Author Topic: Best bolt action rifles for under $500? (Read 4387 times)

grouper sandwich · « **on:** February 27, 2003, 04:48:58 AM »

Opinions?

Snowshoe · « **Reply #1 on:** February 27, 2003, 05:23:47 AM »

You can get a lot more for $500 U.S. than you can in Canadian money. The only rifes for $500 or less in Canada, are the NEF, or the cheapest Savage. I went the used route and picked up a Turkish Mauser with a new synthetic stock, bent bolt and scope mounts for $200. I put a 3-9x40 Nikko Sterling, [cheep scope] on it for about $200, with rings. The main reason for getting this rifle was to abuse at the range shooting plates,, but it turned out to be too god for just that. It will shoot into 1" at 100 yards all day. I have a rifle that handles like a dream, hits like a freight train and didn't cost me an arm and a leg. The 8x57 is a fine round when hand loaded. I guess I got lucky! My varmint rifle is a used rifle too. I was ready to get the Savage, when I came across a used Whinchester Model 70 in .22-250 for $300. After installing a Nikko scope and free floating the barrel, it will shoot hand loaded 55g Remington HPPL's into 9/16" at 100 yards, if I can do my part. I guess I am just a hopeless scrounger.

jhm · « **Reply #2 on:** February 27, 2003, 05:33:25 AM »

New or used ?? If new you have narowed your choice down to only a couple howa/ savage/ the wal-mart weatherby/ and I believe the remington adl can be purchased in that dollar range as well. Now for a used gun $500 and a little leg work and the market open up a lot of rifles you just have to look around and with some of them you will get a decent scope already mounted to save a couple hundred right off the start.

JIM

varmit_master · « **Reply #3 on:** February 27, 2003, 05:59:44 AM »

Hi at Wal-mart u can get the Win 300 short mag for under 500.00 it is a good looking gun and u can get a Rem 700 223 up to a 300 Win mag for 379.00 in a syt. stocktje Win 300 short mag has a scope on it or they have a Win 300 Win Mag with scope and 26 inch barrel for arounf 400.00 bucks hope i have help

grouper sandwich · « **Reply #4 on:** February 27, 2003, 06:59:28 AM »

I'm not opposed to used in way shape or form. I did get a good deal on a new Ruger M77 MK II last fall ($449 + $40 rebate) and I really love that rifle. I like the way the Savage feels in my hands and on my shoulder and I understand that it's accuracy is hard to equal. I don't care for the Remington 700. Never have, it just doesn't "feel" right. I also shouldered the Vanguard at Wally World. I didn't really care for it either. I guess that I'll keep looking. BTW, $500 would be for rifle only. I'm willing to go another $200+ for a "decent" scope. 243 Win. is what I'm looking for, caliber wise. Maybe one of my fishing buddies will want to trade some offshore outfits for a rifle. :wink:

NightFox · « **Reply #5 on:** February 27, 2003, 07:50:28 AM »

A new Savage that is all i got to say.

Paul H · « **Reply #6 on:** February 27, 2003, 07:54:14 AM »

Second vote for the Ruger M77 MkII, great gun, and it comes with scope rings.

Mikey · « **Reply #7 on:** February 27, 2003, 09:09:53 AM »

grouper: Snowshoe gave you about the best example I can think of. If you head on down to the mil-surp forum you will see that some of the guys have made fabulous purchases, as has Snowshoe, from the military surplus rifles. Some of the most popular these days are the Turkish Mausers in 8x57 - you can still get them for under $50; new as unissued M-48/48A Yugoslavian Mausers in 8x57mm for under $200 - and they are sweet; Swedish Mausers in 6.5x55mm for around $200 and they are very much sought after; Moison-Nagants in 7.62x54R for under $100, I believe. Any of these rifles make excellent sporters in hard hitting calibers that offer versatility to the reloader. You may want to consider going this route. Hope this helps. Mikey.

ps: most of those mil-surps will outshoot many of your new or newer production rifles. My Yugo M48A groups within an inch at 100 yds. :-D

helobill · « **Reply #8 on:** February 27, 2003, 09:52:01 AM »

Grouper Sandwich,
You said you were looking for a .243. did a quick check on gunsamerica. they have over 100 243's for under $500. some new adls, browning a-bolts, etc. and some very good used stuff. I'm sure you'd find the same on one of the auction sites. I have a 6mm Rem that I like alot and is a little more gun (about 200fps is all). Ammo has fewer options, but is priced about the same.
Helicopter Bill

grouper sandwich · « **Reply #9 on:** February 27, 2003, 10:16:30 AM »

Bill, thanks. Yeah, I don't think that finding a gun will a problem at all. I'm jsut curious as to what folks think are the best rifles, for under $500, when considering accuracy, value and durability. Astetics are NOT an issue for me. And I've seen some of those rifles, but I much prefer to keep my money in the local economy. Besides, you have to jump through a bunch of hoops (finding an FFL to accept the weapon) to buy online.

Zachary · « **Reply #10 on:** February 27, 2003, 03:48:38 PM »

This is easy - TIKKA!

Tikkas must shoot 1 MOA before they leave the factory, their quality is great, and their triggers are just phenomenal!!! :-D

Despite the fact that their quality control has dropped in recent years, my close second, or perhaps tie, is the REMINGTON M700

Zachary

grouper sandwich · « **Reply #11 on:** February 27, 2003, 04:35:15 PM »

Hmmmm, Tikka. I always thought that Tikka's and Sako's were $1000 rifles and usually custom designed? So the Tikka is a < $500 rifle with excellent accuracy. Thanks for the tip, I may have to check into that.

Zachary · « **Reply #12 on:** February 28, 2003, 03:12:11 AM »

Tikkas use essentially the same barrels as the Sakos. The actions are different, but accuracy is about the same - 1 MOA.

The Tikkas are to the Europeans what the Remington 700 is to us Americans - a great value.

The primary difference between the Tikkas and Remingtons, Winchesters, Rugers, etc., is that the Europeans employ a much higher quality control. They accomplish this, in part, by using more hand-labor than just machines. My understanding is that the barrels are hand-crowned just like a gunsmith does for Remington factory rifles. Tikkas really are excellent rifles. I own a Tikka Laminated Stainless in .25-06 and I just love it. I still can't believe what excellent triggers they have!

Zachary

Questor · « **Reply #13 on:** February 28, 2003, 03:31:15 AM »

Those Tikkas look very attractive. I'd probably get one of those if I didn't already have a CZ in .270 that cost me $500 including tax. It comes with scope rings, an excellent trigger, good ergonomics, good wood, sling swivels, and sub-MOA accuracy with hunting loads.

Zachary · « **Reply #14 on:** February 28, 2003, 04:27:16 AM »

Questor,

I agree. I must say that, from what I have heard, and from how the CZ feel in my hands, they seem to be a very high quality rifle, regardless of the money. If you blindfolded 10 people and put the Tikka or CZ in their hands, I bet you that 10 out of 10 would tell you that the gun is of high quality and probably costs $1,000 or more.

Zachary

grouper sandwich · « **Reply #15 on:** February 28, 2003, 07:41:53 AM »

Now to find a dealer within two hours of Tallahassee. I know that Wally World can special order the Tikka, but I hate the thought of giving that much money to them when it could go to a hard working local dealer. Wal-Mart is ALWAYS a last resort for me.

Zachary · « **Reply #16 on:** February 28, 2003, 07:44:13 AM »

Go to Tikka's website tikka.fi, and see where your closest dealer is. After you physically examine the gun and determine if you like it, and if you can't make a good deal at a gun shop, you could always go to gunbroker.com, or auctionarms.com, or gunsamerica.com to find better deals.

Zachary

weagle · « **Reply #17 on:** February 28, 2003, 04:26:28 PM »

The colt light rifles are now selling for about $390. I think thats a pretty good deal.
Good shooting;
Weagle

Big Tom · « **Reply #18 on:** February 28, 2003, 05:45:34 PM »

:grin: I was in Gander Mt. recently and they had two Tikkas on sale, brand new Syn/Blue, a .243 and a .25/06 for $439!!!

I'm still scratching my head why I left the store w/o that .25/06?? :roll:

I told LongWinters bit they were GONE when he ran down two days later. :cry:

RWH24 · « **Reply #19 on:** February 28, 2003, 11:55:51 PM »

The Tikka's at McClelland's gun shop in Dallas are:
$439.00 every day for the blue/syn and this includes "RINGS "
My Tikka 243 blu/syn is a shooter.
Randy

grouper sandwich · « **Reply #20 on:** March 01, 2003, 05:50:46 PM »

Well, I did a little window shopping today and I think that I may be even further from a decision than when I began. The problem that I'm having with the Tikka, CZ and Howa, is that nobody in this area seems to actually stock one. Therefore, I can't put one in my hands to see how it feels. I do have one friend who's father shoots an older Tikka 270. He's promised to take it to the range and let me shoot a few with it. And he swears that it's a great gun. However, I seem to be, at least after today, gravitating back to an old familiar friend, the Ruger M77 MKII. I can pick one up locally, with rings, for under $450. I can get the laminated/stainless for about $530. More to come, I'm sure! :wink:

OhioChucks · « **Reply #21 on:** March 02, 2003, 05:47:56 AM »

If you are going to buy a new rifle for under $500 dollars, by all means go with the Savage. You will never regret it. Right now they are making some of the finest barrels on the market and most varmint hunters are going to them daily. The only down side is they do have heavy trigger that will need replace. You can get one from Timney or Rifle Basix for $79.95 and replace it your self. Your other option is to get your hands on a newer Savage with the accu-trigger but the price will jump to a little over $500. Get the Savage and never look back. The Howa would be my second choice. Fully adjustable triggers but not as good a barrel. Still you can shoot some fine groups and it has a nicer action than the Savage.

OhioChucks