Bad weather rifle

[TroyF]

The last 3 deer seasons here in New York I got caught in the rain, it usually snows a few times to. The last couple years I've wanted to get a rifle for the crappy weather days, rifle availability has not been good for reasons I don't need to mention. There are a few features I would like and more then being picky I think there important, like to stay around $1000 maybe a few hundred more. Don't think I'll find cartridges I prefer tho, 7-08 or 280ai, 6.5 prc, 7 rem mag.

Must have crf action
Must have stainless barrel and action
Must have locking bolt
Must have synthetic stock

From what I see thats some what available, not in any particular order.
Kimber hunter $900-$1000 I like the pro devalue black one available, only in 6.5 cm and 308.
Ruger m77 hawkeye ultra light ss, 6.5 cm and 308. $900
Winchester m70 ew ss just be nos there all in 325wsm $1200

So what you think any ideas of other rifles I may have missed.there are a few push feed guns I wouldn't mind that check a few boxes but seems they will have something to knock it off the list. Like the ss tikka, no locking bolt. The mauser m18/sauer 100 ( I really like these) no real stainless available.

 

[Hunt anything]

Have you considered ceracoating and getting a synthetic stock for your current rifle? I ceracoated the barrel and action and bought a Houge stock for my 40 year old REM model 700 in 7mm REM Mag 10 years ago and have been extremely happy with it.

 

[Art Lambart II]

Troy, I have an easy answer for you, buy a T/C Encore. You can get it in any caliber you want, they are easy to clean if they get wetand they a a dream to use. I have an Encore in 35 Whelen and its my go to rifle.

 

[mdwest]

Ive got kimbers, winchesters, and rugers all in the safe.. you really cant go wrong with any of the options you have listed.. its just a matter of personal preference in terms of both which rifle you like best and which caliber you like best (each has pluses and minuses.. but all are more than acceptable/capable deer calibers in your part of the country)..

I do like @Art Lambart II 's recommendation though.. Ive got a buddy that has a stainless TC Encore in 30-06 that is a no shit tack driving wonder rifle.. Ive seen "precision" guns that don't shoot as well.. he absolutely loves it for a wide range of reasons (easy to clean, easy to maintain, inexpensive rifle, inexpensive ammo, etc..)..

I've considered dumping several rifles in the safe and converting to a TC system with barrels ranging from small to mid bore that could cover most everything on this side of the planet with just one rifle..

FWIW I do already own a TC Encore stainless muzzleloader.. it is a rockstar as far as ML's are concerned.. (which is also driving me to think about an Encore rifle)

 

[TroyF]

Have you considered ceracoating and getting a synthetic stock for your current rifle? I ceracoated the barrel and action and bought a Houge stock for my 40 year old REM model 700 in 7mm REM Mag 10 years ago and have been extremely happy with it.

I don't like the coatings, they don't seem to hold up and I'm always afraid of rust under it. I was going to try coating a mauser but i seen a mauser and it was wearing off the rails and bolt fast. Plus I gave the bolt a sticky feeling.

 

[TroyF]

Troy, I have an easy answer for you, buy a T/C Encore. You can get it in any caliber you want, they are easy to clean if they get wetand they a a dream to use. I have an Encore in 35 Whelen and its my go to rifle.

I wouldn't mind on but they don't seem to fit me well or carry well either. A ss ruger no1 would be cool tho.

 

[TroyF]

Ive got kimbers, winchesters, and rugers all in the safe.. you really cant go wrong with any of the options you have listed.. its just a matter of personal preference in terms of both which rifle you like best and which caliber you like best (each has pluses and minuses.. but all are more than acceptable/capable deer calibers in your part of the country)..

I do like @Art Lambart II 's recommendation though.. Ive got a buddy that has a stainless TC Encore in 30-06 that is a no shit tack driving wonder rifle.. Ive seen "precision" guns that don't shoot as well.. he absolutely loves it for a wide range of reasons (easy to clean, easy to maintain, inexpensive rifle, inexpensive ammo, etc..)..

I've considered dumping several rifles in the safe and converting to a TC system with barrels ranging from small to mid bore that could cover most everything on this side of the planet with just one rifle..

FWIW I do already own a TC Encore stainless muzzleloader.. it is a rockstar as far as ML's are concerned.. (which is also driving me to think about an Encore rifle)

I figured with the kimber I can kill two with one stone, I've wanted a nice light rifle for the one higher elevation state forest I hunt. A rifle a pound of two lighter would really help get my ass up the hills better lol.

 

[NTX]

I don't like the coatings, they don't seem to hold up and I'm always afraid of rust under it. I was going to try coating a mauser but i seen a mauser and it was wearing off the rails and bolt fast. Plus I gave the bolt a sticky feeling.

Nothing on the market works better for weather than cerakote that is properly applied. It is thin enough for bolt lugs and all moving parts when done right. It also has phenomenal wear resistance. With the way they sell their kits many substandard applicators are out there, but a certified applicator can make any bolt gun rain and snow proof (check out long rifles incorporated for a good example). Having said that, I have the Winchester m70 extreme weather stainless in 7 mag and it’s a beautiful piece of work. Enjoy the search and do a little research on cerakote

 

[Hunt anything]

I know some people have had trouble with the coatings, I haven’t and have 5 rifles and a shotgun coated. We have more hot and humid days in the Deep South than freezing days but it does fluctuate. The shotgun is mostly used in saltwater duck hunting , for almost 20 years I used it at least 40 days in the bay a year with dogs shaking saltwater on it and even had to use it as a paddle one day. Good luck on your search.

 

[TroyF]

The two rifles I use on days were weather maybe bad are my only synthetic stocked rifles. There a
Browning A-bolt carbon stalker in 7wsm
Mauser m18 6.5 prc

Sometimes my ruger ts m77 7x57 gets caught out but there going up in value these days, even tho the gun has some hunting wear so it's not a mint rifle by no means.

 

[mdwest]

if you dont mind light.. consider the Kimber Adirondak..

Ive got one in .308.. Bought it after I spent a few days climbing up and down the slopes on Kodiak island in November 2020 humping a custom mauser that weighs about 9lbs all over the place..

The adirondak is so light that it makes recoil even in a 308 a little sharp.. but.. if you want a rifle that's easy to carry, shoots straight.. is weather resistant.. etc... its a pretty incredible little option..

Its a bit above your intended price point.. but you can find them new in the $1600 range if you look hard (picked mine up at Sheels on a Christmas sale)..

Its heading to South Africa with me next weekend.. the plan is to use it on everything from impala to zebra to bushbuck...

with a swaro 3-10 optic on it.. it still weighs less than 6lbs loaded..

Kimber 84M Adirondack .308 Win. 3000816

Kimber 84M Adirondack (2016) .308 Win. 3000816 | Only at EuroOptic.com!

www.eurooptic.com

 

[TroyF]

if you dont mind light.. consider the Kimber Adirondak..

Ive got one in .308.. Bought it after I spent a few days climbing up and down the slopes on Kodiak island in November 2020 humping a custom mauser that weighs about 9lbs all over the place..

The adirondak is so light that it makes recoil even in a 308 a little sharp.. but.. if you want a rifle that's easy to carry, shoots straight.. is weather resistant.. etc... its a pretty incredible little option..

Its a bit above your intended price point.. but you can find them new in the $1600 range if you look hard (picked mine up at Sheels on a Christmas sale)..

Its heading to South Africa with me next weekend.. the plan is to use it on everything from impala to zebra to bushbuck...

with a swaro 3-10 optic on it.. it still weighs less than 6lbs loaded..

Kimber 84M Adirondack .308 Win. 3000816

Kimber 84M Adirondack (2016) .308 Win. 3000816 | Only at EuroOptic.com!

www.eurooptic.com

There just to much money for me, I make just enough to get by as is. Coming up with $1000 is hard enough and probably sell a rifle to help fund this one. I have several good deer rifles I'm just tired of getting a blued gun wet. Tho even a ss would get cleaned and cared for the same as any other rifle. But be nice to not have to worry about it rusting that day.

 

[Art Lambart II]

I wouldn't mind on but they don't seem to fit me well or carry well either. A ss ruger no1 would be cool tho.

I have a #1 in 30-06 and is a fine rifle.

 

[shootist~]

I don't understand the mentioned locking bolt issue on the Tikka...

It locks closed when the safety is on.

 

[TroyF]

I don't understand the mentioned locking bolt issue on the Tikka...

It locks closed when the safety is on.

I though only the sako lock the bolt

 

[Challer]

I take the R8s out in any weather and so far no issues. In extreme weather the exhibition stock is changed out with synthetic. Otherwise, same scopes, same rifles.

 

[shootist~]

Nope. Tikka and Sako both have simple two position safties. Safety can only be applied with a cocked bolt, but bolt is locked in the closed position.
(My Sako is an oldie, btw, but the two T3X and one T1X Tikkas are current generation. )

 

[Tucketed]

Winchester model 70 extreme weather. Use mine all year in Florida weather which includes the usual afternoon. Mine is a 270WSM

 

[TroyF]

I take the R8s out in any weather and so far no issues. In extreme weather the exhibition stock is changed out with synthetic. Otherwise, same scopes, same rifles.

wish I had the money for a r8, I like the look of they synthetic stock.

 

[TroyF]

Winchester model 70 extreme weather. Use mine all year in Florida weather which includes the usual afternoon. Mine is a 270WSM

Ya I'd like to find a ew I'd don't like the new one being made isn't stainless. The only nos ew I see are in 325wsm which I don't mind, just brass and ammo been a pain to find. I have some 300wsm I could use to make brass tho.