New short action bolt rifle for hunting. Suggestions?

BoogieMan · November 6, 2018, 01:21 PM

So here it is. I want to buy myself a new bolt action blued and walnut rifle with removable magazine. The classic hunting rifle if you will. Undecided between 6.5creed and .243win. Both will do the job just fine and this wont see enough rounds to be a cost issue. I want a nice rifle and keep the budget under $1500ish not including optics.
Thinking- Tikka, Weatherby, Remington, CZ.
Should I be looking at other brands? Im not against used rifles in top shape. Seems a little difficult to find them with factory removable mags.

Tallest · November 6, 2018, 02:01 PM

I would disagree slightly on the “classic hunting rifle” having a removable magazine.

However, lest we digress, I think the CZ would get my first vote, followed by the Tikka.

CZ has a stellar reputation, and the few I have had or handled didn’t disappoint.

I live the short action, and if you care to add one more option to the docket, the 7mm-08 has a lot to offer!

MarkCO · November 6, 2018, 02:16 PM

I'd just delete Remington and add Bergara.

Low round count, more hunting than range, I would go with the 6.5CM. If more range than hunting and don't care about game larger than Deer, I would go with the .243Win.
Own both and all of the brands you are considering. $1500ish, Weatherby or Bergara would be my choice.

Brian Pfleuger · November 6, 2018, 05:47 PM

I absolutely love my Tikka T3x. The Forest version is exactly as you describe and a B-E-A-utiful gun.

https://www.tikka.fi/rifles/tikka-t3x/t3x-forest

Picher · November 6, 2018, 06:16 PM

T3 Tikkas are really great rifles. I have one in .243 and it's a honey! Three of us have gotten deer with it and it's a lot of fun to carry/shoot.

NHSHOOTER · November 6, 2018, 06:40 PM

I too have a Tikka but its in 223 but I would surely recommend 1 in the caliber you prefer..I would also like to add Browning XBolt to the mix, I have 1 in 7-08 that shoots 1/2" groups with a few different loads I have loaded for it, even my 12 yr old granddaughter shoots 3/4" groups with it at 100 yds..It too has a removable rotary magazine, smooth bolt and adjustable trigger.

Bottom Gun · November 6, 2018, 07:04 PM

Tikka would be my choice.

sako2 · November 6, 2018, 07:14 PM

Euro optics has some good prices on tikkas. Their website says they have a t3 243 for $498. And tx3's for under $800.

Mobuck · November 6, 2018, 07:19 PM

Might as well add the HOWA, it's as "classic" as the other suggestions.

BoogieMan · November 6, 2018, 07:24 PM

Thanks for the suggestions. I will probably go Tikka. Like the weatherby mark. But, that gets a little pricey. I'll check out the Howa as well. I didn't mention because I have never seen one with walnut. @Tallest- your probably right about the removable mag not being a feature of a classic. I am looking toward the smooth mount small mags. Not a tactical 10rnd hanging out of the bottom. So it isnt a purest classic. Still retains the look.

burrhead · November 6, 2018, 07:33 PM

Browning X-Bolt. I've had walnut stocked "Hunter" in 308 for about 6 years and it's superb. Accurate and light, it seems to point it's self. Been the scourge of several deer and a bunch of hogs.

BoogieMan · November 6, 2018, 07:42 PM

What's thoughts on current production Win Model 70 Super Grade? I have never owned a Win.

LineStretcher · November 6, 2018, 07:59 PM

Nothing wrong with the model 70 super grade but I think you get just as much rifle if not more with a Weatherby Vanguard S2 in the Deluxe model. I would jump up to either the .308 or 7mm-08. .308 is one of my favorites and 7mm-08 is becoming very popular. I have 3 Vanguards and 3 Mark V's and I love my Bee's.

If you were to step up to a Mark V Deluxe, I highly recommend the .257 Wby Mag. It's a relatively soft shooter that can kick some serious butt. The .240 Wby Mag is also a nice smaller game cartridge. It will take most medium sized deer without a problem.

The Tika is not a bad rifle either but having done a side by side at the range comparision, of the Wby Vanguard S2 and the Tika T3 in .308, the Wby shot better groups and did it time after time with what ever ammo I threw at it. The Tika did well with Barnes TSX but choked on Nosler Accubonds and Partitions.

Saltydog235 · November 6, 2018, 10:45 PM

Sako, may be a little over your budget. Sauer 101 is another I’d look at. I do like my Tikka but not nearly as much as my Sakos.

BoogieMan · November 7, 2018, 07:48 AM

@saltydog235- Arent they the same company? I didnt know there was a current production Sako until you just posted. Look good.

IdaD · November 7, 2018, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tallest

I live the short action, and if you care to add one more option to the docket, the 7mm-08 has a lot to offer!

Seconded. This is my favorite mid-range caliber and it's really hard to beat for midsize game like deer.

Brian Pfleuger · November 7, 2018, 11:45 AM

3rd-ed.
Best North American big game cartridge in existence.

MrBorland · November 7, 2018, 12:01 PM

I love the 7mm-08 too, but the rifle I actually love most for hunting is my Tikka CTR, and it happens to be chambered in .260 Remington.

I have a nice 7mm-08, but there's so little difference between the 2 rounds (at least for whitetails and the distance I'd be shooting them), I opt for the rifle I like better.

Brian Pfleuger · November 7, 2018, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrBorland

but there's so little difference between the 2 rounds

Yes, and about 14 others too... but what fun is a thread where we don't tell the OP to buy something besides what he explicitly says he wants.

Worc · November 7, 2018, 12:30 PM

When you say "Short Action", are you talking about just the cartridge length or the actual length of the action. There is a difference as some manufacturers use the same action for .308 and .30-06 length cartridges.

If you want the shorter action, it will eliminate some choices. The Browning X bolt would be a good choice with a shorter action length. Used would be something like a Sako 75 or 85 and Browning A bolt.

taylorce1 · November 7, 2018, 12:35 PM

If blued walnut is what you want for around $1500 budget, I'd look at the Kimber 84M in the Classic Select or Super America. You'll have a hard time finding a rifle with nicer wood in that price range. Of course it won't have a detachable magazine, but that shouldn't be a deal killer IMO.

My reasoning for it not being a deal killer is you can usually add detachable bottom metal to almost any rifle. It's relatively cheap in the scheme of things. Nice wood is very expensive to get on a rifle, so I'd pay for the wood and worry about the magazine later.

Tallest · November 7, 2018, 01:23 PM

I don't think the mag issue is a huge deal no-matter what you choose. One of those hang-ups that pops into the head and must be uttered.

I have nothing bad to say about the Tikka choice. From most everything I've read, very few regret getting one.

Tallest · November 7, 2018, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Worc

When you say "Short Action", are you talking about just the cartridge length or the actual length of the action. There is a difference as some manufacturers use the same action for .308 and .30-06 length cartridges.

If you want the shorter action, it will eliminate some choices. The Browning X bolt would be a good choice with a shorter action length. Used would be something like a Sako 75 or 85 and Browning A bolt.

I think given his choices mentioned of 6.5 CM and .243 Win, he's after short-action chamberings.

And wouldn't it be tough to have anything but short-action chamberings in a short-action rifle? Or am I missing something?

MrBorland · November 7, 2018, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tallest

And wouldn't it be tough to have anything but short-action chamberings in a short-action rifle? Or am I missing something?

Worc is referring to the physical length of the rifle's action itself. Not all rifles chambered in short action cartridges use true short action actions. Many (maybe most factory rifles?) use standard length actions. AFAIK, Tikka is one that uses a standard length action. Doesn't seem to hurt their performance, though.

m&p45acp10+1 · November 7, 2018, 04:19 PM

A CZ American will not disappoint you.

November 6, 2018, 01:21 PM	#1
BoogieMan Senior Member Join Date: April 4, 2012 Location: South Jersey Posts: 2,217	New short action bolt rifle for hunting. Suggestions? So here it is. I want to buy myself a new bolt action blued and walnut rifle with removable magazine. The classic hunting rifle if you will. Undecided between 6.5creed and .243win. Both will do the job just fine and this wont see enough rounds to be a cost issue. I want a nice rifle and keep the budget under $1500ish not including optics. Thinking- Tikka, Weatherby, Remington, CZ. Should I be looking at other brands? Im not against used rifles in top shape. Seems a little difficult to find them with factory removable mags. __________________ Concentrated power is not rendered harmless by the good intentions of those who create it. Milton Freidman "If you find yourself in a fair fight,,, Your tactics suck"- Unknown

November 6, 2018, 02:16 PM	#3
MarkCO Senior Member Join Date: October 21, 1998 Location: Colorado, USA Posts: 4,307	I'd just delete Remington and add Bergara. Low round count, more hunting than range, I would go with the 6.5CM. If more range than hunting and don't care about game larger than Deer, I would go with the .243Win. Own both and all of the brands you are considering. $1500ish, Weatherby or Bergara would be my choice. __________________ Good Shooting, MarkCO www.CarbonArms.us

November 6, 2018, 05:47 PM	#4
Brian Pfleuger Moderator Emeritus Join Date: June 25, 2008 Location: Austin, CO Posts: 19,578	I absolutely love my Tikka T3x. The Forest version is exactly as you describe and a B-E-A-utiful gun. https://www.tikka.fi/rifles/tikka-t3x/t3x-forest __________________ Nobody plans to screw up their lives... ...they just don't plan not to. -Andy Stanley

November 6, 2018, 07:04 PM	#7
Bottom Gun Senior Member Join Date: October 13, 1998 Location: Arizona Territory Posts: 1,092	Tikka would be my choice. __________________ NRA Life Member Mechanical engineers have their moments.

November 6, 2018, 07:24 PM	#10
BoogieMan Senior Member Join Date: April 4, 2012 Location: South Jersey Posts: 2,217	Thanks for the suggestions. I will probably go Tikka. Like the weatherby mark. But, that gets a little pricey. I'll check out the Howa as well. I didn't mention because I have never seen one with walnut. @Tallest- your probably right about the removable mag not being a feature of a classic. I am looking toward the smooth mount small mags. Not a tactical 10rnd hanging out of the bottom. So it isnt a purest classic. Still retains the look. __________________ Concentrated power is not rendered harmless by the good intentions of those who create it. Milton Freidman "If you find yourself in a fair fight,,, Your tactics suck"- Unknown

November 6, 2018, 02:01 PM	#2
Tallest Senior Member Join Date: January 23, 2016 Location: West of the Atlantic Posts: 418	I would disagree slightly on the “classic hunting rifle” having a removable magazine. However, lest we digress, I think the CZ would get my first vote, followed by the Tikka. CZ has a stellar reputation, and the few I have had or handled didn’t disappoint. I live the short action, and if you care to add one more option to the docket, the 7mm-08 has a lot to offer!

November 6, 2018, 06:16 PM	#5
Picher Senior Member Join Date: December 14, 2004 Location: Maine Posts: 3,694	T3 Tikkas are really great rifles. I have one in .243 and it's a honey! Three of us have gotten deer with it and it's a lot of fun to carry/shoot.

November 6, 2018, 06:40 PM	#6
NHSHOOTER Senior Member Join Date: November 26, 2012 Location: Concord NH Posts: 1,002	I too have a Tikka but its in 223 but I would surely recommend 1 in the caliber you prefer..I would also like to add Browning XBolt to the mix, I have 1 in 7-08 that shoots 1/2" groups with a few different loads I have loaded for it, even my 12 yr old granddaughter shoots 3/4" groups with it at 100 yds..It too has a removable rotary magazine, smooth bolt and adjustable trigger.

November 6, 2018, 07:14 PM	#8
sako2 Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2009 Posts: 737	Euro optics has some good prices on tikkas. Their website says they have a t3 243 for $498. And tx3's for under $800.

November 6, 2018, 07:19 PM	#9
Mobuck Junior member Join Date: February 2, 2010 Posts: 6,846	Might as well add the HOWA, it's as "classic" as the other suggestions.

November 6, 2018, 07:33 PM	#11
burrhead Senior Member Join Date: July 6, 1999 Location: Chihuahuan desert, Texas Posts: 1,148	Browning X-Bolt. I've had walnut stocked "Hunter" in 308 for about 6 years and it's superb. Accurate and light, it seems to point it's self. Been the scourge of several deer and a bunch of hogs. __________________ Join the GOA, SAF and the TSRA I'm offended by people that are easily offended.

November 6, 2018, 07:42 PM	#12
BoogieMan Senior Member Join Date: April 4, 2012 Location: South Jersey Posts: 2,217	What's thoughts on current production Win Model 70 Super Grade? I have never owned a Win. __________________ Concentrated power is not rendered harmless by the good intentions of those who create it. Milton Freidman "If you find yourself in a fair fight,,, Your tactics suck"- Unknown

November 6, 2018, 07:59 PM	#13
LineStretcher Senior Member Join Date: June 14, 2018 Posts: 619	Nothing wrong with the model 70 super grade but I think you get just as much rifle if not more with a Weatherby Vanguard S2 in the Deluxe model. I would jump up to either the .308 or 7mm-08. .308 is one of my favorites and 7mm-08 is becoming very popular. I have 3 Vanguards and 3 Mark V's and I love my Bee's. If you were to step up to a Mark V Deluxe, I highly recommend the .257 Wby Mag. It's a relatively soft shooter that can kick some serious butt. The .240 Wby Mag is also a nice smaller game cartridge. It will take most medium sized deer without a problem. The Tika is not a bad rifle either but having done a side by side at the range comparision, of the Wby Vanguard S2 and the Tika T3 in .308, the Wby shot better groups and did it time after time with what ever ammo I threw at it. The Tika did well with Barnes TSX but choked on Nosler Accubonds and Partitions.

November 6, 2018, 10:45 PM	#14
Saltydog235 Senior Member Join Date: October 20, 2010 Location: Pawleys Island Posts: 1,563	Sako, may be a little over your budget. Sauer 101 is another I’d look at. I do like my Tikka but not nearly as much as my Sakos.

November 7, 2018, 07:48 AM	#15
BoogieMan Senior Member Join Date: April 4, 2012 Location: South Jersey Posts: 2,217	@saltydog235- Arent they the same company? I didnt know there was a current production Sako until you just posted. Look good. __________________ Concentrated power is not rendered harmless by the good intentions of those who create it. Milton Freidman "If you find yourself in a fair fight,,, Your tactics suck"- Unknown Last edited by BoogieMan; November 7, 2018 at 08:07 AM.

November 7, 2018, 11:45 AM	#17
Brian Pfleuger Moderator Emeritus Join Date: June 25, 2008 Location: Austin, CO Posts: 19,578	3rd-ed. Best North American big game cartridge in existence. __________________ Nobody plans to screw up their lives... ...they just don't plan not to. -Andy Stanley

November 7, 2018, 12:01 PM	#18
MrBorland Senior Member Join Date: May 31, 2007 Location: NC Posts: 2,614	I love the 7mm-08 too, but the rifle I actually love most for hunting is my Tikka CTR, and it happens to be chambered in .260 Remington. I have a nice 7mm-08, but there's so little difference between the 2 rounds (at least for whitetails and the distance I'd be shooting them), I opt for the rifle I like better.

November 7, 2018, 12:30 PM	#20
Worc Senior Member Join Date: July 24, 2013 Location: Michigan Posts: 641	When you say "Short Action", are you talking about just the cartridge length or the actual length of the action. There is a difference as some manufacturers use the same action for .308 and .30-06 length cartridges. If you want the shorter action, it will eliminate some choices. The Browning X bolt would be a good choice with a shorter action length. Used would be something like a Sako 75 or 85 and Browning A bolt.

November 7, 2018, 12:35 PM	#21
taylorce1 Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2005 Location: On the Santa Fe Trail Posts: 8,242	If blued walnut is what you want for around $1500 budget, I'd look at the Kimber 84M in the Classic Select or Super America. You'll have a hard time finding a rifle with nicer wood in that price range. Of course it won't have a detachable magazine, but that shouldn't be a deal killer IMO. My reasoning for it not being a deal killer is you can usually add detachable bottom metal to almost any rifle. It's relatively cheap in the scheme of things. Nice wood is very expensive to get on a rifle, so I'd pay for the wood and worry about the magazine later. __________________ NRA Life Member

November 7, 2018, 01:23 PM	#22
Tallest Senior Member Join Date: January 23, 2016 Location: West of the Atlantic Posts: 418	I don't think the mag issue is a huge deal no-matter what you choose. One of those hang-ups that pops into the head and must be uttered. I have nothing bad to say about the Tikka choice. From most everything I've read, very few regret getting one. __________________ Matthew "All men are ignorant. The topics of our ignorance may vary, but the nature of the world is that no man may know everything." ~ R Jordan

November 7, 2018, 04:19 PM	#25
m&p45acp10+1 Senior Member Join Date: May 3, 2009 Location: Central Texas Posts: 3,930	A CZ American will not disappoint you. __________________ No matter how many times you do it and nothing happens it only takes something going wrong one time to kill you.

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