Any Quality Production Manufactures Out There?

[Bitswap]

I've been comtiplating this article.

I'm tossed between my next varmint rifle. Build my own or go overseas. I'd really like to keep my cash in the US, but from what I've seen, the quality just isn't there anymore.

I've compared an italian lever to the latest winchester... no comparison.

Looking to spend about 2.5k for a good varmit hunter but want old school quality like forged recievers and barrels. something that will last for generations.

 

[rangerruck]

cooper, Dakota, laRue, LMT, Noveske, Kimber, Remington, Wilson combat,
Lazzeroni, Chase moutain custom, Calhoun rifles, many to choose from, just look around...

 

[rangerruck]

heck , even a nice T/c or I reaalllly am digging the way the new smith and wesson i bolt is doing. solid pieces, t/c barrells, timney triggers, you name it.

 

[Fburgtx]

Ummmh.... For $2500 I think Cooper, Weatherby, Kimber, or the Remington Custom Shop could probably come up with something. These not good enough for you????

 

[skinewmexico]

YOu must have some really tough varmints where you live. And I don't think you'll have too much trouble finding forged barrels. There was about a 10 page thread on that very article a while back. Personally, I think Chuck is full of it, except when he talks about gun mags pandering to gun manufacturers. I could care less about the fit or finish of a gun, if it's consistently sub MOA.

 

[dakotasin]

cooper, or build your own:

remington 700 receiver, 27" lilja pipe .875 or more at the muzzle, mcmillan stock w/ swirled in colors, harris bipod, leupold vx-l scope from the leupold custom shop w/ a color fade to match the stock and your name engraved on the scope w/ prairie dog engraved on the covers and finally a custom crosshair either from leupold or premier (to help complete the varmint rifle look - they're supposed to look funny), jewell trigger, talley rings/bases, have your 'smith true it up and lap it all in nice, chamber it in 22-250 throated for 55 hornady v-max (or 52 sierra matchkings).

have your dies cut from the same reamer that cut your chamber.

have your bases bedded to the rifle.

an 8-pound jug of h-380 or a 5-pound jug of rl-15 and a couple thousand of the aforementioned bullets and you're all set!

 

[Art Eatman]

Generalizing, almost all manufacturers do plenty good insofar as the barrel and the lockup of the bolt. Modern machine tools make this possible. Variables with the $$$$$ include the trigger mechanism, the stock, and the final fit & finish. Quality of the stock can affect the cost to a notable degree. Fit & finish means handwork, and can add dramatically to the final cost--but add nothing insofar as tight groups.

That is, with even an inexpensive rifle, very good accuracy is achievable with relatively minor tweaking.

 

[Bitswap]

Your right. Ranger's list is pretty good, but lost some value when he mentioned TC. But the list isn't the mainstream we all see. Cooper is probably my first choice on his list, so I stand corrected on US production rifles. It's not benchrest, but definatly will do the job for many years if kept up.

I guess you get what you pay for. I don't care what the rifle looks like as long as it shoots straight. Alumium blocks, crappy stocks, buying one that automatically needs a new trigger... all low end models.

I guess there could be an arguement: which would you rather see falling down that canyon, a T3 or a Cooper?

In these days of throw-away products, I guess there are some good ones out there if your willing to pay for it. But that's why they're higher priced anyway: better quality. I'm a firm believer in buying a good product once, instead of buying a poor product twice.

 

[YodaVader]

I would look into a Cooper with that kind of budget. Just curious as to what overseas brand varmint rifles you were considering?

I am debating having a varmint rifle built. Initially I was going to build off a Remington action. Might go with a custom action.

Personally, I think Chuck is full of it, except when he talks about gun mags pandering to gun manufacturers. I could care less about the fit or finish of a gun, if it's consistently sub MOA.

Yeah I'll second that. I read his bashing of the T3 before , there are plenty of other rifles out there with cost cutting manufacturing , the low end Savages and Rem 700s with plastic stocks much worse than the T3s with wood.

Despite Chuck's objection to free floated barrels as a cost cutting measure most heavy barrel varmint rifles are made that way regardless of cost and I personally would not want the barrel to be bedded to the stock on my varmint gun.

 

[MarshallDodge]

I agree with Art. You are paying more for the finish and the look than the functionality or accuracy. There are some out there that you need to be wary of but most target grade guns today are good out of the box.

I also agree with those that like Kimber and Cooper. I have a beautiful old Sako in 17-222 that would probably cost $2K today if it were made the way this one is.

 

[Bitswap]

Voda, I was looking at the 798 remington mouser action which is built in russia.

Marshall, I'd go with the Phoenix model with the Cooper. From what I can see, you can pay too much for a 'pretty' stock. Fiberglass/Kevlar is one if the mods I can see being lighter weight and more durable.... and wouldn't mind if it got scratched a bit.

LOL Marshall, notice from your tag you have lot's of CZ's.... hmmm

 

[eliphalet]

I ain't bragging cause this is better than my eyes can see now days, but have a stock sporter, not varmint weight, .223 Savage that's shot under 5/8's five shot groups off sand bags, with reloaded mixed military brass, 55 grain military FMJ's and no work up of any kind. Using about a 40 year old fine cross hair Leupold scope.

With what Metallurgy, CNC machining, and modern knowledge is, most rifles can shoot about as well, or better, out of the box, than most shooters. $2500 isn't necessary for a accurate varmint rifle.

Nothing wrong with or that I wouldn't own Dakota's or any custom gun etc. just unnecessary for varmint work.