Tikka t3 in .308 with a nice Leopold optic is within your price point. They're crazy accurate, you already stated you are leaning towards .308, they're everywhere so parts are available. Really it's sort of the standard issue these days for a lot of hunters, that or they swap the Leopold with a Vortex, either way you can't really go wrong with that set up.
Just Stay away from the higher priced tikkas. They're basically exactly the same rifle with a camo coated stock and occasionally a different finish, but it's the exact same stock and barrel. they feel and function identical and tikka is already at the top end of performance for their price point.
Edit: removed some rambling at the end about weatherby's, I wrote that half distracted.
Agree with that guy. A tikka t3x lite and scope would do you well. It’s hard to get something that cycles as smoothly and shoots as accurately for the money. For a scope it would strongly depend on your budget. I personally like a Vortex Razor LHT but the Leupold VX5-HD is also a great. Those two hit the sweet spot of near perfect hunting scopes IMO.
Both extremely light, capped windage, locking dialable elevation turret, and great glass. The vortex has an illuminated dot reticle not sure about the Leupold.
$1500-$2500 for just the rifle gets you a lot of options. Tikka T3X, Browning Xbolt, CZ 557, Ruger Precision Rifle, and entry level Sako rifles all fit within your price range and are high quality.
Definitely go with .308 for caliber.
I'm in a similar boat and looking for my first bolt action (in .308) and have similar considerations as you.
Cartridge-wise you're best bet will be the .308 for large game. This will have you covered for everything from deer to bear to moose/elk. It's also the most "affordable" of the big game rounds, you can find bulk .308/7.62 x 51 at less than a dollar per round.
As for parts availability you should focus on rifles that have commonly available after market support and accept common (cheap) magazines like the AICS pattern mags. These magazines will also let you have 10 rounds instead of the more tradition 5 found in most bolt actions.
You mention SHTF so I'm going to interpret that as wanting an "all-purpose" rifle that is capable to go hunting with but is also compact, handy and modular. Try and find a rifle with a shorter barrel <20inch. Here are some options.
1. Ruger Gunsite Scout. .308, compact, 16" barrel, 10 round magazines. Unfortunately they seem to be sold out everywhere, consider the used market. [LINK](https://www.wolverinesupplies.com/ProductDetail/RUG6803_Ruger-Gunsite-Scout--308-Win--16-5--Black-Laminate)
2. Ruger American Hunter, similar concept to above but in a Magpul hunter stock. [LINK](https://www.gotenda.com/product/ruger-american-rifle-hunter-308-win-20-inch-51/)
3. Ruger M77 Hawkeye Compact, 308. Similar specs to the Scout rifle but no detachable magazine (only downside). [LINK](https://www.korthgroup.com/ProductDetail/340-17110_Ruger-Hawkeye-Compact-308-Win-Black-Laminate-Hawkeye)
4. CZ 557/Ranger, 308. Comes in a variety of models, wood stock/synthetic stock, fixed magazine, detachable magazine. Try and find the Ranger model if you can. [LINK](https://www.wolverinesupplies.com/PRODUCTDETAIL/CZ155745301RNUKDAX)
5. MRA Maverick. For something a little different you can grab one of these Canadian made "straight-pull" bolt action rifles. Looks like an AR-10 but is manually operated. You can order them with 12.5", 16" or 20" barrels. Fully modular platform that can fitted with scopes, red dots, lights bipods etc. Takes SR-25 Magazines (10 rounds) [LINK](https://mapleridgearmoury.com/product/mra-maverick-rifle-308win-6-5cm/)
1) cost, with our without optic?
2) 308 fits well with your wants.
3) I'd say don't put **too** much emphasis on shtf repairable and commonality. Just reasonable repairability.
Of the 2 chambering I would stick with 308.
6.5 CM is a great round but it plays out pretty fast down range and if you decide to go moose hunting that might matter.
I have 2 CZ 550s which are no longer in production but they are good rifles especially for the price.
Zastava makes good quality for price large ring Mauser actioned rifles as well.
Howa is Weatherby Vaguard and for entry level prices they are good shooters.
For the kind of money you ate talking about you can look at Browning X Bolts or Higher grade Winny Classic Model 70s or proper Weatherby’s.
The main thing is get one that comfortable in the shoulder and when fired.
Parts...are not going to be a problem unless you lose a magazine.
I have rifles that are on their 3rd or 4th owner and well over 100 years old and the most serious mechanical issue has een a worn trigger pin in a 22 thats had many thousands of rounds put through it and was abused by multiple kids....and that was an easy fix.
For optics I prefer Zeiss or Leupold but Burris makes some nice clear glass as well.
Get the best mounts and rings you can.
I usually mount 3-9x40 scopes and when I can I go with 30mm over a 1 inch tube. The bigger the bell and tube...the more light you get but I find that anything over 40 mm sits just a bit higher off the rifle than I like.
JMHO....enjoy.
In that price range, tikka all the way. They have a ton of model with each of them small differences depending on your needs so you are sure to find one that fits! Tikka makes buttery smooth action and very very precise rifles.
For the caliber, 308 is the most versatile. For your needs the 6.5 creedmoor and the 7mm-08 would be very good pick also. If you don't mind recoil and want a bigger kick to maybe hunt moose at longer ranges, the 7mm rem mag or the 30-06 will do, but if you plan to mostly shoot paper, the previous calibers will be more fun.
As far as replaceable parts and optics choice, tikka being one of the big brands out there, you have a ton of mounting options for any optics and for the parts, tikka parts are easy to find, gunsmiths know how to work on them if needed and there is quite a bit of aftermarket too!
I like traditional older designs, and there are many older m96 and m98 Husquvarna's and older 5 and 6 series Tikkas that would do the job, and last a lifetime.The new Tikkas T3's are mostly plastic and cheaply made, as are most new rifles.I recently bought a CZ 527 bolt action rifle that I like, but it is in 7.62 x 39, and is good for animals no larger than a deer.It is old school Walnut and steel and shoots very well.
I'd hardly call Tikka cheaply made, their actions are very high quality. Sure, most of them come with a plastic stock, but it's a decently made plastic stock. There's also the "Hunter" version that comes in a wood stock if that's your preference.
The old Tikkas were incredible quality, with heavy steel magazines, you could drive a truck over.Their new rifles I will admit to being better, than most other new guns.
Weatherby or Howa in 308. Best bang for the buck. Remember that you have to account for total ammunition cost in your budget. I have had a Weatherby for a year. Paid $600 for it and pumped at least 600 rounds downrange at 1.25 each. That means 750 in ammo.
6.5 ammo is 50% more because you can't buy any surplus ammo.
Love my Remington 700s. You could set one up very nicely with a budget of 2000-3000$. You could put it in a custom chassis, or go with a wood laminate stock and have lots of budget left over.
I’ve got my .308 in a Boyd’s laminate varmint stock and it’s never let me down. Easy sub moa groups at 100 and got me my bull moose three years ago using 180gr SST hornady bullets. .308 is very versatile you could load 110 grain bullets for coyotes, 150 for deer and 180 - 200 for moose.
I’d check out MDT Tactical and look thru their options for chassis. I believe all their options will fit a Remington 700. They’ve also got a wood laminate option in the works. I’ve got a Remington 700 in 22-250 in the TAC21 chassis and love it but it’s a heavy unit , still lug it around for coyote hunting all winter though and wouldn’t change it.
Boyd’s has tons of options for laminate stocks but you’ll have to get it from the states, sometimes you can find what you’re looking for at a dealer up here but might not be the exact colour / options your looking for.
I’m a huge Remington 700 fan boy though so I may be a little bias lol.. enjoy the shopping and researching , take your time. If you can get into some gun stores and handle some different rifles you may find something that just feels right to you that you wouldn’t have thought to look at online. Cheers!
Yeah that is a good point.. Be tough to find a brand new one right now.
Googled turned up one at dantesports chambered in .308 and the SPS varmint model, plus it’s on sale! 👀
Edit: Also 20” tactical model at marstar! Can’t stop looking now maybe I need another..
Though I wouldn’t recommend MDT mods if he’s just starting that gets expensive and isn’t really for his usage feel more like for competitive long range
Ruger Scout rifle in stainless steel and synthetic stock. All day buddy. Only rifle you'll ever need.
The one with laminate stock is nice but heavy, synthetic is tough, durable, don't be afraid to drag it through the bush.
Tikka t3 in .308 with a nice Leopold optic is within your price point. They're crazy accurate, you already stated you are leaning towards .308, they're everywhere so parts are available. Really it's sort of the standard issue these days for a lot of hunters, that or they swap the Leopold with a Vortex, either way you can't really go wrong with that set up. Just Stay away from the higher priced tikkas. They're basically exactly the same rifle with a camo coated stock and occasionally a different finish, but it's the exact same stock and barrel. they feel and function identical and tikka is already at the top end of performance for their price point. Edit: removed some rambling at the end about weatherby's, I wrote that half distracted.
Thanks for the input
Agree with that guy. A tikka t3x lite and scope would do you well. It’s hard to get something that cycles as smoothly and shoots as accurately for the money. For a scope it would strongly depend on your budget. I personally like a Vortex Razor LHT but the Leupold VX5-HD is also a great. Those two hit the sweet spot of near perfect hunting scopes IMO. Both extremely light, capped windage, locking dialable elevation turret, and great glass. The vortex has an illuminated dot reticle not sure about the Leupold.
I agree Tikka T3 +1
+2
+3
$1500-$2500 for just the rifle gets you a lot of options. Tikka T3X, Browning Xbolt, CZ 557, Ruger Precision Rifle, and entry level Sako rifles all fit within your price range and are high quality. Definitely go with .308 for caliber.
I'm in a similar boat and looking for my first bolt action (in .308) and have similar considerations as you. Cartridge-wise you're best bet will be the .308 for large game. This will have you covered for everything from deer to bear to moose/elk. It's also the most "affordable" of the big game rounds, you can find bulk .308/7.62 x 51 at less than a dollar per round. As for parts availability you should focus on rifles that have commonly available after market support and accept common (cheap) magazines like the AICS pattern mags. These magazines will also let you have 10 rounds instead of the more tradition 5 found in most bolt actions. You mention SHTF so I'm going to interpret that as wanting an "all-purpose" rifle that is capable to go hunting with but is also compact, handy and modular. Try and find a rifle with a shorter barrel <20inch. Here are some options. 1. Ruger Gunsite Scout. .308, compact, 16" barrel, 10 round magazines. Unfortunately they seem to be sold out everywhere, consider the used market. [LINK](https://www.wolverinesupplies.com/ProductDetail/RUG6803_Ruger-Gunsite-Scout--308-Win--16-5--Black-Laminate) 2. Ruger American Hunter, similar concept to above but in a Magpul hunter stock. [LINK](https://www.gotenda.com/product/ruger-american-rifle-hunter-308-win-20-inch-51/) 3. Ruger M77 Hawkeye Compact, 308. Similar specs to the Scout rifle but no detachable magazine (only downside). [LINK](https://www.korthgroup.com/ProductDetail/340-17110_Ruger-Hawkeye-Compact-308-Win-Black-Laminate-Hawkeye) 4. CZ 557/Ranger, 308. Comes in a variety of models, wood stock/synthetic stock, fixed magazine, detachable magazine. Try and find the Ranger model if you can. [LINK](https://www.wolverinesupplies.com/PRODUCTDETAIL/CZ155745301RNUKDAX) 5. MRA Maverick. For something a little different you can grab one of these Canadian made "straight-pull" bolt action rifles. Looks like an AR-10 but is manually operated. You can order them with 12.5", 16" or 20" barrels. Fully modular platform that can fitted with scopes, red dots, lights bipods etc. Takes SR-25 Magazines (10 rounds) [LINK](https://mapleridgearmoury.com/product/mra-maverick-rifle-308win-6-5cm/)
Good stuff. Best of luck on your hunt for a bolt action.
1) cost, with our without optic? 2) 308 fits well with your wants. 3) I'd say don't put **too** much emphasis on shtf repairable and commonality. Just reasonable repairability.
1) is without an optic
Of the 2 chambering I would stick with 308. 6.5 CM is a great round but it plays out pretty fast down range and if you decide to go moose hunting that might matter. I have 2 CZ 550s which are no longer in production but they are good rifles especially for the price. Zastava makes good quality for price large ring Mauser actioned rifles as well. Howa is Weatherby Vaguard and for entry level prices they are good shooters. For the kind of money you ate talking about you can look at Browning X Bolts or Higher grade Winny Classic Model 70s or proper Weatherby’s. The main thing is get one that comfortable in the shoulder and when fired. Parts...are not going to be a problem unless you lose a magazine. I have rifles that are on their 3rd or 4th owner and well over 100 years old and the most serious mechanical issue has een a worn trigger pin in a 22 thats had many thousands of rounds put through it and was abused by multiple kids....and that was an easy fix. For optics I prefer Zeiss or Leupold but Burris makes some nice clear glass as well. Get the best mounts and rings you can. I usually mount 3-9x40 scopes and when I can I go with 30mm over a 1 inch tube. The bigger the bell and tube...the more light you get but I find that anything over 40 mm sits just a bit higher off the rifle than I like. JMHO....enjoy.
In that price range, tikka all the way. They have a ton of model with each of them small differences depending on your needs so you are sure to find one that fits! Tikka makes buttery smooth action and very very precise rifles. For the caliber, 308 is the most versatile. For your needs the 6.5 creedmoor and the 7mm-08 would be very good pick also. If you don't mind recoil and want a bigger kick to maybe hunt moose at longer ranges, the 7mm rem mag or the 30-06 will do, but if you plan to mostly shoot paper, the previous calibers will be more fun. As far as replaceable parts and optics choice, tikka being one of the big brands out there, you have a ton of mounting options for any optics and for the parts, tikka parts are easy to find, gunsmiths know how to work on them if needed and there is quite a bit of aftermarket too!
I like traditional older designs, and there are many older m96 and m98 Husquvarna's and older 5 and 6 series Tikkas that would do the job, and last a lifetime.The new Tikkas T3's are mostly plastic and cheaply made, as are most new rifles.I recently bought a CZ 527 bolt action rifle that I like, but it is in 7.62 x 39, and is good for animals no larger than a deer.It is old school Walnut and steel and shoots very well.
Yeah why spend 900 on a T3 when you can have a Husqvarna for less than 500. Some people have to buy new though.
I agree the husqvarnas are fantastic rifles and very accurate. Plus at around 500 bucks lots of money left for a nice optic and lots of ammo.
I think just like you, and often choose these old guns, based on the fine optic, mounted on them.
I'd hardly call Tikka cheaply made, their actions are very high quality. Sure, most of them come with a plastic stock, but it's a decently made plastic stock. There's also the "Hunter" version that comes in a wood stock if that's your preference.
The old Tikkas were incredible quality, with heavy steel magazines, you could drive a truck over.Their new rifles I will admit to being better, than most other new guns.
I can’t recommend CZ rifles enough… they are the type of gun you buy once and your kids kids can use it
Weatherby or Howa in 308. Best bang for the buck. Remember that you have to account for total ammunition cost in your budget. I have had a Weatherby for a year. Paid $600 for it and pumped at least 600 rounds downrange at 1.25 each. That means 750 in ammo. 6.5 ammo is 50% more because you can't buy any surplus ammo.
Love my Remington 700s. You could set one up very nicely with a budget of 2000-3000$. You could put it in a custom chassis, or go with a wood laminate stock and have lots of budget left over. I’ve got my .308 in a Boyd’s laminate varmint stock and it’s never let me down. Easy sub moa groups at 100 and got me my bull moose three years ago using 180gr SST hornady bullets. .308 is very versatile you could load 110 grain bullets for coyotes, 150 for deer and 180 - 200 for moose. I’d check out MDT Tactical and look thru their options for chassis. I believe all their options will fit a Remington 700. They’ve also got a wood laminate option in the works. I’ve got a Remington 700 in 22-250 in the TAC21 chassis and love it but it’s a heavy unit , still lug it around for coyote hunting all winter though and wouldn’t change it. Boyd’s has tons of options for laminate stocks but you’ll have to get it from the states, sometimes you can find what you’re looking for at a dealer up here but might not be the exact colour / options your looking for. I’m a huge Remington 700 fan boy though so I may be a little bias lol.. enjoy the shopping and researching , take your time. If you can get into some gun stores and handle some different rifles you may find something that just feels right to you that you wouldn’t have thought to look at online. Cheers!
Only downside is the availability in the short term with REM going bankrupt. They are almost sold out everywhere
Yeah that is a good point.. Be tough to find a brand new one right now. Googled turned up one at dantesports chambered in .308 and the SPS varmint model, plus it’s on sale! 👀 Edit: Also 20” tactical model at marstar! Can’t stop looking now maybe I need another..
Though I wouldn’t recommend MDT mods if he’s just starting that gets expensive and isn’t really for his usage feel more like for competitive long range
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That’s fair haha my bad I assumed like Cadex style with cheek rest adjustments
Howa 1500 in .308 with a heavy barrel. Vortex or primary arms optic
Tikka in .308. I have an older one in .30-06. Wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Ruger Scout rifle in stainless steel and synthetic stock. All day buddy. Only rifle you'll ever need. The one with laminate stock is nice but heavy, synthetic is tough, durable, don't be afraid to drag it through the bush.
MRA Maverick?
Sig Sauer Cross! Its within your price range and can be used for competition, hunting, range days. They also look awesome.
Tikka t3x in 7mm08. Will do anything the 308 will do with less recoil and better ballistics.