Author Topic: What Bolt rifle? (Read 1677 times)

sk330lc · « **on:** August 23, 2008, 05:38:01 PM »

Hey all ,
This might sound funny but I have never owned a bolt action rifle. I own single shots T/C's Encores and Contenders. Pumps , Levers,and semi autos But have never owned a Bolt. I would like to buy a 260 Rem or 308 Win. But don't know what brand to go with or which model for that fact. I'd like to keep it under $700. Keep it relatively Light and have it made in the good old U.S.A. . What would you all recommend??

mountainview · « **Reply #1 on:** August 23, 2008, 09:18:39 PM »

Welcome to the world of bolt guns. You have a lot of choices in 308 though 260 would be slimmer pickins' as this round has not developed the sales that other cartridges have. You may want to look at the 7mm-08 instead of the 260 if you are going to be shooting factory ammo. For under $700 there are a lot of good choices new and used to go with. Shoulder a bunch and see what feels best for you for starters. Personally, my favorites that I shoot and own and would recommend are:
1) Savage or Stevens for a good basic and low cost rig that, while not fancy, shoots really well. Get this in synthetic stock and you'll have a nice, easy to carry all day rifle
2) Remington 700 or Model 7.

Dave in WV · « **Reply #2 on:** August 24, 2008, 03:32:38 AM »

Ruger 77 MKII lightweight in .308. Good looking rifle with classic lines and it's light.

Graybeard · « **Reply #3 on:** August 24, 2008, 03:40:00 AM »

Any time I consider that question the answer always seems the same. Remington. Check here:

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,149306.0.html

That should fit your criteria quite well.

nomosendero · « **Reply #4 on:** August 24, 2008, 04:57:16 AM »

Yes it would. The CDL is about as nice as they come.

tck · « **Reply #5 on:** August 26, 2008, 09:23:39 AM »

I'll second what "Dave in WV" said. I have a 270 in a ruger m77 ultralight. Its my favorite deer rifle!

poncaguy · « **Reply #6 on:** August 26, 2008, 11:55:41 AM »

I have a Ruger 260...................my best rifle...........

owenv · « **Reply #7 on:** August 26, 2008, 12:42:32 PM »

Browning x-bolt in 270 win. This is the best bang for your buck. Price on gunbroker.com is around 600.00 to 700.00. This is Browings brand new 2008 line of rifles and have been getting great reviews. I held one in a gun shop and it looks and feels like a real nice shooter. The x-bolt will be my next purchase just as soon as the wife forgets about the last.

WyoStillhunter · « **Reply #8 on:** August 27, 2008, 03:19:54 AM »

I have a battery of three Rem. Mdl. 700 Classics in .223 Rem. (2-7x33), 6.5x55 (4X42 fixed), and .35 Whelen (2.5x20 fixed). That completely covers my needs from small game/practice to antelope/deer to elk and larger. Throw in an old Rem. Mdl. 513-S .22LR (4x) and I'm set.

I have already passed to my son my original M700 ADL 30-06 (fixed 4X) and M700 Mountain Rifle .280 Rem. (fixed 4X). Over the years I've owned and traded a Rem. 722 and a couple other M700s. I have a new Ruger 77 Hawkeye in .257 Roberts but wish I could afford to trade it for a M700 in that caliber.

By now you see a trend in my choice of bolt action rifles: Rem. Mdl. 700s. There are other great rifles available. The Remingtons have been my choice and never disappointed.

Doesniper · « **Reply #9 on:** August 27, 2008, 03:52:28 AM »

Tikka hands down. CNC machined actions, nice wood, adjustible trigger, accurate, and a barrel that is as smooth as a custom.

Old English · « **Reply #10 on:** August 27, 2008, 04:14:57 AM »

Quote from: Doesniper on August 27, 2008, 03:52:28 AM

Tikka hands down. CNC machined actions, nice wood, adjustible trigger, accurate, and a barrel that is as smooth as a custom.

I agree but, it's not made in the USA. I would also buy Tikka, but..... if it had to be a US made rifle then it would have the name Savage on it.

Swampman · « **Reply #11 on:** August 27, 2008, 04:57:10 AM »

I won't own any bolt gun but a Remington 700. Of the calibers you ask about, the .308 is the way to go. I really like the Buckmasters 700 SPS myself. The good thing about a Remington is that they don't require any work to make them sub-MOA guns. They shoot really well right out of the box with factory ammo.

If you like to tinker a lot, consider another brand.

sk330lc · « **Reply #12 on:** August 27, 2008, 01:37:38 PM »

Thanks all,
I'm going Friday to a few shops to handle a few and see what I like. From the sounds I might have to have a Remington. But want to look at all.

351 power · « **Reply #13 on:** August 28, 2008, 03:45:19 PM »

i have a remington and a savage/stevens. both accurate and both companies have lots of models to suit. i like the more open ejection port on the stevens. the remington looks better

sk330lc · « **Reply #14 on:** August 30, 2008, 05:50:20 PM »

Thanks all,
I went with A Remington model seven in 308Win.
Love the way it shoulders and the overall fit. I will keep ya all posted On how she shoots .When I get her put all together .

Swampman · « **Reply #15 on:** August 31, 2008, 12:58:26 AM »

I was looking at a Reminton Model 7 in .308 yesterday. Great choice!

Mckie Hollow · « **Reply #16 on:** August 31, 2008, 01:33:30 AM »

Rem. Model Seven in 308 is the standard, especially in the CDL.

Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #17 on:** August 31, 2008, 03:10:25 AM »

You won't go wrong with a Ruger, Savage or Remington. All are likely to shoot as well as you do. I have three .30-06's, one of each brand mentioned, and all shoot better than 1" at 100 yards with preferred loads. (The Ruger and Remington like the same loads and Chamber sizes are virtually identical. The Savage has a shorter chamber and I have to seat the bulets deeper.)

In terms of cost, from least to most, Savage, Ruger, Remington. In terms of increasingly pleasing aesthetics, same order.

My Savage 111GNS ran $299 on sale. The Rugers I can regularly find for around $450 new but got mine used (but like new) for $350. The Remingtons are north of that a ways, although you can find good used ones for less - my Remington .308 Win BDL ran me $350 and was in perfect condition.

Trigger wise, as they come from the factory, the Savage AccuTrigger is my favorite. The Ruger triggers are easy to polish up and the Remington triggers are adjustable. My Savage is still as it came from the factory, my Ruger is polished and my Remington has been adjusted.

Short answer, if you want to impress your friends with a fancy looking rifle, get the Remington CDL. If you want to save some coin and get a shooter, Savage or Ruger will do just as well. My Ruger .257 Roberts, with a mid-weight 22" barrel, is easily my favorite rifle.

[Edited to add - Didn't see you already got the Remington.]

nomosendero · « **Reply #18 on:** August 31, 2008, 04:13:57 AM »

Quote from: sk330lc on August 30, 2008, 05:50:20 PM

Thanks all,
I went with A Remington model seven in 308Win.
Love the way it shoulders and the overall fit. I will keep ya all posted On how she shoots .When I get her put all together .

Good choice!

Tommyt · « **Reply #19 on:** August 31, 2008, 04:38:55 AM »

Oops I should have read further LOL

sk330lc · « **Reply #20 on:** September 13, 2008, 03:38:43 PM »

Funny how Life has it's turns and curves. I bought the Model seven CDL In 308. Went to make my last payment and pick it up today At My friends new gun shop. There was a guy there that is Making a trip to Michagan next week to go bear hunting. well he just had to have it. Well he is the proud owner of it! I'm Now the proud owner of a Rem. Model Seven Predator in 243 Win.. That's the way Life goes. It should be great for what I want. Coyotes, Whistlepigs, and Whitetails Look out!

poncaguy · « **Reply #21 on:** September 13, 2008, 03:53:31 PM »

You should check out Marlin's new XL7. Mine was $309 out the door, a 270, shoots 1/2" groups with 130 grain Remington Core-Locks..........only available in 30-06, 270, and 25-06 at the moment..................

Brithunter · « **Reply #22 on:** September 13, 2008, 08:56:44 PM »

Well I hope you made a profit on helping the guy out. Let us know how you get on with the 243.

Mckie Hollow · « **Reply #23 on:** September 14, 2008, 12:07:07 AM »

If He gets a bear, You'll be the Hero and He may even let You touch that gun, when He gets back.