Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Battle Of The $1200 (+/-) Synthetic Rifles

Here are the contenders in no particular order:

1.) Kimber Montana
2.) Montana Rifle Company X2
3.) Rem 700 Mountain Rifle SS
4.) Nosler 48 Patriot
5.) Winchester 70 EW

Who is number one, and why?

Or you could go to cdnnsports.com and get two Ruger All-Weather Hawkeye rifles for $499 each, have two rifles and still save money...

Got an All-weather in .280 Rem last fall. Like my other Ruger M77/MKII/Hawkeye rifles. It is a good shooter and I really like it. Of course, I'm biased toward saving money...

But then you'd still be supporting the old anti gun Bill Ruger's company.

Steyr prohunter packaged with Zeiss 3-9 in Talley rings...1199.
Beats the chit out of everything listed.

Damn pard, Bill Ruger died 12 years ago. Long time to hold a grudge against the company considering they likely could care less about his affiliations or perspectives and they are a gun manufacturer so likely are sorta pro-gun as a whole.

Having only shot one from the list, and held maybe 3, take it for what it's worth. When I picked up my 84m I was a bit reluctant and wondering if this was a good way to spend $900. In the years since, I have come to really appreciate what that rifle offers. First of all, it's a hunting rifle for those staying in the typical shot ranges of <500 yds. In the steep mountains at high elevations it is extraordinary how much nicer it is to carry a sub-6lb rifle. I've run marathons and regularly lift. It's not a fitness thing, but rather a comfort thing. With a carbon-Kevlar stock and stainless construction it has proven to handle the elements exceptionally well. Mine has been soaked, frozen banged off rocks. No problems whatsoever. While I've never had an issue with push feed, the controlled round feed is a nice to have. The three position safety is very nice. Lastly, it fits like a glove, points like a Magic wand and it is very accurate and that is what really matters once you finally find that elk. There may be other great rifles, but after a few years with my 84m I know it is included in the list of great rifles.

For $1200 I definitely buy TWO rifle. Either two of the same or one of each...

Weatherby Vanguard S2's or Tikka T3's!!! Both of these rifles have solid reviews, not just from the gun writers but from regular hunters and shooters!

Having handled all of them, I would go with the MRC X2 or the Patriot, unless you really need a light rifle. In that case, the Kimber would be my choice out of those listed.

FWIW, I bought a Winchester EW and a Weatherby Back Country about a week apart, and it didn't take long to send the EW down the road. Everyone I know that has one is either upgrading to a better stock or planning to do so.

I would have said the same thing about one vs. two. Now I've changed my tune. Having one nearly perfect rifle for the task trumps having two rifles that I like. If I liked them equally obviously I'd go for two.

+1

If $1,200 means I could monkey together a Rem 700 in an Edge, that's were my money would be.

Emphasis on "my".......

Agree

Quit making sense.

Any reason Forbes is not on the list? I've not owned one, but have handled a couple have owned an ULA and loved it.

Not that there is nothing wrong with a Steyr Prohunter but I think you are stretching it a bit.

There should be a Forbes 20b or 24b on your list. If you shop around you can find one near your price range.

Very accurate with many different loads and bullet types
easy to carry
durable
and a great bargain compared to a NULA

The forbes can easily compete with any of those on your list. It will beat several for sure in accuracy and weight.

With my biased opinion, having shot only number 3 and 5 on your list - the Remington and the Winchester- I chose Forbes.

This

Yes I overlooked the Forbes, let's put that on the list also

In what category exactly?
Weight? Maybe.
But glass any of those with the Zeiss/telley and tell me which comes in under 1200 and .5" groups.

You still got a beef with S&W working with the Clinton administration too? Give it a rest.