots like none other. Just my 2 cents. BTW I love the Remington 700

 

What he said.^^^

 

Def Lepard SUCKS!!!!

 

Now, I like the Remington 700 series, but.....


My personal favorites are:

TC Encore/G2 Contender. Yes, they are single shot, but you know it is not only reliable, but the accuracy is unbelievable. Not to mention the vast amount of different calibers to choose from. Plus a lifetime warranty.

TC Icon is an absolutely awesome rifle. Only real downside for you is the shortage of available calibers. .308 is not a bad round, but not exactly what you want.

I have yet to hear anything bad about a Tika either.