new rifle

S

stillborn

New member
I don't really need a new rifle, but I want one anyway. I was looking at the Remington 783 and the Mossberg Patriot. I was wondering if anyone had any experience with these rifles? I was leaning towards the Patriot, but cabela's put the 783 on sale for $259 with a mail in rebate. They both seem to have good features, what do yal think?
 
Since you say you don't need it, then don't do it. I would rather have one or two nicer rifles than a dozen cheapo rifles. If you just want another rifle, then buy a better one than you already have. Sometimes, less is more, and more is less. The luster on the cheap rifle is that it's NEW and CHEAP. That luster wears off quickly. Go buy a pre-war Winchester with the blueing worn away. That rifle will have qualities that never wear off. Get something that's worthy of a Walnut stock. Plastic has no soul, no class to it. The last thing we need in this world is more cheap junk. I would rather buy an old classic that needs fixing, but is a worthy project. That's my viewpoint.
 
I agree with Pathfinder. If you really need a cheap rifle right now, then OK. However, there are MUCH better rifles out there - they will just cost you a bit more. I'd rather be patient and buy the right used rifle than one of those poorly designed cheap ones.
 
Too bad those cheap guns are outshooting the classics these days. Who woulda thought?? Anyways, buy whichever feels right in your hands and shoulders nice. Those 783s are nothing to sneeze at people are getting great accuracy out of them. Pass on the mossberg you will be glad you did! This is all coming from a purist :rolleyes: im a wood and blue man myself.
 
I'm hoping the 783 does turn out like the old 788's. A lot of people saw them as cheap rifles and what happened? Remington dropped the line because they have a faster lock up time compared to the more expensive 700's. I know its completely off topic but many people knock older "cheaper model" rifles even today. On topic though, I've considered getting a 783 in .243 as a carry predator rifle. Its quite a bit lighter than either of my 788's.
 
If you have to buy a NEW rifle, just go buy a Winchester model 70, either the Sporter, Featherweight, or perhaps the Alaskan, with genuine Walnut, of course. If the price is too steep, remember, you didn't need it, so forget the whole thing and go fishing instead.
 
The ONLY reason to buy one of those is because you simply can't afford a better choice. Those rifles are made for the "low end" user. Low cost. Low quality. And marginal performance/useful life.
 
Amen, couldn't have said it better myself. Besides having no class and character
a used one will have very little resale value. There is a big difference when it
comes to durability. Somebody who has one can't bring their self to admit
they are junk. If one out shoots a m70 or m700 it is a fluke not the norm.
For $275 there is a lot of good b/a rifles on the used market. Buy good older
gun and take care of it and you will never lose your investment. A good example
of this is Rem. 788, 600, 660 and even the lowly Savage 340 series. Find one
of these for 275 and you will be lucky. Medium bore cals in 700 and 70 are
cheaper. There are also a raft of rifles made on 98 Mauser type actions to be
had at reasonable price used.
 
budget guns have a purpose!

I have purchased mauser rifles as low as $99 bucks, all the way up to $400, I've also received a couple for free (best price ever). They have not been the prettiest I've seen, but they are shooters non the less, not as accurate as those budget rifles, but 2"-3" @ 100 and 4"-6" @ 200 with iron sights is good enough for venison. I've had sub "MOA" rifles and they were great, but a lot less interesting then working up a load for a 100+ year old gun. I realize new shooters/hunters may only shoot a few times during the off season, and want something they can throw in the closet until hunting season, for them, the budget rifle is the perfect tool. Personally I like to shoot several times a month finding the best load for each gun, so I can choose the correct gun/load for the task and terrain. :D The budget rifles sell like crazy, and that's good for business, if somebody who can't afford that $600-$1000 dollar rifle, but can afford a budget gun, than that's good for them.
 
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The 783 would probably b e a good truck gun and hunting rifle. Having a higher quality rifle is good for the ego, I suppose, until you scratch that high dollar wood stock or ding the bluing. I use my guns to hunt and shoot with, and having a really nice rifle is paramount to taking a new Vette to the WallyWorld and parking in a tight spot. When all is said and done, a "budget" rifle that shoots good and is easy to use can be a really good tool for some shooters.

I traded a Win 70 push feed for a Marlin XZ and part of the reason was, the Marlin has a composite stock that I could care less if I ding it. And guess what? It shoots way good.
Just my $0.02
 
My Savage Axis with a Tasco 3-9x40 in stock configuration out shoots my dad's Model 12 LRP and Remington 700 with Leopold target scopes.

Check mate.
 
I think the new line of budgets from TC, Remington, ruger and marlin are all great and well worth their value. I will probably end up getting one someday(likely the American or the TC) just because.....why the heck not? they are said to be shooting MOA or less and extremely reliable. I have many cheap guns that I absolutely love and will never get rid of because the fit a role. I haven't quite warmed up to the mossbergs yet, buy haven't shot the bare bones budget yet, just read reviews. the savage axis is an accurate rifle with a somewhat sloppy bolt, but the reviews are pretty outstanding. nothing wrong with some cheap rifles if you have a few nice ones to balance it out, and most people shooting levels aren't going to tell an accuracy difference anyway, just the feel and the finish, you want it, go get it. seems every manufacture is running the "budget" rifles, and they must be successful for a reason. I don't hear complaints on accuracy or reliability, just finish and the cheap stocks.

I don't know why people think there is no value in low priced guns, some of my lowest priced guns are the best shooters I have. look at the canik/tristar series or my 500$ Omni ar15(a superbly accurate rifle that has proven half dozen thpusand times that it's reliable.) do what you want and have no regrets. just make sure it's a company that stands by their products and check with the big box online stores to read over the thousands of reviews to know what your getting. check out "the truth about guns" reviews on these rifles and pick whats best for you. they will likely be great shooters in the long run ad will be well worth their low cost. not saying you shouldn't also save and grab a coupe higher end bolts in the future if you don't have any already(I don't yet, still waiting on a model 10 or 700 to fall in my lap one of these days.)

good luck brother.
 
I have nice rifles that shoot well and have shot some of the new inexpensive rifles and wouldn't be ashamed to take a Rem 783 to the range. I also wouldn't be afraid to shoot it out, like I am my nice rifles.

The 783 costs about half of what I paid for having my venerable Rem 700 rebarreled! You also don't have a 3-month wait to have the work done.
 
I had a 30-06 783 I bought for a backup or guest rifle. It would shoot right at one MOA or better. I loaned it to my brother last season when he fell on some hard times and had to pawn is really nice rifle SAKO A7 with a S&B scope on it. Well he killed just as many deer with my $400.00 set up as he did with his $2000+ set up. Cheap rifles are like mopeds they are fun to ride, but you don't want your friends to see you on them:)
 
Skizzums, the Marlin budget rifle was the best of all. Sadly, some genius at Remlin decided to drop the XL/XS series in favor of whatever Remington is passing off as a budget rifle these days.
 
I had to go out tomorrow and buy one of these budget rifles, without researching anymore or test shooting, I would grab the Ruger American. I like the axis and I know they are accurate rifles, but the sloppiness of the bolt just makes me cringe. The Ruger, ay least from fondling at the store, feels like a pretty solid setup.

OP, if you buy one, keep us updated
 
Budget rifles

+1 for Ruger American

I know, and I understand the difference between the new budget rifles and the 'legacy' rifles that so many of us inherited and want to pass down. The new budget rifles may or may not last as long as the wood stocked blued steel rifles. That said;
For no particularly good reason, I bought a Ruger American in 30-06 yesterday. Decent price marked 370 before 10% 4th of July discount. Took it to the range today, and got (2) 3 shot groups that can be covered by a quarter at 100 yards with regular old Remington CoreLokt 150 grain. Pressed for time, I did not use 10 shot groups or press my luck at the 200 yard range.
This kind of accuracy for that kind of money is worth it, to me. When the time comes and the purchase of a sweet legacy rifle is the right thing to do, I know I'll find an X-Bolt or Weatherby, or whatever they are making at that time. For now, I've got a good shooting backup or guest gun that I can practice reloading with. Topped it with an old Nikon Prostaff 3-9. Nothing fancy.
Sorry, apparently the file size is 80 mb too large to upload. The final (3 shot) group measures 1/2" centers...
 
Ruger American vs Winchester M-70 Classic.....

Was out last Saturday with my buddy and two bolt guns: His 308 RAR vs my 270 Classic sporter. I dunno, maybe it was the Leupold on the Winchester vs the Bushnell on the Ruger, or him vs me...... But, to my surprise, the Winchester with the wood stock shot better than the Ruger with the plastic stock. I know it proves nothing, but to me, the Winchester looks better, feels better, and performs well. I can't see spending thousands of dollars on a rifle in my world, and I appreciate a bargain as much as anyone; but better quality has always been worth paying extra for. And, since I can only use one rifle at a time, I have no need to collect dozens of rifles in every color and flavor because their cheap enough to buy one every week, when a few really good ones will cover the bases. Need is one thing, but desire is another. I'm not immune to it, but I have no desire to be unto guns as Imelda is to shoes. I am, though, quite immune to the dubious charms of plastic stocks. My buddy likes them. To each their own, I suppose. Have a nice day.
 
A good example of this is Rem. 788, 600, 660 and even the lowly Savage 340 series. Find one of these for 275 and you will be lucky.
Click to expand...

I have no issue with this recommendation except for the part about the Savage 340. The 783 seems to be the current incarnation of the late lamented Marlin X7 guns and it's a lot better rifle than the 340. For starters you can get them in chamberings more powerful than 30-30 and you can easily mount a scope on them.
 
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