$2500 Western rifle, what?

[PNWGATOR]

SMH…the Havak isn’t ‘it’ unless you insist on a 700 platform.

FWIW I’d recommend spending a few extra bucks and getting a Blaser.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

Such a good platform IF you can suffer the Achilles trigger!

I like the trigger.

 

[sndmn11]

An $850 Tikka in a short action cartridge

Oh wait, I hunt with a vanguard.

 

[Macintosh]

2500 gets you your choice of several actions, a barrel, trigger and stock. Bam, a more or less custom gun. And, if youre lucky it’ll shoot a tiny increment better than any of several factory guns that cost less than half that much. At some point the guns are all very good and its just a placebo. Id pick a factory rifle you like in a common cartridge that doesnt have excessive recoil, spend more time, effort and maybe even $ on the glass than the gun, and agonize over your tags.

 

[MallardSX2]

Used Browning X-Bolt and a decent scope. Under $1500 and take your wife on a short weekend $1000 trip for brownie points.

OR

For $1250 you can have something like this complete setup in 7mm-08. Should last a lifetime and has next to 0 recoil surprisingly with 139 grain bullets.....

 

[Doc Holliday]

Christensen Ridgeline FFT in 280 AI 22" barrel threaded 5/8x24 for easy suppressor connect

Ridgeline FFT | Christensen Arms

When you hold the Ridgeline FFT in your hands, it's the weight—or lack thereof—that speaks for itself. You have to feel it to believe it.

christensenarms.com

 

[sodaksooner]

I'll parrot the PH2(Seekins Havak) For $1900 it's a pretty decent gun. I have one that is a few years older with a Timney and I've never once had an issue with the trigger or felt the need to adjust. It's been a dang good rifle and by far the most accurate I have had at this point, although my sample size isn't that large. You should at least try and handle one before you make the call.

 

[TN2shot07]

Not voting with the RS contingent.

Depending on the cartridge, if I was dropping $2,500 right now I’d consider the new 700 alpha, Mark V backcountry, or fall back on a model 70 all weather.

 

[hunting1]

I love my Springfield Waypoint so that is my vote.

 

[OneShot]

If you live close to a Scheels, might try to get one of these delivered from another store. Pretty good deal on a havak

 

[Wapiti1]

The Sako S20 6.5 PRC that Eurooptic has on sale for $999.

Jeremy

 

[KHNC]

That Seekins Havak is a shooter!!

 

[mainbeam pursuit2]

A lot of good choices mentioned, I have had great luck with the Christensen's.

 

[rsipes3]

i was looking at the browning x bolt mountain pros before i decided to build my own custom rifle, i still might buy one later i think the weight and performance is pretty good for the money.

 

[ljalberta]

Tikka, Rokstok, cut and thread the barrel for a suppressor, get the action milling to shave some weight, and you’re sitting pretty darn good for sub $2,500.

 

[Weldor]

OK, I'll bite. My Fierce Carbon CT 6.5 prc 5.8 lbs, great for the money. Does everything as advertised. Ok, let the bashing begin. By the way the Canadian Fierce is a Sako copy and smooth as glass with the long action PRC . Fits those 156 's just fine.

 

[JakeSCH]

I would save a bit more and get an unknown tikka build.

Ready to Ship Tikka Custom Rifles - Unknown Munitions

Click this LINK for all the UM Custom Tikka build specs these rifles come with. 6.5 Creedmoor, McMillan GW 2.0, no upgrades, it is in the product pictures, ready for immediate shipment 7 PRC #2, Rokstok with arca/pic rail, Ace steel barrel 8TW Tikka contour 22″ spiral fluted, Cerakote...

www.unknownmunitions.com

 

[roosiebull]

$2500 budget for a western rifle. What is it and what caliber. $2500 for just the gun.

For a turn key no aftermarket changes I would get a seekins, if you may want to change something, a tikka.

If you don’t want to add any muzzle device, 6creed, if you want to add suppressor, 6.5prc

The prc isn’t bad without a muzzle device, but tough to spot your own shots

 

[Northshorelumber]

I recently answered this very question for myself. Ended up with a Seekins PH2 in 7PRC. The element is similar but lighter, shorter barrel, and more expensive. Either Seekin’s rifle would serve you well and are in your price range. I chose the PH2 because I actually wanted the extra weigh for recoil reduction, longer barrel for speed, and lower cost to afford a Swarovski scope.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

I recently answered this very question for myself. Ended up with a Seekins PH2 in 7PRC. The element is similar but lighter, shorter barrel, and more expensive. Either Seekin’s rifle would serve you well and are in your price range. I chose the PH2 because I actually wanted the extra weigh for recoil reduction, longer barrel for speed, and lower cost to afford a Swarovski scope.

My plan was to get an element in 6.5 creedmoor and a ph2 in 300 win mag for the reasons you listed (other than barrel length on the ph2). I got the 6.5 creed but I decided to get completely out of the 300 win mag game. Sold my last 300 and most of my reloading supplies for it. If I add another cartridge it would probably be that 7prc.

I took the 6.5 out to sight it in and the first group I shot with my hand loads (140g eldm/h4350) made a 5 shot group I could cover with a quarter (off the bench of course).

I’m honestly not worried about the trigger, I’ve used timney and trigger techs and everything else out there for years with no issues, I’m not saying they are perfect and can’t fail but I just havnt seen it happen.