Budget rifle suggestions.

[CascadeHunter180]

I’m looking to buy a new semi budget rifle for all around western hunting. I currently have a Rem Model 7 in 7mm 08, but it just has not shot to the standards I want. It just has a super super thin barrel that provides inconsistent accuracy.

My budget is sub $1600, but I’m open to suggestions over it.

One rifle I’ve been looking at a lot is the Bergara Ridge Carbon Wilderness. It seems to get positive review and groupings, and is just about the cheapest OTC carbon barreled rifle.

Another rifle I’ve looked at is the Christensen Mesa. I’ve heard very mixed things about Christensen rifles, and am not totally sold on other steel barreled rifle.

Does anyone have any experience or insight on the Ridge Carbon Wilderness or Mesa? I would also like to hear other suggestions for budget rifles. I’m not looking for anything to crazy for range, just solid out to 500-600 yards.


EDIT:
Alright I’ve been narrowing it down and I’m down to a Tikka t3x and a CVA Cascade.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

Everybody is going to tell you to get a tikka.

 

[CascadeHunter180]

Everybody is going to tell you to get a tikka.

You got any experience with them?

 

[thinhorn_AK]

You got any experience with them?

Yeah I have a few. They are solid guns, Reliable and accurate with some god aftermarket support. Sort of the go-to on this forum.

 

[CascadeHunter180]

Yeah I have a few. They are solid guns, Reliable and accurate with some god aftermarket support. Sort of the go-to on this forum.

Nice, I’ve kinda noticed they’re a fan favorite on here. Is there a particular model you’ve liked the most or has shot the best?

 

[thinhorn_AK]

Nice, I’ve kinda noticed they’re a fan favorite on here.

You could get 2 of them with your 1600 dollar budget, or have enough leftover to pay most of the cost of a silencer or a bunch of upgrades if that’s what you’re after.

Christensen and Bergara don’t have a great track record.

 

[CascadeHunter180]

You could get 2 of them with your 1600 dollar budget, or have enough leftover to pay most of the cost of a silencer or a bunch of upgrades if that’s what you’re after.

Christensen and Bergara don’t have a great track record.

I’ve only ever heard great things about Bergara, not the case for Christensen though. My father has a Ridgeline and it shoots OK. Sub MOA 90% of the time. The tikkas seems sweet but I kinda want a carbon barrel.

 

[Idaho Mtns]

You will get lots of great info from this forum for sure. I’ve used a lot of resources over the years and backfiretv is one of them. Looks like the rifles you are looking at. Keep us posted on what you end up with and how it performs. Data is good.

9 Best Hunting Rifles in 2025: I tested 50 rifles to find the best – Backfire

backfire.tv

 

[plebe]

Everybody is going to tell you to get a tikka.

Yep. And Possibly a few votes for a Seekins PH.

 

[keystone112]

Take a look at the T3x Stainless with the threaded muzzle.

You still have some budget left for a stock upgrade if you want. The basic stock doesn’t bother me but others replace it quickly.

 

[UnckleBob]

I’m looking to buy a new semi budget rifle for all around western hunting. I currently have a Rem Model 7 in 7mm 08, but it just has not shot to the standards I want. It just has a super super thin barrel that provides inconsistent accuracy.

My budget is sub $1600, but I’m open to suggestions over it.

One rifle I’ve been looking at a lot is the Bergara Ridge Carbon Wilderness. It seems to get positive review and groupings, and is just about the cheapest OTC carbon barreled rifle.

Another rifle I’ve looked at is the Christensen Mesa. I’ve heard very mixed things about Christensen rifles, and am not totally sold on other steel barreled rifle.

Does anyone have any experience or insight on the Ridge Carbon Wilderness or Mesa? I would also like to hear other suggestions for budget rifles. I’m not looking for anything to crazy for range, just solid out to 500-600 yards.

They aren't the prettiest and the action is not the smoothest, but both Savage rifles I have had - Tackdrivers. The Savage 110 Ultralight fits your budget and has a Proof Research CF barrel.

Personally, with your budget, I would worry more about getting a good shooter than a CF barrel.

Option 1: 2025 Tikka T3x Lite (threaded barrel) + aftermarket stock.
Option 2: Browning X Bolt Speed

My X-Bolt action will give my Tikka a run for its money in terms of action slickness.

 

[rookie7]

My .02 - tikka makes a great rifle I had a stainless CTR and a TAC A1. I still have a t1x in .17 hmr. Do your research - if anything ever goes wrong with a Tikka Beretta's CS is a nightmare more commonly than not.

I would definitely check the Seekins out - I love the ph2 I handled in a store and their reputation for support is stellar.

Another factory rifle worth exploring is the new Browning Xbolt 2. The all purpose model looks really good. I handled an xbolt 2 at a local Academy and it feels fantastic. Everything about it is head and shoulders above anything else on the rack.

There is also the Springfield Waypoint 2020 and Weatherby 307 to add in the mix. I have fondled both of those and like them both.

On another website Tikka used to get recommend 99% of the time b/c you get a great action and trigger, predictable accuracy, and good quality. The barrels have a reputation for being slow but accurate.

However, that just isn't the case anymore where they are the "no-brainer". If a person's safe has multiple rifles with a 700 footprint it just makes sense to stick to that. There are so many good actions out now it really is the better route to go with a custom. You have the 307 on the lower end at little over $600, Mackbros at $775, Aero Solus, Origin, Mackbros element, Kauger Arms, etc.

Add in a triggertech or timney and it's money. In the end, get what you like b/c we are all different.

 

[RWT]

I’ve only ever heard great things about Bergara, not the case for Christensen though. My father has a Ridgeline and it shoots OK. Sub MOA 90% of the time. The tikkas seems sweet but I kinda want a carbon barrel.

Don’t go carbon. I did and regret it. Med steel contour is the best all around. Carbon barrels have more variance when a suppressor is attached. There is a video detailing the differences. There is no advantage gained from a carbon barrel.

 

[yycyak]

Tikka lite stainless, 6.5 creedmoor, some sort of decent scope.

 

[Turkeytider]

Everybody is going to tell you to get a tikka.

And….IMHO…for good reason. A while back when I was looking for a new range rifle, admittedly one of the reasons I bought my Tikka Super Varmint in 6.5 CM was to see if all the hype was warranted. Just from my experience, I think it is. Well made, and VERY accurate when I do what I’m supposed to do and don’t get in its way .

 

[Turkeytider]

They aren't the prettiest and the action is not the smoothest, but both Savage rifles I have had - Tackdrivers. The Savage 110 Ultralight fits your budget and has a Proof Research CF barrel.

Personally, with your budget, I would worry more about getting a good shooter than a CF barrel.

Option 1: 2025 Tikka T3x Lite (threaded barrel) + aftermarket stock.
Option 2: Browning X Bolt Speed

My X-Bolt action will give my Tikka a run for its money in terms of action slickness.

First statement is correct, at least in my experience. I’m a dyed in the wool Tikka fan but also have three Savage rifles that have been more than just satisfactory. One is a 110 which shoots superbly. Another is a Model 12 LRPV that has been flawless ( and dead nuts accurate ) through 2K .223 rounds.

 

[AntelopeEater]

Dude, you have "Cascade" in user name.

Therefore, I recommend you get a CVA Cascade rifle.

You could buy two of them with your budget.

They come in all sorts of stock options and caliber/cartridges, everything from .204 Ruger to .300 PRC.

https://www.budsgunshop.com/search.php/q/cva+cascade

 

[bnsafe]

ive had a bergara and have a tikka, my daughter had a ca mesa. hands down the tikka is by far the best of the ones ive had or been around in every way. im not saying there arnt other great answers out there. the seekins ph3 and element call my name for example. I just cant get myself to drop the coin for one when I can get a tikka for half the cost.

 

[rabbithuntr]

If your budget is $1600 you’ll enjoy having/shooting a t3x lite with a suppressor vs a fancier and even a little more accurate rifle that is at the upper end of your budget.

 

[kkp005]

Easy.
Buy a stainless tikka and put the left over money towards a suppressor