Which out of the box rifle do you recommend?

[jcampbellsmith]

A friend is looking to buy a new rifle for red, roe and sika. I'm out of touch with factory centrefires. Which factory rifle in 308 Win or 6.5 Creedmoor do folk recommend and why? He's looking for a rifle that will perform and last.
Thanks
JCS

 

[Heym SR20]

Very very much depends on his budget and tastes.

But in terms of rising cost

Howa or Mauser M18 at below £1,000

Tikka or Bergara in middle.

Shultz and Larsen at above £2,000

They all seem to get favourable comments and just work well. Plenty of others I could add such as the Rem 700 or Sako’s but they either need some sort of fettling or are overpriced for what they are.

 

[Tim.243]

Rem 700, mine has shot well out of the box for 12 years, only ever cleaned it, bog standard trigger/plastic stock...did I buy another one YES. They "all" shoot better than the person who buys them just a simple fact.

 

[User00040]

A friend is looking to buy a new rifle for red, roe and sika. I'm out of touch with factory centrefires. Which factory rifle in 308 Win or 6.5 Creedmoor do folk recommend and why? He's looking for a rifle that will perform and last.
Thanks
JCS

Why does it have to be new?

Secondhand Tikka T3 or Howa 1500 in either chambering will be grand. Easy to sell off again even if its just for the action. Might not lose much if selling on again, but from new you are guaranteed to lose money.

The first rifle/car/parter/house is unlikely to be your last. Why sink money into a sure loss?

A rifle that will hold 2 MOA or less will be fine for stalking at 300m and under.

T3 might be around £500, Howa around £300. Stainless T3 will be more desirable, but the Howa not so much. Both have aftermarket parts available and most importantly stocks.

Different story if the rifle is going to be on the mantlepiece for 11 months or more a year, and bought for aesthetic value.

Sako has come out with so many rifles since the T3 came out in 2002, 85, A7, S20, Sako 90, Sako 100. Since then Tikka has only improved the T3 to the T3x and come out with a rimfire version, the T1x.

Howa has been making their 1500 model since 1979 with little to no changes. Design features from old Sako L&A series actions, and the Remington 700. Some strong design features like a M16 extractor and integral recoil lug, but the action itself is quite heavy (not necessarily a problem).

I've seen a lot of people spend silly money on a rifle and scope, but neglect scope mounting. Both the Tikka (Spuhr integral) and Howa (EGW or Recknagel/ERA-TAC rail) have good solutions, and can be easily installed by the end user.

 

[Sealgair nam fiadh]

Got a Mauser M12 Extreme, had it for six years, it's weather proof and guests like it.
Also have a Remmy 700 that's about ten years old and have had no problems with that although it now has a Rifle Basic trigger and H and S stock.

 

[Stalker62]

A rifle that will hold 2 MOA or less will be fine for stalking at 300m and under.

 

[Twodogs]

I would suggest having a look at the Anschutz 1782. Superb build quality, stupidly accurate, available in left hand, quick change barrel. If you prefer a chassis rifle then the 1782 APR might fit the bill. Chuffed to bits with mine.

There are a lot of good out of the box rifles out there, I would suggest handling a few to see what feels right.

 

[norcan]

Since I only buy rifles with integral mounts/ rails and prefrably Stainless, its Tikka T3 for me..

Tikka T3x Lite Stainless
Two spare magazines
Lighten trigger screw
Sportsmatch rings (TO48c for 1’’or TO84 for 30mm)
Factory threaded
Ase Utra SL5i
308 Win

And if he feels like it, upgrade stock later, since there are loads of aftermarket stocks and parts for it.

 

[Stalker-of-the-deer]

Howa are good for the money so are begara if you want a do it all straight forward rifle.

If i was to buy one rifle for everything its got to be a sauer or blaser for me. Pretty future proof, switch barrel and hold their money, they are also lovely to shoot.

 

[Tim.243]

It might shoot better covered in camo tape...

 

[Kersnow]

Why does it have to be new?

Secondhand Tikka T3 or Howa 1500 in either chambering will be grand. Easy to sell off again even if its just for the action. Might not lose much if selling on again, but from new you are guaranteed to lose money.

The first rifle/car/parter/house is unlikely to be your last. Why sink money into a sure loss?

A rifle that will hold 2 MOA or less will be fine for stalking at 300m and under.

T3 might be around £500, Howa around £300. Stainless T3 will be more desirable, but the Howa not so much. Both have aftermarket parts available and most importantly stocks.

Different story if the rifle is going to be on the mantlepiece for 11 months or more a year, and bought for aesthetic value.

Sako has come out with so many rifles since the T3 came out in 2002, 85, A7, S20, Sako 90, Sako 100. Since then Tikka has only improved the T3 to the T3x and come out with a rimfire version, the T1x.

Howa has been making their 1500 model since 1979 with little to no changes. Design features from old Sako L&A series actions, and the Remington 700. Some strong design features like a M16 extractor and integral recoil lug, but the action itself is quite heavy (not necessarily a problem).

I've seen a lot of people spend silly money on a rifle and scope, but neglect scope mounting. Both the Tikka (Spuhr integral) and Howa (EGW or Recknagel/ERA-TAC rail) have good solutions, and can be easily installed by the end user.

Am looking at the moment but reluctant to buy used, you cant easily test a rifle to make sure it shoots ok before buying and dont want to get stuck with something unusable.

 

[opticron1]

Speaking as someone who uses estate or stalkers rifles, I have to rely on what others buy. It's funny how many folk use Sako or more commonly now, the Tikka T3X - reliable, cheap(ish), available in various calibres and there always seem to be plenty of customising options available when money or inclination allow. If I am ever allowed to buy my own , I would definitely go down the Tikka route in .270 or 6.5.
Of course, the risk is he buys one and then reaches the point of "needing" another.....and another.....and a .22.....and a .17.... and a shotgun - just in case...

 

[Tim.243]

Am looking at the moment but reluctant to buy used, you cant easily test a rifle to make sure it shoots ok before buying and dont want to get stuck with something unusable.

I bought a Rem 700 in .270 s/h had a chat with the rfd selling it abt the usage. Still got it some 5 years later working very well.
Things have to work correctly so you have to ensure the person selling it understands it will be coming back if you can't get it to shoot ok. Rifles are not tested with home loads the manufacturers sell their own brand of ammo for their rifles.
I bought a new Rem 700 shot well with Rem factory they dried up so switched to Hornaday just as good, have used other cheaper brands when switching from NV to scope for a while then back again just to get on the paper.

Only ever shot factory out of the .243 the .270 has homeloads as my friend and I share the HL costs.

 

[Smellydog]

I'd go for one that says 308Win or 6.5CM on the barrel.
Be sure to look for special offers for shellsuits if your buddy goes 6.5CM

 

[The Singing Stalker]

Out of the box and looking for a long action then I would look at a T3.

CZ's seem to have improved their actions.
depends on what he likes. I wouldn’t buy an American rifle because the triggers are too heavy. You can of course buy a lighter trigger…. But out of the box? European for me.

 

[User00053]

Ernie meanie minie, mo! Usual suspects I suppose.

 

[Bramble]

Iv always liked Sako, the 85 seems fine for a middle price, iv got two, load from the top, unload without taking the safety off,well built, all metal?

 

[hcm1]

As a simple working rifle I think it is hard to beat the T3 series. I have 2 595s which I prefer but a mate has 2 T3 lites and they just work. Lots of aftermarket for them should that be a factor but out of the box, they don't really need anything.

 

[PhilSN12]

I love my Sig Cross in 6.5CM, its light and very accurate. I did break the barrel in, but I do with all my weapons.

 

[Rory]

Remington 700 Police. Nice 40X trigger comes as standard, brilliant HS Precision stock, superb accuracy and you can get a vast range of drop on rails.