Wanting a new "Everything cartridge/Rifle under $1500"...Thoughts?

[DangerRanger]

6.5 creed Tikka rokstok
Snag a 7-08 barrel takeoff if you really need it

 

[MT_Wyatt]

I’d probably lean budget suppressor before snagging a new stock - t3x tikka of some flavor is a good start, and 243 or creed would be a great chambering.

Personally I’ve been really enjoying the Peak 44 Bastion for Tikka; got mine on sale from redhawk rifles.

 

[DangerRanger]

personally I’d 100% start with a good rifle setup and ear plugs and then save up for a good can.

My budget cans are the only ones I regret years later

 

[MoeFaux]

If I were buying today, I'd likely buy the 7mm-08. I think it's a perfect sweet spot of enough gun for the biggest animals without too much recoil, plus an abundance of ammo if you're shooting factory. 6.5 PRC would be my second choice just for the ballistic edge if your shots stretch longer distances, but it comes at the price of 10% more recoil. The creedmoors and the .243 are too small for me to carry confidently when chasing NA's biggest. Of course, many others will disagree, but I stay a *little* true to my Fudd heritage.

All of those are available in the Tikka.

 

[coyotekilla]

X-Bolt's are underrated on this board. My X-Bolt Mountain Pro action is every bit as slick as my Tikkas are.

Despite the lightweight setup on my rifle, it shoots very well.

Im not a browning hater... there just isn't much for chassis & aftermarket goodies for them.

 

[h2so4]

personally I’d 100% start with a good rifle setup and ear plugs and then save up for a good can.

My budget cans are the only ones I regret years later

I’d rather shoot a middle of the road priced rifle with a budget suppressor than a “high end” rifle with no suppressor. Hell- there are $300 layman suppressors being released at shot show. That’s a no brainer to save your brainer.
And if the layman sucks at the “big” caliber, it’s still way better than nothing. And When you get the $$ for a “good” suppressor you can put the layman on the .223. Seriously no downside to getting even a cheap suppressor along with your new rifle.

 

[DangerRanger]

Different strokes, I disagree. I’d take a rokstok over a can any day of the week

 

[UnckleBob]

Im not a browning hater... there just isn't much for chassis & aftermarket goodies for them.

That is very true. They are meant to be shot "as-is."

The good part: Great Action, Accurate
Bad Part: Almost no aftermarket support

 

[Rock’N Tacos]

X-Bolt's are underrated on this board. My X-Bolt Mountain Pro action is every bit as slick as my Tikkas are.

Despite the lightweight setup on my rifle, it shoots very well.

I have had close to a dozen xbolts over the years and every single one of them shot sub moa 5 shot groups with factory ammo. They are a great rifle and also have several different configurations so it should be easy to find something for everybody.

 

[DangerRanger]

Tikka trigger is better and ability to swap barrels easier is nice but the brownings are better than they get credit for

I have a 300 win with a medium heavy barrel I’d love to put in a rokstok

 

[Rock’N Tacos]

Im not a browning hater... there just isn't much for chassis & aftermarket goodies for them.

I don’t think the lack of a chassis is a deal breaker for most and the stock is 10x better than what comes on a tikka. McMillan, Manners and several other stock makers cater to x-bolts.

 

[Rock’N Tacos]

Tikka trigger is better and ability to swap barrels easier is nice but the brownings are better than they get credit for

I have a 300 win with a medium heavy barrel I’d love to put in a rokstok

Is the stock tikka trigger better? I have both and would disagree - could be a personal preference thing tho.

I do agree with the barrel swapping being easier.

 

[Q_Sertorius]

Tikka trigger is better and ability to swap barrels easier is nice but the brownings are better than they get credit for

I have a 300 win with a medium heavy barrel I’d love to put in a rokstok

Have a wooden RokStok made for it.

 

[DangerRanger]

Is the stock tikka trigger better? I have both and would disagree - could be a personal preference thing tho.

I do agree with the barrel swapping being easier.

My x bolt trigger is crisp but far heavier than any tikka trigger I’ve had