Saving for a new "factory" higher end rifle. What do you recommend?

[Bigeclipse]

I bought the same rifle and had similar problems. My first issue was not knowing the techniques to shoot a light weight rifle. Once I learned recoil management for a light weight rifle my groups tightened up. Then I started load development and got frustrated again. I was doing the work ups during the summer and after two shots the barrel would need to cool. When I finally committed to the time to let the barrel cool between shots (sometimes 15 minutes) I started getting good groups.

Having said all that I didn't have the patience to deal with it and put on a Wilson #4 contour finished at 22". Load development was a breeze and it shoots Berger 140 elite hunters sub moa all day (I've run it out to 600 yards so far). That was my first and last experience with light weight pencil barrel type rifles and FWIW all my other Savages shoot lights out.

May I ask your technique for shooting lightweight rifles. Maybe that's an issue I have

 

[LongWalker]

May I ask your technique for shooting lightweight rifles. Maybe that's an issue I have

I did some searching and it basically comes down to "controlling" the rifle and recoil versus shooting a heavier bench rest type rifle where you want very little contact. I found pulling it into my shoulder a little tighter and downward pressure on the scope made the biggest difference. It helped quite a bit until shot number 4 or 5 when the barrel heated up and started throwing rounds because of that.

 

[el matador]

I haven't seen the Weatherby Mark V mentioned here. The Weathermark version is around $1200, weighs 6.25 lbs, and has a nice synthetic stock. The barrel is a bit long for hunting out of a blind (24") but you could have a gunsmith cut it down if you want. Most of these guns will shoot under an inch no problem after a bedding job and trigger adjustment.

Most of the good options under $1000 have already been mentioned. Browning or Winchester would be my first choices there. That 5R from Remington is actually not too heavy if you get the 20" barrel. I have shot one of them and its a handy little gun. First day at the range it was shooting 3/4" 5-shot groups with factory ammo.

If you have some time on your hands I might suggest buying a Remington Model Seven and having a nice barrel installed. Add a B&C stock and you'd be under $1600 for a decent semi-custom.

 

[Bigeclipse]

I haven't seen the Weatherby Mark V mentioned here. The Weathermark version is around $1200, weighs 6.25 lbs, and has a nice synthetic stock. The barrel is a bit long for hunting out of a blind (24") but you could have a gunsmith cut it down if you want. Most of these guns will shoot under an inch no problem after a bedding job and trigger adjustment.

Most of the good options under $1000 have already been mentioned. Browning or Winchester would be my first choices there. That 5R from Remington is actually not too heavy if you get the 20" barrel. I have shot one of them and its a handy little gun. First day at the range it was shooting 3/4" 5-shot groups with factory ammo.

If you have some time on your hands I might suggest buying a Remington Model Seven and having a nice barrel installed. Add a B&C stock and you'd be under $1600 for a decent semi-custom.

Why model 7 over normal 700?

 

[Rick Richard]

I hunt out of blinds, tree stands and on the ground and much prefer something I can control for those longer shots; meaning a bit heavier in weight than a light weight sporter. In reality, most of us only walk a few hundred yards if that to get to our stand and I can't see where a bit heavier rifle is such a big deal. In fact my favorite FACTORY rifle is the Remington 5R. It is in 308 and yes it is a bit heavier, but will consistently shoot less than 1/2 inch groups at 100 yards.

 

[Bigeclipse]

I hunt out of blinds, tree stands and on the ground and much prefer something I can control for those longer shots; meaning a bit heavier in weight than a light weight sporter. In reality, most of us only walk a few hundred yards if that to get to our stand and I can't see where a bit heavier rifle is such a big deal. In fact my favorite FACTORY rifle is the Remington 5R. It is in 308 and yes it is a bit heavier, but will consistently shoot less than 1/2 inch groups at 100 yards.

I already own a heavier crazy accurate 7mmremag which is almost identical in weight to the milspec. Hunted with it for 2 years and hate the weight when in a tree stand. I MUCH prefer a lighter rifle. I should have written this in my original post. Sorry for the confusion. The only time that rem mag goes with me now is when I hunt my fathers field which has 450 yard shots. Everywhere else, I hunt with my Remington mountain SS which is a really light rifle and I like it a lot. I'm having it rebarreled after this season but still want to buy another lightweight gun as a backup

 

[el matador]

Why model 7 over normal 700?

Actually either would work fine. I like the Seven when overall length of the gun is a consideration because the action itself is shorter. Options for aftermarket stocks and accessories are better with the 700 though.

 

[el matador]

If you plan to rebarrel that 700 Mountain SS I would take a hard look at the Weatherby for your 2nd gun. Price is decent, very light weight, and most of them will shoot under an inch with minimal load development.

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/785890223

 

[Chippewa]

CA Ridgeline with thier sideported brake off a set of sitting sticks? I know you said CA sucks... Have it bedded as well as scope rail. Use Boretech lubes and cleaners and follow the break in rules. Mine is a 300RUM and recoil is like a 308win. It has been under an moa since new with hornady bullets and mag length reloads. Off a Harris bipod and solid rear bag its doin .75 to .5moa at 200y easy. So far love this rifle an put a nxs velocity 1000 scope on it and have been tuning reload speed an es to match it. So it alot of fun to shoot dial up or quick hold. Not sure why the sour taste for Christensen Arms but plenty of great reviews can be found elsware. At least for the Ridgeline as an out of the box rifle.
Good luck.

 

[the hunter]

I already own a heavier crazy accurate 7mmremag which is almost identical in weight to the milspec. Hunted with it for 2 years and hate the weight when in a tree stand. I MUCH prefer a lighter rifle. I should have written this in my original post. Sorry for the confusion. The only time that rem mag goes with me now is when I hunt my fathers field which has 450 yard shots. Everywhere else, I hunt with my Remington mountain SS which is a really light rifle and I like it a lot. I'm having it rebarreled after this season but still want to buy another lightweight gun as a backup

Ok, did not know that you needed a lite gun. In that case look at the tikka t3x lite and superlite. Also Winchester m70 ss featherweight, and the Bergara premier stalker.

 

[Beardeddeer91]

I would still look at Christensen. I have shot several have had no issues and they all have shot well under 1 MOA. I have a Mesa in 300 WM and it will shoot under .5. The Mesa in 6.5 would be a great gun for you purpose and give you a lot of feature for the $.

 

[Mike 338]

You mentioned Tikka, were it not for the tupperware stock. Tikka offers a very nice laminate and also walnut stocks.

 

[jehu]

The correct answer to your question is SAKO!

 

[Canhunter35]

B14 or an a7 roughtech or a tikka with a laminate or walnut stock would suit your needs. Stock quality would be comparable.
The a7 has a little better trigger than the b14.
For myself I'd go with the stainless fluted roughtech. I like that rifle a lot.
Tikka and sako have the same barrels so the laminate or walnut is another great option