Best bolt action rifle for $2000 or under

CZ makes a hell of a rifle for well under the $2K mark including up and into the DG calibers.
Maybe not the "best" rifle for less than $2K, but a true value to say the least.

I can vouch for that buddy. I have a CZ in .416 Rigby. It performed well (out of the box, did nothing to it) in Africa and was very accurate. I do know about CZ's to a degree.
 
A few weeks ago I would have said Sako most likely, but after handling a Bergara Premier Series rifle for a few weeks, I am absolutely sold on them. An outstanding rifle for just under 2k.

That's an interesting comment because I have not heard good things about them, at all. I'll check them out now.
 
Custom action, 925; barrel, 325; trigger,150; stock, 200, gunsmithing 250, custom gun that will shoot rings around anything mass produced, $1850-2000. It would be a cold day in hell before I spent 2k for a factory, mass produced rifle.

pm me for more info.

Thanks pal, will do. That's a lot of the reason for the question actually. I was wondering if a custom, semi-custom would not be superior.
 
I like the Montana Rifle Co. rifles. $1500- $1900. Tactical and some other specialty rifles are higher. Sako is probably my number two.

Thanks, I was looking at them. What model do you prefer and why?
 
That's an interesting comment because I have not heard good things about them, at all. I'll check them out now.

They have a couple different lines, so that may make a difference. Their B14 HMR is a great rifle and I see them at matches all over the place, that isn't what you are looking for, it weighs 12+ easy, but great for long-range fun.
 
I'm in the industry, and perform formal, rigorous brand-comparison testing at least once a year. We test for accuracy, as well as examine the rifles for manufacturing defects, fit and finish flaws, etc. What I can tell you is that today, you'd have to search really hard to find a bad commercial < $2000 bolt-action rifle, and even then you still may come up empty-handed. Ruger, CZ, SAKO, Nosler, Tikka, Savage, Winchester, Remington, Browning, Weatherby, Thompson-Center, heck even the latest newcomers like Franchi: all good, all capable of tremendous accuracy and all feature-rich.

The main reason is that it's a nearly 150-year-old technology, and with the collective manufacturing experience as well as modern tolerance-control and steel-quality, there is no excuse for bringing a dud to market. What at the time of our grandfathers would have been possible only with a painstakingly-put-together custom piece at very high costs, today can be cranked out with a CNC machine for cents on the dollar. Another reason is that, about 15 years ago, Savage changed the rules of the market by bringing out a hyper-accurate rifle with a crisp adjustable trigger for a few hundred dollars. Suddenly, Bubba could walk out of Bass Pro with a $350 rifle/scope combo that likely shot as well or better than his more well-to-do friends' four-figure premium brand or semi-custom rifles. The bar was set: now no brand can afford to offer product of less quality, especially for more money.

Where you start getting substantial differences in performance (again, according to our frequent testing) is in the matchup between rifle brand and ammo type. We've found that each brand tends to be more accurate with certain ammo brand-weight combinations, and we test about 20 types of ammo for each brand. There are no ammo brands that perform superbly or badly across the rifle-brand spectrum--you just get some magical combination with a type of ammo that may perform very well with one brand and average or poorly with another.

So my advice is this. Research which features are important to you (e.g., looks, available calibers, push Vs. controlled-round feeding, stock type and material, location/type of safety, threaded/non threaded, etc.), settle on a specific model, buy it, then test it with as many brands and types of ammo you can (ditto for handloads). I guarantee you that with this admittedly somewhat tedious and expensive process, you'll end up with a tack-driver that will be the envy of all your shooting buddies.
 
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I'm in the industry, and perform formal, rigorous brand-comparison testing at least once a year. We test for accuracy, as well as examine the rifles for manufacturing defects, fit and finish flaws, etc. What I can tell you is that today, you'd have to search really hard to find a bad commercial < $2000 bolt-action rifle, and even then you still may come up empty-handed. Ruger, CZ, SAKO, Nosler, Tikka, Savage, Winchester, Remington, Browning, Weatherby, Thompson-Center, heck even the latest newcomers like Franchi: all good, all capable of tremendous accuracy and all feature-rich.

The main reason is that it's a nearly 150-year-old technology, and with the collective manufacturing experience as well as modern tolerance-control and steel-quality, there is no excuse for bringing a dud to market. What at the time of our grandfathers would have been possible only with a painstakingly-put-together custom piece at very high costs, today can be cranked out with a CNC machine for cents on the dollar. Another reason is that, about 15 years ago, Savage changed the rules of the market by bringing out a hyper-accurate rifle with a crisp adjustable trigger for a few hundred dollars. Suddenly, Bubba could walk out of Bass Pro with a $350 rifle/scope combo that likely shot as well or better than his more well-to-do friends' four-figure premium brand or semi-custom rifles. The bar was set: now no brand can afford to offer product of less quality, especially for more money.

Where you start getting substantial differences in performance (again, according to our frequent testing) is in the matchup between rifle brand and ammo type. We've found that each brand tends to be more accurate with certain ammo brand-weight combinations, and we test about 20 types of ammo for each brand. There are no ammo brands that perform superbly or badly across the rifle-brand spectrum--you just get some magical combination with a type of ammo that may perform very well with one brand and average or poorly with another.

So my advice is this. Research which features are important to you (e.g., looks, available calibers, push Vs. controlled-round feeding, stock type and material, location/type of safety, threaded/non threaded, etc.), settle on a specific model, buy it, then test it with as many brands and types of ammo you can (ditto for handloads). I guarantee you that with this admittedly somewhat tedious and expensive process, you'll end up with a tack-driver that will be the envy of all your shooting buddies.

Great advice, thank you. This really sums up why I posed the question. There are a lot of options, good guns out there and I could never really get a consensus on anything.
 
I own a lot of rifles, Vintage sporter Mausers, Remingtons, Savage, Ruger, CZ etc. Wthin the last few years I bought a few of the new Winchester M70s. I found that the new M70s seem to offer a great rifle for the money, I'd look into a New M70 Super Grade They offer a bit of the olds school look and the upscale wood and hardware make a very shootable and a look you would be proud to own JMTC
 
Natur Boy,
I have the 1999. The X2 has a better stock. They're accurate, sub inch. control round feed. They are almost identical to a Winchester M70, so it is familiar. Basicly it makes me think of a better made M70. I've talked to their people on a few occasions and they were very helpful. This was in ordering and not due to an issue with a rifle. Never had an issue.
I like it better than my Kimber. My Sako is about the same level as a MRC but I just like the MRC a little better.
I'm not brand loyal in any way and for me a rifle is a tool. I don't need, nor can I afford $4000 rifles, but I do want quality. I think the MRC rifles are about as good as it gets for around $1500. A .375 or .458 will run you about $400 more.
 
Natur Boy,
I have the 1999. The X2 has a better stock. They're accurate, sub inch. control round feed. They are almost identical to a Winchester M70, so it is familiar. Basicly it makes me think of a better made M70. I've talked to their people on a few occasions and they were very helpful. This was in ordering and not due to an issue with a rifle. Never had an issue.
I like it better than my Kimber. My Sako is about the same level as a MRC but I just like the MRC a little better.
I'm not brand loyal in any way and for me a rifle is a tool. I don't need, nor can I afford $4000 rifles, but I do want quality. I think the MRC rifles are about as good as it gets for around $1500. A .375 or .458 will run you about $400 more.

Thanks for the answer. I agree with you, I just want a good tool vs a lesser tool. I figure it will last a long time.
 
Custom action, 925; barrel, 325; trigger,150; stock, 200, gunsmithing 250, custom gun that will shoot rings around anything mass produced, $1850-2000. It would be a cold day in hell before I spent 2k for a factory, mass produced rifle.

pm me for more info.

Bingo.

I used to search and find a rifle that closely fit what I needed, one one I just liked. Now, as I plan for my hunts I prefer to design the rifle to my needs. Picking the action you want, barrel (contour, weight, metal, length, threaded, chambering, etc), stock, trigger, etc, is just so easy now.

Nothing wrong with a $1500-$2000 production gun, and some might fit your bill exactly...but why get close to what you want/need when you can get exactly what you want and need for the same price.
 
Lots of good ideas out there. The custom route can be done as mentioned for around the $2K mark. Depends on exactly which action and stock. Gives you the advantage of having it made your way. Other good options include:
Christiansen arms Ridgeline or Mesa. Some folks doing very well with these rifles. Most under 1/2 in at 100 yds.( have a lightly used one in .300 WM I'd sell ya)
Tika T-3 Light weight, generally good accuracy and an excellent trigger. Some on sale right now for under $600 I think.
Montana rifle co. as mentioned above.
Seekins Havic has come on strong lately.
Begara seems to be making nice rifles too.
Sometimes it boils down to certain features that matter to you like CRF or a carbon fiber barrel for lighter weight. Sometimes a stock fits you better so you shoot the rifle better and thus have greater confidence in it. Good luck to you.
Bruce
 
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Bingo.

I used to search and find a rifle that closely fit what I needed, one one I just liked. Now, as I plan for my hunts I prefer to design the rifle to my needs. Picking the action you want, barrel (contour, weight, metal, length, threaded, chambering, etc), stock, trigger, etc, is just so easy now.

Nothing wrong with a $1500-$2000 production gun, and some might fit your bill exactly...but why get close to what you want/need when you can get exactly what you want and need for the same price.

Thanks. So, can you give me a company or 3 who do this that you recommend?
 
Thanks. So, can you give me a company or 3 who do this that you recommend?

My last two were built by Krieger using Krieger barrels. Sometimes there can be a backlog that you don't want to wait for. Kampfeld Customs, Straight Shot Gunsmithing, SAC, and many more. I have stayed away from some of the big players like GAP as they tend to run higher priced. I prefer to buy the components and send them to the smith for chambering and fitting.

Smiths also have their specialty, so depending on the type of rifle and what its purpose is, I might send to a different smith that has more expertise, (at least in my eyes) in that arena.
 
Steyr Scout

Move the price range up a bit and the Blaser 93 comes into play.

CB
 
Steyr Scout

Move the price range up a bit and the Blaser 93 comes into play.

CB

I was talking with a German hunter a couple weeks ago. Blaser was not on the top of the list, (said it was over price for a gun that operates on rails). They said Tikka and then a SAKO because the Tikka was cheaper then the SAKO. and just as good. They also told me the Leica Binoculars were best and Zeiss scopes were the best, despite the Leica Magnus scope on top of their Tikka. Tells me something then a German says a Finnish product is better then a German one.
 
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I can vouch for that buddy. I have a CZ in .416 Rigby. It performed well (out of the box, did nothing to it) in Africa and was very accurate. I do know about CZ's to a degree.
CZ makes a quality rifle for the price, but there are some shortcomings in my opinion...
I despise the two position safety, my stock trigger was junk and the barrel is a little long for me.
If you go to AHR, a #1 upgrade will put you right at the $2K mark and take care of the first two issues I mentioned.
Move up to the #2 upgrade and the $2K budget is blown by another grand, but your barrel will be shorter and several other upgrades.
I went with a #2 upgrade for my 375H&H.

Some will say that you shouldn't have to have work done on a brand new rifle.
The way I see it, I will have a semi-custom rifle in a DG caliber for about $3K.
If I were to do this with almost any other company, the starting price is $4K.
 
I was talking with a German hunter a couple weeks ago. Blaser was not on the top of the list, (said it was over price for a gun that operates on rails). They said Tikka and then a SAKO because the Tikka was cheaper then the SAKO. and just as good. They also told me the Leica Binoculars were best and Zeiss scopes were the best, despite the Leica Magnus scope on top of their Tikka. Tells me something then a German says a Finnish product is better then a German one.

Interesting. I wonder how much experience the German hunter had with a Blaser 93? Did he mention actually having any experience with the 93? Mine is fairly limited, but it's enough to know it's a great rifle and I have friends who have used them a lot.

CB
 
I was talking with a German hunter a couple weeks ago. Blaser was not on the top of the list, (said it was over price for a gun that operates on rails). They said Tikka and then a SAKO because the Tikka was cheaper then the SAKO. and just as good. They also told me the Leica Binoculars were best and Zeiss scopes were the best, despite the Leica Magnus scope on top of their Tikka. Tells me something then a German says a Finnish product is better then a German one.

Agree, not great guns. Tikka's are fine but plastic bolt receiver, etc. doesn't meet the specs for a nicer gun. Minox are great binos for the money. Zeiss may have good glass but as an American I would never get one. Pain to get fixed and Leupold has a great warranty.
 

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