Author Topic: Best bang for the buck ? (Read 1601 times)

IKE · « **on:** January 04, 2006, 12:01:47 AM »

I'm leaning towards purchasing aonther bolt rifle and would like a few opinions.

The caliber will be 7mm-08 and I'd like to stay under $625.00 if new..... I'm not opposed to a really nice used but not abused rifle and I'm not hung up on one particluar brand name over another at this point.

Standard contour barrel (not a thin / featherweight barrel).....blue and wood or maybe stainless & laminated and I don't want to have to spend a bunch of money on the rifle to make it shoot accurately.

Other than a Savage Striker (that I wish I still had) and a Savage 99 in 300 Savage (that I still have) I've never owned a Savage but I've been reading a lot about the out of the box accuracy of the new Savages bolt rifles and their new Accu-Trigger......worth owning ?......how about the down the road resale value of a Savage ?

Throw some opinions at me fellas.

Ike

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #1 on:** January 04, 2006, 01:48:47 AM »

Take a good look at the Tikka T3. Great rifle and under $600.

Zachary · « **Reply #2 on:** January 04, 2006, 02:33:40 AM »

Definately Tikka. I own several and I am very happy with them.

You may also want to take a look at the Weatherby vanguard and CZ rifles.

Zachary

Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #3 on:** January 04, 2006, 03:33:57 AM »

Im going to recommend a Ruger. Four your price you can get the Ruger and a Burris Ballistic Plex scope.

Every Ruger I have is a great shooter. Except for my VT which is unmodified, I havent done any more to them than I do to any rifle float the barrel and touch up the trigger. My hunting buddys Ruger is also an excellent shooter, as are my brothers.

The Rugers have the best scope mounting system available IMHO, and the rings come with the rifle. Solid one-piece bolt, three position safety, controlled round feed, great looking but rugged and reliable. The Ruger stocks, although very good looking to my eyes, do not have the fancy white line spacers, fore end cap and high-gloss finish that some other rifles have.

As to accuracy, all my Rugers shoot MOA or better with the right loads. I handload for the most part but generally keep a box of factory stuff around for my big game rifles. Accuracy with the factory loads has been outstanding as well.

Dont overlook used rifles, though. I just picked up a very gently used 1975 Remington BDL in .308 Win on the cheap for Christmas. I floated the barrel and took it to the range to adjust the iron sights before scoping it. Its another shooter.

mountainview · « **Reply #4 on:** January 04, 2006, 04:55:43 AM »

Ike, the Savage rifles are excellent shooters and worth taking a look at, all 3 of mine group well with either factory or handloads. I've never spent any $$$ on accurizing with the exception of having the lawyer trigger worked ($50) on one of the non-accutrigger guns but that was it. I have an 11F (synthetic stock)and it is light and handy, just the ticket when I am in the thick stuff or on the move. Love the accutrigger. Don't know about resale value since I rarely part with any firearm. Barrel on my 11F is lightweight so it heats up at the range but it is not that big of a deal since I just shoot my 12FV heavy bbl in between.

poncaguy · « **Reply #5 on:** January 04, 2006, 05:02:51 AM »

I have a $269 Stevens 200 7mm-08 that shoots MOA. Took a doe at 301 yards this past season.............

bladerunner · « **Reply #6 on:** January 04, 2006, 06:37:48 AM »

3rd vote for a Tikka

barrel is already floated,trigger is already perfectlt crisp with no crep and can ba easily adjusted down to 2 puonds(comes about 3,adjusts up to 4)bolt is SILKY smooth and all i've heard of or seen are VERY accurate out-of-the-box
my 26-06 shoots half inch groups of 3 at 100 yards

PEPAW · « **Reply #7 on:** January 04, 2006, 07:38:20 AM »

Stevens 200 with a Bushnell Elite 4200. I went with a .270.
A Savage/Stevens for all the reasons above.
$199 rifle leaves plenty for scope, rings, bases and ammo!

pepaw

bladerunner · « **Reply #8 on:** January 04, 2006, 08:17:46 AM »

the T3's come with an integrated base and free rings

payed $539 for mine

vernonp · « **Reply #9 on:** January 04, 2006, 08:53:43 AM »

You will probably get reccomendations from every rifle manufacture out there. People like different things in rifles like everything else. I own one or more of most of the popular brands and I get more of what I like in the CZ's. Good accuracy, excellent trigger, good styling in the America series and a lot of times good figured walnut. All that plus bottom metal instead of plastic.

IKE · « **Reply #10 on:** January 05, 2006, 11:42:08 AM »

Thanks for the recomendations fellas.....there's a pretty good size gun show this weekend and I'll do some looking around.

Ike

Zachary · « **Reply #11 on:** January 06, 2006, 04:26:11 AM »

Guns shows really are great because they certainly have the widest selection. I'm sure it's going to be one heck of a task looking at all those rifles.

Zachary

Buckeye · « **Reply #12 on:** January 06, 2006, 10:35:30 AM »

the Mossbergs are getting great reveiws,but they don't have one in 7-08,
The Stevens 200 are Ole Savages ,Which are great guns,
I lke Winny Model 70's myself,
But any mass produced gun will have a Dud barrel on occassion,
The Mossbergs get there barrels from ER Shaw ,they produce great barrels.. Soo.. 'Best Bang for the buck would lean toward the Stevens,since Mossberg don't produce 7-08 (I like the 270 Win.)

http://www.gunblast.com/Charter2000_FieldKing.htm

Charter Arms sold out to Mossberg

corbanzo · « **Reply #13 on:** January 06, 2006, 01:39:14 PM »

I always loved the Remington 700's, just a good quality rifle. I also like that they are diversifying they types so you have some choices to look at....

Gregory · « **Reply #14 on:** January 06, 2006, 01:53:34 PM »

I'd do a search on this site "Tikka blow ups" and read the posts before I'd make an informed opinion on buying one.

Warthog · « **Reply #15 on:** January 06, 2006, 04:40:08 PM »

Another vote for the Tikka, but the Ruger, Savage, Stevens, and Winchester are all good choices. The Tikka "blow up" is "blown out" of proportion. Yes, I own a T3 Stainless Lite with a serial number right in the middle of the suspect group. It's not one the ones affected by the recall though. If you're going to look at the "blow up", be sure to also search for the Remington "fire on release" safety, the Ruger trigger, the Savage stock, etc.....

The one serious recomendation I have is to make sure whatever you by doesn't come in a green box.

Grubbs · « **Reply #16 on:** January 09, 2006, 04:28:23 AM »

Warthog's got it right on the money.......also consider another vote for Tikka.

Lead Poison · « **Reply #17 on:** January 09, 2006, 08:35:18 AM »

Yet another vote for the following:

1. Savage Weather Warriors (several models to choose from)
2. Ruger 77 MKII Stn/Syn
3. Winchester 70 Super Shadows
4. Stevens

You simply won't go wrong with any of the above rifles. Be sure to get a price from your local Wal-Mart, they usually have great prices and can special order what you want.

Though Tikkas usually shoot well, I'm not particularily fond of their plastic magazines and other parts.

robk · « **Reply #18 on:** January 09, 2006, 06:37:53 PM »

savage model 12 in 308 would be my choice for you. check it out it is a model 12 and i forget the rest but it is a bull barrel 26" 1/9 twist i believe and is sweet either in a wood or synthetic and you will find other brand stocks ifyour not into the factory stock and if you don;t like it call me and i will trade you my encore in 308. that is my 2nd choice and the encore is my first. if you want a single action then the encore is ideal i have done some shooting and out to 400 yards i am very happy with my grouping
rob k

Zeke Menuar · « **Reply #19 on:** January 09, 2006, 08:24:26 PM »

Weatherby Vanguard.

ZM

Ahab · « **Reply #20 on:** January 10, 2006, 04:30:30 AM »

Yup, Weatherby Vanguard. :grin:

Ahab · « **Reply #21 on:** January 10, 2006, 04:33:51 AM »

Yup, Weatherby Vanguard. :grin:

Not sure if they come in 7mm x 08.

tscott · « **Reply #22 on:** January 11, 2006, 01:52:53 AM »

Weatherby Mark V, in standard calibers (30-06). I bought one new, $500
15 years ago on sale. What a terrific deer rifle! Accurate! When you're talking above $600, you may be in the sale range. I have many bolts... Like them all, but nothing comes close to the Weatherby quality!

fun_gunner · « **Reply #23 on:** January 11, 2006, 10:19:19 PM »

I have two Tikkas, one Whitetail Hunter in 25-06 and a T3 in 223. Both shoot so well it's scarry - they are extremely accurate and the triggers are fully and easily adjustable.

Another great choice of 7-08 is the Rem Model Seven. A great gun for the money. A smith can easily adjust the trigger and this gun is just plain handy. My 700 in 30-06 is in a HS Precision stock and it is pretty darned accurate as well.

bladerunner · « **Reply #24 on:** January 12, 2006, 01:25:04 AM »

fun_gunner,GLAD to have another Tikka fan on board :grin:

WELCOME to GBO

NimrodRx · « **Reply #25 on:** January 12, 2006, 12:21:12 PM »

I have heard about these T3 reports long enough. Finally decided to test one out for myself. Found a good deal on a T3 Varmint chambered in 22-250 rem. Took it home and put a Weaver Grand Slam 3X10 on it. Got her cleaned up and went behind the house to see what she would do.

I don't want to get into it too much bc I'm going to post a full review here in a couple days. Lets just say that a whole lotta Rugers, Brownings, and Remingtons just got pushed to the back of the safe to make room for more T3's. For the $, they're going to be tough to beat.