Budget Rifle for Western Rookie

[probablymissed]

Don't forget the rokstock

 

[sndmn11]

Keep your .243 and buy a reliable scope. Spend your money on shooting.

 

[Dust Rider]

Agree to keep the .243. Buy a good scope and rangefinder. Practice shooting out to 600 yards.

 

[wakechase]

I have a safe full of rifles and it’s hard for me not to grab my old ‘06 or .270

They’ve killed a lot of western game.

Same here. The savage .270 has yet to let me down.

 

[Leaf Litter]

Don't forget the rokstock

You're suggesting that he buys a stock that's $500 more than his total budget? Where's the logic?

 

[probablymissed]

You're suggesting that he buys a stock that's $500 more than his total budget? Where's the logic?

Was a joke that didn't translate well through text. It doesn't take much looking through here to see 243 and rokstok to come up a bunch.

 

[Leaf Litter]

Was a joke that didn't translate well through text. It doesn't take much looking through here to see 243 and rokstok to come up a bunch.

That's my bad, I just missed it altogether.

 

[Pilsner]

7mm Magnum of some sort is the best answer. Weatherby Vanguard, Howa 1500, Tikka T3. Get one threaded for a muzzle brake so you can see your shots. If it doesn't have one, but comes threaded that is fine. There are tons f muzzle brakes for under $150 on the internet and eBay.

Tikka has a more uncomfortable but more stiff stock than the Howa 1500. Vanguard has a better made stock that either one in their cheapest rifles.

Vanguard and Howa 1500 are the same rifle, both made by Howa. The vanguard generally has more features for the same money. But not always.

7mm PRC is the current "it" cartridge. But it doesn't matter if you shoot a 7mm PRC or a 7mm Remington Magnum or if you can find a deal on one a 280 Ackley, 7mm Weatherby, 28 Nosler, 7mm RUM, or another magnum. 7mm.

The key on the 7mm PRC and 7mm Rem Mag is that you can get the ammo and it is cheaper.

You want a 160 grain VLD bullet at 2900-3200 FPS.

Then that 400-500 yards is less of theory than execution. Your 243 would be fine, and there is a trend to shoot elk with a 243, but I am not a fan of that. Some will argue that is the new normal with our current crop of VLD bullets.

If you really are topped out at $650 here are the options I would choose.

1. CVA Cascade. CVA's are made by Bergara in the same factory, this is their cheaper rifle.

https://www.budsgunshop.com/product_info.php/products_id/128606/cva+cascade+7mm+remington+magnum+bolt+action+rifle

2. Howa 1500

https://www.budsgunshop.com/product_info.php/products_id/712025455/lsi+howa-legacy+m1500+hogue+mo+oc+7mmrem+24+stainless+steel

3. Weatherby 1500 Vanguard (this one is not threaded but it is cheaper, by $200)

https://www.budsgunshop.com/product_info.php/products_id/159852/weatherby+vanguard+obsidian+full+size+.7mm+remington+bolt+action+rifle+24

Id add the Ruger American Gen 2 to that list.
Otherwise I agree

 

[S-3 ranch]

Savage 110 , tikka , CVA , Burris glass
In .270win not much difference between a 270 & a 6.5 prc except price of ammo
I just bought a case of fast & high B.C ammo for $150 , can’t do that with a PRC ,

 

[SwiftShot]

Tikka are good shooters and budget friendly. The animals never ask what they are shot with. The Tikka problem is not a threaded barrel. A few years from now you want a can. Well no joy on the Tikka. Ruger American Gen 2 Not Gen 1 but Gen 2. Cheaper than a Tikka by a few bucks. Shoots just as good or better and threaded for a can. Caliber 6.5 Creed up to 300 win mag. All will work. Me I would suggest 6.5 PRC just a light mag Creedmoor.

 

[Spoonbill]

Tikka are good shooters and budget friendly. The animals never ask what they are shot with. The Tikka problem is not a threaded barrel. A few years from now you want a can. Well no joy on the Tikka. Ruger American Gen 2 Not Gen 1 but Gen 2. Cheaper than a Tikka by a few bucks. Shoots just as good or better and threaded for a can. Caliber 6.5 Creed up to 300 win mag. All will work. Me I would suggest 6.5 PRC just a light mag Creedmoor.

I don’t understand the non threaded barrel argument. Getting a barrel threaded is easy. There are plenty of Tikka models that come threaded as well.

 

[Cannonball]

I don’t understand the non threaded barrel argument. Getting a barrel threaded is easy. There are plenty of Tikka models that come threaded as well.

because we are talking about a sub $650 rifle for the OP

 

[Leaf Litter]

I don’t understand the non threaded barrel argument. Getting a barrel threaded is easy. There are plenty of Tikka models that come threaded as well.

I think the point is that it's not that easy to get a barrel threaded unless you know a gunsmith and it adds a significant cost to the gun for a service that should have been performed at the factory.

Tikkas already costing well north of $650 will then have the $100-200 for barrel threading added to that cost. Not to mention replacing the useless Tikka recoil pad and making their Tupperware stock serviceable.

I love Tikka, they're just more expensive than OP wants to pay.

 

[Spoonbill]

I think the point is that it's not that easy to get a barrel threaded unless you know a gunsmith and it adds a significant cost to the gun for a service that should have been performed at the factory.

Tikkas already costing well north of $650 will then have the $100-200 for barrel threading added to that cost. Not to mention replacing the useless Tikka recoil pad and making their Tupperware stock serviceable.

I love Tikka, they're just more expensive than OP wants to pay.

That’s true and I forget not everyone shops for deals as much as some on here and not everyone has easy access to gunsmiths who can thread a barrel. Used Tikkas do pop up for under 600 often enough that they are still an option.

 

[SwiftShot]

I don’t understand the non threaded barrel argument. Getting a barrel threaded is easy. There are plenty of Tikka models that come threaded as well.

Not the lower budget ones. Which is in the price range he is talking, ie budget. 700 and down is the Ruger American Gen 2 and that price range is velow the threaded barrels I have seen on Tikkas.

 

[Mojave]

Not the lower budget ones. Which is in the price range he is talking, ie budget. 700 and down is the Ruger American Gen 2 and that price range is velow the threaded barrels I have seen on Tikkas.

YEAH! Threaded Tikkas are $1000-1400ish depending on the day you buy one.

 

[Leaf Litter]

YEAH! Threaded Tikkas are $1000-1400ish depending on the day you buy one.

This has been my only complaint about Tikka to date. They make excellent base rifles at great prices, but once they start adding cerakote, paint, threaded barrels, and fluting, the price skyrockets. This increase is compared directly to the same modifications/features from other manufacturers.