Thread: Best $1000 budget rifle ??

Bought a Ruger Predator...happy as a pig in shit with it..


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Originally Posted by tiroatedson

Bought a Ruger Predator...happy as a pig in shit with it..


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Good feed back, the other rifle I'm looking at is the new Wincester XRP, getting big big reviews also. Hows's a definite on the list.
I've had two Tikka's, awesome but would like to try something different.

308 will work !!!

Haha 6 pages and counting @viper! My experience is second hand Tikka T3 are awesome value for the right money. However, a 100 year old Carl Gustaf 6.5x 55 Mauser in top condition is the best value you'll find. Mine (Model 94) has a mirror bore and shoots factory Norma 156gn Vulcans under MOA @ 100m. Has the aftermarket plastic stock, so sporty enough and light enough.
I paid $450 with a Leupold VX1 3-9x40 on it. Add a Timney trigger. Find one, never look back


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Yeah @ Hunt4life, what appears to be a simple question is actually more involved because there isn't a right answer ! Why.... because there isn't one , it's all based on views, opinions and experience which is what makes it interesting reading.
We are all passionate shooters on here who enjoy firearms and their various use's.
Great thing is I have a mountain of knowledge, experience and good buggers on this forum to ask and I really do take on their advice.

Sounds like you have found a great Gustaff, they must be getting hard to find a good one now as a lot would have done a heap of work or sheer neglect not to mention corrosive ammo.
How's Kati ? I hear the weather has been shit up there................... regards Viper

Sorry just finished the last two pages and see you have chosen.308
Never mind
But buy a good action so that when you wear the barrel out you can change to a more refined caliber like 7x57 @viper

I must admit the whole project has really got me thinking. The Deer shooting part is great and fresh venison is always great.
It's the long range target / gong thing that is the big challenge. I have shot to 450 mtrs on rabbits with my 223 but that was it.
I want to try and see just how far I can get out to. I have a lot to learn as I have never done dial up though I do run Strelok and found it good.

YouTube has some interesting clips on a 1000yrd rifle for a $1000, I don't expect to do it for a grand in NZ but I need to keep the price down and get max results for the coin.

If you're piping rabbits at 450yards then you probably would have it all sorted I would imagine.
Good fun buying and trying though..I'm trying hard NOT to buy a mint winchester extreme weather in 284win at the moment. Do me a favour and up your budget to buy it.

As you've already said no right or wrong answer everyone has their own opinion. So here's mine.

I have a savage axis and think it's great. I bought it brand new with a Bushnell scope for $600 a few years ago and cannot fault it. I've dropped it, kicked it, drowned it very nearly run over it and it shoots lovely. For what I do it's great and the best thing about being cheap if I eventually somehow destroy it's not going to cost much to replace.

Just my opinion. Will be interested to see what you end up with

Have you considered the Thompson/Center Venture, or the (newish) Compass. Many good reviews and a lot to like. Retailing at $899 at the moment. I got a Venture in 7mmRM and like it a lot. Comes with a 1MOA accuracy guarantee, and does it with ammo it likes, Federal Fusion 150gn factory until I work out a better reload. Barrel is factory-threaded on the Compass.

thanks for the feedback, options and advice guys. As I mentioned in an earlier posting I have had 2x Tikka's..............totally, utterly brilliant.
However I want to try something different.
Nobody has talked about the Winchester XPR rifles, very Tikka like with a few nice extra features.
The Mag looks like a total Tikka rip off, same barrel and trigger as latest Model 70, huge 3 lug bolt and head space via a barrel nut, aka Savage.

Rates very high on accuracy reviews, very reliable and for under $800 is a lot of gun. Nobody on here seems to shoot them so I would like to see how they go.

However last time I went to this gun shop to buy a certain rifle I came back with something totally different..............I am 90% certain but that last 10% can lead to an impulse buy.

Originally Posted by viper

thanks for the feedback, options and advice guys. As I mentioned in an earlier posting I have had 2x Tikka's..............totally, utterly brilliant.
However I want to try something different.
Nobody has talked about the Winchester XPR rifles, very Tikka like with a few nice extra features.
The Mag looks like a total Tikka rip off, same barrel and trigger as latest Model 70, huge 3 lug bolt and head space via a barrel nut, aka Savage.

Rates very high on accuracy reviews, very reliable and for under $800 is a lot of gun. Nobody on here seems to shoot them so I would like to see how they go.

However last time I went to this gun shop to buy a certain rifle I came back with something totally different..............I am 90% certain but that last 10% can lead to an impulse buy.

Hiya @viper. Never owned a Tikka, probably never will, (like Toyota Corolla) but have looked long and hard at the Win XPR and rilly do like what I've seen. Think that'll be my next purchase - just pondering calibres for now. But yes, a good value, accurate piece from all accounts. Think it has more to do with the Browning AB3 than the Tikka, though. And that's no bad thing (imho).

Sauer 100, if you can raise the little bit extra
Handled the Wood stocked and the synthetic stocked one today, the beech stock is very nicely finished, the synthetic stock is.. a synthetic stock on a sub 2k rifle.
Nice trigger from the factory and adjustable

If you wish to hunt deer and shoot gongs at one thousand yards then of course the 308 can do it, it's been doing it for years, it's just,
There are better ways.

It doesn't tick all of the boxes, but H & F Nelson currently have a Howa 1500 ss in a Hougue stock, with a DPT can and a Nikko scope all for $999 new
Only a 243 though.

Guy was about to buy it when he rang his mate for advice. mate says " don't buy Howa. POS"

Originally Posted by Pengy

It doesn't tick all of the boxes, but H & F Nelson currently have a Howa 1500 ss in a Hougue stock, with a DPT can and a Nikko scope all for $999 new
Only a 243 though.

Guy was about to buy it when he rang his mate for advice. mate says " don't buy Howa. POS"

F__K Lose that mate. $1k suppressed is a bloody good deal for a Howa. Especially in SS. I cannot even supply a blued one for that and know of 2nd hand ones that have sold for more (albeit with a better scope) And as for the Niko scope, it would ddepend on which scope is on it. Nikko do cheaper ones as well as some really good ones.