Recommendation Bolt Gun Under $1000

[cwin]

I've been thinking about getting a bolt gun and was looking for recommendations on a good rifle under $1000 (without optics). I've been doing my own research but love bouncing ideas off of others.

I'm not entirely new to the subject but I haven't shot bolt guns extensively nor have I owned one in about a decade. Will 99% be used as a range toy for target shooting. No plans to get into competition shooting or anything like that. Just something fun to shoot at the range.

Some rifles I've been looking at are the Ruger American Gen 2, Savage Axis 2 Precision, Howa 1500 Hera H7, Bergara B14 HMR, and Tikka T3x Lite.

I would love the Tikka but not sure how well the pencil barrel will do in a PRS application. I could stretch a little and go for a heavier barrel Tikka like the CTR but that would be drifting out of the price range I would like to stay in so I'm looking for alternatives. Caliber of choice would be .233 (if available, for cost effectiveness) or .308.

Looking for something reliable, fairly accurate (for the price), and upgradable in the distant future (chassis, barrel, etc.).

Would love to hear everyone's thoughts!

[ar15barrels]

Of the ones you listed, I would recommend the Bergara because it's a 700 pattern receiver.
That means you will have far more options in chassis/triggers than any of the other listed platforms.

The pencil barrel on the tikka is no good for target shooting where you want to be able to drop 10 rounds into the same spot as pencil barrels wander as they heat up.
Don't even bother with a pencil barrel for a target gun.
Pencil barrels are specifically intended to reduce weight for the type of rifle that you carry for 3-4 days of hunting any maybe fire 3 rounds.
If that's not your intended use, you probably are best served with a heavier target rifle barrel contour.

Tikka actions are also smaller/slimmer than all the others you listed so they are not able to hold truly heavy barrel contours as a typical heavy barrel contour at the breech is larger than the tikka receiver on the front end.
For this reason, barrels made to go on T3 actions (even the heavy factory contours) have to be smaller at the breech than any of the other actions.

[bigbossman]

Of the ones you listed, I would recommend the Bergara because it's a 700 pattern receiver.

I know the OP didn't list it, but I'm thinking a Remington 700 would also be worth considering for his intended use. Lots of those around......

[baih777]

I can't tell the barrel profile. But this looks good.

https://www.sportsmans.com/shooting-gear-gun-supplies/rifles/bergara-b-14-hmr-graphite-black-cerakote-brown-bolt-action-rifle-65-creedmoor-22in/p/1737298

[cwin]

Of the ones you listed, I would recommend the Bergara because it's a 700 pattern receiver.
That means you will have far more options in chassis/triggers than any of the other listed platforms.

The pencil barrel on the tikka is no good for target shooting where you want to be able to drop 10 rounds into the same spot as pencil barrels wander as they heat up.
Don't even bother with a pencil barrel for a target gun.
Pencil barrels are specifically intended to reduce weight for the type of rifle that you carry for 3-4 days of hunting any maybe fire 3 rounds.
If that's not your intended use, you probably are best served with a heavier target rifle barrel contour.

Tikka actions are also smaller/slimmer than all the others you listed so they are not able to hold truly heavy barrel contours as a typical heavy barrel contour at the breech is larger than the tikka receiver on the front end.
For this reason, barrels made to go on T3 actions (even the heavy factory contours) have to be smaller at the breech than any of the other actions.

Thanks for the reply. Yeah, those are my thoughts as well and will probably rule out Tikka since it's more than I'd like to spend right now. The Bergara is pretty nice and is an option that I'll explore as well.

[cwin]

I know the OP didn't list it, but I'm thinking a Remington 700 would also be worth considering for his intended use. Lots of those around......

I owned a Rem 700 about a decade ago and I did like it. However, I haven't heard much good about them lately, especially under the new ownership.

[deadcoyote]

Random but I think tikka makes varmint rifles that may fit your requirements well.

[divingin]

I owned a Rem 700 about a decade ago and I did like it. However, I haven't heard much good about them lately, especially under the new ownership.

I heard good stuff after the manufacturing ramped back up, but that was a while ago. Haven't heard much (good or bad) in the last year or so.

[Citadelgrad87]

I did this with Randall's help years ago, maybe 5-10? He pointed me at the then best tolerance wise actions made by Remington, the 5r guns. I bought a new one from another calgunner for about $900, put some glass on it, and never looked back. Randall knows of what he speaks. He also replaced the bolt handle, trued the bolt and tweaked the safety, as well as added a brake, while I waited and stood in his way.

[sigstroker]

You wanna use a .223 or .308 for PRS? The only time those are viable is in gas guns and a bolt gun <> gas gun. Or are you only talking about PRS-style shooting?

As far as what to recco, it depends on where your priorities are. If accuracy is top priority it's hard to beat a Savage for getting the stoutest and most accurate barrel for the money. The trigger with the dingus is one of the lightest for factory triggers on a cheap gun. They aren't exactly TriggerTech but you aren't getting those on sub-$1k guns either. If you like short bolt throw and smooth bolt, then I like Tikka best.

FWIW when I wanted a cheapo version of a longer range gun, I got a Savage Tactical. It's a relatively new model, so the bolt runs much smoother than the old models, like the 12. The barrel is heavier than average and it has an AICS-pattern box magazine, something else you'll need for PRS. The barrel is not target weight, but PRS is only 10 rounds at a time, so it's not ideal, but it won't be melting either. It came with multiple comb height pieces, next best to an adjustable cheekpiece. I think they are about $700.

Lastly, do yourself a favor and just get 6.5 Creedmoor. Match quality ammo is the same price as .308 and just as available. Unless you have a mountain of .308 brass there's no reason to use that in a long range rifle.

[ar15barrels]

Random but I think tikka makes varmint rifles that may fit your requirements well.

It is random because its 6 months late to the party where the OP already ruled out Tikka due to price.
Did you even read the first post?

[ar15barrels]

You wanna use a .223 or .308 for PRS? The only time those are viable is in gas guns and a bolt gun <> gas gun. Or are you only talking about PRS-style shooting?

This was answered 6 months ago in the very first post that you must not have even read.