Author Topic: Buying new rifle, can't decide on what one. (Read 1663 times)

Terry1 · « **on:** January 22, 2003, 07:39:49 AM »

I will be buying my first rifle soon and I can't decide on which one i wan't. It will be chambered for 7MM Rem. I am looking at Tikka's, winchesters, browning's, and rugers.All bolt actions. Any suggestions? I like the winchester M70, but I here their quality is going downhill. Thanks

Selmer · « **Reply #1 on:** January 22, 2003, 09:05:43 AM »

I love my Winchester M70, get the Classic, mine has a great wood to metal fit and carries very well, it is a Featerweight though. Any of them will suit your needs, what I would do is go to a shop to look at ALL of them and pick the one that just "feels" right, everyone is individual and I guarantee you will like one better than the others, give it a try.
Selmer

Yukon Jack · « **Reply #2 on:** January 22, 2003, 10:16:54 AM »

My advice would be to go to a gunstore, pick up each one, cycle the actions, bring them to your shoulder, etc... Get your fingerprints all over them. The one that fits and feels the best to you is the one you should go with. A hunting rifle that doesn't fit you very well is a pain and there will be missed opportunities on game if that is what is chosen. There will be one that feels right to you, both in fit and function.

Mikey · « **Reply #3 on:** January 22, 2003, 10:25:31 AM »

Terry1 - the guys are right. You need to do just as they described. Find yourself a shop and handle everything they have. If they object or complain take your business elsewhere. The one that feels right, shoulders best and has the best action for you is the one to get.

One more tip - when you go, wear the clothing you would when you intend to use the rifle. if you put on two inches worth of warm weather clothing when you hunt, going to the shop in a t-shirt might result in a poorly fitting rifle (poor fit to you that is).

One more tip #2 - the 30-06 will do anything the 7mm mag will. Mikey here.

Hud · « **Reply #4 on:** January 22, 2003, 11:40:04 AM »

I really like the Remington Model 700 rifle. 2nd pick would be a Savage 110 or 116. In a custom rifle my pick would be a Model 98 action. I would also agree with the others that the 30-06 cartridge is preferable to the 7mmMag.

Hud

tominboise · « **Reply #5 on:** January 22, 2003, 01:19:21 PM »

I have several WInchester M70's, one Marlin MR-7, and one Tikka. They are all great rifles. I have sold off the two Ruger M77's I had.

They don't call the Winchester M70 "the riflemans rifle" for no good reason. The modern "classic" versions are very nice, they handle great and the triggers are adjustable.

The Tikka is also a very nice rifle with a good trigger.

I have both 7mm Mag and 30-06 cartridges, either will do anything that needs doing, so don't let anyone tell you different.

Tom

Zachary · « **Reply #6 on:** January 22, 2003, 02:19:46 PM »

TIKKA! TIKKA! TIKKA!

These rifles are first rate. Guaranteed to shoot 1MOA or better before they leave the factory. Have SUPER TRIGGERS!. Their barrels are essentially the same as the SAKOS!

Get it in the Laminated Stainless. I have one in .25-06 and IT'S AWESOME!

Zachary

JBabcock · « **Reply #7 on:** January 22, 2003, 05:44:50 PM »

I'm with Mikey, wear the clothes you'll be wearing when you hunt. I find that most stocks are to long for me, so they all go to the gunsmith and get shortened to 13 1/4". In regards to Winchester Model 70 Classics, my 338 will shoot 250 grain Noslers into neat little 7/8" holes. Thats knowing I'm going to get belted! If I was going to go buy a brand new gun today in a standard caliber, I wouldn't even look at anything except the CZ 550 American. Those rifles are sweet, and they have nice wood. Price is hard to beat as well.

jdt48653 · « **Reply #8 on:** January 22, 2003, 06:02:55 PM »

my new winchester #70 is an excellent rifle. 1/2 in out of the box.
i am glad that they went back to the mausar claw.264 win mag.

1911crazy · « **Reply #9 on:** January 23, 2003, 07:36:12 AM »

My brand new remington 700 in 338 winmag at the range first box of ammo sighting it in with winchester 225gr(off the shelf ammo) I put two bullets thru the same hole at 100yds I have to say the gun was high priced and cost more than anything I have but it shoots awesome very accurate the bolt is still tight but its a new gun is my only complaint.
BigBill

If your interested in this Remington 338 w/scope/alunimun two gun case/ammo shipped to your FFL email me she will be for sale soon I bought to hunt out west someday but do to bad health I never will make it. I will give you a great deal on her.

6bits · « **Reply #10 on:** January 23, 2003, 07:09:15 PM »

Terry that is a COCK of BS! I favor the Winchester or Ruger for quality and the extra's your going to get on that rifle. I like control feed action and the 3 position safety. Winchester has the best stock design on the market today for dealing with recoil of the gun.

There is more to a hunting rifle than the stock, action etc. I tell those that ask me why I like Winchester and Ruger, but since they are the one buying and going to be using the rifle, it is best to handle several brands of rifle and educate yourself as to what comes with it in extra's (weather contol feed, 3 position safety and why) and how it feels to you shouldering the weapon. As Yukon said "work the bolt on the action" how is the balance feel to you etc. Don't make one trip and just buy a gun! You do your homework first and then make your choice based on solid correct information, NOT HEAR SAY Ok. :grin:

Big Tom · « **Reply #11 on:** January 26, 2003, 05:45:10 PM »

:roll: I beg to differ 6bits. The latest of several poor evaluations of new Winchesters was in this fall's Outdoor Life Deer Hunting edition. John Barseness, gun editor, was sent the new Mod. 70, .300 WSM. You would think when they get free publicity they would send a good product. Even fitted with an $1,800$ Swvarovski Scope, as Barseness put it, the 100yd groups were mediocre at best. The best group from three different ammo types was 2.8". The best he could adjust the trigger to was 3lb 15oz.

I was in the largest gun shop I know of recently, Jay's in Clare MI., they have over 1,000 long guns in stock of every manufacture. I asked the manager flat out, "what is the best made, most accurate, well built rifle you sell here... right out of the box?" He said, "Sako, Weatherby and Tikka", none of the others guarantee MOA or better, nor do they fire test the rifles at 100 yds before they go in the box. I would LOVE to see the personal quality control go back into Winchester as it was before they were bought out three years ago.

I don't doubt you got a good shooter in your Mod. 70 6Bits but if you have been reading the threads here for a while Winchester has not been satisfactory for many of us who've bought them the past few years.

Terry, for about 450$ you can hardly beat a Tikka and for 100 more the Whitetail(Master) Deluxe(wood) is similar but even more striking than a Browning Medallion(with subMOA accuracy and a 2-3#trigger). Go to a good gun shop and make sure the rifle fits you and is the proper style for your shooting/hunting needs. Get quality scope mounts/rings and the best glass you can afford. Good Hunting!

Terry1 · « **Reply #12 on:** January 27, 2003, 03:34:28 AM »

I looked at a Tikka yesterday at a gun shop and fell in love with it. The only thing i wish it had different is a 3 position safety, but I will have to deal with it. I really like the palm swell on the pistol grip. Does the synthetic model have the same thing? I only looked at the wood. Also, is Tikka's synthetic stocks high quality? Thanks.

Zachary · « **Reply #13 on:** January 27, 2003, 04:47:23 AM »

The Tikka's synthetic stocks are much better than Remington and Winchester plastic stocks, but they are not of the quality of an HS Precision or McMillan.

Zachary

Big Tom · « **Reply #14 on:** January 27, 2003, 06:19:07 AM »

I picked up a used syn/stainless .243 Tikka last year after hearing a lot of positive comments here on GB.
The fit and finish are excellent and my first 100 yd group was 3/8"!!

As Zachary mentioned, the only minor negative items are the plastic trigger guard and clip. My stainless does not have a bolt shroud, but the standard wood and syn/blue models do. They just released a new T-3 lightweight S/S and added the WSM calibers.

I am planning on ordering a new Hunter Deluxe in either 6.5x55 or .270 . They have gorgeous wood stocks with the full Monte Carlo roll over chek piece and Rosewood trim. Here is a link to the website.

http://www.sako.fi/tikka/frontpage.html

Dogshooter · « **Reply #15 on:** January 29, 2003, 04:08:11 PM »

I have a Medallion model in 7 Mag. and Stainless Stalkers in 338 Mag and 270 Win. They are all as accurate as my much more expensive Sakos. I think the extra cost over the less expensive Winchesters and Remingtons is well worth the the difference. I have had both and was never impressed with either. Remington's service department is a joke and I never did get used to the 3 position safety on the Winchester. You'll like the Browning.

Bear Wallow · « **Reply #16 on:** January 31, 2003, 07:33:39 AM »

:lol: [TIKKAsize=24][/size]

Zachary · « **Reply #17 on:** January 31, 2003, 07:38:40 AM »

Bear Wallow,

It looks like you weren't able to get the "TIKKA" as big or as bright as you wanted.

It's alright, I agree with your sentiment nonetheless. I own a Tikka and absolutely love it. :grin:

Zachary

Bear Wallow · « **Reply #18 on:** January 31, 2003, 07:44:22 AM »

Thanks for the response! :eek:

HHI #4694 · « **Reply #19 on:** February 02, 2003, 06:33:56 AM »

I would go with the Winchester model 70 Classic. If all you care about is accuracy get the Tikka. Good luck with the overly complicated bolt, striker, firing pin assembly.

With a simple bedding job and trigger job, most Winchesters will shoot beautifully. They are ten times the rifle in terms of design simplicity and reliability, then all the Tikkas, Sakos, Remingtons, etc. If I had to buy a push feed with (and I have) it would be a Weatherby Mark V, most probably the best of the push feeds.