Author Topic: Best rifles today for "the rest of us" (Read 6038 times)

lucky guy · « **Reply #60 on:** November 03, 2007, 08:50:42 AM »

This thread has been hijacked to US vs. foreign made. Different topic.

Back to the original question, IMO a Howa 1500 (or Weatherby Vanguard) with scope at a little over $400 is hard to beat. Mine was 419 with a Nikko 3 x 9 42 scope about 15 months ago. Most any caliber you like, very good trigger, very accurate (my .308 is sub-moa with Fed HE 180's), good stock (some say the weak point of the rifle), great quality overall. I asked three gunsmiths when I was looking and they all mentioned the Howa, the 700 SPS and the cz 527/550's. Two of the three owned a Howa. Also sometimes you can find a used Brno 600/601 for 500 or less.

Good luck with it!

DakotaElkSlayer · « **Reply #61 on:** November 04, 2007, 07:10:58 PM »

Actually, it really depends on what you like. For me, the choice is obvious, it is the CZ 550 FS; I have one in 6.5x55 and one in 9.3x62mm. To me, these rifles are gorgeous, and can shoot as well as anything on the market. My barrels were made so well on my CZs, that I hunt with a CLEAN barrel! How many of you have rifles whose point of impact doesn't change from a clean barrel to a "fouled" one?
If you want a "Made in the USA," then I would have to say it is between Ruger, Savage, and NEF. Buy a Ruger, and figure on getting an aftermarket trigger, or a triggerjob. Get a Savage, and you will probably be hunting with an ugly gun. Buy an NEF, do the triggerjob yourself, and you will be eating Ruger #1's for breakfast.
Oh ya, Tikka now has single-set triggered T3's... Tikka's are great rifles....barrels made in the same place where Sako barrels are made.

Buy American?! Living in the U.S. it is your duty to buy the best value for your dollar...period! Let the market speak, and if US manufacturers don't want to compete, let 'em fall.

Jim

30-06man · « **Reply #62 on:** November 05, 2007, 10:59:01 AM »

not sure if ruger has got the new trigger on all of their guns yet but i like it way better. i really don't have a problem with the one they have but some do. who cares what the gun looks like when your hunting. do you really think the game cares? remington and t/c are the best when it comes to buying american followed by ruger and marlin

teddy12b · « **Reply #63 on:** November 05, 2007, 11:04:48 AM »

I don't know how high I'd rank Remington in terms of being built in America. From what I've heard Remington is kind of like a Chevy, made everywhere else, then assembled in the U.S.A. with an American name on it. I was surprised I didn't see Savage on your list of U.S. made guns.

Swampman · « **Reply #64 on:** November 05, 2007, 11:07:30 AM »

Best rifles today....

http://www.marlinfirearms.com/

Zachary · « **Reply #65 on:** November 05, 2007, 02:02:41 PM »

Quote from: teddy12b on November 05, 2007, 11:04:48 AM

I don't know how high I'd rank Remington in terms of being built in America. From what I've heard Remington is kind of like a Chevy, made everywhere else, then assembled in the U.S.A. with an American name on it. I was surprised I didn't see Savage on your list of U.S. made guns.

I heard somewhere that Remington arms, while "made in the USA," is now actually owned by a foreign corporation. Can anyone confirm or deny?

Zachary

30-06man · « **Reply #66 on:** November 05, 2007, 02:46:42 PM »

i heard that they were owned by someone new but nothing is happing about the guns. everything is suppose to be the same

Aardvark · « **Reply #67 on:** November 05, 2007, 05:01:22 PM »

I have been getting good deals from online auctions for things like old ADL REM700's and model 670 Winchesters.

DAT19K · « **Reply #68 on:** November 06, 2007, 04:16:16 AM »

i picked up a zastava mark x at the gunshow this past weekend. it is used but looks like it was a safe queen. the bluing is beautiful, comparible to the silvery blue that is on my dan wesson revolver. it is 7mm rem mag. i dropped $300. i don't know what they are new. came with a lower end scope. i'll post a range report when i get a chance to shoot it. i hope it shoots as well as it looks. i own an ak47, sks and a mauser made at zastava so i figured i'd give their sporting rifles a try.

Todd1700 · « **Reply #69 on:** November 10, 2007, 04:54:32 PM »

Quote

That said, my personal experience leads me to state that Tikkas are the best made rifles in the $500 to $600 price category.

And I would agree with you. They are certainly the most consistently accurate rifle I have encountered in that price range.

As for the America vs foreign debate. I'll make this pledge to American businesses; I'll do my level best to buy goods made only in American factories if they pledge to stop closing factories that are turning a profit here and reopening them in a foreign country just so they can turn a little bit more profit. Lets face it, American consumers didn't bail on American businesses; American businesses bailed on America.

30-06man · « **Reply #70 on:** November 11, 2007, 07:56:14 AM »

not that many gun makers have left America. a few like cva has. some import guns and smith and wesson as an example opened a factory just for their shotguns in turkey but they left their other products here with no idea of moving. many knife makers moved like gerber. but some like buck are still here. so basically buy what you can afford. if it means owning something like a howa because you can't afford something like a cz or tikka then do it

riddleofsteel · « **Reply #71 on:** November 14, 2007, 11:31:56 AM »

I faced this issue several years ago. I needed a good all around deer rifle and had very little in the way of money. Most of my rifles were too heavy or too specialized for general hunting. I really did not want to sell or trade any of them, All I had was a top of the line scope on the shelf and 40+ years of experience in shooting and hunting.

Over the years I have owned and shot most of the top name rifles, Remington, Ruger, Browning, Thompson Center, including rifles by several top custom makers. I guess there are more Remingtons in my safe than any other brand. Unfortunately most Remingtons are expensive.

I picked up cheap LH Savage .270 on Gunbroker. Over a couple of months I added parts until I had a gun that shoots as good or better than my $2000.00+ custom rifles. If you are interested here is the link to the process I went thru.

http://www.yerfrockethellhound.com/RiddleofSteel2005rifleproject.html

Long story short my next rifle will be a SAVAGE. IMHO no rifle shots like a SAVAGE for the money.

teddy12b · « **Reply #72 on:** November 14, 2007, 03:00:34 PM »

riddleofsteel,
Nice link and nice looking rifle.

riddleofsteel · « **Reply #73 on:** November 14, 2007, 03:51:32 PM »

Thanks

I am planning a new build based on a SAVAGE short action. Finding one in LH is somewhat problematic so I may compromise and use a RH action. I see them in pawn shops and gun shops fairly regularly for just under $200.00. Most of the time these used short actions are in .308 but one of the strong points of a SAVAGE is that barrel swaps are easy home gunsmithing projects.

I have been wanting a .25, .26, or .270 in a short action case. I considered one of the short magnums but since we load for the 6.5-284 already the 25-284, 6.5-284 and the .270-284 appeal to me more.

Personally I think the 270-284 would have a tad longer barrel life and would a good performer from a short action rifle with less recoil than the 270 WSM.

ironglow · « **Reply #74 on:** November 14, 2007, 04:13:45 PM »

Accuracy...Dollar for dollar, American made....only one in centerfire...SAVAGE..

teddy12b · « **Reply #75 on:** November 15, 2007, 02:23:03 AM »

riddleofsteel,
I never done a barrel change, but I've heard guys say it's easy. I'd love to build a heavy barreled 30-06 because they are not available anymore. It's tempting to make my own or have one made, but I've also read a rumor that they may have one in 2008 which is right around the corner.

auk1124 · « **Reply #76 on:** November 20, 2007, 03:56:40 PM »

Quote from: 30-06man on November 11, 2007, 07:56:14 AM

not that many gun makers have left America. a few like cva has.

I don't think CVA technically left America - could be wrong but I think the original CVA got sued out of existence when their barrels kept blowing up on people several years ago, and a Spanish conglomerate bought the name. That may not be right though.

Oh yeah, I like Savages and Howas. Best deal on the market used to be the used Walmart and KMart Savage 110s you could pick up for 200 bucks or so at gun shows. Harder and harder to find those.

30-06man · « **Reply #77 on:** November 20, 2007, 05:11:09 PM »

I am not too sure. I think your right though. I didn't mess with CVA in that time period. All I used to only use Remington, Winchester and a few others.

JimP. · « **Reply #78 on:** November 22, 2007, 04:13:47 PM »

Ruger, that is the best rifle for the rest of us...JimP.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #79 on:** November 26, 2007, 03:42:49 AM »

Jim P , like the way ya think !
and a savage as second choice !

ironglow · « **Reply #80 on:** November 26, 2007, 04:05:21 AM »

Some American manufacturers may have left , but others have stepped up..like CVA, Knight and Thompson Center.

The TC .22 looks like a good one and i do like what I see in their new centerfires..

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #81 on:** November 26, 2007, 05:00:43 AM »

ruger has been around a long time

Brithunter · « **Reply #82 on:** November 27, 2007, 03:00:12 AM »

Hi All,

Well here in the UK we have not mass production rifles left, successive Governments destroyed our industry in that field so we have to rely upon importer rifles. Looking at the prices I see a new Remington 700 would cost you about $1400-$1700 here depending on model, Ruger's are about the same. Interestingly I still see new Winchester 70's being advertised and they are a bit cheaper. The Howa and Weatherby Vanguard is also available and the Kimba I understand is now beign imported but I have never seen one for sale. In the shops I see Tikka's, Sako's the Titan by RWS, Steyr's Blaser, and of course CZ's.

The local"ish" (it's 23 miles away) Gunshop that I use has soem New Remingtons and I believe he also stocks the odd Browning A-Bolt and I noticed a Ruger bolt action n the racks but didn't look to see if it was new of S/H or which model it was. His main selling makes are Sako and Tikka and I hear he has sold a fair few of the new Titan rifles.

On our range it's not often I see American made rifels being used, I did see a Remington 700 a while back and what I thought at first was a Ruger when I got close and looked it was a Vanguard. New rifles here cost roughly the same so a Steyr Mannlicher will cost about the same as the Sako and the Tikka about the same as the Remington. Some like the Blaser R93 and Mauser M03 cost a couple of hundred more and upwards from there depending on specs.

teddy12b · « **Reply #83 on:** November 27, 2007, 03:33:57 AM »

Nothing against the Brits', but I sure am glad to have been born and raised in the U.S. Especially in Indiana it's easy to buy and shoot guns, we just can't hunt deer with high powered rifles.

ccoker · « **Reply #84 on:** November 27, 2007, 03:45:43 AM »

my money is on Tikkas
having shot Sakos for a long time I honestly can see no reason to spend the money on one with a Tikka being available for 1/2 the price

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #85 on:** November 27, 2007, 04:48:38 AM »

one thing to consider is the wholesale side of gun sales and the INCENTIVES to the stores !
In some areas you won't see certain brands due to politics , we have a store that has few if any savage products .

Ponydog · « **Reply #86 on:** November 27, 2007, 10:31:20 AM »

ANYWAY...Back to the original post question....I own a Remington 700 ADL , back when you could buy one for less that 400 bucks..( an d it was NOT that long ago ) .checkered, great looking walnut..( I thought I had gotten the wrong gun....as it looks like an "upgrade",,,the wood is beautiful).!!!! Anyway , last Christmas I bought my son a CZ 204 varmint, walnut and blued...I went to sight it in, and was so impressed, I shared the story with my wife....told her how accurate, the range, slight , if any recoil....she went to my local gun dealer...and said , "know what my husband bought last week"

? He said yes , he did ........my wife said....." Better order another one"....I think the weight, the detail, and the accuracy with retail Hornady 32 grain varmint loads, are great ..........so my son and I both have them to enjoy......I love my Remington 270 , 700 ADL.......if they still made them that way , I'd buy another for my son, for a larger caliber deer rifle, say a 270, or maybe a 308........but I am now looking at the CZ 550.........just because it looks, feels, and reminds me of what a Remington used to be like....

30-06man · « **Reply #87 on:** November 27, 2007, 03:34:50 PM »

Brithunter how do you stand those prices? I can have a good scope on a t/c icon for $1500.

Brithunter · « **Reply #88 on:** November 27, 2007, 11:00:36 PM »

Well if you think about it, the prices here are about double what they are in the US and it's been this was for many .................................................. many years. So despite it be far more expensive here in the UK than the US it's normal here so having known nothing different I suppose we grin and bear it. Of course I don't buy new often, in fact thinking through the rifles I have only three were brought new, a Mauser M96 Slide Bolt and a P-H 1200 super and a BSA CF2 Stutzen (Mannlicher style full stock). The BSA was shop soiled and had a small mark form being on the display rack for £295 ($590 US) and this was my first rifle which I still have. Total bill was $400 ($800 US) as I also got scope, mounts, rifle slip and a couple boxes of ammo and that was about 18 years ago. The PH 1200 Super was NIB but I brought it long after P-H closed down and it had mildew marks on the butt stock due to poor storage and it cost £275 ($550 US) now that was about 4 years back if I remember correctly. It was cheaper as the rifle is chambered for 7.92mm (8x57 Mauser) and so is not so popular here, it seems that they was over-runs from and export order, the Mauser M96 I brought just after they dropped production of them and brought it for shooting the doubles on Running Deer at Bisley. It's a push-me-pull you type target with a double ended Deer and two shots are taken as it crosses the range on a rail both ways. we had to get it sent down from York Guns as I wanted one in 6.5x55 and I got the last one they had in that chambering. My friend Joe of Gunshop East Barnet got it in for me and only charged me what he paid so I got it for £325 is memory serves me correctly.

Over the years I also brought tow commercially sporterised ex military rifles. A Swedish Mauser for £180 ($360 US) with mounts, the gunsmith at F.A. Anderson's drilled and tapped the action for them and a Century Arms "Centurion" P-14 sporter for which I paid the princly sum of £100 ($200 US).

All the others have been brought S/H but that's not really surprising as I prefer the classic rifles and my oldest rifle was made in 1888 and converted to it's current configuration is 1898. I also have a Mauser 7mm from about 1897.

Now one must remember that just about everything costs more here as our government wastes far more money than just about any other

Petrol is now $9:26 per imperial gallon or if you prefer $2:04 US per liter

. Houses are stupid prices out two bedroom bungalow is probably valused at over $400,000 US, it's not worth it now way but they have artifically inflated the prices to get more commision and tax. Hmmm I have wandered off topic but you get the drift.

oldhunter · « **Reply #89 on:** November 28, 2007, 01:31:43 AM »

Have to go with Savage also. Recently bought a new model 110 in 30-06 for deer hunting and with decent scope have less than $500 invested. Will shoot 1" all day long with factory ammo. Nice wood and smooth action give me all I need for my purpose. Won't bad-mouth the other brands but did my homework before buying and don't look back.

oldhunter