I need(want) a bolt gun.

[littlejerry]

Bonus time is around the corner, so I'm putting together a plan on how I'll spend it this year.

I want a bolt gun. I want it to crossover between hunting duty and local LR competitions. I want to shoot steel at 1000 yards. I want the rifle to cost less than $1000, but preferably under $800.

My thoughts right now are Tikka CTR or Howa 1500. I'd prefer to buy and shoot it in the factory config for a while.

I was all hot on the 6.5 Creed at first, but I'd be willing to go .308. Realistically most ranges here are 600 yards max, and I have to drive a long way to crack 1000.

I generally want to get better at shooting small things at long distance and everything associated with that(ranging, wind calls, etc). I also want a rifle/caliber that would work, if needed, for hunting big game out west(the opportunity may come up in the next 18 months).

So, thoughts?

[ldunnmobile]

Been down that path. 6.5 CM will do everything a 308 will and better. You may NEVER shoot over 600 but the option is there. Shoot I still would take the 6.5 inside 600.

That said I have a 16" barrel Tikka CTR 308 for sale right now When I sell it I will be 100% all 6.5 CM for bolt guns.

I would go 6.5. Unless you are planning to shoot subsonics a lot would be my only feather in the cap of the 308.

[LittleLebowski]

Tikka 6.5.

[littlejerry]

Tikka 6.5.

Would you go CTR or Lite?

ETA:. There is a $3-400 price difference which helps with glass or ammo.

I have an NXS 2.5-10 which may go on it. Or I may try to find a cheap SWFA 3-15 to use as a placeholder.

Ultimately I'd like to put another 2.5-10 NXS on it,but the x42 and MilR version

[45dotACP]

A Tikka CTR in 6.5 is the shizzle

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

[Totem Polar]

Following.

[LittleLebowski]

Would you go CTR or Lite?

ETA:. There is a $3-400 price difference which helps with glass or ammo.

I have an NXS 2.5-10 which may go on it. Or I may try to find a cheap SWFA 3-15 to use as a placeholder.

Ultimately I'd like to put another 2.5-10 NXS on it,but the x42 and MilR version

Lookie here!

https://pistol-forum.com/showthread....e-big-cost-gap

[NH Shooter]

I want a bolt gun. I want it to crossover between hunting duty and local LR competitions. I want to shoot steel at 1000 yards. I want the rifle to cost less than $1000, but preferably under $800.

This is an extremely financially dangerous rabbit hole you're looking down. If you listen carefully, you'll hear my voice coming from way down there, some where...

The only thing a bolt action hunting rifle shares in common with a bolt action precision rifle is the bolt action. Trying to do both with a single rifle results in a rifle that does neither particularly well.

Good luck, have fun (it is a blast!) and hold on to your wallet.

[SteveB]

The only thing a bolt action hunting rifle shares in common with a bolt action precision rifle is the bolt action. Trying to do both with a single rifle results in a rifle that does neither particularly well.

Great point, and I would add that, given the OP’s desire to hunt and compete with the same rifle, the most important feature of this rifle is likely to be weight. All-in weight, including rifle, scope, possibly bipod. A lot has to do with what “hunting” means to the OP; terrain, altitude, carrying the rifle all day? The CTR is a heavy rifle, not just because of the medium-heavy barrel, but because of the steel bottom metal/DBM system; those mags are heavy (and expensive). I would far rather shoot a match with my Tikka LW than hunt with my CTR.

[OlongJohnson]

Best deal going from one of the best gun shops in the country.

https://shop.whittakerguns.com/product/5857643