Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles What would you get?

I am going to be buying a new rifle next spring. I am looking into the semi-custom rifles and I would like to know what you would get if you had $1500-$2500 to spend on a rifle what would you get and why.

What do you have now, and what will you be hunting? Big bears or coyotes...makes a difference.

RH

If I had to build a rifle for that kind of money and wanted to hunt every big game in America I'd go with this action. It's a Remington clone built to specs.

http://www.pierceengineeringltd.com/products.php

Put a premium barrel on it and a a custom stock and I'd be good to go.

For calibers in a long action a 7X57 or 30-06, for a short action, .308 Winchester or 6.5 something, .260 maybe?

A Dakota would be way cool. Would not spend that kind of money on a Remmy clone with plastic. Kimber SuperAmerica. Find a really clean pre-64 model 70 in Suprgrade trim, could probably get one in 300 H&H or 375 or another cool non common caliber for that kind of money.

+1 on the Dakota if you can get one in that price range.

I second safariman's suggestions. In my view 'custom' in that price range means a fine walnut stock or perhaps a semi rare rifle. The last time I spent that kind of money for a rifle it was a MS Mannlicher in 358 Win. I just had to have it.

Also keep looking. I found a fine 'custom' mauser for a third of those prices that's worth more.

Here is one that is classy and ready for use...

Semi-Custom 257 Weatherby

RH

+1 BIG TIME.

I'd go Kimber SuperAmerica.

What cartridge(s) are you thinking of?

I've got a beautifully done 7x57 on a Mexican SR'98 coming in the next few months... once that is finished I'm thinking I'll get a 9.3x62 done up similarly, and be pretty well set for life with a well rounded two-rifle battery.

Just laughing......At myself!

You can't go wrong with the Kimber. MRC looks like a nice rifle, but I have never owned one.

If I had $1500 in rifle buying cash in the bank, I'd just shop alot until I found the coolest rifle that fit well and handled fast. Caliber is immaterial, really, so long as its somewhere in the ballpark of your intended use.

Don't set out to buy a specific thing, keep an open mind and buy the rifle you find that, when you pick it up, you think you can't live without it.

Thank goodness my wife wasn't looking over my shoulder when I typed this...

Personally, I would fore go the rifle and spend the moola on a good hunt. Or if I had no rifles, a M70 FWT in 30-06 and use the rest to hunt locally

Yep, a MRC or custom built from one of thier actions would be way cool.

As nice as some of the new factory offerings are, it is becoming harder to justify spending that much on a rifle...now optics are a different matter.

TC

I like Cooper's

With a $1500 ceiling I'd not look to a semi-custom because the term has too many meanings and IME such rifles don;t really offer a significan performance edge over a tweaked factory rifle costing hundreds less.YMMV.Here's what I'd do(this is just me )

1) I'd find a clean pre 64 M70 FW in 30/06 or 270 and hunt and shoot the hell out of it.

2)I'd find a clean,used M70 Classic in caliber of choice,change out the extractor,tune the trigger.

Such rifles can be had for $600-$800,maybe less.I'd use the extra money to install a McMillan stock of choice.I'd shoot and hunt the hell out of it,too.Somewhere in the process I'd order a Kreieger or Brux barrel to replace the other one when it goes.

3)I'd get a new FN M70 and drop it in a McMillan.See above

I'd go find a Belgian/FN Browning Safari in 30-06 on the used market. You can get one next to new for the bottom end of that price. Be sure to avoid the salt wood issue (if you don't know what to look for, get one made before '66). These are great rifles, with a trim 4x scope they come in about 8.25-8.5#.

I recently purchased a Sako 85 Kodiak in 375 H&H, it was around 1800 dollars and it is one of the most accurate out of the box rifles I have ever fired. The action is silky smooth and I absolutely love the feel of the rifle. The Sako's definately have my vote, however it's hard to disagree with the above poster. I have an FN M70 in 3006 and it also shoots lights out. I think with a couple of things tightened up, re: above poster and mcmillan stock, that the M70 is a damn nice rifle. Much cheaper than a relic M70 with overinflated prices.

Sorry that I didn't specify. Caliber is not really what I am looking for. I was just wondering what kind of rifle (rifles) everyone likes. I myself would have a hard time spending that much on a 700 or clone, but that is just me. Have looked at coopers and they look real nice. What else is there in their price range and quality? Any one have a link to MRC rifles? I have not seen them and you have my curiosity up. For what it is worth I have a m77 mkII 270 win, and a vanguard 300 wby. If I wind up with annother 270 so be it as I have a couple of sons that would be able to take over my ruger.