$1000 rifle budget

[blasted_saber]

Ruger M77

[Drastic711]

Tikka T3 Lite and you will have for set of bases and rings for that 1K...
good and accurate guns,for Ontario and rest of Canada use just great long bores...

[MikePal]

I'd buy an Accutrigger Savage, and put the other $400 towards upgrading the optics you're going to buy. I'd rather have an accurate $500 rifle and a $1500 scope, then the other way around (mind you, you haven't said what your scope budget is). It depends on what you want - an accurate rifle that's real pretty to look at, or just an accurate rifle.

Now there's a wise man....why spend the whole wad on just the gun...there are some excellent guns for allot less than $1K...leave you lots of room to buy a scope and a few $100 worth of ammo.

[GW11]

Thanks for all of the excellent feedback! Probably the most replies to any thread I've started to date. It's nice to get this kind of feedback because I've read enough of most of your posts to be able to relate your recommendations to how your hunting and shooting style might compare to mine.

I figured that the X-bolt and T3 would come highly recommended but there are a few surprises here as well. I'll try to address a few of the replies here to let you know where I'm at. It's a long response, but this is a great time of year to talk about guns.

Mauser actioned, with a modern chambering like .308 or .270 ( my two favourite calibers).

For the $$$, the CZ centerfire rifles are very good. Something like a CZ 557 Sporter, or in my case ( I have a weakness for Mannlicher stocks) I'd buy a CZ 550FS.

I'm pretty sure I will be going with .308, .270 or 30-06. If I settle on a T3 I'll stick with a long action as they are not a true short action. I've never handled a CZ bolt rifle before but I've read good things and they look nice too, I'll be sure to check them out.

Well, its for a special occaision, so I'd try to get the budget bumped up a bit to get one of the new model 94 Winchesters. Its a lot for a lever action, but they are pretty nice.

I've owned model 94's in the past and currently have a Marlin 30AS in 30-30 that has served me well. If I go with another lever gun, I'll probably go with what I believe is one of your favourites, a big bore .444.

Bump your budget up just a touch. I just bought a new Ruger M77 (.270) synthetic stainless

Not many guys I hunt with carry Rugers, but one older fella did and he let me carry his older M77 in .270 for a few days one season. I did like the feel/fit of the rifle and will be sure to look at them as well. Bumping up the budget a bit is likely possible, I'll just have to work a bit of OT or do some extra buttering up!

Here ya go...
http://thathuntingstore.com/

Browning X-Bolt Stainless Stalker chambered for 308... on sale.

My Dad just bought an X-bolt Micro (we have short arms...lol) and I do really like the 60 degree bolt and the overall look and feel of the gun. An X-bolt is high on my list.

If I had a grand to buy a new all-rounder I'd look seriously at a Rem 700 CDL detach-mag. .30-06 is good, but I'd likely go for a 7mm-08 just because I recently got a 700 BDL in that chambering and it is a sweet cartridge to shoot!
I'd also consider a Tikka T3; make mine blued/walnut.

I definitely won't rule out Remington, hopefully they've had a wake-up call in the quality department. My BIL has a T3 in .300 Win Mag and an older model (model 595 or 695?) in .308 and I wish they still made those. To me, they seem a little higher quality than the T3's. The new "Forest" version of the T3 is the one I have my eye on if I go that route.

Found a pretty good deal on a 1973 Sako Finnbear in 30-06. Prolly the best shooting firearm I've ever owned.

outback

I'm definitely keeping my eyes open for a used Sako. Might have to up the budget a touch to make it fit but I'm thinking it will be worthwhile. The Sako A7 looks like it might be worth a look too, although I wish they came in a wood stocked version.

Would you consider a single shot rifle at all? Look at the variants of the Ruger No1. They're beautiful and functional.

The Thompson Center Encore is nice too.

I hadn't, but thanks for the suggestion, I will check them out. I currently use a single shot (H&R) in my shotgun areas and I never feel like I'm at much of a disadvantage as it's the first shot that usually counts.

I would rather have a model 70 super grade .Dutch

I have a real soft spot for Model 70's and my gut feeling was to replace the 670 with a nice new Model 70. The Stainless Featherweight isn't in production anymore, that's one I would have liked.

My fav rifle I own is the x-bolt white gold however just a little over your budget. If you work up the budget a couple of hundred you will get one of the most beautiful stocks out there with a stainless barrel in almost any popular caliber you want.

If you're passing through durham on the 401 I don't mind showing the x-bolt off to you :-)

I really, really like the look of wood and stainless together. I know it's not the most accurate combo possible but being a special occasion, I'm leaning towards a rifle that is nice to look at and will still be accurate enough for practical hunting ranges, which leaves the door pretty much open. I might take you up on the offer to look at that rifle sometime. You've posted pics of it here before that I've drooled over...lol.

I'd buy an Accutrigger Savage, It depends on what you want - an accurate rifle that's real pretty to look at, or just an accurate rifle.

I hear you on that and it's good advice to be sure, but I was a step ahead of ya on that one! A couple of years ago I bought a Savage Model 11 in .243 with the accutrigger and it's a real shooter. As I said above, I think this time I want a looker as well as a shooter. Although, those first few dings and scratches will be tough to bear. I do a lot of bush hunting and can be hard on guns.

I should have added that although I'm giving my old Winchester to my nephew, my own son won't go without. He is getting his great-grandfather's old Model 94 in .32 spl. I thought that it would be fitting for my 670 to be passed along to my brother's son as it used to be my Dad's rifle.

[patvetzal]

Don't know what they cost now, but I'd also suggest a #1 in your choice of caliber. My 243 has been flawless for well over twenty years, little small for moose but great for deer or groundhogs...and no clip to loose or jam.

[Big Jack]

To me after all the guns I've shot and worked up loads for Tikka is tops.

That 1k will get you a hunter with a stainless fluted barrel and a nice would stock. You have already picked fantastic calibers and let me tell you that I have t3 in short action and honestly see no issue at all.

What I do notice is their MOA guarantee is there for a reason.

Browning is also nice but again Tikka's are just so darn accurate every time.

[Hunter John]

Great advice has been given already and I am sure whatever you choose will suit you well for a lifetime so the only thing I can add is personal bias .LOL /I also suggest looking at a Ruger #1 as I believe they are one of the classiest looking rifles around and they have less moving parts than the bolts and levers.
I am sure you can find a used one in your budget as new ones run around $1200 - $1400 , Mine is a 45-70 and it is one on my never trade or sell list.

[GoldenLakePete]

That is a beautiful No. 1, John!

[Hunter John]

Thanks Pete . She may be my favorite in the stable.

[blasted_saber]

Thanks Pete . She may be my favorite in the stable.

The "Canadian Edition" Ruger #1 in 303 Brit is on my wishlist.

Someday.....