Looking to buy my first bolt action rifle

[Jagger2307]

Does that budget include the scope? If so, what scope do you have in mind? And if not, what is the scope budget?

No scope not included looking at either the Burris veracity ph2 or a arken ep5 or maybe a zero tech trace hoping to be 2000kmax for scope so 5k usd total package I shoot gas gun targets at around 650 (for now have the space to shoot up to about 1400ish yards if I can even hit it) and hunt a lot of big game moose is open season for me in my zone and so is elk so they’re common and black bear is 2 tags a year open season

This is a lot like a first girlfriend - no matter what your first choice, tastes will change and you’ll see greener grass elsewhere, so there’s no need to over think it. In fact it might be better to buy a used rifle, shoot it for a summer until the newness wears off, sell it for the purchase price, then buy the gun you want. As long as you’re paying no more than market price for a used gun, it’s free to shoot as long as you want. Free. Literally free.

 

[JohnJohnson]

No scope not included looking at either the Burris veracity ph2 or a arken ep5 or maybe a zero tech trace hoping to be 2000kmax for scope so 5k usd total package

Honestly not sure any of those mentioned scopes are what you should be looking at. As a side thing I'd personally flip the budget and do $3,000 on optic and $2,000 on the rifle but that's just my opinion.

 

[eric1115]

Wouldn’t be shooting moose elk or bear with a 6cm

I used to feel the same way. Now I'm 6mm for everything.

Check out the .223 and 6mm threads, those photos are a real eye opener.

 

[Lando]

First rifle I'd get this in 6.5 CM or 6.5 PRC if you want a bit more speed:

Sako S20 Hunter 6.5 PRC 24" Bbl 1:8" Rifle JRS20H319 For Sale - EuroOptic

Sako S20 Hunter 6.5 PRC 24" Bbl 1:8" Rifle JRS20H319 For Sale

www.eurooptic.com

Think of it as an upgraded Tikka, better stock, better trigger.

 

[_S_R_]

If you’re only going to use a rifle a few times a year, pretty much any decent one around $1000 will do the trick and last forever. I’m really liking the new Tikka Drover.

But if you’re gonna use it all year for everything from mouse to moose, you might want to spend a little more. The Seekins PH2 is perfect for that. Just don’t go for a magnum like I did – not really needed.

If you want something flashy and top-notch, go for it!

Just get what you can afford now, make sure it’s good quality, and easy to feed for both practice and hunting.

Good luck!

 

[JohnJohnson]

Wouldn’t be shooting moose elk or bear with a 6cm

The first part of your research in this should be looking into how bullets kill things.

2:40 - 7:40 in the below video is an alright 5 minute summary of the basics of it. I promise you I don't like react content or clickbait titles either but his explanation is pretty succinct.

 

[LostWapiti]

First rifle I'd get this in 6.5 CM or 6.5 PRC if you want a bit more speed:

Sako S20 Hunter 6.5 PRC 24" Bbl 1:8" Rifle JRS20H319 For Sale - EuroOptic

Sako S20 Hunter 6.5 PRC 24" Bbl 1:8" Rifle JRS20H319 For Sale

www.eurooptic.com

Think of it as an upgraded Tikka, better stock, better trigger.

These are really nice but unfortunately really heavy for hunting and it’s all proprietary so no aftermarket support.

 

[Mojave]

Here is my $3000 out the door shopping list.
Savage Impulse Hog hunter $1000
Springfield Waypoint base model $1800

Plus Zeiss precision target rings $200
Nighforce SHV 5-20 $1200
Nightforce NX* $1800


Here is my $3000 rifle shopping list. Some really good options out there.
Savage Impulse KLYM 7mm PRC $2800
Springfield 2020 Waypoint Carbon Barrel and Adjustable Stock $2800

Here is my build it $3000 shopping list.
Proof pre-fit in steel $500
Bell and Carlson (long range stock) GreyBull Precision designed one. $500. (Fits the budget). My first choice would be a GRS stock like the Beserk.
Bighorn Origin Action $1000. Or AmericanRifle Company action $1000
Bottom metal $200
Trigger $200 I would do a 2 stage from BixNAndy, so $400.
Scope rings $200
$2800-3200.

I don't know what things cost in Canada (they cost more).

 

[Lando]

These are really nice but unfortunately really heavy for hunting and it’s all proprietary so no aftermarket support.

8.3 pounds is “really heavy for hunting”?

 

[LostWapiti]

8.3 pounds is “really heavy for hunting”?

Depends on your taste I suppose. I don’t like ultralight guns but I like to be able to run a little heavier scope and a suppressor and come out between 8 and 9 pounds. I am typing this from camp right now and I have a 12 pound rifle with me because I have an heavy recoiling rifle, expect long shots, and will be solo so want all the help I can get to spot my impacts so I am using a heavier stock and heavy bipod.

 

[LostWapiti]

I’d avoid the Seekins. Seems like there are so many failures popping up, including my own. I wish I’d never bought my havak element.

What issue have you had? I’m sad to hear as I’ve always heard seekins to be great.

 

[wind gypsy]

Just get a steel actioned havak if you go seekins.

 

[Drewdog10]

Seekins all day everyday


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[Drewdog10]

Seekins is the vortex of rifles. Great warranty….that you have a good shot at using. With all the stories here on RS of rifles having to go back to be fixed, cracked receivers, now my wrecked bolt, I’m going to put the new parts they send in mine and sell it or trade it here on the classifieds. This is the o my rifle that’s ever “broken” on me and I’ve had a dozen kimbers lol.

I personally don’t use my seekins very often only for shooting at the range. For hunting I use my sako a7 and that’s a gun I love


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[Mtank79]

I definetly have rifles that I like better for hunting. I wanted to use the Seekins for some longer range hunting stuff but I just can’t trust it now. Once it’s fixed, it’s gone.

That sucks,I have been eyeballing the ph2s for over a year. You’re the second person in less than 2 weeks say they had to send an element back. Guess I’ll stick with ridgelines

 

[Mtank79]

For your budget take a hard look at eurooptics. Lots of good options on sale. They have the Bergara premiere mountain rifle on sale. Price depends on caliber but a 6.5 prc is $1349. Comes with a AG carbon stock & weighs 6.4 ish. If want a CA Ridgeline or Ridgeline FFT eurooptic has some calibers on sale. CA has a bad rep on here but most of them it’s from a few years ago or there’s brothers cousins uncle’s girlfriends best friends boyfriend had one that they said was junk. I had a 6.5 prc ridgeline only sold it because they guy said yes to what I thought was a high price. It shot great , never had the first issue, currently have a 7 PRC ridgeline & again it shoots lights out & never the first hiccup. If you haven’t already check out the scope drop test evals on here.

 

[Mtank79]

I fixed my element today, I’ll give you a great deal on it if you’re interested.

After your glowing review of it I think I’ll stick with my CA ridgelines.

 

[JAC8504]

What’s the best bang for your buck for factory rifles under 3000usd (have not idea on the processs of a custom build so haven’t looked at that route) would be primarily for hunting open plains /rolling hills in Saskatchewan on anything from moose to pronghorn thinking of a 7mm prc ideally but open to options seems like every major hun from Begara to fierce has a thread about how bad they are so kinda getting lost

I’d get:
Zermatt ti action
Bartlein carbon fiber barrel (chambered for 7prc)
MDT HNT26

Add:
20 MOA rail
Seekins rings (30mm - medium)
Maven RS 1.2

 

[JAC8504]

At $3k you’re at semi-custom pricing and the world is your oyster.

GCP in Venice FL
Preece Precision in UT
Masterpiece Arms in GA

All of them will make you a 30+ round sub 1-moa gun.

No factory gun manufacturer will promise you that.

I dk, GAP Precision has some production guns that easily go 1/2 MOA

 

[pacoalcracker]

First, my 2 CA Ridgeline FFT TI rifles shoot absolutely great, weigh just 5 and 5.2 pounds and have no issues whatsoever with them. 308 and 7PRC. Second, to pay near a grand for a Tikka only to have to spend another grand to make it something decent. Nah, not worth it to me. A lot of money and you still have a Tikka. Seekins...way over-rated and also pretty expensive and heavier than I like. I'm looking at the Savage Ultra-Lightweight Elite chassis folder for my next rifle...around 2800-2900 bucks and has a lot to offer. Well under 6 pounds. Either 6.5PRC or 300WSM, however they do have it chambered in 7PRC as well but have not seen one yet, amongst 6.5CM, 308, 300WM and a few others. Might also want to scour the gun classifieds here too as there are always real nice semi and full customs listed. As for a nice LR scope, I have a NF NXS 5.5x22x50 on my CA 7PRC with a NF NXS 2.5x10x42 for a back-up in the same scope ring set-up. Yeah, Form got to me. As another stated, look at the drop tests Form has done. It changed my mind for a LR scope. I still like and won't trash my Leupold scopes though as they have served me well for decades and have one on the CA 308 for Pa wooded mountains deer hunting. No need to rush, think things thru and buy once, cry once.