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Centerfire Rifles - Manually Operated Lever action, bolt action or other non gas operated centerfire rifles. |
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#1
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What do I get for $300 vs $800 in a bolt action?
Hi folks,
Looking into buying my first bolt gun. (I have handguns and semiauto rifles) This gun will be for hunting, mostly pig, perhaps deer. Of course I will practice at the range, but I'm not looking into getting into long range or match shooting. I've already decided on caliber (.30-06), because it'll take down what I want to hunt and I own other .30-06 rifles so I can avoid shopping for another new caliber. I also noticed .30-06 has remained in stock throughout the madness. My real question is this: what do I get in an $800 rifle (R700 or Winchester M70) vs a cheaper $300-400 rifle (Savage Axis, for example). I'm a reasonably good shot but I am not looking to shoot 1/2 MOA. On the other hand, I don't buy/sell my guns as I get interested/bored, so if I would notice and enjoy the extra comfort or longevity or quality of a more expensive rifle, I'm willing to do it and keep it for decades. I know you get things like special triggers and smoother actions. Does that make a significant difference in the use of the rifle? All else being equal is it better to put $500 more into the scope over the rifle? |
#2
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Advice: Start cheap and go from there when you get more experience.
Answer: More money gets you better quality in the materials used, build process, finish, etc. There is too much to list. Generally, you get what you pay for. You have to compare specific rifles side by side to see exactly what you get. To your question about the scope: "Can't shoot what you can't see." |
#4
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Get a Tikka T3 Lite and you can thank me later.
Price range is between the two ranges you specified and IMO better than anything you have listed. The action is butter smooth and the barrel is fantastic. Out of the box hunting rifle, I can’t think of a better choice.
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ExtremeX |
#5
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If I was getting one of the cheap synthetic stock models I'd get the Savage/Stevens 110/200 because if later you want to change to a walnut or laminated wood stock you can. I don't think you can with most of the others.
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#8
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I got my Rem 700 Varmint for $600. So either your looking at the really high end 700's or a package.
IMHO, either is good to start out with, but the better the gun you start with the less you'll have to change later on. If you plan on shooting comps with the gun get a heavy barrel and go. If it is a true hunting gun, then just about anything you get will work. |
#9
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I would suggest looking at and shouldering as many different models as you can. Then, buy the rifle you like. As said, more dollars for better quality. Personally, I've found that I really like what Browning has to offer. I've owned an A-Bolt in .30-06 for many years and recently bought an X-Bolt in .270. Both sport Leupold glass.
Just like the rifle, pick-up and look through as many different model scopes as you can. Be prepared to spend $ for a quality scope. The clearer & brighter, the better, as hunting hours are typically from 1/2 hr before sunrise to 1/2hr after sunset. The Redfields & Nikons are nice, I just like the Leupolds. I'm not interested in buying twice, so I look at everything I can (usually multiple times) before I buy. |
#11
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Quote:
A $500 rifle with a $500 scope would likely serve you better than a $800 rifle with a $200 scope or a $200 rifle with an $800 scope.
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Randall Rausch AR work: www.ar15barrels.com Bolt actions: www.700barrels.com Foreign Semi Autos: www.akbarrels.com Barrel, sight and trigger work on most pistols and shotguns. Most work performed while-you-wait, evening and saturday appointments available. |
#12
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I might add that sometimes what you mostly get in the $800(Rem or Win) is the name.
The lesser priced Tikka T-3 Lite or Weatherby Vanguard will usually out shoot them. Same goes for a Savage with the Accra trigger. The Ruger American is very good also. The quality/workmanship etc is as good or better with some of these than the Rem/Win. Take the money you "save" and buy a Leupold scope and good bases/rings if the rifles does not have them already. It does no good to have a excellent rifle with crap optics or ones that go bad in the field the 1st bad weather. Buy a Leupold 3X9X40 or 3.5X10X40 Non-AO scope and use low rings and you will have a package for life and your kids lives. On the brand of rifle buy the one that fits you and you like. Not what some armchair quarterback who has never hunted or done much shooting with different rifles tells you.
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A 30cal will reach out and touch them. A 50cal will kick their butt. NRA Life Member, NRA certified RSO & Basic Pistol Instructor, Hunter, shooter, reloader SCI, Manteca Sportsmen Club, Coalinga Rifle Club, Escalon Sportsmans Club, Waterford Sportsman Club & NAHA Member, Madison Society member |
#13
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The Ruger American and a Vortex 3-9x40 Diamondback got me this hunting season's deer. Just sayin... One thing I would possibly change is instead of the 3-9x40 would be to buy a 1-6 power so as to make it even lighter since 6x is more than enough to hunt animals out to a realistic distance. I don't need the 9x since this mountain rifle is strictly for hunting and not for competition with its super lightweight barrel.
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#14
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The Tika T3 is a nice rifle and I believe that they come with scope rings, as they do not use typical bases. The bolt action is super smooth and the barrel is a Sacco. One of these days, I'll buy a .243, and it just might be a Tika T3 (walnut & stainless).
If you're patient and shop around. You can get a nice rifle & scope (new) for around $800. I paid just under $900 for my Browning X-Bolt .270 with a Leupold VXII (3x9x50), including rings, bases, taxes, & DROS, and Browning sent me a nice jacket for free too! If you're not the patient type. I'd take that $800 and buy a really nice used rifle. There are a lot of real nice used rifles to be had for a good price. You might be able to find one with a decent scope already mounted, or you could just buy a new scope, bases, & rings for the rifle. Either way, you can have a quality rig for $800. Last edited by XVIga_Rob; 09-11-2013 at 6:05 PM.. |
#15
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i dunno the going price of T/C ventures but i had on in 25-06 back when and it was AMAZING, only sold it because i had nowhere to hunt and couldnt afford ammo due to no work. it has 5r=R rifling and is guaranteed 1MOA out of the box and it does even better. smooth well built rifle you will love, at least check one out.
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#16
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http://centuryarms.biz/proddetail.asp?prod=RI1978J%2DN
I have this. cost was less than $500. And loving it chief.
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"when I hear 'meat is murder' (sic) I think murder is delicious" - Stephen Colbert interview with Morrisey 09.10.12 I plead the 2nd. |
#17
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Its better to spend more on glass in my opinion. With that being said, i recommend the swfa 10x42 over any scopes under $1000 price range. And I would recommend IOR 10x42 or us optic st-10 for over $1000
Last edited by dinosauraphael; 09-12-2013 at 4:07 PM.. |
#20
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Weatherby Vanguard for $500 ish give or take I have seen them for $450 and be a happy camper I would however chuck the plastic POS stock and replace it with a Laminate or a Composite from Bell & Carlson. So $100 -$240 more on top of rifle cost.
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#21
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I'm VERY happy with my Ruger American and Leupold VX-1 combo...with Warne rings and a box of shells under $750
It shoots 1/2 moa btw....I've had $1500 rifles that didn't shoot this well. And after my rattle can camo job... |
#25
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COme on people.... it was a joke!!!!!
Camo does look good btw.... Learn that from my rifles? lol! [IMG][/IMG] Shotgun... Lack reading skills? Read the second line... The rifle in the back now wears a bushnell G2 DMR 3.5-21. It's a $1,300 scope- I probably will paint it to match but I ran out of some krylon colors, and never did find a good 'dead weed' brown.... It looks funny now with a black rail/rings/scope. |
#27
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HAHA!!! Bet I did mine first.... American hasnt been out very long.... that pic is from about 2006ish...
I had 2 of the 3 colors I wanted... I still need to find a good straw/yellow dead weed brown.... As is... they blend in the desert really well. I tried the 10/22 first- (closer rifle) then sodomized the savage... But as I said- new scope/base/rings... I need to get more krylon and shoot it again. The black huge honkin scope/rings/base and the black nylon really stand out.... Gotta do something about that..... Yes it's the same rifle from the first pic... I chopped up the stock some more just in case someone doubted it was free floated... (to shave some weight really!) Last edited by postal; 09-12-2013 at 7:24 PM.. |
#30
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Well.....
In your first post, you seem to understand that you get what you pay for... and you're not opposed to spending a moderate amount for a quality rifle... I think you may regret going too low end. I hear it all the time and I know it's true... the "buy once, cry once" is good advice. The tikka.... hard to beat at it's price point. Almost no aftermarket, but it doesnt need it.. Beyond that, rem 700 is the most common choice, win M70 and savage get thrown in this mix too- but most people prefer the 700 and has tons of aftermarket support. I know a guy with a ruger American and he's tickled how well it works. I was surprised how well it works. It doesnt hang with the m70/700/savage... it's a little rough around the edges... it's WAY too light and kicks pretty hard because of it... but it shoots a lot better than I thought it would. So... My advice is to skip the ultra low end- and start looking at tikka on up. Dont be fooled by the price of the tikka... they feel and shoot really nice- better than a factory 700. As to optic... I'd suggest something middle of the road for starters... Something around $500 ish- to get into decent quality glass that is reliable. $300 ish minimum for a nikon buckmaster 4.5-14 as a starting point. This way you could put one together for a total price of about 1k-1.3k depending on your choices. And have something nice. Later on you can evaluate if you're happy with it, or get the bug and 'go big'... without being limited by lower quality gear. Just my take based on your first post. |
#31
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I will agree on the quality and accuracy of the Tikka,I owned a T3 in 300wsm...just had too much recoil for my bad shoulder.even after I put a KDF brake on it.
BUT......it is $300 more than the American. Accuracy is about the same...although I had to load the bullets way long in the Tikka to get the same accuracy as the American. that being said it did shoot about an inch with a few factory loads (Federal Premium). |
#32
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Quote:
FGGM sets the accuracy standard for factory ammo, and tailoring reloads to your rifle is even better... |
#33
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Just about every manufacturer makes a nice 30-06 hunting rifle. I don't recommend a cheap rifle because shooting is too important to me to buy a cheap rifle. I'd go down to the nearest big retailer and see what they have but don't go bottom fishing. Quality hunting rifles are put on sale quite often, you'll find something you will like.
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#34
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Mosin with a scount mount and AIM or NCStar 2-7 LER scope FTW
haha jk. That's my budget bolt action setup, my only bolt action actually. And I'm on the same boat as you OP, I am in the market for either a 308 bolt action or a 30-06, I'm leaning more towards the 308 for price of ammo, but honestly I want to touch targets out to 500 yards plus, so I'm debating whether the 30-06 suits me best or if the 308 is still good at that distance. I've been looking at the Ruger American, Savage Axis, and the Tikka T3. I think I'm going to go with the Tikka. As for glass, I was thinking a Nikon Prostaff, or is that too cheap? I want something with a little higher magnification than a 3-9... |
#35
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AAA..... 308 has no problems out to 500-600. Goes farther than that accurately but isnt the best choice for 900-1000. It can do it, but wind really is a challenge.
It will do it, but there's better like 243/260/6.5 creedmore which are all based on the 308.... So a 308 could later be changed out to one of those cartridges if you want solid 1k performance. Those all fit 308 magazines and boltface- Changing the barrel will change the cartridge. I would suggest the 4.5-14 nikon buckmaster. It's a much better scope than the prostaff and is still budget friendly. |
#36
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#37
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Big 5 has a limited selection- perhaps about 50-60 rifles in each store. And I thought they were only socal.....
When he said big box stores, he probably meant Dicks sporting goods, bass pro.... whatever chains serve no cal. I've no idea whats up there... hadnt been north since 1993. |
#39
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Big5s up here have limited stock also but they have a list of manufacturers that they can order what ever you want from. I haven't ordered anything though. Big5 prices seem high to me unless it's on sale.
Last edited by TMB 1; 09-13-2013 at 3:00 PM.. Reason: added |
#40
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May I suggest:
Model 70 (in .270 cal) W/ 3X9 Burris Scope I paid a lot for it years ago and I'm glad I did! (Forgot exactly how much but I know it wasn't cheapo) I've killed a bunch of deer and some other "misc" animals with this gun. (And no it's NOT for sale - ever) The old addage is true: "You get what you pay for"
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"The only thing necessary for the triumph [of evil] is for good men to do nothing." Edmund Burke speech of 23 April 1770, "Thoughts on the Cause of the Present Discontents," delivered to the House of Commons. Last edited by DennisCA; 09-13-2013 at 3:15 PM.. |
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