New Bolt Action Rifle Recommendations

[BayouBuck985]

Do you have a preference of safety location, 2 or 3 position safety, floor plate, flush box mag, extended box mag? Do you want to leave it stock or add extras? There are many good choices on rifles these days. Personal preferences make it the right rifle for you. When I looked at those questions I ended up with an x bolt and have no regrets. It does not mean I dont like other rifles.

Do you have a preference of safety location, 2 or 3 position safety, floor plate, flush box mag, extended box mag? Do you want to leave it stock or add extras? There are many good choices on rifles these days. Personal preferences make it the right rifle for you. When I looked at those questions I ended up with an x bolt and have no regrets. It does not mean I dont like other rifles.

My only hard preference/requirement is to have at least a 22” barrel. I did hunt with a Remington 700 SPS (all black synthetic) in 7mm-08 which had the detachable mag, which I did like a lot. I know the Browning X Bolt 2 has that along with the shorter bolt throw, another plus in my book. No strong preference on the safety. The Remington 700 XCR that I saw in 270 has the green synthetic stock with the black hogue grip inserts. Personally, I love that color scheme (even though my search started with a nice wooden stock rifle since I’ve only hunted with synthetic stocks to date). My only hesitancy is with the X Mark Pro trigger recall that was widespread at that time (2008/9 - 2014ish), and it has the 24” barrel. Even though it looks new, it’s still used, and I can get the new Browning for that cost, about $1000. I don’t how y’all feel about buying new vs. used. Then to further complicate my search, I found a nice used Savage Model 14 in 308 that looks good for a lot cheaper than the two mentioned above. I do like the nice walnut stock it has with the black forearm tip, similar to the Remington 700 CDL. Either rifle will likely remain in its stock condition, as I have no desire to modify any of them. The only change will be topping it with a nice Swarovski Z6 that I recently bought.

 

[BayouBuck985]

Didn't you say you just got a browning xbolt 2 in 308?

Ha, yes. Here’s the story behind that. I did buy that gun (used but in great shape), but it got damaged during shipping, where something hit the bottom of the pistol grip really hard and added some cracks to the stock in this area. That being said, the seller offered to refund me. I could either get a new Browning X Bolt 2 from him or really any other major rifle manufacturer. He also has a nice gently used Remington 700 XCR in 270 that I could just swap out for also.

 

[Bowmannate2000]

What is the reasoning for the 22" barrel requirement?

 

[BayouBuck985]

What is the reasoning for the 22" barrel requirement?

I just think it looks goofy especially with a scope on it that’s not really compact in size. I imagine it has a slightly negative effect on ballistics, especially when most charts are based off 24” barrels, such as Hornady.

 

[Bowmannate2000]

I just think it looks goofy especially with a scope on it that’s not really compact in size. I imagine it has a slightly negative effect on ballistics, especially when most charts are based off 24” barrels, such as Hornady.

I really like my model 70 featherweight .308. Pretty sure it's a 22" barrel.

 

[GlockZ]

Just get the X-bolt in either caliber, personally I'd choose the 270, but that's me. I've never owned a Tikka, so I can't say much, except people like them and I hear great things about them.