Best hunting rifle under $750

Bryan W M

Bryan W M

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Oct 31, 2011
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East KS
#1
Looking to semi retire my grandfathers weatherby. Max budget is $750.
Looking at the tikka in stainless anything better or as good for less?

Would prefer 6.5 creed. Or 270.
I have dies for 270. 6.5 I think would be better starter for my son. Don't want to worry about it getting snowed or rained on. I don't like taking the weatherby out of the stock every time it gets wet during season.
Thanks
 
#3
You have two pretty different options there, short action 6.5 creed or a long action 270.
If target shooting go for the 6.5 creed.
If this is going to be hunting exclusive rifle I would go 270 just for the extra whoop ass it puts down range.

Are you going for light weight or heavy barreled?
 
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#4
My GF bought a Ruger American Rifle Predator edition in 6.5CM and dropped it into a MagPul Hunter stock. It's a dang nice shooting rifle and she hunts with it as shoots routinely out to 1000y. Ruger has been doing a nice job on their barrels and their 3-lug actions are proving to be quite accurate and really smooth out once they wear in a bit.
 
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#6
Light hunting rifle. Shooting KS 6.5 would be more than enough. Put the 270 into the mix to maybe open more options.

Was looking at the Ruger. Put in a Boyd's stock. Are the Rugers blued or ??
 
#8
Bryan W M said:
Anyone have the kimber 84m hunter?
Reading online people seem to think the tikka is better
Click to expand...

I have a few Kimber rifles. The Tikka is a more accurate rifle, but a Kimber is a Kimber. I prefer the Kimber over the Tikka, but not sure how you're getting a Kimber below $750. The Kimber is much prettier, lighter, and just a "nicer" rifle. It's hard to explain. The negative on the Kimber is that they are hard to shoot. Being that they are extremely light and the barrels as thin as they are, it's hard to get a good round for the rifle. You only have about 4 rounds at a time for shooting with those rifles. Then let it cool for an hour.

Don't know how old your son is, but I would not recommend him starting with a Kimber. I feel the Tikka or a Ruger would be a better starting rifle for him. Like I said earlier, Kimber's are finicky and just harder to shoot well.
 
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#10
Oh the Kimber "Hunter." I forgot about that rifle. Yes, that rifle is much cheaper than all the others. I was thinking of all the higher end Kimbers. I've never shot one of those, but they seem pretty nice. I'm guessing they shoot just like the other Kimber rifles.
 
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#13
Poorboyr said:
Oh the Kimber "Hunter." I forgot about that rifle. Yes, that rifle is much cheaper than all the others. I was thinking of all the higher end Kimbers. I've never shot one of those, but they seem pretty nice. I'm guessing they shoot just like the other Kimber rifles.
Click to expand...
I have a buddy with the Kimber - He seems happy with it.
 
#15
No one has mentioned it but check out the Winchester XPR. It's built like a tank, nitrided or some kind of all weather metal treatment, has the winchester moa trigger...and they just plain shoot! You can find 'em street price of $450-$650.......tough to beat for the money.

I picked one up in 30/06 last year to use as the camp loaner, tried my go to 168gr. handload in it (no additional load development) and it shoots about .8 MOA so far. I've only had it out to 300yds. and a limited number of rounds total (around 80) as it is not a primary rifle but it's sure been a winner so far.
 
#16
Personally I'd go with a Savage Model 10/11/12 (or long action equivalent) or a Tikka. I like the Savage because I can build whatever I want with it once I get tired of the cheap original configuration.

If you are on a real budget and won't shoot the rifle a lot the Ruger American is a great choice. In my experience they CAN be as accurate as a Savage and cheaper....but their Achilles heel is the magazine design. They break if you use them much and the magazines are expensive. My buddy took one on a 3-day prairie dog hunt and wore out 2 new magazines and finished the third day single loading. But he killed a ton of dogs at long range due to great accuracy.
 
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#18
Before there was as many options as today, I started my son on a Tikka.

But I also had a Ruger American and Ruger predator. For cheap ass guns, they shoot well. But they really are a dead end. The Woodstock Byods you’ll hear so much about for the Ruger American; has the stupid little pieces that you need to somehow bed in the wood to stabilize the action.

Today to Tikka action in a mainstream. You can get him a light weight Tikka and if he decides to make it into a precision shooter when he gets older you’ll find a lot of options.

In a lightweight gun I really consider the 6.5.

So another vote for Tikka.
 
#19
I already knew I'd find a ton of Tikka recommendations so I just came in here just to add another.

I played with a couple Kimber 84s at Cabela's recently. The action, like all the others, was "meh" at best. Not something I'm going to settle for when there are better alternatives for less money.

I have six Tikkas in various configurations and every one of them is a sub-MOA shooter out of the box with factory ammo.

@Diver160651 is correct, Tikkas a becoming much more popular as customizable platforms (for damn good reason). Very straightforward to rebarrel, the action works for both long and short, same stock inlet. If you want to change calibers or go semi-custom it's very easy.

-Stooxie
 
#20
The Kimbers are great rifles, the 84M hunter is just a Montana without the threaded barrel they come with now (they didn’t used to) and in a molded stock instead of the fiberglass.

They’re no harder to shoot than any other ultralight rifle but they carry amazingly. They’re also very accurate rifles, all of mine (Montana’s) have been 1/2 minute with hand loads.

For a dedicated hunting stick in that price range I’d absolutely take one over the Tikka. Tikkas are good rifles but the Kimber is a little more of a premium rifle.
 
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#21
The Kimber may be more premium, but IMO, the Tikka action feels far nicer. I like the Kimber stocks more than the Tikkas, however.

I believe my Tikkas are also nicer than my Stiller Tac 30s. I’m a big fan of em.
 
#23
Tikka or a few select Remington 700s. I’m a Remington fan. People can say whatever about them, but they have always been a great hunting rifle. I just wish they could get their shit together
 
#24
A controlled round feed action like a Kimber is never going to feel as slick as something with just a smooth body. Controlled round feed and mechanical ejection is a great feature to have in a hunting rifle though and are two features that Tikkas lack.

I like Tikkas but as far as a hunting rifle goes the 84M is hands down a better choice. A super slick action isn’t everything when it comes to an action if you do more than sit around cycling your action creaming yourself over how smooth it is.
 
#26
redneckbmxer24 said:
A controlled round feed action like a Kimber is never going to feel as slick as something with just a smooth body. Controlled round feed and mechanical ejection is a great feature to have in a hunting rifle though and are two features that Tikkas lack.

I like Tikkas but as far as a hunting rifle goes the 84M is hands down a better choice. A super slick action isn’t everything when it comes to an action if you do more than sit around cycling your action creaming yourself over how smooth it is.
Click to expand...

Dang, tough words for the thousands of people successfully hunting with their Tikkas. I've shot multiple deer, multiple times, within minutes, and having that glass smooth action is very much appreciated. I don't hunt dangerous game or with my rifle upside down so CRF hasn't been a necessity for me. I love the way the Tikka gobbles up rounds so effortlessly.

-Stooxie
 
#28
Stooxie said:
Dang, tough words for the thousands of people successfully hunting with their Tikkas. I've shot multiple deer, multiple times, within minutes, and having that glass smooth action is very much appreciated. I don't hunt dangerous game or with my rifle upside down so CRF hasn't been a necessity for me. I love the way the Tikka gobbles up rounds so effortlessly.

-Stooxie
Click to expand...

So long as the action doesn’t bind or have a feeding issue you won’t feel one having a slightly smoother action over the other in the heat of the moment.

Have you actually owned a Kimber? Or do you just have Tikkas so that’s the best period because you have nothing else to compare it to?
 
#32
Not at all, I just think it’s ridiculous that someone who is obviously a fanboy of a brand and has only fondled the other once upon a time in a store is somehow an expert on both of them and can definitively say why one is better than the other. Over something as silly as a action being smoother too.

Tikkas are great rifles and some models do some things better than the Kimbers, but this is one category where the Kimber is a superior rifle and it’s a more premium rifle like it or not.
 
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#34
I'm going to go with my anecdotal opinion and say Remington. My LH 700 CDL in 30-06 is the most consistently accurate rifle I own. Very smooth jewelled bolt, very nice wood stock, overall fit and finish is very good. I paid $700 for it 2 years ago.

shot_1504544644202.jpg
 
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#35
I had a Kimber with the radial brake. (I hate radial brakes). Nice rifle to be sure but no way was it $750

Several of my SS Tikkas came in under that cost..

I think the op asked about $750 threashold
 
#37
I’m a fan of Remington 700 with hinged floor plate for a hunting rifle. My stainless model is chambered in .270 win. My sons Tikka t3x lite in 6.5 creedmoor is nice as well.
 
#39
Tiiiiikkkkaaaaa!!!!!

But if it's hunting like how it is around where I live, and the shots never go further than 200 yards, a simple Ruger American will get the job done for less. I plan on using a Ruger American for my next hunting rifle, an affordable scope, and off to the races. I wont care if it gets beat up since it only costs a couple hundred bucks, plus theyre plenty accurate for the job. But that may just be me, I never spend much on hunting guns. I save the dough for my competition and recreational rigs.

But if you want a nicer rifle that fits the budget, Tikka all the way. My original hunting rig was a Tikka T3 Lite. Loved it!
 
#40
I joined the Tikka train a couple years ago for my hunting rifle and I am very happy that I did. Action that is smooth as glass, good factory trigger, and it shoots 1/2 MOA when I do my part. If you like the 6.5 CM and have a Sportsman's Warehouse nearby, there is a SW exclusive Tikka Superlite stainless steel rifle with a 24" barrel, and IMO that is the way to go.
 
#43
redneckbmxer24 said:
Not at all, I just think it’s ridiculous that someone who is obviously a fanboy of a brand and has only fondled the other once upon a time in a store is somehow an expert on both of them and can definitively say why one is better than the other. Over something as silly as a action being smoother too.

Tikkas are great rifles and some models do some things better than the Kimbers, but this is one category where the Kimber is a superior rifle and it’s a more premium rifle like it or not.
Click to expand...

ETA: Nevermind, not even worth it. I have owned both, well I had a Montana, and I liked the Tikka better. Since no one can have a different opinion than redneck, “I’m wrong, like it or not”. Oh, and a fanboy, apparently.

Better sell my Bighorn.
 
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#44
At $750 you're in the territory of a new Winchester Model 70 Featherweight in 270 Win.

Something else to consider: Mauser Model 18 and Sauer Model 100. Check out some videos on youtube about them. Most of the user reviews are from European hunters, but the accuracy is pretty obvious regardless of any language barrier.
 
#45
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#46
wade2big said:
For a hunting rifle, he should stop at the $400 ADL and go hunt. The magpul stock and bottom metal is unnecessary and a step backwards.
Click to expand...
Agree. I just SMDH at all these stupid tacticool rigs to go kill a deer or some pigs. Holy hell however did people kill deer before all this shit came along?
 
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#47
308pirate said:
Agree. I just SMDH at all these stupid tacticool rigs to go kill a deer or some pigs. Holy hell however did people kill deer before all this shit came along?
Click to expand...

We should all just still use muskets.

Though I do agree with the opinion those Magpul Hunter stocks are dogshit. I’m sure some people like them and they must serve some purpose or they’d quit making them, but they’re heavy, ugly, and not for me.

I like using nice stuff, so my two hunting builds have Manners Elite Shell stocks and unnecessary nicer finish options. I like my Proof Carbon barrels, simply because I don’t like the looks of skinny barrels with suppressors attached and they shoot great for me. Is this is a necessity? Hell no; but sure nice to use and look at.

Different strokes for different folks. But if you’re looking for a rifle under $750, keep it simple. Tikka :p
 
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#50
308pirate said:
Non-sequitur

Look it up.
Click to expand...

I don’t have to. I have an education and a rather good one.

Facetious, look it up.

ETA: back on topic here for OP.

Tikka T3
Kimber 84
Remington 700
Sako A7 (these show up in your price range often)
Model 70
Sauer 100
Howa 1500

Go to Cabelas or somewhere and handle em and buy what you like best. You’re hunting deer, not T-Rex’s.

We can’t tell you your favorite color. You have options. Go handle them and see what fits you best.
 
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