I am looking into getting a tactical bolt action rifle but am unsure what to get I will be doing some hunting but mostly punching paper. Half of my buddies say get the SPS Remington 700 and the other half say to get the Savage 10 FCP and I have had a few people tell me to get the Steyr SSG. Just looking for opinions on whats good right out of the box. Thanks!
Consider the FN SPR.
Comes down to how much do you want to spend. Without going too crazy, check out the Non-Typical Hunting Rifle from GA Precision.
Rich
I am interested in this topic. I know next to nothing about bolt guns but my interest is growing. I am in the market for a “do it all” .308…
I think. 
You may want to further define best. Weight, durability, function, bullet selection, etc.
I define my wants as a rifle that is rugged, lightweight, will reach 2,700 fps with 175gr. SMK or 2850 fps with 155 scenars, and has a DBM.
I would say that a Remington or Surgeon s/a, 18"-20" rem. varmit contour barrel, Manners or McMillan Edge stock, with M5 BM sounds about right. I would let PAI, KMW, Surgeon, or GAP put it together. It should be very light and handy, but still put rounds downrange very well. Also I would get a silencer for it, nothing heavier than 24oz.
GAP and Surgeon have this type of rifle available as “factory packages”, so the wait time should be very little.
If you want to do it the cheapest, get someone to blueprint an LTR and slap it in a AICS.
If your looking for an entry level bolt gun the Remington 700P/PSS is hard to beat for the money.Out of the box they shoot .75 with Federal Gold Medal,less if your a hand loader and know the tricks of the trade.They are hard to beat for the money and have alot of aftermarket support.
The trigger can be tuned and is adjustable,its “usable”(4 lbs) out of the box but some still like a really light trigger.Recoil in .308 and .300 Win mag are manageable for most(I hunt elk with .375 H&H) and I like the fit of the HS Precision factory supplied stock.
I have no problems engaging hostile steel target out to 800(.308) with a Leupold MK4 M3.Farther with ammo that stays supersonic past 800.The .300 Win mag does even better if you need to shoot 1000-1200.
There are certainly more expensive options out there but the Remmi is hard to beat for the money and performance offered.
The Best IMHO is an Accuracy International.
2nd would be a gun built on a Surgeon action.
3rd would be a GAP built on their Rock Receiver.
4th, GAP or other REM700 build, FN makes great guns, and Sako/Tika are great out-of-the-box guns.
What is your price range? It makes all the difference.
FWIW, George Gardner (GA Precision) stocks over 300 barrels at any time and has his own action. He keeps in inventory McMillan, AI, et. al. stocks and so even on full blown custom builds, he can usually spin them out in less than 6 weeks.
You will find nothing better…although AI’s are pretty damn sweet. 
Rich
The AW is a great rifle but a little heavy for my tastes. A Surgeon reciever with the same profile barrel in a Manners or Mcmillan stock will be several pounds lighter.
In fact, a Surgeon Scalpel outfitted with a S&B 3-12, Harris bipod with a Rem Varmit profile barrel, and a TBA silencer will weigh the same as the bare AWP. It will also cost alot less.
If weight is not a concern, then I would concede the AW is one of the best choices out there.
I agree. I’ve been eyeing one myself, lately.
I was in the same position recently, and ended up getting a Steyr SSG-69 P2K.
Go on over to the Snipers hide. That said I started with a Remmy PSS in an HS stock moved on to an FN SPR then a GAP M24 now an AI…it gets expensive:D Remember your glass should be as good as your Rifle for any serious application.
I don’t know that I would say best, but IMHO the Savage model 10 and older 110 police line are accurate and versatile. Barrel changes can be completed with a minimum of tools by the user and there are some quality stocks, triggers and optics mounts available for them.
Thanks for all your input the wife is paying for it for my x-mas present and she said that she would spend no more than $2,000 on it so i would like the best bolt rifle in that price range now what are my options??
If you don’t care for magazine fed, then picking up a Savage 110 or 10fp and then, new stock, trigger change, bolt/action work, good bases & rings (Badger) would do it.
As for glass, the rule is always, buy what you can on the rifle, take a loan out for glass. It is NEVER bad to spend more on your optics than you did on the rifle.
Rich
For this amount of money I would say:
Remington 700 SPS Tactical 308
EGW base
EGW steel rings
Millett TRS-1 or Super Sniper or Falcon Scope
TI sling
Harris Bi-Pod
Lots of ammo
Will get you started and give you a sub 3/4 package.
There are a lot of fine choices when it comes to bolt guns. CZ-USA is another one worth considering. Fine rifles /superb quality and very accurate.
If you want a bolt gun out of the box that is good. Get about any gun mag. and order a service grade K98k Mauser from Mitchell Mauser. about 250.00 can not beat it with a stick I got 3 from Mitchell and thinking about getting a another collectors grade 399.00 match part. I have 4 other K98 I’ve pick up thru the years. Can’t beat them ammo all around. You can buy ammo for hunting or reload. If you want it scoped get a long eye releaf scope and mount at the rear site.
Knowing the price range and weight consideration would help. But, in no particular order:
Armament Technology AT1-M24
A.I. A.W.
G.A. Precision: The Rock, Non typical Hunting or T.I.S. Rifles
I.B.A. Chandler Sniper
Scopes: Schmidt & Bender P.M. 2 Military 3-12X50MM or Nightforce 3-15X50MM
Sling: T.I. Quick Cuff.
Bipod: Harris B.R.M. with Pod Loc
Bottom metal, rings and one piece base: Badger Ordinance
I am sure you would be happy with any of the above, accuracy wise. If weight is a big factor for hunting use than go with one of the above lighter weight ones. Hope that helps.
Often times the difference between a $500. Savage and an exotic $3500. tactical rifle is less than a 1/4" at 100 yds. I’ve seen Georgia farm boys hit eggs at 500 yards with their Savages. Personally I’m not a fan because I don’t like the barrel nut but the SOBs are shooters and in the unlikely event you get one that isn’t, send it back and they’ll make it right.