Do you have a brand of rifle you are committed to?

C

Clevinger

New member
I am getting ready to get a rifle for hunting in adverse weather. I looked around but in the end am coming back to Winchester Model 70s.

Anyone else like that with any brand?
 
Nope! And here's why...I think most reputable manufacturers have made some outstanding models and some not so great over the years. Also, quality has gone up and down with many manufacturers at times and for various reasons so I tend to look a little deeper than just the name on the gun.

The most pleasant surprise I ever got in a bolt rifle was my CZ 550 in .270. I knew nothing about their rifles but took a chance and bought one anyway because of the price ($400ish) and boy what a shooter it has been!
 
Ruger...and I was surprised.

Ruger by far in count, and Savage second. Oddly, Remington (2) and Win(2) aren't even close. Nothing Euro much in the safe, ....two Mark X's.

Ruger wins due to the diversity it offers(offered?) v. the asking price. Who else makes a varminter, .44 auto carbines, stainless/synthetic bolt rifle in 7.62x39, a mag fed Garand in x39 (the mini-30) and a high quality bolt .22? Add the handguns and Ruger is the walkaway winner for me. I'm still on the prowl for a Ruger #1 and #3

The Savages are all extremely accurate and win in that department.
 
Remington but more so the action than the rifle. I guess i could say some customs as well because they're remington based. Despite it's default imperfections i still love them, been running them since i was young tike it's like second nature. That said i own a sako 85 and love that action as well.

If i owned an Accuracy International rifle that would be my brand.
 
I'm a bit of a collector, but I like variety rather than only collecting every variation of a model ever made... my center fire bolt actions range from 17 Fireball to 416 Rigby, & are a mix of custom rifles & factory rifles... I guess I own more Remington 700's than any other... then Brownings & Rugers are tied next with Winchester at the end of the factory rifles in that collection... ( probably have as many customs in this group as Brownings, Rugers, & the Winchester ) :)

perhaps tied over all in bolt rifles, with Remington, is CZ / BRNO... my FIL collected those, & after he died, I'm still working on completing that collection...

BTW... nothing wrong with Winchester rifles, they are just a bit more pricey & I just never "had to have one" until I bought my JOC model 70 recently... love that rifle...

BTW #2... my hunting in adverse weather rifles are Browning Stainless Stalkers, or a Ruger model 77... & the Brownings are, IMO, top shelf as well...
 
I am not committed to any particular brand of rifle, but there are a few brands that I avoid.
 
I am getting ready to get a rifle for hunting in adverse weather.
Click to expand...

For hunting in harsh weather conditions there are only 2 real contenders. A SS Ruger and older SS Winchester Classic's. They are the only 2 that combine CRF, SS, and a bulletproof open trigger design that cannot be fouled up like other designs. They can can easily be inspected and cleaned, closed designs cannot.

Newer Winchesters have CRF, but have gone to the enclosed trigger system that is much more prone to dirt and debris getting trapped inside.

A simple, open trigger of a Winchester Classic or Ruger



Enclosed, overly complex trigger used by everyone else.

 
For different reasons:
Workmanship, beauty, Browning
Feel, (ergonomics), Winchester
Purchased, then modified, Remington
Shooters, no close inspection allowed, Savage


But I like them all.
 
I've used them all at one time or another. Auto's levers bolts even a pump once. Bought high end. (Sig Sauer 202 Supreme w/ 3 barrel set) and Second hand too (25-35 Win)_ No matter which I was afield with I always had one solid complaint in mind. "Gee's I wish this thing was a little lighter to carry!!"__So eventually I got around to buying a rifle or two that were indeed lightweight. {even after I scoped them.} Only one problem. My first decision. I bought my first light weight rifle in a caliber that I now consider to be the most destructive meat masher I ever encountered when it's bullets comes in contact any bone period. (25-06 Rem) Talk about a caliber rifle that chews up meat. None does a better job at it than a 25-06 does. But the rifle itself is indeed a pleasure to carry afield and shoot. Fit well. Shoulder's well. So to remedy the situation ASAP._ I bought my second rifle in the same brand and model but in a caliber more suitable to my needs. (270 Win)_ Now the situation is I have two rifles here. With the same scope mounts and identical scopes (VX-3s.) Both have handsome wood stocks. Ones light colored the other is a dark chocolate {one caliber isn't available anymore >25-06 was dropped} So to answer the question posed. My rifle of choice is without doubt._The Remington 700 {matte blue} Mountain Rifle series.

BTW: I'm in the process of changing out their triggers with aftermarket Timney's pre-set at the factory for 3-1/2 lbs. pull. 270 is done. 25-06 is next up for its new trigger. "Should make my rifles even better to shoot."
 
Committing to a product line is silly, IMO.

Currently, I really like the Savage "system" for my purposes. Namely, a financially sensible, accuracy capable, semi-modular system with a ton of aftermarket support.

However, if my purposes and/or budget were different, I might have a different view.

No matter what, if a "better" system comes around tomorrow, I'll be all over it... until the next better one comes around. My "loyalty" is to "best for my needs", period.
 
I'm starting to get that way with Ruger. I grew up with remington as did my older brother, both of us have turned into die hard ruger guys. I own a M77 MKII in 30-06, my brother owns 4 in various configurations and calibers.
 
My heart will always be with the Winchester Model 70. I would probably buy a Kimber or Cooper over a new model 70 but to me the Winchester rifles I have will always be my favorites.
 
I have a CRF Model 70 Featherweight. I like a Rem 700 better; neither are as good as my Sako AV. If I were to buy another rifle it'd be another Sako.
 
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