Help deciding on $2K and under whitetail hunting rifle

[spc7669]

I have the Tikka T3x ultralight in 6.5. The stock isn’t a Manners but it works fine. I’ve had zero problems with flyers during range sessions but I understand a light, thin barrel heats up faster so I periodically take a brake to let it cool. It’s accurate to the point of being boring. In a hunting scenario I don’t plan on needing more than one or two shots so that is a non-issue.
In your shoes, if you are set on 6.5, pick up most any quality gun, throw an SWFA 6x on it and call it a day.

 

[EmperorMA]

Winchester Model 70 Featherweight Stainless in 6.5 Creedmoor. Fantastic, beautiful rifle! Run whatever it likes from 120-147gr.

With the money saved, get great hunting glass like a Zeiss V4 or V6 or Swarovski Z3 or Z5.

 

[ramsdude47]

If you want something unique where the value is much higher than the price point look at CZ 557’s.I’m contemplating picking one up in a Manners stock for $750.

Another option I would look at for a bit more is a Nosler m48.

I can’t believe no one has mentioned Sako yet either.

I do tend to agree with other posters that for your purposes there is no need to spend more than a Tikka, Bergara B14, or Weatherby Vanguard. Those 3 tend to jump to the top of most sub 1K rifle reviews.

 

[kct802]

I'll parrot what everyone else said, If you want to spend ~2K on a rifle to shoot 300 yards that is your own prerogative but there as many have mentioned, you can find a lot of great guns for a lot less money. Ill toss Daniel Defense in the mix, they make some really awesome guns for that price point. For that application you could spend a lot less money and put the extra money toward some other gear none of us really need hahahaha

 

[Brendan]

I'm with everyone else. Don't spend $2K on your FIRST bolt action looking to hunt whitetails at 300 yards and in.

I'd be buying a Tikka T3X, and spending the rest of my budget on a good scope (Swaro Z5 BRH) with excellent low light performance. A good scope has been a game changer for me making shots right at legal shooting light in the timber.

Then, if you want to upgrade or trick it out, lots of options from stocks, chassis, pre-fit barrels, etc.

 

[sdupontjr]

I have the Tikka T3x ultralight in 6.5. The stock isn’t a Manners but it works fine. I’ve had zero problems with flyers during range sessions but I understand a light, thin barrel heats up faster so I periodically take a brake to let it cool. It’s accurate to the point of being boring. In a hunting scenario I don’t plan on needing more than one or two shots so that is a non-issue.
In your shoes, if you are set on 6.5, pick up most any quality gun, throw an SWFA 6x on it and call it a day.

I second that on the flyers. Mine is an older Tikka T3 in 308 and flat shoots better than the custom 308 I had build and spent 3 times the money on. Mine shoots basic Fed Blue Box and Rem core loks 150's damn near in the same hole. So for shots 300 and under, its a no brainer, at least IMO. Spend the remaining money on a good optic.

 

[Trogon]

For that budget I’d take a sako 85 over a tikka

 

[Highvoltage1]

I hunt very similar to you, most of my shots are less than 100 yds and my tikka 308 is perfect. It’s light and there are tons of ammo options. I’ve never had an issue with fliers and if you handload it’s a 1/2 moa Capable rifle. A good leupold and your in the game for half of your budget. If you ever think you want to hunt out west maybe step up to a 3006 or 300 wsm.

 

[Buzby]

If you really want to spend $2k just walk into your nearest cables etc and buy the most expensive bolt gun they have. For shooting deer out to 300yds, the cheapest bolt guns on the market will be more than adequate. You really don’t need a 1000yd gun like that Springfield. Now, I’m never one to tell people to not buy the guns they want! So buy what gives you a warm and fuzzy!

 

[WCB]

Guess I won't recommend the Savage High Country even though mine shoots dimes at 100 yards and 2" groups out to 500.

Literally any rifle from $200- $2000 will work. Buy the Springfield if you want it.

 

[Trapperkid]

I’d go with a tikka or a ruger 77 in whatever caliber you like both those guns are just magnificent. Plus if you are just hunting from a stand and you are like me and like wood you can do that too. But I wouldn’t spend over a grand or so on a rifle like that I’d spend the rest of your budget on a good scope and other gear.

 

[BCD]

I'd be looking at the Bergara Wilderness series or Weatherby Vanguard in Multi-Cam or First Lite camo.

 

[kevin11mee]

I'd say the Bergara, Weatherby, or a Browning. Not a fan of the Tikka's: even the 6.5 CM kicks pretty good because of the cheap stock. Although, you could restock and bed the Tikka and still be under 2k. Their action's are great and they are accurate.

 

[Aaronpaul14]

My brother in law just picked a bergara b14 HMR. Can’t wait to send a few down range with it.

 

[Motown]

I'd say the Bergara, Weatherby, or a Browning. Not a fan of the Tikka's: even the 6.5 CM kicks pretty good because of the cheap stock. Although, you could restock and bed the Tikka and still be under 2k. Their action's are great and they are accurate.

Tikka stocks are actually one of the best factory synthetic stocks on the market. A lot of people call them cheap but they are truly far from it.

If you think a Tikka 6.5 kicks a lot then you should maybe stick to rimfires. My 11 year old son who is only 90 pounds shoots a 7/08 Tikka with 140’s which has more recoil than a 6.5 and has zero complaints about recoil and can keep his groups sub moa out to 300 yards.

 

[kevin11mee]

Tikka stocks are actually one of the best factory synthetic stocks on the market. A lot of people call them cheap but they are truly far from it.

If you think a Tikka 6.5 kicks a lot then you should maybe stick to rimfires. My 11 year old son who is only 90 pounds shoots a 7/08 Tikka with 140’s which has more recoil than a 6.5 and has zero complaints about recoil and can keep his groups sub moa out to 300 yards.

Well, this was a response to a question being asked, so I'm just sharing my opinion on the Tikka. I think you should keep things polite without telling me to shoot a rimfire because you disagree with my assessment of the Tikka. It has a fantastic action, trigger, and they shoot well, but I don't care for the stock personally. We are all here to help each other become better hunters and shooters, so I'd appreciate if you respected my opinion and I'll be glad to reciprocate.

 

[Motown]

Well, this was a response to a question being asked, so I'm just sharing my opinion on the Tikka. I think you should keep things polite without telling me to shoot a rimfire because you disagree with my assessment of the Tikka. It has a fantastic action, trigger, and they shoot well, but I don't care for the stock personally. We are all here to help each other become better hunters and shooters, so I'd appreciate if you respected my opinion and I'll be glad to reciprocate.

Sorry if I came across the wrong way, but when you say the Tikka stock is “cheap” I am just trying to clarify that it is far from what you claim. Everyone is obviously entitled to their own opinion, but if you compare a Tikka factory stock to all of the other manufacturers you mentioned it is truly just as equal or maybe even superior to most. I have owned all of the rifles you mentioned and unless you step up to the premier series of Bergara rifles the Tikka stocks are by far stiffer especially in the fore end.

The Weatherby Vanguard S2 is an nice rifle along with the Bergara, but if the OP is looking to try to keep the rifle at a reasonable weight scoped then the Tikka is the way to go. The Browning X-bolt is also a nice rifle but their triggers leave something to be desired.

 

[kevin11mee]

True, all those rifles have certain shortcomings until you get to the more premier models. So, just buy a Fierce for $1999 and there won’t be any shortcomings lol.

 

[manitou1]

Sorry if I came across the wrong way, but when you say the Tikka stock is “cheap” I am just trying to clarify that it is far from what you claim. Everyone is obviously entitled to their own opinion, but if you compare a Tikka factory stock to all of the other manufacturers you mentioned it is truly just as equal or maybe even superior to most. I have owned all of the rifles you mentioned and unless you step up to the premier series of Bergara rifles the Tikka stocks are by far stiffer especially in the fore end.

The Weatherby Vanguard S2 is an nice rifle along with the Bergara, but if the OP is looking to try to keep the rifle at a reasonable weight scoped then the Tikka is the way to go. The Browning X-bolt is also a nice rifle but their triggers leave something to be desired.

I have had a LOT of bolt guns in my 50 years of hunting this big spinning ball. I think the "X-bolt triggers leave something to be desired" came from a couple of target shooters who like 12 oz triggers... honestly. Have you ever shot an X-Bolt?
All four I have had shot exceptional and had very good triggers. With a $13.00 trigger spring and ten minutes, you can get them down to 2- 2.5 lbs. None of mine were bad from the factory, but would not go down below 3.2-3.5 lbs... which is plenty light for 80% of hunters out there.
My X-bolts have some of the nicest factory triggers I have felt. I have a couple rifles with Timney triggers and actually think the X-bolt triggers feel better, at least in my guns.

 

[Motown]

I have had a LOT of bolt guns in my 50 years of hunting this big spinning ball. I think the "X-bolt triggers leave something to be desired" came from a couple of target shooters who like 12 oz triggers... honestly. Have you ever shot an X-Bolt?
All four I have had shot exceptional and had very good triggers. With a $13.00 trigger spring and ten minutes, you can get them down to 2- 2.5 lbs. None of mine were bad from the factory, but would not go down below 3.2-3.5 lbs... which is plenty light for 80% of hunters out there.
My X-bolts have some of the nicest factory triggers I have felt. I have a couple rifles with Timney triggers and actually think the X-bolt triggers feel better, at least in my guns.

I had one of the first year production xbolts and the trigger was pretty bad. They most likely improved them since and back then the updated trigger springs were not available yet.

I have nothing against browning at all and would like to eventually try out one of their hells canyon rifles. I have thinking I might pickup a 30-06 soon and that might possibly be the rifle I get next.