Can't find any good wood stocked rifles anymore

[Starvo]

All my guns are aluminum, fiberglass or plastic. I need a beautiful wood hunting rifle, budget up to $5k without scope. My LGS has some Weatherbys on the rack, but I have plenty of middle-of-the-road calibers in bolt and AR formats from .223 up to 280AI. Honestly, the weatherbys didn't feel any better than the Browning Xbolt they had in wood. In fact the browning xbolt with the aluminum action felt great, almost too great.

I don't have a bolt action 30 I don't own a .243 so guess I need to change that (.243 or 300 win mag). Opposite ends of the spectrum I know, but I'll eventually get both. I looked into buying a blank and having it carved and going full custom, but I don't think I'm ready for that process, and the hand carving + wood + barrel + action + trigger etc will exceed my budget probably.

I've looked at all the big American manufacturers and I like the Winchester 70 Super Grade French Walnut over any Weatherby offerings.

You can find Cooper's online, but not from them directly as they transition to Nighthawk ownership. This brings me then over to the European manufacturers. The top end of my budget is the bottom end of Blaser pricing, so I'm out for that. I think I can get a good-looking Merkel Helix, Sako or JP Sauer & Sohn for $5k but finding them online where I can add to cart and buy has been a bit more difficult than I anticipated, especially Merkel. Plus the straight pull bolt would be a new thing for my collection.

If you were to buy a wood stocked gun these days, with an emphasis on beautiful wood, classic lines, what maker would you go for? Are there smaller gun makers I may have overlooked?

 

[Ichi]

Have you looked at what CZ offers?

CZ Rifles

 

[Supersubes]

Haven't looked in a while myself, but check with Dakota.

 

[Starvo]

Haven't looked in a while myself, but check with Dakota.

I thought they went out of business but I’ll check.

 

[Starvo]

Have you looked at what CZ offers?

CZ Rifles

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Thanks. I may end up that route but was looking to spend some more $$$.

 

[Skunk]

Sako

 

[deltawiskey]

Benelli Lupo?

 

[Supersubes]

I thought they went out of business but I’ll check.

I think youre right.

 

[jb0311]

I like some of cooper’s wood stock offerings.

 

[acudaowner]

there are a few out there depending on how much your willing to pay or ideally you could learn to make your own and get one exactly the way you want it to look .. have seen many people in the forums making there own and well they are dam sexy looking . best of luck however you decide to go about getting yours .


you can do it .

 

[shoots100]

Six pages of wood stocked goodness here, just open your wallet.
Wood stocks

SJC

 

[Starvo]

Benelli Lupo?
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That does look nice. I didn't know they offered a bolt action.

 

[Starvo]

Six pages of wood stocked goodness here, just open your wallet.
Wood stocks

SJC

I wish. Blaser is just out of my budget.

 

[Modoc]

I’ve been watching for a wood stocked 270 for my father and I’m feeling so frustrated. Considering just getting a barrel, action, and bottom metal and a Boyd’s stock and call it good.

 

[800mZero]

Bergera wilderness. Buddy has one in 308 and it’s been stupid accurate.

 

[Greenfish]

Tikka has some wood stocks. Saw a few at Scheels the other day. Nothing crazy looking but they felt nice and solid. Euro optic usually has a decent selection too.

 

[ma smith]

anschutz is in your price range

1782 D HB 25.6" 300 Win Mag German Stock G15x1 Threaded Single Stage Trigger

Anschutz Importation for North America

www.anschutznorthamerica.com

 

[perttime]

Sako.

Or you can get a stock maker to build a stock to your specs, or copy an existing stock.

Home - Accurate Innovations Gunstocks

www.aigunstocks.com

Woox is pretty much a chassis with wooden inserts.

 

[MK20]

I don't know if he is still alive, but Arlen Weber from north Idaho is the man you seek.

Edit, just found his info I think.
208 683 2066

His stocks are like nothing I have ever seen.

 

[DJL2]

I had a Winchester M70 with a Maple stock that I loved. In fact, if I could get a M70 in stainless, with a 13.25” LOP maple stock, and proper long action (min, 3.7” internal box mag), and 3B equivalent contour, I’d buy it right now. If wishes were horses…

 

[Downtown]

How about buying a used rifle? Hard to beat the craftsmanship of a pre-war Winchester. If one was buying to use instead of collect, a modern barrel could be installed, to take advantage of the excellent barrel technology.

Winchester Model 70 Pre-War 270 Super Clean

Winchester Model 70 Pre-War 270 Super Clean for sale online.

www.gunsinternational.com

 

[DJL2]

That's the challenge, isn't it? $3k isn't inconsequential money, particularly if you drop another $800 to rebarrel. Then the questions becomes do I want a pre-war M70 as much as a modern custom. Still, if I was going to run one "as is" I'd consider it. I

 

[FNG1001]

I have the new FN Winchester Model 70 Super Grade 30-06. It's an amazing rifle. The wood stock is beautiful and everything feels great when holding and firing. I wouldn't hesitate to pick up another one.

Bergara makes very nice rifles too. Their Premier action has held up very well for me.

 

[pmclaine]

There is life beyond Moms basement........

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Even non Rifles

 

[Haney]

Griifin and Howe make some fine rifles .

https://griffinhowe.com/firearms

 

[Haney]

There is life beyond Moms basement........

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Mom's basement ? Glad they did not rust down there .

 

[pmclaine]

Mom's basement ? Glad they did not rust down there .

Eat shit Commie!

Your reading comprehension sucks.

 

[LRI]

I thought they went out of business but I’ll check.

Sorta. Dakota Arms is gone as a by-product of the "Remington SuperNova," but the ashes sprouted some new growth. Pac West is basically "Dakota 2.0". Same stuff, just a different name due to how the post-bankruptcy autopsy was conducted. Many of the same employees are there.

I'll warn you, though, $5,000 isn't going to get you very far.

First Stop Guns in Rapid City S. Dakota once carried a great deal of Dakota Arms and Nesika Bay inventory. You might snoop around the website as Marc used to list a whole lot of cool stuff.

Another heavy hitter Dakota Dealer is Gulf Breeze. (Duke McCall)

Good luck.

 

[burrdog]

Whitworth Express
One of the best deals too be had when you find a safe queen
Beautiful lines, featured with large ring FN Mauser non-rotating claw extractor, hooded front sight, barrel band sling swivel, three leaf folders, black forend, shadow line cheek rest, cross-bolted stock at recoil lug, pleasing checkering and the rifle was priced to please the masses! Most did have larger chamberings though.
To those who will never experience the pleasure of hunting with a beautiful Pre-War M70 I can only express regret, there was no finer "production made rifle" for the price of the time.

 

[LRI]

PRETTY!

 

[LRI]

Tree stuff...

 

[Starvo]

I like some of cooper’s wood stock offerings.

Me too! I

Sako

i’m leaning Sako

 

[Starvo]

How about buying a used rifle? Hard to beat the craftsmanship of a pre-war Winchester. If one was buying to use instead of collect, a modern barrel could be installed, to take advantage of the excellent barrel technology.

Winchester Model 70 Pre-War 270 Super Clean

Winchester Model 70 Pre-War 270 Super Clean for sale online.

www.gunsinternational.com

I’ve been watching a lot of USOG videoed in YouTube and it has convinced me to look at used rifles. There are some good ones out there for sure.

Not bolt action but I was interested in an H&K 770 until I looked at magazine prices.

 

[Starvo]

There is life beyond Moms basement........

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Even non Rifles

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Great collection!

 

[Wyfox]

Whitworth Express
One of the best deals too be had when you find a safe queen
Beautiful lines, featured with large ring FN Mauser non-rotating claw extractor, hooded front sight, barrel band sling swivel, three leaf folders, black forend, shadow line cheek rest, cross-bolted stock at recoil lug, pleasing checkering and the rifle was priced to please the masses! Most did have larger chamberings though.
To those who will never experience the pleasure of hunting with a beautiful Pre-War M70 I can only express regret, there was no finer "production made rifle" for the price of the time.

This ^
I had one in 300winmag that was gorgeous! One of the few rifles I regret selling. I had Del Whitman put a NECG 3 position safety and a traditional red recoil pad on it and I was still in it for less than $1500. You normally only find them in 375 and 458, but 300wm and 7mm rem's do exist.
Example

Interarms Whitworth Mauser .458 Win Mag

Interarms Whitworth Mauser .458 Win Mag for sale online.

www.gunsinternational.com

Buying a used custom is the way to go, you'll get a rifle that would cost you $8-10,000 for $5000

Custom Rifles for sale

Browse all new and used Custom Rifles for sale and buy with confidence from Guns International.

www.gunsinternational.com

 

[pmclaine]

PRETTY!

View attachment 8053358

The way it was meant to be and shall remain.

I bought it the day I picked up the early R700 receiver for the wood rifle you built me in picture 5 above with the DBM and S&B.

It was in a rack of rifles and immediately caught my eye as a treasure I had sought for a while. Not that I wanted to spend the money but I couldn't not spend the money.

That M1A is a legit sub 2.5 MOA rifle off bags with my poor skills in service grade spec with its early 1990 serial number receiver and list of GI surplus parts......it's a beast!

 

[pmclaine]

Great collection!

Not a collection........it's a tool box.

 

[pmclaine]

I’ve been watching a lot of USOG videoed in YouTube and it has convinced me to look at used rifles. There are some good ones out there for sure.

Not bolt action but I was interested in an H&K 770 until I looked at magazine prices.

Owner of this place....

Pre-64 Winchester Model 70 Rifles and Rifle Parts

Your first stop for pre 64 Winchester model 70 rifles & gun parts. pre64win.com is a dedicated site for collectors and shooters of the the Rifleman's Rifle.

pre64win.com

Is a member here.

He built the Winchester Model 70 30-06 with Unertl above.

It's not Pre War. Early 50s. Bought it Cabelas for sub $900 after trading them a last ditch Arisaka. I changed the safety/cocking piece to a pre war to give it the look.

Looks old but with a beautiful bed job and pillars it shoots new.

I had my issues getting that build running but Pre 64 worked his ass off and made good.

It unleashes 30-06 hate with precision.

 

[Starvo]

This ^
I had one in 300winmag that was gorgeous! One of the few rifles I regret selling. I had Del Whitman put a NECG 3 position safety and a traditional red recoil pad on it and I was still in it for less than $1500. You normally only find them in 375 and 458, but 300wm and 7mm rem's do exist.
Example

Interarms Whitworth Mauser .458 Win Mag

Interarms Whitworth Mauser .458 Win Mag for sale online.

www.gunsinternational.com

Buying a used custom is the way to go, you'll get a rifle that would cost you $8-10,000 for $5000

Custom Rifles for sale

Browse all new and used Custom Rifles for sale and buy with confidence from Guns International.

www.gunsinternational.com

These are great resources. Thanks

 

[Starvo]

Owner of this place....

Pre-64 Winchester Model 70 Rifles and Rifle Parts

Your first stop for pre 64 Winchester model 70 rifles & gun parts. pre64win.com is a dedicated site for collectors and shooters of the the Rifleman's Rifle.

pre64win.com

Is a member here.

He built the Winchester Model 70 30-06 with Unertl above.

It's not Pre War. Early 50s. Bought it Cabelas for sub $900 after trading them a last ditch Arisaka. I changed the safety/cocking piece to a pre war to give it the look.

Looks old but with a beautiful bed job and pillars it shoots new.

I had my issues getting that build running but Pre 64 worked his ass off and made good.

It unleashes 30-06 hate with precision.

 

[Starvo]

This is sending me down a rabbit hole.

 

[Tikkaguy]

Would look at sako or blaser. Other wise I think your kind of in the custom gun game.

 

[just browsing]

If you can find an older Sako that would be my vote. Unfortunately any new manufacture stuff from any of the “big” factory options is just not the same in my humble opinion. Obviously there are exceptions but you’re going to pay for them.

 

[Tikkaguy]

If you can find an older Sako that would be my vote. Unfortunately any new manufacture stuff from any of the “big” factory options is just not the same in my humble opinion. Obviously there are exceptions but you’re going to pay for them.

I got a old 79 l61r varmint in 7mm mag pretty nice gun.

 

[Haney]

Eat shit Commie!

Your reading comprehension sucks.

Thin skinned for a mouthy little fella . Loved the show and tell me . Back in the basement , you go now .

 

[pmclaine]

Thin skinned for a mouthy little fella . Loved the show and tell me . Back in the basement , you go now .

Loves "Tranny Reading Hour" is more like it.

Couple of those rifles were designed with people like you in mind........

 

[pmclaine]

View attachment 8053433View attachment 8053434
I got a old 79 l61r varmint in 7mm mag pretty nice gun.

Love the "plum" bluing of the receiver.....I'm told it indicates lots of nickel in the steel.

 

[Tikkaguy]

Love the "plum" bluing of the receiver.....I'm told it indicates lots of nickel in the steel.

Yeah it pretty. Very high gloss. Gun was used as a tool. Little putting on barrel and stock was pretty beat. Paid 500 bucks tho. Rare to have a magnum in a bull barrel tho.

 

[Aftermath]

PRETTY!

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It is. That rifle is one of my favorite on this site.
BUT...this other one is at the top of my list:

WOOD

Almost finished. Wrapping up the metal stuff now. Tiger Myrtle wood.

www.snipershide.com

 

[Bigfatcock]

I’d buy a new model 70, CRF rifle. The cheapest model possible. Even used.

Then I would reach out to eBay member ksj95982 for a stock.

Between the rifle and stock you’ll be less than 2k in. Less than 1500 more than likely. That leaves $3,000-$3,500 to have the stock fitted, finished, and checkered.