Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Buying a proper Wood and Blue rifle - $2000 budget

I've owned nothing but synthetic stocked guns. Kimber, Tikka, Marlin, Remington, Savage - all synthetic and stainless or synthetic and coated. After hunting with my father in-laws wood and blued Weatherby from the 80's, I'm wanting a proper wood and blue hunting rifle for myself.

What wood and blue would you buy with $2000 to spend on the rifle? Sako? Kimber? Cooper? CZ?

Winchester Supergrade.

Sako. A few styles of blue/wood in any caliber.

Didn't think of the Winchester Super Grade. That is priced nicely - surprised to see that. The Sako wood/blue guns are higher. Any reason -good or bad?

You can still find high condition old Sakos for around $1000.00. Simply put, there isn't a better made gun for that money. When it comes to shooting them, there aren't many that will consistently outperform a Sako. They hold their value better than most as well, making them a top contender for a production rifle...

^^^^^^^^

This.


One thing about the Sakos,when you handle and shoot one, you will instantly realize why you spent that much on it.

Very few products give you that feeling.

Supergrade if you have to have wood/blued. The stock ergos are great. Sold one unfired on here for $850.00 a year ago in 30-06. Use the rest of the budget for glass/ammo/hunting. Go kill schitt.(just be careful not to scratch it or get it wet!) Which is why I sold mine. I've hunted supergrade, colt sauers, gold medallion Brownings etc...my wood/blued days are over, except for sporting clays.

I'd look for a pre 64 M70.

Or a Sako....

Lotta Sako love, and I'm not opposed. If buying a current model 85, what configuration do you like? Looking at going 308

+1 on a Supergrade.

The new MOA trigger on the Winchesters is less desirable.

Sako, Sako. Never look back. Older Sako forester in 308 would be a dandy. I've been on the hunt for one.

I'll play...........

As the man said,



Winchester super-grade in the classic action.



Or Remington C Grade

I played Kimber roulette years ago and don't do that anymore so Kimber is out for me.


Sako’s are nice
Whether stock



Sako 85 Bavarian, 6.5 x 55
Sako 85 Bavarian Carbine, 308 Win

Or custom


Sako AII, 222 Rem Mag.
Sako AIII 7mm-08 Mannlicher




Sako L579, 257 Roberts





or a Sako Deluxe

Steyr’s work

Steyr Classic



Steyr Classic Mannlicher

Winchester or Sako. I'm more of a Winchester fan, but either one, depending on your taste.

Sauer's are sweeeeeeet!


Sauer 200 DeLuxe, 25-06 Rem.



Sauer 200, 30-06

If you include used rifles, there are a bunch of really nice ones in that price range, including FNs, M70s, and the Sakos of course. The long actions will seem a bit heavy by modern standards, but the quality is unquestionable. All but the Sakos will be a bit long for the .308 family and feature blocked magazines for the shorter rounds.

If you're only interested in new rifles, consider the Montana Rifle Company and also the higher grade Kimbers, some of which have really nice wood. The Kimber Longmaster .308 I bought in 2005 had very nice, apparently French walnut, and was the most accurate centerfire I've ever owned and maybe that I ever shot. New ones may or may not be the same. Both Kimber and MRC use modern manufacturing methods such as investment casting and MIM for some parts if that's an issue for you. The Kimbers, even the long actions, are quite light. The last one I handled was a select grade stainless .30/06 and was a stunner.

Take your time and get your hands on a few of the finalists before you put your money down. Good luck.

geedubya, how many of those would you be willing to let go for $2K?

And if single shots trip your trigger you could do a




Browning/Winchester hi-wall ( some of those ol' Brownings have amazing timber under that Acrylic resin.)




or a Cooper.

JAPPFT,

GWB