Recommendations for lightweight Deer rifle under $1,000

[NickTheGreek]

This is not a "what is the best" thread, but more "what should I look into based off of your experience" thread.

I'm shopping around for a lightweight bolt-action Deer rifle. I am currently using a 1978 Ruger M77 in .30-06. They used to build these rifles out of lead and it kills me to pack it on long hunts. I am thinking I want to keep the caliber the same so I can use the same ammo for both guns.

I looked at the Tikka T3 and it looks nice, but want to hear what you guys use for lightweight bolt action Deer rifles so I can go to the gun shops, pick them up, and do my own research.

Thanks

[ElvenSoul]

I handled a Savage Ultralight and liked it.

The Mossberg 4x4 seemed to be a real nice gun.

Was hoping the store would have a Savage Axis II to check out. They had not gotten theirs yet. Seen the online going for around $360 this includes a very nice Weaver 3x9 Scope.

However I ended up buying a Winchester Model 70 Featherweight in .264Mag!
A little more pricey...but ohhhh so sexy! I got it for $1100 this included a Redfield Scope and Ultralight Sling.

A very Sexy Beast is the CZ American 557 they go for about $800 and are remarkable shooters!

[milotrain]

What about a rifle length encore?

[NapalmCheese]

My vote goes to Tikka T3. The stock is decent, accuracy is good, bolt is very smooth, less than 90* bolt lift (60? 50 something?) and I haven't had any problems with the stock rings.

[bcsquare]

I just took home a CZ 550 American in 270 a few weeks ago; my FFL ordered one in for me of the last stock. Topped it with a Vortex Diamondback for a hair over $800.

I looked hard at the Winchester M70 Featherweight; love that stock! But I just didn't feel that it was worth the $150 over the CZ.

[therealnickb]

I found a model 70 LW in 308 with a 1-4 leup scope very lightly used for $700.

Love it.

[ElvenSoul]

Encore are fun...can be ***** as your main hunting rifle...carry one as backup!

Sometimes the shells get stuck after firing...or it won't close right...just little things with break open single shooters. Oh yeah the Encore is not really that light.

Check out the Tikka Hunter love mine!

[SonofWWIIDI]

Savage weather warrior
Ruger American
Remington 700

[foxtrotuniformlima]

Weatherby Vanguard 2

[Varg Vikernes]

Tikka T3 lite has got to be up there.

[Bldrinker]

I just put together a fairly light weight hunting rifle. Weatherby Vanguard S2 (30/06 ) Luepold VX2 3x9x40 and talley rings total, About $950ish. It is light weight in my opinion.

[jmzhwells]

Tikka for sure. Spend the extra 300 on a Leupold VX1 3-9x40. I love that combo.

[bogey]

I love my tikka t3 270. I put a Burris fullfield II 3x9x40 in a dnz mount.

I highly recomend the dnz mount on anything you get. The fewer points that could fail the better.

[ElvenSoul]

Mossberg MVP can be had in .308

[TMB 1]

30-06 Savage 111 Lightweight Hunter at 6lbs would be good, but I think I'd rather have an 11 in 260 Rem at 5.5lbs because I don't think I'd like the 30-06 in a rifle that light.