Which rifle?

Which Gun?

  • Stevens 200

    Votes: 5 12.5%

  • Marlin X7

    Votes: 9 22.5%

  • Ruger American

    Votes: 12 30.0%

  • Other (Specify)

    Votes: 14 35.0%
  • Total voters
    40
  • Poll closed .
+1 for Tikka if your new budget is $800.

The Tikka T3 Hunter in 308 is $651 at Bud's:
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/36_445/products_id/80552

I have this rifle in .243 and it is my favorite rifle.

It can also be had in 300 win mag ($644):
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/36_445/products_id/80599

If you want lower cost you can do the T3 Lite which is around $500 and has synthetic stock, but for larger calibers I would go with the wood stock. Not to mention the wood stock looks awesome compared to the synthetic.

The T3 lite in 308:
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/36_445/products_id/80563
 
Tikkas are nice, but I have issue with the small ejection port if you in cold weather with gloves on.
 
So from what I am gathering and have previously read but did not jump on (I just wanted to get a gun and get one now so I didn't want to wait to get the Vanguard) is the Weatherby Vanguard Series 2 is a great rifle that completely blows out the Ruger, Marlin, and stevens? Sounds good to me I will start saving for one.

I have heard about the gunbroker shop but have yet to go in there.
 
Okay now I know originally I had said to keep it under $400 but the more I think about it the more I am liking the idea of getting and all around better rifle. How about $800 and below?
Click to expand...

Well, that changes the field a bit. Get a used Howa 1500 or a Savage 10/110.

done.
 
Seal, to reply to your question. I think you can get a rather accurate rifle out of any of the four. The finish quality of the S2 will be above the others. The ruger has a pretty good finish on the metal, but I'm not big on the stock. The marlin has o.k. metal finish and a better stock (and trigger IMO). The stevens isn't comparable to me in that the trigger isn't great and that is a big part of the accuracy of a rifle. The finish on it is about like the marlin, but the marlin has a stock that's a bit better built. It'll take you more work to get the stevens trigger to where it's acceptable (some are able to tweak them, other buy a replacement).

My 2 cents.
 
So from what I am gathering and have previously read but did not jump on (I just wanted to get a gun and get one now so I didn't want to wait to get the Vanguard) is the Weatherby Vanguard Series 2 is a great rifle that completely blows out the Ruger, Marlin, and stevens? Sounds good to me I will start saving for one.
Click to expand...

Aside from some small details, the Vanguard and the Howa 1500 are essentially the same rifle, they are built in the same factory, and use the same stock and trigger. I doubt they would blow anything out of the water, they are probably a little better (fit & finish. trigger) than the entry level rifles (Ruger American, Savage Axis, Stevens, Remington 770) but I doubt they are any better than the rifles from the other manufacturers in the same price range, Remington 700 SPS. non-Axis Savages, etc.

I may be a little harder to find accessories off the shelf, but this will vary by location. For example, go to your local gun store and try and buy a scope base off the shelf. You will always find Remington 700 and Winchester M70 bases, Weatherby/Howa and even Savage bases may be a little harder. Of course all of them can be ordered online, so this may not be that big of a deal.

Seriously, go to WalMart and see what they have in stock.
 
Seal,

FWIW,

The weatherby/howa takes Remington 700 scope bases, and the Marlin X7 takes the same as the Win70. BTW all recent models of X7 come with a one piece base. Ruger= Win70 style also. Stevens, last time I checked they need two rounded bottom bases like the old Savages.

I don't see mounting a scope as an issue.
 
I don't see mounting a scope as an issue
Click to expand...

Just to be clear, I did not claim it would be. I just said that your local mom and pop gun store may not have bases on the shelf, and you will probably need to order them.

If there is cross compatibility, then that isn't an issue.
 
Go on Budsgunshop.com and buy a Savage 10/110 and be done with it if your Budget is $800.00, assuming that it is just for the gun. Then pick the optic of your choice depending on the budget. I typically spend as much on the scope as I do the rifle but there are a ton of good scopes out there in the $400-$800 range to choose from.

X2 on the used route since you can find a quality gun that was last years or previous years flavor of the season at a reduced cost.
 
Okay. So have decided that if I buy new I will go for the Weatherby Vanguard S2 but I do like the idea of a used gun if I can find one. For used guns what would you guys suggest? What about the Winchester Model 70 or the Ruger M77 Hawkeye? How much do used Browning A or X bolts generally cost?
 
If you are picking up an older used gun, from like 1960's or earlier, keep in mind that it probably has a stock with more drop to it than modern guns- it was designed to use the iron sights. Adding a scope (paricularly one of the large belled scopes popular today) may require a comb raising kit to get your eye aligned with scope while retaining a good cheek weld. Simply raising your head up off the stock to get a good sight picture will result in you getting smacked in the cheek when you squeeze the trigger ..... and that's more conducive to flinching than good accuracy.
 
You can get a very nice sportered Enfield, Springfield, or Mauser in 308 or 30-06, with scope, for $400 or less at a pawnshop. They are better quality than any new rifle made today, in my opinion.
 
I am partial to the Remington 700, but in reality, once you get above the bare-bones entry level offerings from each manufacturer, we are really talking Coke vs Pepsi.

A Remington 700, Winchester M70, Savage 11, Weatherby Vanguard, Howa 1500, Ruger M77, are all comparable, and honestly, choosing one over another is a personal decision. Which one fits you better, which one do you, completely subjectively, prefer.
 
Given your revised price range, I'd look for a used Remington 700 BDL in .30-06 or .270. I picked up an early 1990s unfired .30-06 complete with Redfield 3-9X scope two or three years ago for $450. Prices are up since then, but you should still be able to get a good rifle/scope combo in the $600 range.
 
Here you go these rifles fit in your budget easily.

Rifles without scopes:

T/C Venture Blued .30-06
T/C Venture Blued .308

T/C Venture SS .30-06
T/C Venture SS .308

I really do believe for a budget hunting rifle the Ventures are hard to beat. I had one in .270 for a while, some of the ergonomics on it I didn't care for and I already had a .270 I liked better. Sold it to a buddy who was looking for a big game rifle. Easily shot under an inch if I did my part. Plus they leave a lot of room for excellent quality optics and a good set of Weaver style rings.

With Scopes:

Savage Trophy Hunter XP 111
Savage Trophy Hunter XP 11

Savage Trophy Hunter XP 110
Savage Trophy Hunter XP 10

Savage Trophy Hunter XP 116
Savage Trophy Hunter XP 16

This is easily the best combination package going right now. Most combo's you get a scope that is just passable at best. While I'm not the biggest fan of the Nikon Prostaff it is a very usable scope with a lifetime warranty, and you can be shooting instead of looking for a scope right away. Much better than the "blister pack" Bushnell or Simmons rifle scopes usually offered.



I'm a fan for looking for a used rifle as well. Here is a bunch of Transfer Agents in the Springfield OR area. I'm assuming you are close by Springfield since that is the only Cabela's in OR at the moment. They can help you get any of the firearms I listed from Bud's or if you buy one off of the many auction websites.

Good Luck!!!
 
I'm a fan for looking for a used rifle as well. Here is a bunch of Transfer Agents in the Springfield OR area. I'm assuming you are close by Springfield since that is the only Cabela's in OR at the moment. They can help you get any of the firearms I listed from Bud's or if you buy one off of the many auction websites.


I am not really close, I am actually about two hours away
 
Yeah there are two Cabelas that are both about two hours away. They will be building one that should be done by summer of 2014 that will be about 20-30 minutes away. I have been very busy so no, I have not checked walmart yet.
 
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