Please Help Me Decide First Bolt Action

[LynnJr]

I won't recommend a rifle but barrel length is free velocity all else equal so competitive shooters tend to use longer barrels than pig hunters.

[RNE228]

I can attest to this.

Early on in my hunting and target shooting, I got a Rem700V in 308. Early 1980's rifle, very accurate out of the box with Federal Match, and with the Sierra 165 Game Kings I loaded. Sub MOA all day long blah blah...

It was great for target work, and for Wyoming antelope.

But man, when transitioned from antelope to deer, we did a lot more hiking. The heavy barrel rifle sucked for that...

If I'm hiking a lot, I use a lighter rifle with a sport taper.

trying to compromise and get both functions in one rifle means you end up with a package that is not great for EITHER use.
Start out with a rifle that's perfect for your MAIN use.
After that, get a 2nd rifle that's perfect for your secondary use.

[ar15barrels]

There's nothing wrong with a 20" barrel for 750 yards. I have a friend that used to shoot 1000 yard high power with his 20 incher. His bullets sometimes went subsonic, but at 750 you shouldn't have any trouble. You shouldn't worry about it until you've tried it and found it lacking.

Highpower shoots at a 72" wide target frame with a 60" black at 1000yds.
The OP wants to shoot at a 24" wide target at 750yds with a 20" black.
That completely changes how important velocity is.

[Drakulya]

Browning X Bolt in stalker or hunter configuration. .308 or 6.5 creedmoor although i prefer 6.5. Price on these is about $700-850 depending on where you get it. I bought my rifle at 2A zone and paid less than that but this was about a 2 years ago. 6.5 creedmoor will get better results specially at long range. The round is rated for elk so it can take just about any animal in California. 6.5 also has less recoil than .308. If you can shoot one somewhere do it, that will be all the convincing you need. Someone else had mentioned the Browning Hells Canyon Awesome very nice looking rifle, it is also an X bolt. I wanted one bad but could not find any at the time. Not in the least disappointed with my purchase. I bought the stalker.

[beardog308]

I have a CZ 550 American that checks most of those boxes. Four and ten round magazines, 24" barrel, set trigger.,

[sigstroker]

Browning X Bolt in stalker or hunter configuration. .308 or 6.5 creedmoor although i prefer 6.5. Price on these is about $700-850 depending on where you get it. I bought my rifle at 2A zone and paid less than that but this was about a 2 years ago. 6.5 creedmoor will get better results specially at long range. The round is rated for elk so it can take just about any animal in California. 6.5 also has less recoil than .308. If you can shoot one somewhere do it, that will be all the convincing you need. Someone else had mentioned the Browning Hells Canyon Awesome very nice looking rifle, it is also an X bolt. I wanted one bad but could not find any at the time. Not in the least disappointed with my purchase. I bought the stalker.

The ones I've seen have a pretty thin barrel, making them a challenge in bench sessions.

[Guardian Mode]

I agree with Ruger Predator. 6.2 lbs. Good for hunting out of the box...

https://lockedloaded.com/product/ruger-6974-american-predator-bolt-308-winchester7.62-nato-18-tb-41-synthetic-moss-green-stk-black

Drop it into an Oryx chassis for bench or barricade work....

https://lockedloaded.com/product/oryx-chassis-stock-ruger-american-action

1 rifle, 2 configurations...under $750.

[kevins750]

Get the savage tactical 110 in 6.5C ...turners or sportsmans werehouse.

Get the diamond back tactical or SWFA 10 or 12X and some match ammo

And go shooting...

[Varg Vikernes]

Yeah thinking you can have a gun do both hunting and LR target shooting is like making a race car your daily 200 mile commuter.

Just get a cheaper $250 hunting rifle, and blow the rest of your budget on the endless pit of LR shooting.

[DrewTheBrave]

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned a Bergara B14 yet. They have been making barrels for years, and make quality rifles based on the R700 action. They've got a few variants that check off some of your boxes:

The Hunter is pretty self explanatory, and is 6.9 - 7.1 lbs depending on caliber.
The HMR (Hunting & Match Rifle) is a bit heavier with an adjustable stock & heavier barrel at a total of 9.15 lbs for the .308.

But I think what you're looking for is the Ridge, which is basically the Hunter with a heavier barrel. It weighs 7.9 lbs with a 22" barrel in .308. Probably about as close as you'll get to a "do all" rifle.

https://www.bergara.online/us/rifles/b14/ridge-rifle

They also make a Ridge Special Purpose with 18" barrel that's closer to 7lbs, which is what I would want in 6.5 Creedmoor.

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[Warehouse13]

I just bought this set up. Could not be happier.

[NorCalFocus]

[Jeepix]

I've been researching, searching, reading, and watching and I've decided I would appreciate some input on selecting my first bolt action.



Purpose: entry to hunting,target bench shooting @ distance



Caliber: .308win



Goals:

-Under 7.5 lbs without scope

-Hit silhouettes at ~750 yrds

-Ability to shoot in relatively quick sucession while maintaining decent, silhouette level accuracy (5 shots in 10min or quicker)



Nice to haves:

-Detachable magazine

-Under $750

-ideally all of the above out of the box. I don't mind swapping my own parts buy don't want to take a dremel to things



Prospects:

-I'm thinking a 22 - 26 inch barrel

-considering the Tikka T3x series. The lite seems great for walking around but not great for multiple shots. The varmint is the opposite. They seem to have what I want mostly out of the box

-I'm also considering the Rem 700 series. Thought about an adl or sps. Would these meet my distance goal out of the box? I hear many start with adl and swap out stocks and other mods. I wonder if at this price after mods I could have just gotten an out of the box that meets my goals



I'm open to other suggestions, any advice is appreciated!

I have a Howa Axiom in .308 that I love. Excellent accuracy.

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[TMB 1]

Get two identical 308 rifles either Savage or Remington 783, then later get a Criterion barrel and better stock for one of them making it your target rifle and ending up with spare barrel for hunting rifle. Until then you can alternate shooting them so barrels don't get to hot.