Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters modern "classic" rifles

I haven't bought or even shopped for rifles in quite a few years. Kinda disappointed in what I'm seeing online for really nice rifles. I want nice walnut, cut checkered blued steel for an MD residency graduation gift.

What I was looking for was a Cooper, Kimber (select/super America), Nosler, etc. It appears Cooper has been sold and I don't see any wood stocks listed on Kimber and Nosler websites. I guess there's Weatherby, but really want nicer than Winchester, Remington, Ruger type rifles. What am I missing? I know there's got to be choices out there, I'm just not seeing them

Caliber will probably be 7mm to 30 cal. Not specifically tied to an exact cartridge other than needing to be mainstream and not for the gun nuts like me.

Budget is $1500-2500.

I can suggest a couple of options. First, choose whatever rifle you want within your budget and get a drop in Boyd's stock for it. The top grade walnut Boyd's stock should be around $500 or less, depending on which rifle you pick.

I also recommend checking out CZ, Sako or Tikka. They make excellent rifles.

Check out the older rifles on GunBroker. I see beautiful old rifles selling every day. These were some of the rifles I admired and had to simply watch due to not finding enough change under my couch cushions:

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1048196627
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1047155732
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1046417858

I'm also really fond of Sako. There are a fair number of safe queens that come up for sale pretty regularly. For example:
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1040774093

Of course, finding these old rifles in commonly available cartridges like .270 or .30-06 is really easy.

Edit - to give you an idea of real value, not just asking price, I only listed items that have already sold. But there are especially some lovely old Sako’s on GunBroker that I would happily buy if funds were more abundant. In particular, there’s a very nice .270 with the desirable Bofors Steel marking.

Current Winchester Model 70s are very nicely made, not cheap in either sense of the word.

If you search a bit, you can probably find a Kimber Classic Select Grade somewhere, still listed:

https://www.kimberamerica.com/classic-select-grade


Sakos are out there, but definitely not cheap. Tikkas come in Walnut, both blued and SS and are a solid choice shooting-wise, and the polymer parts can be replaced if he wants to.

Howa has the Super Deluxe Walnut, blued or SS, but I’ve not seen one in person to comment on fit and finish, but the actions are quite good, made from forged steel, with one-piece bolts, a rarity these days.

If he’s a hunter, one of the new Wilson Combat NULAs would be appreciated, though not walnut-stocked.

There are lots of nice rifles available if you look a bit. You stated wood/blued, but young folks have different ideas about stuff, so consider that.

Based on the OP's criteria I would probably take a look at the following to see if there was anything suitable:

Sako 90 Hunter & Bavarian

Benelli LUPO. Eurooptic has them in stock with a special price of $1799 in 30-06 walnut (Click Here!)

Montana Junction

The Steyr CL II will slightly break that budget.

Sako would be my first visit.

The Winchester Super Grades with French Walnut aren’t too bad and come in a decent variety of cartridges.

I am with Beretzs. Model 70 would be my first choice.

Vintage Sako in 95% condition or, have you thought about a really nice Pre 64 model 70?

Either of those make my propeller spin, but I'm not
an MD

I stopped looking at new rifle offerings, instead I look for older Rem 700's or Win 70's in the caliber I want and in great condition. I picked up some very nice ones in $1000's range. Older Sako's are great and classic as well.

If one's pockets are of moderate depth.

Look Here

Likely something there that will float one's boat.



If pockets are a bit deeper, prowl around their site and check out their European stuff.

AAA French Kimber Select's from 2015 with wraparound forend checkering are nice.

Mauser Model 18 "Pure".

Sako L-61’s, sold these off to guys on here except for a 264 and a 7 mag. The 50th anniversary was unfired, sold to a friend.

Each of the following were purchased pre enjoyed. Each was within the range of prices that you indicated would work for you.



Steyr Mannlicher

Mannlicher Classic, 8mm Mauser

Classic Mannlicher carbine, 7mm -08

Steyr Ultra-light, 223 Rem




Remington 700, Custom Shop, 300 Win Mag.




Sauer 200's

30-06 Springfield

Europa Luxe, 25-06


Sako Bavarian, half stock, 6.5 x 55 SE




Browning B-78 High Grade, 300 H&H



Sako AV Deluxe, 280 Rem.



Remington M7 Custom Shop, 308 Win




Parker Hale, Rigby Stalker (copy), 275 Rigby



Browning High Wall, 45-70




Browning Custom Trophy, 270 Win.

ya!


GWB

Beautiful collection. Every Sako I have every fired has shot so well.

Lots of character with wood. One can look at a rack and easily pick out his rifle.

Put me in the camp of looking for a very nice, lightly used custom rifle in lieu of a new one. Much better return on investment. And chance to have something truly unique. IIRC, Hallowell had several nice "pre-enjoyed" custom bolt rifles in standard chamberings in the $2K to $5K range last time I looked.

there's a Model 70 Featherweight "Limited Edition" 270 Win in the classifieds... listed as unfired? at $925... say's he won't ship?... Run!, and bend his arm!...

I’ve seen some Kimber Selects that were a bit plain, but also some near-stunners. Not to everyone’s taste I know, but I find the SS/walnut rifles very attractive, Kimbers and others as well. I even put some together myself with take-off stocks or ones purchased from the makers directly.

I like the Oregon made BGR’s