There are some I avoid and some I prefer, but that won't color when I go looking for something new. At some point (which I am sure I have passed) new firearms purchase becomes about specific tasks and less about a General Purpose Rifle.
If the Winchester 70 appeals to you, then go for it, solid platform. I would suggest you stick with the Coyote Light or the Extreme Weather SS. They have the B&C stocks. The other composite stocks are floppy and would need to be changed out IMHO.
It does make me smile when the guys from the South talk about "harsh" conditions rifles.
I't did not start that way as I look at the best features of a paticular model and brand.
While I like remingtons,rugers,sakos,cz's,Marlins,winchesters,brownings and others
The savages have multiplied faster than any others. They just kind of snuck in diffrent calibers.
But most of the savages are dedicated use guns.
I was raised up a Ruger fan, but now I own centerfire bolt rifles made by Ruger Savage, Howa, and Remington. Marlin for the centerfire levers, Browning for the rimfire levers, CZ for a centerfire bolt rifle, and a 10/22.
Every manufacturer has their forte, and everyone has their own preference. Thats why there are so many successful brands out there.
When it comes to being a fanboy, I am squarely in the Savage camp. Every single bolt gun I own is a Savage. I did not intend for this to be the case, but every time I go looking for a new bolt gun, I end up with a Savage for a variety of reasons.
I don't cull any of them. I have or have had Winchester, Remington, Sako mostly. Never had a Browning or Savage. As long as they'll give MOA or less, I don't care whose name's on the barrel or action.
I do have a slight preference to the Model 70, however.
Last time I took inventory, I found I had 10 Mosin-Nagants and 8 Lee Enfields.
As a 'collector" (read:accumulator) it's pretty much whatever strikes my fancy at the time.
I have more Remington's than any other brand, but I wouldn't say I'm committed to Remington. My next rifle build is going to be a Winchester model 70 action.
Im definitely a Savage fan, but first and foremost Im a big fan of accurate rifles that dont cost me a mortgage payment, so exclaiming namebrands really in all honesty is hypcritical. I like working on rifles that are inherintly accurate but need to be coaxed to the apex.
I choose to buy used rifles in used condition yo satisfy my instincts of hands on gunsmithing.... Im not set up to machine or mill parts, so I have to get the best out of stocks and triggers and bedding and scope mounting and handloading... It keeps me young!
I have shot a bunches of rifles from all sorts of makers but I really like FN. I'm currently considering getting a new bolt gun and am debating getting the mossberg flex .308 or a remington 700 .308. If i get the 700 I would want to upgrade the stock to the whisky-3.
I'm a big Tikka supporter at the moment.
Not because I lived in Finland for a few years but rather they really seem like the best performance you can get for the price. A very wide range of cartridges, stock designs, many in left-hand (which I need) though I assume they come right-handed as well. Excellent repeatability (accuracy). Wood and synthetic stocks, stainless and blued. Amazingly smooth action. And to me, they're not bad looking either.
I've not tried their sniper rifles -22 and -44 but I suppose they're great as well.
Despite all that, I'm not a fan boy. That is, I'm happy to look at other brands and models but for conventional bolt-operated rifles so far I've ended up with Tikka.
B
First rifle was a Mountain Rifle in .280. Beautiful and accurate gun.
My next will likely be savage though. I like the price point and the ease of customer DIY available on their platform.
I have two Remington 700's, and should soon have a third. Remington actions are round-bottomed and tend to be easy to bed. They have had better triggers in the past, but that's an easy replacement, if necessary.
Rem 700 wood stocks tend to fit my face better than most others. I like the pistol grip shape and safety location. Felt recoil seems to be less than some others, especially Savages that I've shot. That's a function of stock fit.
When a rifle tends to fit like it was made for you, whatever rifle that is, buy it...providing you know enough about how a rifle should fit you.
I think a lot of companies make good rifles.. For centerfire bolt guns I only buy Remington 700's (and one model 7).
My first centerfire was a Remmy 700 and ive just stuck with them. Whatever caliber I grab out of the safe the triggers (timney) are all the same # pull, and everything else in in the same place.
Remington actions are round-bottomed and tend to be easy to bed. They have had better triggers in the past, but that's an easy replacement, if necessary.
I have always thought of that as a disadvantage for bedding. I have done a Model 70 and I found it easy and straightforward because of the flat receiver bottom and the integral recoil lug.
I am about to find out about bedding round steel pipe receivers because I have a Marlin XS7 to bed into a Boyd's stock.
Yes I will only buy rifles made by Marlin, Savage, Ruger, Remington, Tikka, TC, Sako, AO, Winchester and a couple dozen other companies I can't think of right now. Why limit yourself?