Spend my $3000 please!!!!

[twintips16]

Ok here it is..... I have been out of the gun world for a min. As in last time I bought one the 700 was still in production.... And no IM not that old, well yet! My hunting style is mainly inside 300 yards and I have lived there for a long time. 10 years ago I tried to build a long range rig to play with and take on open country mule deer hunts and It was an epic fail. It turned into a custom money pit to say the least. It sits in the back of my safe and has to many issues to deal with. Hence why I dont want to have another one built. Later on that.

On with the story I am looking to try again. I missed an opportunity at a nice muley this last year because I wasn't confident at 585 yards and watched him slink into the bottom of draw never to be found again. I tried for hours behind glass that day to find him again with no end. I know this isn't long range to most but it was out of my league that day with the rifle I had.

So on to the new rifle. Must be a 7prc.... IM a 7 fan and have, well, all of them, 7mm RM, 7-08, 280 and AI, 7wsm, and 7BR, and I want a PRC! And dont try and convince me to retool one of them. We all know how this works. Its a sickness! Looking to play out to 1k but hunt to 700.

So here is the criteria. I have $3000 to $3500 to spend on rifle. Must be all Stainless or Aluminum/stainless combo preferably. Carbon Fiber barrel is a plus. I dont want to build anything. I want it off the shelf and obtainable with good support if there is issues. I have been looking strongly at Seekins Havok M3 and the Horizons Vandel Carbon. I have never owned anything from Browning but have looked at some of their stuff like the PRO 2 Mcmilllian but its a little on the high side and has a cromoly action. The mountain PRO also looks nice and checks some boxes. I plan on going suppressed now that that's easy. Smoth lines and actions are a plus. I like to cuddle with my actions!

I really like odd ball stuff that no one else has, so semi customs stuff like Seekins and Horizon really sounds nice. What else should I look at?

Thanks for helping me along the path of my Divorce. One of my Daughters husbands is going to end up with some nice rifles when I die in a long time.... lets add another one.

 

[PredatorX]

Your wife’s new husband might as well!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[spearfish3]

I have an MPA ultralight. Not really the lightest, but it impresses me with accuracy and is fun to shoot. It doesn’t come with a carbon barrel but you could buy one and still make budget. If you sign up for a PRS membership, you can save around 15%. I think it is a great value.

You could also piece together exactly what you want with a good action (Big Horn, ARC CDG, Defiance, Impact) and build a custom rifle. I want to do this for a rifle for my wife, which is really an excuse for me to do it.

 

[Marbles]

A touch higher than your stated range, but

https://www.eurooptic.com/sako-90-peak-7mm-prc-22bbl-1-9-5-8in-x-24tpi-carbon-fiber-stainless-jrs90pea37122mt

Though, if you really want to shoot to 700 on game, get a Tikka 223 and burn the barrel out. Then use the guns you already have.

 

[freezerfull]

I wouldn’t count out the Proof research elevation line. The ones I’ve shot have all been pretty impressive shooters for their “budget” line. Only real difference between them and their more expensive options is action make and full bedding.

 

[twintips16]

I wouldn’t count out the Proof research elevation line. The ones I’ve shot have all been pretty impressive shooters for their “budget” line. Only real difference between them and their more expensive options is action make and full bedding.

I have looked at the proof. In fact they are built about 6 miles from my house. I just cant get over the stock feel. I love the action and fit and function. But the stock just feels spray painted.

 

[twintips16]

I have several Sako's and I really like them. The Sako Quest 90 caught my eye as well. It just lacks in some of the stock features with no Flush QD's or rails. At that pricepoint I was hoping for more.

 

[Big Sky Guy]

I second the Sako 90 variants.

I do not think you will find a better factory rifle. I had similar experience building a custom rifle (7prc ironically) on a Sako 85 action. I’d pry sell it to you for a fraction of what I have in it if you are interested PM me. The 90’s are sort of like unobtanium and have only seen 2 90’s in stores, neither was a Peak though.

Agree about the flush cups. I anticipate they will slowly transition over to those as the new Finnlight has them. If you’re not super concerned on weight the Sako Finnlight is well under $2k and is the same barreled action as the Peak. FYI, Bob Wards in BZN has the 90 Finnlight with flush cups as of last Tuesday, I think it’s $16hundred something iirc.

 

[freezerfull]

I have looked at the proof. In fact they are built about 6 miles from my house. I just cant get over the stock feel. I love the action and fit and function. But the stock just feels spray painted.

Fair enough. I haven’t noticed too much of a difference in feel between proof sporter stocks and older B&C and HSP stocks except they are way lighter and have a thinner grip neck with a more vertical lower section. My only gripe on their sporter stock is I wouldn’t mind a little more meat at the grip. I like these proof stocks substantially more than the stockys next gen carbon sporters, much better trigger finger position and better grip.

I don’t have any experience with the MTR VG proof stocks. Just the elevation and tundra sporters, I prefer the stock used on the elevation.