Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles What factory rifle would you buy today?

I regret not getting a Fieldcraft. Now I would get a Kimber Adirondak in 6.5 C if I didn't have to leave it in the truck as often as I do. When Tikka comes out w/ a Superlight in 6 C that will probably replace my T3 light 308 as my go to rifle.


mike r

Kimber hunter .30-06
Why?
-Ease of finding ammo on shelves anywhere
-Ease of finding reloading components
-Almost infinite bullet selection for hand loading
-Can load to cover all NA game (realistically almost world wide)
-Drop mag makes it easy for fast loading (driving in to your spot)
-Stainless for easy maintenance
-Stock fit/design is excellent and tough
-Light weight (10 mins nets you an additional free 8oz of savings)
-Accurate out of the box (personal experience of 12 kimbers)
-CRF
-Locking bolt
-Affordable

Do you have 06 plentiful in CA?
Here in the states it seems like even 06 is an issue if you don't have it stocked and need to get it now
Blows my mind the 06 is scarce

Hank

Haven’t looked for components recently, never looked for loaded ammo at all. A couple months ago I was still able to find components with just a little looking.

Currently EVERYTHING in general for the past year and a half has been more difficult to find no matter the caliber. I would say current affairs are extraordinary and not the norm… lets hope that holds true and doesn’t become the norm.

2 friends have recently bought Sauer 100's from local Ace Hardware....brought them here for scope mounting and test firing...pretty hard to pry me away from Mausers, but the Sauer's could do it. At first glance I was skeptical of the forward descending combline, until I shot it. Reduces felt recoil amazingly well. Much more comfortable balance and one handed carry than Tikka. One fellow mounted an older Kahles 6x with a short 3.7" eye relief so with the long 14" L O P. he was having to crawl the stock...instead of butchering the stock, I used a Weaver extension ring to get the scope back further.
I recommended they bring factory ammo (both guys bought '06's) and fireform some new brass to start with. One guy brought Winchester PSP 150 gr, final 5 shots went into 1.1 inches. The other cheapskate brought PPU 165 gr. I said Jeez, Matt, does UPS pay that bad? I had to apologize....last 5 rounds went into .8 inches, 4 of them touching. They called me a week later, I asked about cleaning, 2 wet patches and 3 dry patches and done, no visible copper wash.

Win M70 Extreme Weather in .338

Kill everything with it

Been a Tikka guy since 1976. The most recent is a T3 Stainless synthetic in 6.5 Swede. Shoots great and kills big.

Got mine in 1993...when Winchester brought the M70 back from the dead. A 308 synethic with that ole trigger that is without a doubt the best I have ever put a finger on. Also got a 243 that is in the same fold...M70. Never owned the pre 64 models, but what I got will do for me till I die. Just something about the M70 that says take me hunting today.

that's true and all my pushfeed M70's say the same with never a malfunction and pickup loads of dead deer , antelope and a bull elk. Oh and by the way they are from when you called them dead. Mb

Tikka still make 695's?

There's some availability nationally. PPU is most in stock.

That said for the reloader there's not much difference between cartridges right now - I was able to painlessly spool up for 375 WSM and 28 Nosler during all this nonsense, but right now .30-06 brass seems to be restricted to range pickups. A common cartridge can be as much of a disadvantage as an advantage.

New Haven classics would be high on my list as well. Mine are not exactly factory rifles, but they check all the boxes even better than the CZ550 I mentioned a bit back since they have a more reliable trigger. A factory one in 300 or 325 WSM would suit me just fine with a stock and bottom metal change.

I would be hoping for a factory Mini action chambered for a caliber of at least 6mm Caliber with a barrel twist to handle at least 100 gr bullets. Hope we may push these 100 plus grain bullets at a velocity of 2700 fps plus. and the difficult consideration for most any caliber these days, Need to have ammo available at a price that won't break the bank. I think id prefer a barrel length of roughly 22" in length.

I forgot about the Mauser M18. I really want one of those

A Winchester Model 70 Super Grade in 30-06.

260, I am serious, your first 3 questions don't make ANY diff to or for me. The rifle or cartridges - I choose - work just as well in close cover or open terrain.

Having said that...
I agree about SS & Composite.

This rifle has been my FAV since 1981 when it was introduced.




2012


2020


BUT SS & Composite have qualities that wood/blue do not.
These have become my FAV for hunting ANYWHERE - ANYTIME



270 Win (R), 7mm RM (L)

I have and have posted too many pix of THESE with WT they have killed.

As Skeeter Skelton wrote:
"Nothing is prettier than Walnut & Blue
Nothing is more practical than Stainless Steel & Rubber" (composite)


Jerry

Nothing is prettier than "walnut & blue"????

I dunno, it’s close...

Beautiful fwt there gooch

I forgot, I bought a Weatherby Vanguard. Nice rifles.