Got a buddy who wants to buy a new rifle, something to cover all bases although he really only hunts deer, Price range would be a max of 3500 for the gun. Thinking Christensen Arms Ridgeline but would love to hear some other options, building is out of the question.

Thanks

Long range shooting, or out to say 300 yards?
I would look at a Tikka, or if you can find one a Barrett Fieldcraft. I had a Ridgeline, they can be hit or miss. Mine was ok but nothing special. I have a buddy that has one and after he redid the bedding and cleared where the trigger was hitting the stock, his turned out nice.

Thanks pullit, 300-350 would be max. Michigan hunting over fields mostly.

Even if the 3500 is for rifle, scope, and mounts, that puts a whole bunch good stuff in reach. You should help him narrow his choices down on stuff like stainless/blue, stock material, weight, cartridge, etc. With that budget, he should definitely not skimp on the scope.

I guess I took it as an all up $3500 budget (rifle/scope/and mounts)
Passport, if he is looking for a rifle to shoot at those ranges, a magnum is not needed unless he wants one. The older I get, the less I personally like to get beat on by a rifle. Assuming most people are that way, the are tons of good rifle calibers to choose from.
One more question, does he reload or plan to reload for this rifle? Reason I ask, quality factory ammo is more abundant in some calibers than others, and that might play a roll in what cal. he chooses.

Good advice.

For what your buddy wants to do with it pretty much any bolt action rifle in a wide range of cartridges will work just fine. Have him narrow down controlled round feed or push feed (if it matters to him) stock material approximate desired weight and barrel contour ect.

Find a Fieldcraft or Montana.

6.5 or 7-08 would be dandy - scope it with what's left over.

I hunt MI fields for mostly deer. Same ranges. Montana in 7-08 shooting what's left of my 162 ELD's with a 6x MilQuad. Been very happy with it.

There are many many many rifles out there that can be had for a lot less than that if he only hunts deer. Can get a decent package including scope for a third of that. Save the money and use it for ammo, or put towards a great hunt. OR, but 2 or 3 rifles in different chamberings to tinker with.

Agreed. Out of 3 safes full of rifles, the 7-08 Montana w/ VX2 2-7X33 glass is the one I grab first. That set up would leave a lot of a $3,500 budget intact.

thanks guys, yes SS, composite handle, weight is not really a big issue as long as its not real super light or real heavy. As to loading they don't.
Not looking to dial down too far, just wondering if Im overlooking anything, I have not done rifles for a while as shotguns have been my deal for a few years now.
Mainly wondering is anything new and exciting has hit the market that Im unaware of. The Kimber's, Tikkas and Barrtes are all on the list.

Thanks again

If not handloading - I'd probably not do 7-08, it shines at the reloading bench much more than the Cabela's shelf.

I'd probably stay 6.5 Creed or any of the "standards".

This really pains me to say but looking at the information you provided; composite/stainless, not too heavy, not too light, not a hand loader, deer in fields out to 350 yards........I can't think of better than a Winchester M70 EW in .270 Winchester and some really good glass. It sure checks a lot of boxes.

Too bad he doesn't handload. With that budget, this one would be on the way to my house.

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/16169364/re-custom-pre64-6-5-06

[quote=Teal]If not handloading - I'd probably not do 7-08, it shines at the reloading bench much more than the Cabela's shelf.



Not much wrong with Hornady American Whitetail hunter ammo featuring the 139 gr interlock in the 7-08 relatively inexpensive too. Mb

I gotta ask, why is building out of the question? That kind of budget makes room for some of the very best parts.

Lots of action choices & many in stock.

Many barrel blanks in stock now, more than I've seen in years.

Nice triggers available.

And I read here that a member, Shaen is quick to deliver for chambering jobs. If that's changed, I couldn't tolerate months upon months myself.

The most knowledgeable rifle guy in my deer club is a trained marksman who has enjoyed shooting really nice rigs on the govt dime. I believe his latest rifle for personal use is Christensen bolt action he takes on guided hunts. Not sure which model.

Got the caliber narrowed down to a few short actions, just wonder what's new and exciting I don't know about in the way of factory rifles...

Is it still a Fieldcraft/Kimber/Tikka world?

Ridgeline in 7mm08, 270WSM 270 WIn, 308, or 30-06

Winchester m70 extreme weather is nice, I have one in 30-06 with a Zeiss conquest scope on it. It’s a nice all around rifle.

I too have a safe full of rifles and handload all of my own ammo.

The rifle I find myself carrying most of the time anymore is a Tikka T3 Lite in 308 that wears a NightForce 3-10-42.
Light, handy, great trigger and a very smooth action.
Sub MOA at 300 easy w handloads.

Even with the price of the rifle and the scope, I'm in it for a lot less than his budget.

I would suggest a Tikka in 270 Win or 30-06, but if he wants shorter action, 7mm-08, 308 or 6.5 manbun would all be good too. Still get a nice scope and be under his budget by half. A kimber Montana would be nice and a bit lighter weight in those calibers.

I'd suggest a Winchester model 70 EW in either 270 win, 308win, or 30-06. Add a decent 3-9x40 scope and you're set. Your friend is probably like the vast majority of hunters who shoot their rifle to sight it in, then a few more rounds at a game animal. A solid rifle and scope checks all the boxes and leaves plenty of cash to put towards a quality hunt for deer or elk.

For deer only and anything below, out to a max of 350m, it can be done for little expense, and less recoil. Personally? Short list would be a Winchester Stainless Featherweight, put a good stock on it like a Bansner or McMillan, and whatever decent fixed 6 he prefers. No turrets or dots, just a good set and forget scope, because I would have the rifle in a chambering that allowed me to shoot to 350 without turning knobs and such. Anything from a .243 to a 308. Preferably the lower end of that. For me, it would be a .243 running an 80 to 85gr. bullet in either a bonded or monolithic flavor. 80 TTSX would be a good one. Run it hot, zero at 200, and go kill stuff.

You can do similar with other short action chamberings, using light for caliber bullets. BC matters little at the ranges you specify, so a light, stout bullet moving fast gets there flat. Faster travel times mean less wind deflection, too. KISS.

Deer down, I'am with OLDGRAYWOLF, .243 1x8 twist, fast and flat 350 yards is a chip shot, shoot 55gr. to 110 gr. low recoil, will kill deer like lighting. Rio7

Kimber Montana or Fieldcraft if you can find one. NULA if you don’t mind paying more and want something customized for you and don’t mind the wait.

Seekin's Havak and pocket the rest of the money for something else.

With the above ranges being max...There are a metric ton of rifles that would fill that need.

7-08 or 6.5 CM would seem about the right temperature for the porridge. Easy to load for, if that’s important. Usually, good factory loads were once abundant, before Biden. YMMV.

Tikka SS would be my first look. Second Bergara

With the cash savings, put solid glass up top, and own the fields from first to last light.

🦫

#LeupyGlass

When it came to my money, I choose a Christensen Arms Ridgeline, I now have three and one MPR. The best "improved" rem 700 clone I could find. They all wear McMillan stocks now, still within your friends budget. However, for that money, I'd build from the ground up starting with a Defiance or just buy an Oregon Mountain Rifle titanium, still within his budget.

Kelbly's "Koda" Rifle and don't look back! Unbelievable what they can produce at that cost point......

Only downside is you are limited to either 6.5 CM of 6.5 PRC.....I chose the 6.5 PRC



Frog---OUT!

Sent you a PM with more information....regards,

Frog