$1,500 to spend, what to get for a gun

[the444shooter]

The Bergara HMR 300 Win is a $950-$1000 rifle with a barrel contour in between magnum and varmint contour, 26", threaded, set up with adjustable stock with aluminum chassis, and detachable mags that should allow bullets seated a little further out than factory mag box (at least they do in short action calibers.) Leaves you with $1000 for scope/rings/ammo.

 

[the hunter]

I do not see any scopes that can beet the leupold vx5hd for hunting. You mite whant one mudrunner2005.

 

[MudRunner2005]

I do not see any scopes that can beet the leupold vx5hd for hunting. You mite whant one mudrunner2005.

You should try a Zeiss. I stopped buying Leupold years ago. Not because there's anything wrong with them, just because for my eyes, I have found better in the same price range. Everyone's eyes are different.

Also, just to clarify, when I'm referring to comparing "cheaper" scopes to top-tier, I'm talking about comparing $1,000-$1,500 scopes to $3,000-$4,000 scopes. Not comparing scopes less than $1,000 to scopes in the top tier. Just wanted to clarify on that.

 

[Litehiker]

What Adam said. Those are all good choices.

My own choice yesterday was a 6.5 Creedmoor Browning X-Bolt Pro. It weighs 6 lb. 1 oz. with a carbon fiber stock, spiral fluted bolt and bolt handle and fluted barrel. At that weight it is a true "mountain rifle". Now to find a good, light scope.("Retail Therapy";o)

Eric B.

 

[the hunter]

I know what you are talking about $1,200 vs $3,000 scopes for hunting. I have looked at Zeiss but the vx5hd to me is better than the Zeiss in the same price range.

 

[MudRunner2005]

I know what you are talking about $1,200 vs $3,000 scopes for hunting. I have looked at Zeiss but the vx5hd to me is better than the Zeiss in the same price range.

Everyone's got a preference, and that's what keeps the industry going.

 

[MudRunner2005]

What Adam said. Those are all good choices.

My own choice yesterday was a 6.5 Creedmoor Browning X-Bolt Pro. It weighs 6 lb. 1 oz. with a carbon fiber stock, spiral fluted bolt and bolt handle and fluted barrel. At that weight it is a true "mountain rifle". Now to find a good, light scope.("Retail Therapy";o)

Eric B.

Not sure how light of a scope you're wanting, but If you can find a good used (or possibly new) Kahles Helia KX 3.5-10x50 4D-Dot reticle, that would make for a really nice super-light mountain rifle setup. They have capped turrets, but the scope is VERY lightweight, and the glass is crystal clear. It's the same scope I run on my main deer rifle.

 

[Hbomb11]

I would definitely recommend a bergara B-14 but I would not get the HMR model for any kind of mountain or terrain hunting and I own a HMR. I would go with the ridgline or hunter model if I was carrying for any kind of distance. I think they run around 700 bucks with that extra budget money throw a VX-6hd on there. It wont be FFP but its one hell of a nice scope and I own one of those also . A bergara ridgline with a vx6 hd in a 300 wm would be one heck of a hunting rifle for around 2000 bucks.

 

[the444shooter]

not being too nitpicky here, but for the sake of clarity--the Ridge is what Bergara offers, and the Ridgeline is a Christensen Arms product. Either would be a good choice for more of a traditional profile/weight hunting rifle...with the nod going to Christensen for weight. I own the Ridge in 6.5cm, and it's still a pretty beefy little gun with that #5 profile barrel.

 

[Hbomb11]

Your right, Thanks for the correction.

 

[cohunt]

bergara premier mountain in 280AI or 300 wm is a great LW mountain rifle, low 6 pound weight, handpicked rifles for guaranteed accuracy--but its over your $1500 price range

for the price, I like the idea for lightweight of the tikka t3x lite or superliht + a vx6hd scope, or for slightly heavier you could try one of the x-bolt LR rifles plus a vx5or 6 scope

pricing still depends on where you are buying it from though

 

[KyCarl]

Different strokes...I use a US Optics B-25 and I don't think there is a $1500.00
scope that comes close..Not even remotely close to it? Even if you drop down to a B-17
it's still a wonderful scope. still more than 1500 though...
I really want a Premier Heritage Gen II XR but they are really expensive!
But heck if you are happy... Rock On...

 

[adam32]

Different strokes...I use a US Optics B-25 and I don't think there is a $1500.00
scope that comes close..Not even remotely close to it? Even if you drop down to a B-17
it's still a wonderful scope. still more than 1500 though...
But heck if you are happy... Rock On...

It's also 35 ounces...screw that on a hunting rifle lol

 

[Varminator 911]

The trouble with most of the factory rifles is they are still slow twist except for maybe 6.5 CM. If you want something that's a real elk cartridge the twist is too slow to shoot the new high bc bullets. Browning does offer a 7 and 8 twist in 26 and 28 Nosler, respectively. I'd buy a Tikka but their only fast twist is 6.5 CM and that's an 8 twist.

I guess if I want a 7 or 8 twist in most calibers/cartridges I'll need to build one.