Rifle advice

[Chukar60]

I have not looked at a new rifle in over ten years.
I spent a week tramping around with my old Ruger 25-06 last month and decided I wanted something lighter to pack around.
I am thinking 7mm-08, 7x57, maybe a 308 in a light weight wood stocked, accurate bolt action.
I have been impressed with the Kimbers I have looked at but rumors of poor accuracy for the dollar nag at me. I dont mind spending Kimber level money but want a gun that will shoot 1" MOA for that kind of money.
Any advice, opinions or experience would be appreciated.

 

[W.E.G.]

Savage has the best trigger, lightweight, and accurate among the reasonably-priced, mass-produced bolt guns now on the market.

Savage Arms

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[DWalt]

I guess you could put a plastic stock on the Ruger .25-06 if there's one made for it. Not really a joke, but the Mossberg bolt action is an excellent and lightweight rifle for the money. I had one in .30-'06 and it shot far better groups than I had any right to expect, but I sold it a while back to a friend. I know it was available in .270, which I would prefer over the .25-06, also .243. Maybe it's available in other calibers.

 

[Wyo]

I have a Kimber 84M in .243 Win. Wonderful little rifle and a real delight to carry. No accuracy problems at all. It will put 5 rounds into an inch or a little better all day long. The one thing you have to be careful about is getting the light barrel real hot as it will start to string a bit if overheated, but that's not a problem for a big game rifle.

 

[RobertJ.]

A Remington Model 7, perhaps?

 

[W.E.G.]

Essentially same gun for more $$$ with blue and wood: Savage Arms

 

[Big Cholla]

I like the new Ruger Americans. You might find one and take a look. On the other hand, I would just build what I want around a Remington short action. Given your location you might think of a cartridge on the upper end of the energy range like the .308 Win or the 7-08. Then go with a light weight barrel and a Remington composite stock. You could look at taking a little weight out of the stock in the butt area. Go with a light weight sling and a light scope and no iron sights. You should be able to keep a rifle with a 22" barrel down around 6.5 to 7 lbs. You are going to only shoot it for hunting and then no more than three times ( ) aren't you? ........

 

[Eltioloco]

A few years ago at an NRA dinner I bought on auction a Kimber 84M in .308. It is a peach of a rifle. Accurate, light and beautiful. I am sure the 7mm-08 would be as nice.
It didn't seem to be very hard to reload for. Seemed to like everything.
Ken

 

[DWalt]

I always cringe when someone talks about a rifle firing one inch groups if I am not there to see it. Is that one inch 5-shot groups every single time, or 10% of the time, or just every now and then? Or maybe it's an average of 10 groups, 20 groups, or however many you want to shoot? From a bench rest, from prone, from standing, etc.? Does it include any flyers that weren't counted? Factory loads (which?) or tailored reloads? And what's so magic about a 1" (or MOA) rifle anyway - and just how many hunters really need 1" group capability? Very, very few, as most hunting shots occur at less than 200 yards, and often a lot less, where a 2" or 3" rifle would be just as capable on anything larger than a groundhog.

And as I have stated previously on several occasions, there is only one efficient way to get a statistically reliable estimate of comparative grouping performance - the average ES of at least five 10-shot groups. Anything less is fooling yourself.

 

[Triathloncoach]

I have no practical knowledge of rifle accuracy, but a lot of experience on firearm boards. My perception based on the posting of others is that Savage is the most accurate rifle value. But they don't excite me like a Kimber. If you have a Kimber budget but don't want a Kimber why not see what a skilled gunsmith can build or perhaps modify a more mass produced rifle?

I

 

[Skeet 028]

Right at this point I have a few Kimbers. Quite a few. All but one are Classic Selects. I have had no problems with accuracy. In fact I have a 30-06 that shoots Hornady Superformance 165 gr bullets under a half inch. Kimbers are not cheap. But if you consider it this way. Pay 800 bucks for a Remington or Winchester...or 1100 for a pretty Kimber with French Walnut with ebony forend tip. Just my take on it. My walking Varminter shoots under an inch at 200 yds in calm winds as does my 25-06 deer/antelope rifle. And if you want a light hunting rifle Kimber makes a very light rifle(under 6 lbs or so). Check out their web site.

 

[venomballistics]

What's wrong with a Browning

 

[Chukar60]

DWalt, could not agree with you more on the 1" issue. However, when you are chunking up the change required to purchase a Kimber or similar rifle, I think it is reasonable to expect accuracy better than average.
If I were looking at comodity level rifles I would gladly accept 1.5-2" accuracy for a hunting rifle. I dont take shots at ranges that would make that spread unacceptable.

 

[therewolf]

I like my X-Bolt Stalker, but not as much as my

old Ruger M77-MKII with the canoe paddle...

 

[Vulcan Bob]

As W.E.G. said, for out of the box accuracy Savage is hard to beat. With that said I really like my Ruger Scout Rifle in .308 Win. Not super light but carries it's weight between your hands and is very smart in it's handling.

 

[alwslate]

Since you're willing to spend more than a few dollars consider the
Ruger Hawkeye. The MK II action is an improvement over the original
mod 77 and the Hawkeye is a trimmed down version. It also comes in
a compact version. The .308 fits into a short action, so would be
slightly lighter, and is probably the most accurate standard factory
cartridge.

 

[Fishinfool]

DWalt, could not agree with you more on the 1" issue. However, when you are chunking up the change required to purchase a Kimber or similar rifle, I think it is reasonable to expect accuracy better than average.
If I were looking at comodity level rifles I would gladly accept 1.5-2" accuracy for a hunting rifle. I dont take shots at ranges that would make that spread unacceptable.

I own several Kimber centerfire bolt actions, a 7mm-08 and a 30-06. Both are well made, light weight, pretty to look at, and accurate for their intended purpose. And that is the key phrase.

You state you want accuracy a step above what a common bolt action sporter will give you, but are at cross purposes expecting it out of a wood stocked ultra light weight hunting rifle.

Light weight rifles can be accurate (both my Kimbers will do between 1 and 1 1/2 inch for three shots with good ammo), but heavy, stiff actions and barrels along with composite stocks contribute to consistency, accuracy, and steady hold. Its really a matter of what your priorities are. For me, the good looks, light weigh and quick handling, and acceptable hunting accuracy make my Kimbers a good choice. Pics show my two Kimbers with a "heavy" model 70 FWT.....

Larry

 

[model70hunter]

When my wife started deer hunting in our 2nd year of marriage she stole my custom pre 64 M-70 in 270. She bagged lots of deer with it. After using it for 10 or 12 years she complained of the weight and said it would be nice to have a lighter rifle.

I bought her a Kimber M-84 in 7mm08. She loves it, light recoil, lightweight, accurate, pretty and on her 1st outing she bagged a wall hanger big buck so it's a great gun.

I liked it so much I bought me one in 7mm08 also. Light recoil, performs great, minute of deer accuracy and is a joy to carry. It has to be 3 pounds lighter than my M-70 pre 64 Standards.

I put a Leupold 2x7 on hers. It is to scale and looks right.

 

[BAM-BAM]

Check out the CZ offerings....great old world style at a good price.

If you are talking short ranges...... look at Ruger's 77/357 or 77/44 (5.5lbs) with a Leupold 1 to 4or5 X 20 scope (IIRC 12oz)....just over 6lbs out the door.
Bought a 77/357 as my cabin utility rifle......but walking Penn's Woods... most shots will be under 100yds. Out of a 16 inch barrel...357.....(158gr) gives you 1700fps....1100ft-lb at muzzle. (Ballistics by the inch)

 

[kozmic]

I'm one of those neglected lefties that constitute 10% of the population and about .001% of the available long guns. I stumbled across a LH Tikka Hunter in .308 for a song and snatched it up. Nice wood, great action and trigger, soft shooting and much more accurate than I. Weight is good, but I wouldn't call it a "feather weight". It might present an option for you. Or if you want to step it up check out a Sako.