Best Rifle Suggestions Under $800

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Justin Norris

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I’m needing advice on the best rifle for under $800. I’m looking for a rifle that shoots 270, 30-06, 300 win mag, 7PRC, or 7 rem mag. I do like the new ruger American, but it is not out in these calibers yet. Any other suggestions that would have a nice trigger?
 
A howa 1500 in 270 or .30-06 would be a fine choice. Personally I’d have less interest in those other cartridges due to unpleasant recoil. The howa rifles are excellent value so $$ can be allocated where it really matters: the optic. The Weatherby Vanguard is also a Howa 1500 just different branding. If you’re willing to drop down a smidge to a .308 or 6.5 CM there are many good options including the Ruger Americans, but the gen 2 stocks had better be nice as the gen 1 stocks were chincy as hell.
 
I got my first Tikka this past season after more than 50 years of Remington 700's. My T3X lite groups un tuned handloads into 0.6"@100 yards. Only upgrade was a $10 trigger spring. With the $75 Rebate offered now you could come in under your price target. Check kygunco.com

I'd also advise that you not focus so much on "putting them down where they stand". A lung shot deer is apt as not to run a short distance no matter what caliber you hit them with. As much as I hate to say it, the 6.5 Creedmoor is a lovely deer round. Plenty of power and light enough recoil for most to shoot very well. JMHO
 
I will say i get the big rounds don’t matter, but I want gun for down the road when I go elk hunting too. I like a do it all gun, and recoil is the least of my worries, so I will say that isn’t a factor. I will check out the Howa or sure, I’ve yet to even hold one, much less shoot one. Thanks a lot for that suggestion. If I did go 6.5 though, I would much rather go 6.5 PRC, but I do feel I need to try a 6.5 before I knock it lol
 
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I second the Tikka, and Howa suggestions, excellent rifles for the money.
There's plenty of people on here with a lot more technical knowledge than me, but from a practicality standpoint, 30-06, 6.5 Creed, 308, 300 Win mag make the most sense, unless you're reloading yourself or have a good source for the PRC/new rounds. I have a bunch of the ELD-X tables saved that compare ballistics that I could include if you're interested.
Personally, for a do-it-all inside 300 yards I'm probably going for 30-06, I don't reload and don't plan to so having ammo available and *cheap* is as important to me as just about anything. All of the rounds mentioned so far, at least with an ELD-X factory are between 6"-8" of drop at 300 yards except for .308.
 
cchioda3 said:
Tikka 300 win mag is my suggestion. Will do anything you need it to do and the tikka is just a fantastic rifle. I don’t feel enough of a recoil difference between it and my 30-06 to rule it out.
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Does Howa 1500 come in 300 win mag? I watched a video comparing the two and Howa seems to beat out the Tikka T3x. Backfire on YouTube says a tikka will kick harder than most other rifles unnecessarily. What’s your opinion?
 
keepcalmandcarryon said:

BERGARA B-14 6.5CR

www.edsgunshop.com www.edsgunshop.com

Heck of a rifle and in your budget range. I know 6.5 creed is not on your list but Bergaras are sweet!
Ed’s is a great shop as well btw…
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I did look up about the bergara, and I did see that they are considered more accurate than even the Remington 700. What would set it apart from the Howa 1500, ruger American, or the tikka?
 
Desron23 said:
I second the Tikka, and Howa suggestions, excellent rifles for the money.
There's plenty of people on here with a lot more technical knowledge than me, but from a practicality standpoint, 30-06, 6.5 Creed, 308, 300 Win mag make the most sense, unless you're reloading yourself or have a good source for the PRC/new rounds. I have a bunch of the ELD-X tables saved that compare ballistics that I could include if you're interested.
Personally, for a do-it-all inside 300 yards I'm probably going for 30-06, I don't reload and don't plan to so having ammo available and *cheap* is as important to me as just about anything. All of the rounds mentioned so far, at least with an ELD-X factory are between 6"-8" of drop at 300 yards except for .308.
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I’m a fanboy of the 30-06 myself. Why would you choose it over a 300 win mag, or say the 270? Just wanting to know your opinion as I’m pretty torn between the 3. On the one hand, 270 shoots very flat, but doesn’t have the frontal diameter, 30-06 does, but it drops a bit more, 300 win mage has the diameter and shoots flatter than the 30-06, but it can be a bit much depending on shot placement
 
Justin Norris said:
Does Howa 1500 come in 300 win mag? I watched a video comparing the two and Howa seems to beat out the Tikka T3x. Backfire on YouTube says a tikka will kick harder than most other rifles unnecessarily. What’s your opinion?
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Never shot a howa. But love my tikka. Smoothest action I have ever cycled. I just had it out at the range the other week. I enjoy shooting it. I haven’t had a problem with the recoil yet. Especially hunting, shooting just one round is never a problem.
 
Like it’s been said upstream, inside 300 yards any of these calibers will do. Ammo price and availability are considerations as well. I only own 30-06 and 300 win mag of the mentioned calibers. 30-06 can be bought for less than $30/box. Not so with the 300 win mag.
 
The CFF members are on the right path with all the options above.

I think the critical option is to get your hands on the rifles and see what brand speaks to you.

Keep us in mind when you make your choice. We specialize in rifles and hand-loaded ammunition.

EO
 
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Justin Norris said:
I did look up about the bergara, and I did see that they are considered more accurate than even the Remington 700. What would set it apart from the Howa 1500, ruger American, or the tikka?
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Howa is a decent brand, I have never heard anything bad.
Ruger for me has a poor reputation for quality. That said the last Ruger Ranch in 300 BLK I observed was an amazing tack driver despite having ragged machining inside the bolt and a cheap plastic stock with a twisted forend.
Tikka is amazing quality. Downside is price and at times availability.
Bergara is relatively new (for us old guys) but has shown consistency in quality and accuracy. They also (IMO) seem to have a very good business sense and build rifles with features people want right out of the box.
 
Justin Norris said:
I’m a fanboy of the 30-06 myself. Why would you choose it over a 300 win mag, or say the 270? Just wanting to know your opinion as I’m pretty torn between the 3. On the one hand, 270 shoots very flat, but doesn’t have the frontal diameter, 30-06 does, but it drops a bit more, 300 win mage has the diameter and shoots flatter than the 30-06, but it can be a bit much depending on shot placement
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Below is mostly why:
cchioda3 said:
Like it’s been said upstream, inside 300 yards any of these calibers will do. Ammo price and availability are considerations as well. I only own 30-06 and 300 win mag of the mentioned calibers. 30-06 can be bought for less than $30/box. Not so with the 300 win mag.
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Other than that, you should be able to find a 30-06 in any of the previously mentioned models easily and likely used.
300 win mag can be a lot on a shorter shot in the woods. I personally don't have much experience with .270 but its been around a while and should be easy to find. I think it'd definitely a good choice.
At 300 yards the variation in drop if shooting ELD-X for example - for those is between 0.5"-1.2", it's nothing that's going to make me worry.
 
Eastwood Outfitters said:
The CSC members are on the right path with all the options above.

I think the critical option is to get your hands on the rifles and see what brand speaks to you.

Keep us in mind when you make your choice. We specialize in rifles and hand loaded ammunition.

EO
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I think after much research on the recommendations that either a 270 or a 300 win mag in the Howa HS Precision would be the way to go. How much for one of those or just a base 1500?
 
cchioda3 said:
Like it’s been said upstream, inside 300 yards any of these calibers will do. Ammo price and availability are considerations as well. I only own 30-06 and 300 win mag of the mentioned calibers. 30-06 can be bought for less than $30/box. Not so with the 300 win mag.
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That is for sure a consideration and also why I like 30-06
 
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