Palehorseman
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- Feb 28, 2009
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Is 3.MOA the same as 3" at 100 yards?
Best bolt action rifle under $650
- Thread starter acman
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vaupet
Member
If I were limited to 650 $, I would buy used. I'm to poor to buy cheap.
rbernie
Contributing Member
Tikka T3, without question, is my vote for most any non-DG rifle needs. The fact that you can get one for under six bills makes it, IMO, dollar for dollar the best bargain in bolt action guns by a good margin.
I've had Ruger Hawkeyes/MkIIs, Howa/Weatherby 1500s/VG/VG2s, Savages, Rem 700s, pre- and post- FN Win70s, and so forth. All are fine rifles in some way or t'other. The Tikka is a definite step up from each of them in some significant way (trigger, weight, accuracy, fit/finish), assuming that CRF is not a consideration.
I've had Ruger Hawkeyes/MkIIs, Howa/Weatherby 1500s/VG/VG2s, Savages, Rem 700s, pre- and post- FN Win70s, and so forth. All are fine rifles in some way or t'other. The Tikka is a definite step up from each of them in some significant way (trigger, weight, accuracy, fit/finish), assuming that CRF is not a consideration.
They put them in different stocks. The basic action remains untouched, AFAIK.
waffentomas
Member
I have first hand experience with the following rifles: Remington 700, Ruger M77, Savage 110, Weatherby Vanguard, Winchester M70. Of this list and keeping in mind your price, I'd pick the Weatherby in a route. The Savage does get strong consideration, particularly being a USA made rifle.
I think I fixed that for you....
I just picked up a beautiful CZ 550 American in .30-06 for just a little above your $650 price. I looked at the Remingtons, Savages, Weatherbys and Howas as well, but I picked this one up, and it just felt right.
Me too.
sansone
Member
Weatherby Vanguard has a "sub-moa" factory fired option that is worth every penny 
HellTrain
Member
That remington 700 is just as good as ever. Savage is putting out great rifles to. Don't forget the ruger or marlin as they both make fine rifles
Ks5shooter
Contributing Member
Palehorseman ....It was typed as I own 3(meaning I own 3 of that particular gun).(period) MOA( 1 in MOA) guaranteed.Read your punctuation or go to the links provided and be educated...be for real someone is asking questions for real info.Thanks Chalk some people take this site as something to do,we take it as a wealth of information ..after all we are all taking The High Road... thanks Don
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scottishkat
Member
I like the cz very accurate well made firearm.That 6.5x55 is a really nice firearm. I like them better than the Vanguard S2 for the price the S2 is good as well.
Lj1941
Member
If you want accuracy and value go with Savage.
sansone
Member
???
7.25 lbs is the heaviest rifle you can buy?
Weatherby Vanguard has a "sub-moa" factory fired option that is worth every penny
All of the Vanguard Series 2 rifles now have that sub-MOA guarantee. They also have a Range Certified edition with a Bell & Carlson stock that comes with a test target signed by Ed Weatherby.
cdb1
Member
I would have said CZ 550 American and then Vanguard S2 a couple of months ago. I have one CZ and two S2's. But CZ is no longer making the 550 American so I would choose the Vanguard.
Lloyd Smale
Member
for 650 you should be able to find an 700 sps with a floorplate and at that price you should be able to even pick up a stainless sps. that would be my hands down choise. the vanguard is another good choise but just feel clunkier in the hand to me and are heavier.
CharlieDeltaJuliet
Member
My suggestions would be an Remington SPS tactical .308. I own two and both are just over 1/2 MOA. I spent thousands on a custom 300WM, it shoots 1/3 MOA and to be honest is a great rifle, but I shoot the SPS Tactical more...
The 550 American is still readily available, though, so it shouldn't be any problem finding a new one. I have a couple of 550s (.243 and .308) and I think they are outstanding guns and very satisfying to operate, and a good value at new prices. Slightly used ones can often be snagged at real bargains.
Dr T
Member
If there was a single BEST, my safe would not be overloaded...
Most of my rifles have been at or below this price point. The following is purely my personal, subjective opinion. All of the following will shoot MOA groups with the right ammo if I do my part.
It gets down to what bells and whistles you want. For aesthetic appeal, I happen to like the external claw extractor and three position safety of the RUGER 77 family (I have three in different configurations). For pure out-of-the-box accuracy with about any ammo I have fed them, I like the Tikka T3 and T/C Icon/Venture. (BTW, for an interesting comparison, put a Tikka T3, T/C Icon, and Ruger American side-by-side. I am not sure if there is a generic name for this type of bolt action, but these look like brothers...).
For the record, I don't particularly like the Remington 7/700 series (I have 2). I have never been happy with the finish on the wood stock of a Remington rifle. Also, for the record, the most accurate rifle I own is a Model 7.
The Savage is a workhorse (a heavy barreled 22-250 old pre-accutrigger model used for varmint control).
Most of my rifles have been at or below this price point. The following is purely my personal, subjective opinion. All of the following will shoot MOA groups with the right ammo if I do my part.
It gets down to what bells and whistles you want. For aesthetic appeal, I happen to like the external claw extractor and three position safety of the RUGER 77 family (I have three in different configurations). For pure out-of-the-box accuracy with about any ammo I have fed them, I like the Tikka T3 and T/C Icon/Venture. (BTW, for an interesting comparison, put a Tikka T3, T/C Icon, and Ruger American side-by-side. I am not sure if there is a generic name for this type of bolt action, but these look like brothers...).
For the record, I don't particularly like the Remington 7/700 series (I have 2). I have never been happy with the finish on the wood stock of a Remington rifle. Also, for the record, the most accurate rifle I own is a Model 7.
The Savage is a workhorse (a heavy barreled 22-250 old pre-accutrigger model used for varmint control).
spitballer
Member
A Remington 700 is like a small block chevy - very common and easy to work with. Some years ago I bought a 700 varmint on sale from a local big-box sporting goods dealer and never regretted it. After many thousands of rounds I'm finally getting the barrel replaced this summer, and having the Rem 700 action made everything very simple and straightforward.
I've always been a believer in long, heavy barrels for accuracy but I don't make a whole lot of money and could never afford one of the nicer target rifles, but with the Rem 700 action I was able to quickly set up a replacement barrel when the original finally wore out. The Remington 700 was my first centerfire and it took everything I threw at it and more - I don't think I would have been as confident or learned as quickly with a fancier rifle.
Nevertheless top quality rifles are expensive for a reason, and there are indeed some very nice ones out there these days. Good luck to you!
I've always been a believer in long, heavy barrels for accuracy but I don't make a whole lot of money and could never afford one of the nicer target rifles, but with the Rem 700 action I was able to quickly set up a replacement barrel when the original finally wore out. The Remington 700 was my first centerfire and it took everything I threw at it and more - I don't think I would have been as confident or learned as quickly with a fancier rifle.
Nevertheless top quality rifles are expensive for a reason, and there are indeed some very nice ones out there these days. Good luck to you!
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The Vanguard and the 1500 are mechanically identical. The Vanguard has a different stock with the Weatherby Monte Carlo and the bolt has been restyled to resemble a Weatherby Mark V. If there are more differences I'd like to hear about them.
I seriously doubt that Weatherby touches the guns between the Howa factory in Japan and Walmart's receiving dock.
targetshooter22
Member
Depends on local prices. Around here, you are not likely to get a CZ for less than $650 in any non-rimfire model (same seems to be going for Ruger, Remington, and Browning). So look very hard at Savage and Tikka, probably in that order. Things will depend on fit and caliber, and of course the glass you go with.
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