$1000 budget

[Hunttheamericandream]

Hello fellow hunters. Let me start by saying I'm not new to hunting but due to financial reasons in the past I had to sell my hunting rifle. I have been shooting coyotes with my AR but I miss my bolt gun. I'm in search of your opinions, I need a new rifle and scope and my total budget is $1000. I have never bought a budget gun but it's not entirely out of the question. I don't want to buy a top end rifle and sacrifice the glass quality. On the other hand I want a gun that is going to be reliable and never let me down.

I have a few must haves. I want the gun to be a product of the USA, it must be free float. Weight is not a big issue as I'm a big strong corn fed American and can handle carrying a heavier rifle if need be.

If I missed any pertinent info feel free to ridicule me. Lol

Thanks in advance.

 

[Nicholas909]

Ruger American. Their very accurate, Both of mine shoot under a MOA. you can buy a drop in wood or laminate stock from Boyds if you feel the need.

 

[TRICER]

If u want to spend $1k I would get a Tikka and a Leupold VX2. That would be a great setup.

 

[ilovesprig]

Ruger American for under $500.00 is a nice rifle......Leaves you $500.00 for a good Leupold.......2 cents.



ps......I bought my daughter a .243 Savage Axis this summer for under $400.00 with Bushnell scope.......Shoots straight as a string........

.

 

[Nicholas909]

You can find the Savage Trophey hunter XP for around $500 also. It comes with a Nikon 3-9x40 BDC retical. I paid a little over 5 for mine.

 

[TRICER]

Just to agree with everyone else my second choice would be a Ruger American but you could get that set up done for around $800 with a VX2. Go hold them both I think ranking lower priced rifles from what I have been looking at it Goes #1Tikka #2ruger American #3 savage Axis. Everything about the Tikka feels better to me. I am in the market right now for my wife and it will be an American or a Tikka if I want to spend a few hundred more bucks.
Sprig how do you like that .243 for your daughter. I am kicking around .260 25-06 and .243 for my wife. Is she shooting a youth or full size? My wife is 5'6" 110lbs so recoil is obviously a huge factor.

 

[ilovesprig]

Drew,

Stefanie is only 5-2 and a 105 lbs......So recoil was a big deal to us too......I bought the .243 and Fusion ammo for this reason......Even practicing was no problem (used a sled 1st).....We got the adult size. Kind of wish we could've got the youth rifle. It's slightly long for her. Your wife being taller shouldn't have a problem.

At the moment of truth, she won't feel anything other than total excitement......

 

[Chadwick]

Ummm, yeah. I know that my wife wouldn't be grateful if I posted her weight on here. Just saying. Be wary of what we share of that other gender.

 

[NBK]

Hands down!

Tikka T3
Leupold VX-1 3-9x40

Under $1K out the door @ Fine Firearms (includes mounting of scope and laser bore sighting)...

 

[ilovesprig]

Hands down!

Tikka T3
Leupold VX-1 3-9x40

Under $1K out the door @ Fine Firearms (includes mounting of scope and laser bore sighting...

There you go................... 8)

 

[Nicholas909]

I have a few must haves. I want the gun to be a product of the USA, it must be free float. Weight is not a big issue as I'm a big strong corn fed American and can handle carrying a heavier rifle if need be.

I don't think the Tikka Meets this requirement

 

[NBK]

Ok Then do the Remington 700...

 

[Elcazador.Mz]

Ruger American with a Nikon 4-12×40 BDC...

 

[8SteelTown]

You should be able to pick up a Ruger American for less than $400 with taxes and paperwork. Ruger will send you a cheek pad for free. Leaves plenty of funds for an outstanding scope. Get a sling and swivels and some ammo, and you're ready to go! If you're in the S.W. Riverside County area and want to squeeze off some 308 with a 3-9x40 Nikon Prostaff BDC, let me know. I clap targets out to 450 yards (as long as they aren't a coyote on a full sprint)

 

[MJB]

Go Used

win mod 70

 

[invisible man]

Dude, just go to Fine Fire Arms. They will pair you with your desired set up. One shop stop.

 

[TRICER]

Ok Then do the Remington 700...

I like where John is going with the Tikka and the 700. The thread is $1,000 budget so if you really want to spend $1k you can get a lot better gun than an American. I think it's a great gun but not in the class of the Tikka or remington 700. I know you want an American made so scratch the Tikka and go with 700. You will have a high quality rifle that you can give your grand kids. Nice wood stock Leupold scope something that makes you proud not just another gun off the line. Again I think the American is a great rifle please don't think I am knocking it. I will own one soon but I dont want to spend $1k for a youth set up.

 

[8SteelTown]

Just curious... does a 22" barrel vs a 24" barrel make it a youth gun?

 

[Nicholas909]

Just curious... does a 22" barrel vs a 24" barrel make it a youth gun?

No. the length of pull is shorter on the youth models

 

[Hunttheamericandream]

You should be able to pick up a Ruger American for less than $400 with taxes and paperwork. Ruger will send you a cheek pad for free. Leaves plenty of funds for an outstanding scope. Get a sling and swivels and some ammo, and you're ready to go! If you're in the S.W. Riverside County area and want to squeeze off some 308 with a 3-9x40 Nikon Prostaff BDC, let me know. I clap targets out to 450 yards (as long as they aren't a coyote on a full sprint)

I live in south Corona. I go out to steel peak quite a bit. Maybe we could meet up sometime.