Author Topic: Best bolt guns for the money (Read 2015 times)

lilabner · « **on:** February 14, 2006, 07:19:50 AM »

This is for those guys who have X dollars to spend and want to know what new, factory built rifle to buy:

Best economy priced rifles: Stevens 200.

Best moderately priced rifles: Savage, Weatherby Vanguard, Howa. (Vanguard and Howa are pretty much the same rifle built by Howa except the Vanguard has stocks made in the U.S. and 24 inch barrels for standard cartridges and I believe Howa has a 3 position safety)

Best mid priced rifles: Tikka and CZ.

Best higher priced rifles: Sako. (I'm limiting this to standard production rifles, not the ones built to order in custom shops.)

Just my opinions. I know little about higher priced rifles except what I see of their performance on our club range. What are your choices? The more choices, the better the answer will be.

PA-Joe · « **Reply #1 on:** February 14, 2006, 07:32:41 AM »

Go to Wally's and you can get most of these for under 350.00 at inventory clearance time.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #2 on:** February 14, 2006, 07:55:58 AM »

It all depends on what you think is good. Everyone has there idea of what they think is the best.

harvester · « **Reply #3 on:** February 14, 2006, 09:31:33 AM »

Quote from: PA-Joe

Go to Wally's and you can get most of these for under 350.00 at inventory clearance time.

when is inventory clearance time? is that just guns in stock as well?

vernonp · « **Reply #4 on:** February 14, 2006, 11:56:40 AM »

I was in Walmart yesterday ordering a rifle and the sales person told me that most Walmart stores will be discontinuing all gun sales in the near future. In this particular store it will be in a month and a half. I am going back tomorrow and see if I can get a list of their rifles since 80 % of their stock is in the back. Then I will know what I would be interested in.

nasem · « **Reply #5 on:** February 14, 2006, 11:56:56 AM »

try the mossberg ATR in 30-06 or 270, for only $244 from walmart, very accurate

victorcharlie · « **Reply #6 on:** February 14, 2006, 11:54:47 PM »

Quote from: vernonp

I was in Walmart yesterday ordering a rifle and the sales person told me that most Walmart stores will be discontinuing all gun sales in the near future. In this particular store it will be in a month and a half. I am going back tomorrow and see if I can get a list of their rifles since 80 % of their stock is in the back. Then I will know what I would be interested in.

That would make a lot of smaller gun shop operators happy! We can only hope!

kudzu · « **Reply #7 on:** February 15, 2006, 02:18:14 AM »

Economy- I would have to second the Stevens.

Mid- I would have to go with Rem. and Ruger

High end - A better Rem or Ruger.

mjbgalt · « **Reply #8 on:** February 15, 2006, 05:11:29 AM »

Low end, Stevens, hands down.

Mid range, Browning A-bolt, Tikka, Remington 700

High range, Sako, Cooper, etc.

I have had the Stevens and Browning and Remington and would buy any of them again anytime.

-Matt

myarmor · « **Reply #9 on:** February 15, 2006, 05:19:34 AM »

I'm surprised no one mentioned Steyr for the high end goodness.
http://www.steyr-mannlicher.com/fcb/index.php?id=108&L=1

jro45 · « **Reply #10 on:** February 15, 2006, 11:42:25 AM »

Well I have a little of several different kinds of rifles But mostly Remington BDL 700s. So I think that Rems are best deal for the money.

Jason · « **Reply #11 on:** February 15, 2006, 12:37:38 PM »

Quote from: myarmor

I'm surprised no one mentioned Steyr for the high end goodness.
http://www.steyr-mannlicher.com/fcb/index.php?id=108&L=1

I think that would constitute another price category. It wouldn't be "high end" as much as it would be "ultra-high end" which is the same realm as custom. I'd take a custom made to my specs by a highly skilled gunsmith over a Steyr every time.

myarmor · « **Reply #12 on:** February 15, 2006, 12:45:08 PM »

I don't know man, they ain't priced too bad, in the same league as Sako:
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=4025853

longshot · « **Reply #13 on:** February 15, 2006, 12:57:24 PM »

I'd have to say the Kimber rifles deserve a spot in the high end category....

Theshootist78 · « **Reply #14 on:** February 15, 2006, 03:22:57 PM »

I was quite impressed with the Tikka. I think when I decide to buy a new gun that may be on teh top of my list. The savage is a nice gun, stevens is the same just cheaper. I have seen some nice brownings, that shot nice too.

poncaguy · « **Reply #15 on:** February 15, 2006, 04:15:54 PM »

Low....Stevens 200

Med...... Ruger

High......

?

Zachary · « **Reply #16 on:** February 15, 2006, 05:27:02 PM »

Quote from: longshot

I'd have to say the Kimber rifles deserve a spot in the high end category....

I agree.

Jason · « **Reply #17 on:** February 15, 2006, 06:32:23 PM »

Quote from: myarmor

I don't know man, they ain't priced too bad, in the same league as Sako:
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=4025853

I never knew Wal-mart's special order gun catalog was online! Thanks!

Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #18 on:** February 15, 2006, 06:37:30 PM »

Best rifle for the money is often a used rifle. All of my used rifles are great shooters - 3 Marlins, 1 Remington, 1 Ruger.

For new rifles I would have to agree that the Stephens has no peer among economy rifles.

Next would be Savage.

Then Ruger, my favorite.

myarmor · « **Reply #19 on:** February 16, 2006, 12:41:50 AM »

Quote from: Jason

Quote from: myarmor
I don't know man, they ain't priced too bad, in the same league as Sako:
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=4025853

I never knew Wal-mart's special order gun catalog was online! Thanks!

No problem. But your right about some of Steyr's lineup...VERY expensive. But for the money the Pro Hunter, would be my choice. Not bad at under $800.

Danegeld · « **Reply #20 on:** February 16, 2006, 02:55:41 AM »

I have to agree with the consensus opinion but I wanted to add Parker Hale, I had one and she was sweet shootin'. It was stolen when I was in the US Air Force/Germany from the armory 1984. Never recovered

(Low) Stevens
(Mid) Rem, Savage, and PARKER HALE 1200
(High) Wby, Sako, and Dakota Arms

Take Care
Ben

tanoose · « **Reply #21 on:** February 18, 2006, 07:39:30 AM »

Why has the ruger M77 not found a spot in any posts? Very well made accurate and priced well. The only flaw i have found is the trigger and the average hunter can live with it. The two rifles i reccommend all the time are the ruger and the remington 700.

poncaguy · « **Reply #22 on:** February 18, 2006, 07:51:16 AM »

I agree with the Ruger..........I own 2, great rifles......

Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #23 on:** February 18, 2006, 07:57:48 AM »

Quote from: tanoose

Why has the ruger M77 not found a spot in any posts? Very well made accurate and priced well. The only flaw i have found is the trigger and the average hunter can live with it. The two rifles i reccommend all the time are the ruger and the remington 700.

I've polished up the triggers on my Rugers with a Dremel and very fine Cratex wheels and they are now excellent.

But they shoot like crap. The 7mm Mag can't seem to do better than 3 shots into 0.262" center-to-center at 100 yards and the best the .257 Roberts can do is 0.232". The best the .22-250 can do is 4 shots into 0.5" at 200 yards.

tanoose · « **Reply #24 on:** February 20, 2006, 04:09:57 AM »

They do shoot well dont they coyote. I have seen alot of ruger bashing as far as accuracy goes in the m77 but i have never experienced this i have two and there are several used in out club.I 've got to note the next time they bash what caliber mthey are using i have noticed with friends that say there rifle isn't accurate and noticed its not the rifle but the shooter has developed a flinch , i see this all the time , i have even experienced it myself . Later Tanoose

DavOh · « **Reply #25 on:** February 20, 2006, 08:16:16 AM »

Are the ruger's made in the US? I can't find anything one way or the other on it. Truth be told I havnt really looked all that hard. But I'm still curious.

HuntingGuy · « **Reply #26 on:** February 20, 2006, 12:21:37 PM »

Low range: Savage
Med. range: Browning A-Bolt +1
High range: Kimber 84M Montana, HS Precision
Really freakin high range: Dakota Arms

Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #27 on:** February 20, 2006, 05:50:07 PM »

Quote from: DavOh

Are the ruger's made in the US? I can't find anything one way or the other on it. Truth be told I havnt really looked all that hard. But I'm still curious.

Yes, the Rugers are 'Made in the USA'.

corbanzo · « **Reply #28 on:** February 23, 2006, 05:48:48 AM »

low - cheap rem
mid - mid rem
high - expensive rem

not opinionated am i? :-D