Just got off the phone with one of my students ( a LEO) who is interested in purchasing a new and more traditional looking bolt action wood stocked rifle. He has an AR15 and this will be his first bolt action purchase. Told him that I'd start a thread here to see where other suggestions lead.

His budget is $1,000 give or take a few bucks. He has no plans to reload. He is looking for the MOST POTENTIALLY accurate factory rifle straight from the box using factory ammo along with getting the best possible rifle bang for the buck. He has handled a few rifles including mine. It can either have a monte carlo styled stock or a straight one. Overall rifle looks or aesthetics is really not a big priority. Open to a shiny claro stock or a plain jane one.

Cartridge? Open to just about everything for deer up to and including elk at the normal average hunting distances. Recoil will not affect this guy, so magnums are potential candidates. Open to action type, CRF or push feed, tang safety design or otherwise (2 position or 3), DBM or spring floor plate.

Along with a suggestion or two from me, his online research has led him to the following in no particular order of preference. We discussed the following.

Weatherby Vanguard Deluxe/Sporter
Bergara B14 Timber
Browning X bolt hunter (satin finish)
Winchester M70 Sporter
Ruger Hawkeye
Savage 110

I will take a poll after this thread winds down and then tell him what the general overall consensus was.

To get an accurate poll count, please post your top choice followed by your second choice, 3rd choice and so on down the line.

Ok gents!.... Have at it!

Ruger 30-06
Winchester 30-06

Would likely stop there.

Toss up between the Hawkeye and Model 70,

30-06 Springfield.

..............Need a #1 and a #2.......LOL......

Another vote for toss up between the Hawkeye or Model 70. Not a Savage fan, based purely on aesthetics. X-Bolt is OK, but I prefer my older A-Bolt II. No experience with Bergara. I had a Vanguard that was excellent, but a definite step down from the Ruger or Winchester.

If forced to list them in order (leaving out Bergara):
Hawkeye
Model 70
Vanguard
X-Bolt


Savage

There isn’t a one or two lol. Let the ergos of the 2 decide and go with that one. And still a 30-06.

........Ok..I will categorize your post as a tie!....

You missed the number 1 pick in your list for out of the box accuracy😁.....Tikka T3x forester in 30-06 or 270

...........Ok! I will include that....Thx..

Weather Vanguard DLX
Model 70 Sporter

Never owned one, but general consensus on the internet is the best out-of-the-box accuracy is a Tikka.

Model 70 in 6.5, 270, or 06. (I like the FW more than the Sporter.) The new, Portugal-made versions are excellent.

Tikka

For the money the Vanguards are tough to beat.

Ruger doesnt make the Hawkeye in wood/blued anymore.

My choice would be Kimber, Winchester, (old stock) Ruger in that order, but would take any of them without remorse.

Maybe the Kimber doesnt meet accuracy standards, but I have no complaints in my .308, 257 Roberts, or .30-06.

Remington 700. It is the AR15 of the bolt action world

............We did not include Remington because of their QC and trigger issues?? over the past few recent years...However, possible we may include the M700.....

I just bought a very nice adl .30-06 for around $400.. I really like this one it is an older style.. I have a model 70 in 06, that I have never chamber a round.. But it is a post 64.. From what I hear the new Tikkas may be the way to go... But I have never handled one..

Tikka Hunter in his choice of 6.5 CM, 7/08, 308, 270, 30/06

Whichever way you go I would always consider used

Ruger Hawkeye

Second place Vanguard Deluxe

Two very different fitting stocks, so I would select by ergos.

For a new traditional looking rifle, the Ruger African jumps out for me. Since cartridge isn't specific, whatever flavor you can find - I have a pair in 275 Rigby and 9.3x62...

Love my T3 Forest but too 'Euro' looking to me to consider 'traditional looking'. Damn good shooter!

Probably a T3 Hunter, although I have all the others. A used 700 Classic would be sweet. Make it an '06 and send him forth.

Agree with most here and my Tikka's are no exception...accuracy right out of the box. Don't overlook the Bergara, I have a couple of the Ridge's and both easily shoot under an inch and the 300WM will do 0.3" with handloads. With the Bergara I've found you need to follow the break in procedure and your best accuracy will not be seen until you have at least 60 rounds down the barrel, more like 80 to 100. Nothing against range/trigger time, but some don't have time to mess around. They are built like a 700 so everything can be easily changed out with aftermarket parts.They weigh a pound or 2 more than a Tikka so recoil will be reduced a bit, but have to carry the weight. Triggers on the Bergara's are adjustable too.

Tikka in 06

Winchester 70 Featherweight or Sporter
Ruger Hawkeye
Weatherby Vanguard

Either .270 or .30-06

Any of those should be great.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^


THIS

Tikka in .308,.270,30-06

1. Tikka T3x Hunter in 6.5 Creedmoor
2. Tikka T3x Hunter in 308 Win
3. Tikka T3x Hunter in 30-06

I'd get a Winchester Featherweight or Ruger Hawkeye without the ugly threaded muzzle. The Weatherby is worth considering. 30-06 or 308 would be my chambering choices.

For a traditional look, the wood Kimber's are tough to beat. I've got a couple that I've bought on GunBroker for under a grand. All of them shoot sub MOA and are even better to look at. I just looked and there are a few under 1,000.

Not much experience here. I have used Ruger and Winchester and like them both. Guess favorite would be Ruger in ss w/boat paddle stock. Hunt in any weather without a worry. Caliber would be in 270 first choice and 30-06 second. Didn’t Jack O’Connor prove that was the best round?

The more rifles he handles the better the choice he will make for himself. After all, it is his choice that matters. No on elses’.

Ever read an O’Connor book? JOC was a goon.

Flame away.

An Ruger African 280AC Then save for a nice rings and scope. He can use the irons as a young man and move into a scope when he has to.