Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles New Rifle

Hey guys, been out of loop for a while as far as new rifles. I want to get something in a 308 or 30.06 bolt action. I'd like to get something that doesn't break the bank. I don't want a Ruger American or anything similar built like that like to get traditional separate barrel from receiver. Any recommendations?

Look at either a tikka t3x or a weatherby vanguard s2.

What isn't like a Ruger American now days? Some guys may even say the Tikka that was suggested is more like a Ruger American than a traditional rifle. So what is it exactly you are looking for? They don't make pre 64 model 70's anymore. Are you looking for a walnut/blued steel rifle, Stainless/walnut, or just something that doesn't have a goofy as fu ck looking synthetic stock on it, or a rifle with a lot of plastic parts.

The Stevens 334 with walnut stock doesn't look too bad for a new rifle. Personally, I'd rather buy a nice used rifle, over any of these new weird looking rifles they try to pass off these days. YMMV..

Some version of the Remington 700 should meet your needs.

I'd keep an eye on Guns International for a Remington 700, Winchester M70 or Ruger M77

Glad my pre 64 Model 70 .308 still does the job.

Haunt tha pawnshops

I'd skip new and go for well maintained used. A post 64 push feed model 70 in exc condition can be found for 400 to 500, they came with hammer forged barrels, I've never seen one that wouldn't shoot. The .308s, 06's are common, .270's are a little scarcer. They came in Win 70, Win 670, Win 770, Sears 53,
and I think Win Ranger and 770. Rangers are dirt cheap, enough left over to get a good scope.

I like the looks of that new Stevens 334 in Walnut. They are about $450 new.

Hard to beat a M70 FWT. Not the least expensive.

I favor this reply, Tikka has about any combo you'd need, wood, synthetic, blued, stainless, short medium or long barrel, 3or 5 or 10 shot mags, picatinny or standard base rings, threaded or not, adjustable trigger, plastic or metal trigger guard, vertical grip choice, coated bolt or barrel, different contour barrels, fluted or not and a real accuracy guarantee.
Probably forgot something but thats quite a list that performs.

Your general desire, "unencumbered" of picky specs, leaves you with a happy world of rifles for sure! You haven't even actually limited yourself to "Bolt", so you've got a wild arena!

I'm with the general crowd as saying "seek used!" To my mind, older guns 'tend to be' more quality and especially if you don't mind ordinary field wear, you may be able to get a great rifle at half or so the prices of a new model reflecting the latest-greatest-inflation-impacted editions! I always liked the big gun shows best, or smaller shops! Of bolts, I'm heavily prejudiced toward the Model 70 CRF editions. Pre '74 of course but also like the '90ies era rifles too and perhaps a few clicks cheaper. But heck, if I saw a really decent quality Springfield or Enfield sporter, I'd not kick it out of bed!

Final thought I'd not ignore the .308 Winchester chambering too and its medium length mainstream brethren.

Seems to me you're in the catbird seat of keeping an open mind and, as heare seeking/open to suggestions!

Good Luck!
John

I would be on the look out for an older Rem 700 BDL with the impressed checkering. A nice safe queen in .30-06.

+1

I would search for a nice used Winchester Ruger Savage Remington.. from years back. Made better than todays in my opinion.

If you want new I would suggest Tikka or Bergera

Just saw this…. Great gun, very good price

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbt...onew/1/fs-remington-700-adl-30-06#UNREAD

And this. https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbt...onew/1/winchester-model-70-ranger#UNREAD

Unless you’re a handloader id prob get the 308. Get an ADL or SPS, ditch the stock.

Howa is the budget choice for conventionally-constructed rifles. Forged action, one-piece bolt with tool-less takedown, hinged floorplate, even some with nice walnut and SS if you can find them in stock. Check Grice’s and maybe Elk County, both in PA. They are, in standard form, a bit heavy, but any rifle built the old way likely will be, unless you pony up some serious money.

Weatherby Vanguards are the same basic rifle, with different furniture.

A "new" rifle to me, is always a gently used rifle. Those have always been the best. Hard to lose any money that way too. That's how I've always done it though, YMMV... I can show 10 examples that I've bought in the last year, that are damn good. It would be really hard buying new, now days with the crap that is coming out of the factories. You guys can have them. They offer very little as far as I'm concerned.

If new, I’d likely go Tikka or Howa/Vanguard for the money, assuming a traditional sporter. Otherwise, check the used racks and pawn shops.

Tikka T3

Tikka

Tikka or a Sako A7 Roughtec if you can find a good deal on one.

I have had very good luck with used guns over the years and would also recommend a used 700. Now that I think about it, all of my rifles were used. I did buy a couple of new shotguns but I’ve never had a new rifle and I don’t think I’ve missed out on anything.

+10 see it the same way bsa. Mb

I think a lot of us do. However, I have some buddies that scoff at buying a used rifle. They have to have new for some reason. That is their prerogative. They most times prefer buying the budget rifles too. I've told them, hey why don't you buy a good used rifle, and it goes over their head...


Here's one of my most recent purchases. A really clean Sako AII 243 winchester. Been having some fun with this one, but it did need a little TLC:






A few months ago, I bought a nice little Winchester model 70 for my girlfriend to hunt with, for about the same price:



That rifle hammers the same load right in there:




However, that Sako has turned in some better groups at 400 yards, using the same load the Winchester shoots:


The OP probably doesn't want to see the 308's and 30-06 rifles I bought last year. All used, and all excellent shooters.

I am pleased with my stainless Tikka T3 Lite 308.

Excellent rifles Even the T3. I love mine as well, and I'm not even a huge fan of 308 Winchester. The nice thing about the T3's, is they are generally found for less money than the newer rendition (T3x). That does not mean they can't made to be the same, or very similar. Replace/upgrade a few parts, like they did with the T3x, and they are excellent rifles. Those first ones are the ones that really made believers out of us, with how damn accurate they are. I replaced the T3 stock on mine for no cost. Just used a T3x stock that came off another rifle. I also swapped in an alloy bolt shroud, and steel recoil lug:

Sauer 100. Just picked one up new for a song. 14 1/4" LOP though.

Another vote for Tikka as well.

Ruger GSR,Tikka, M70.

Bergara b-14 models, unless you have more money to spend.

Tikka T3

Luv the look of SS & walnut........

Rem 700 sps SS 308, chop the barrel 20-22” sell Tupperware and throw it into an ADL

Howa/vanguard is hard to beat for the money

LOL.
you guys need to take a bore scope to some of your fan boy brands.

for the money find a 20 year old rifle or older if you want a nice quality rifle with a decent wood stock , these old Ruger 77`s used to be a great rifle for the price . i have not thought much of any new brand rifle .

Rest fhuqking ASSURED,that neither Accuracy or Precision can be "seen" in a barrel,otherwise they'd sell by their Eye Fhuqktitude. Hint.

Your sheer and utter CLUELESSNESS,never disappoints,in it's fhuqking MAGNIFICENT grandeur. Hint.

Fhuqking LAUGHING!.....................

your saying they cant see defects in their barrels which may affect accuracy when looking thru a bore scope ? seems they wouldnt waste their money and buy them then

I've only got 100's of barrels. Accuracy and Precision can not be "seen",barring outright fhuqking STUPIDITY. Hint.

Just sayin'....................

maybe it wont show them a great barrel but I am sure it will give them a heads up on one that may give problems later

Browning X Bolt

I believe Bergara was one mentioned here before as having rough barrels.
Maybe that statement is true but it sure doesn't effect accuracy or precision on my 280ai.

I don't agree with Stick on a lot of things,but he is dead on with this.I either own or have owned dozens of pretty good varmint/target rifles-a few Stolle BR rifles,40x Remingtons,lots with custom barrels by Lilja,Krieger,Douglas and others. I currently have 8 Tikka's in various calibers. The most consistently accurate center fire rifle I ever owned was a Savage .223 varmint that had a horribly pitted barrel that I never did get clean. I also had a 40x 22-250 with a similar barrel that shot in the .2's at 100 yards...