A Blaser R8 with a carbon stock in .30-06 and a Z8i scope......no money for a second rifle
I will throw in my 2 cents. I would go 6.5 Creedmoor/PRC or .270 win then round it out with a .300 Win Mag. You can be under $3000 with two Tikkas and decent glass.
That’s what I ended up doing. Went with a $1500 Tikka Burris setup. It’ll do for now.I would skip the 2nd rifle and run a 30-06 full time. It will do everything.
I wish I was able to take the second option but I’m in Canada. I can’t even build a nice .308 off a non restricted AR platform now that our prime minister banned everything. A lot of frustrated Canadians right now.I love these threads because I love taling about my guns!
1st choice, a good 30-06. For me, I'm running a pre-64 Winchester 70 with a Vortex PST scope. Can easily find good user grade rifles for under $800, stick a nice stock on there and a good optic, and your probably right at the $2K mark for a world class rifle. Just make sure you don't drop $800 for one that is going to require a rebarrel. The 30-06 isn't a fancy new cartridge, but it still works phenomenally well on anything that North America has to offer. You will find specialty rounds that are better for almost any specific animal, but almost nothing can provide the versatility for everything. If you never plan to go for Moose or Grizzly, drop down to the 270 or 308 and you can kill anything in the lower 48 with ease (although you will probably find plenty of people who even used 270 for those 2 animals as well). That said, it pains me to write this... the new Win 70 actions are also pretty nice and you can get a similar quality rifle with a much more user friendly stock if you just buy a new one.
2nd choice, a good AR. $1k is going to get you a very nice gun with optic. I have a PSA upper on a self-built lower, maybe $950 in it, including my PST 1-4x scope. My logic for the AR is that it's a good rifle, and the 223 is a great round for anything that you think the 30-06 is too big for. Plus, everyone needs at least one AR in their safe...
I have a lot of other guns in various catridges and actions, but those 2 are my default go to for any hunting trip.
I wish I was able to take the second option but I’m in Canada. I can’t even build a nice .308 off a non restricted AR platform now that our prime minister banned everything. A lot of frustrated Canadians right now.
After all the advice, you had it right in your head to start with. Good luck, fill up a truck or two.Hey new to the forum here and relatively new to hunting. I currently just hunt deer with my Marlin 30-30 but I’m looking to broaden my big game options with a couple new lighter rifles. Something for bear and Moose, and then something for everything smaller than that. What I was thinking about was the Tikka T3x in 30-06 and 6.5 creed, each with a vortex diamondback or viper mounted on top. Either that or the Hells Canyon series.
I have a $3000 budget for all this. Any thoughts, advice or alternate suggestions from the all wise ones would be much appreciated. Thanks.
P.s I’m in Close to the Rockies in Canada