Best bolt action rifle under $650
- Thread starter acman
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HisStigness
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I lost confidence in Remington when they got acquired by a financial investment group. I personally would go for the Weatherby Vanguard s2. It can be had from buds gun shop with a 24" stainless steel #2 barrel for just over 600 (less for blued). One pull of the two stage 3.5 lb trigger at my LGS had me sold. All Weatherby rifles are guaranteed to shoot sub MOA at 100 yards. I'll be ordering one as soon as I get my tax return.
Z-Michigan
Member
I second the Weatherby Vanguard S2, or identical Howa 1500, as the best bolt-action under $650. Some people think they are heavy - I don't - but even if you do, that's about the greatest criticism you'll hear of them.
If for some reason that doesn't float your boat, the Remington 700 and Savage 10 series (10, 11, 12, 14, 16, etc.) are both good options.
If for some reason that doesn't float your boat, the Remington 700 and Savage 10 series (10, 11, 12, 14, 16, etc.) are both good options.
HisStigness
Member
I've never understood people that whine about a 7lb rifle being too heavy. I guess if weight was an issue (which nobody here has said it is) the tikka t3 lite is supposed to be an excellent shooter.
I don't want to start a fight, but I would be careful about calling the Vanguard and 1500 identical because the Weatherby guys will get in a tizzy. From what I understand, Weatherby does make some modifications to the guns when they get them from howa.
horsemen61
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I bet one could find a savage for less than that with the accutrigger I really think savage is Turning out good guns and you can't beat their price point either I mean buds has a 111 pro hunter in 260 rem for 501 shipped
Tertiary on the Weatherby Vanguard Series 2. I have three of them. Howa makes the receivers for Weatherby to their specs, but the rifles are assembled by Weatherby. They're not getting complete rifles from Howa, so it's similar to the 1500, but not the same. Pick up one of each, they feel very different.
Ks5shooter
Contributing Member
For $650 you can buy T/C Venture and put a Leupold VX-2 3-9 on top.They are great guns I own 3.MOA Guaranteed ,adjustable trigger down to 3.5lbs,free floating barrel with recessed barrel crown.I have 7mm-08,25-06 and .223 all tackdrivers. 75 dollar rebate going on now through april.
http://www.gunbroker.com/All/BI.aspx?Keywords=*venture&IncludeSellers=350199
http://www.tcarms.com/firearms/bolt-action-rifles/venture/venture-blued
http://www.gunbroker.com/All/BI.aspx?Keywords=*venture&IncludeSellers=350199
http://www.tcarms.com/firearms/bolt-action-rifles/venture/venture-blued
SharpsDressedMan
member
How did you arrive at the $650 cutoff?
Define best. Caliber helps too. There are some rifles I'd suggest in a magnum caliber, but not a standard. Other rifles I'd only suggest in light recoiling calibers.
Do you value a good walnut/blue rifle, or are you just interested in performance? Do you value rugged reliability, or is pure accuracy your goal. Do you want a heavy rifle for shooting at the range or from a stand while hunting, or something lighter that is easier to carry for miles?
If you add about $100 to your budget a Winchester 70 Fwt in blue or the Ultimate Shadow in SS/Synthetic are the best guns made for the money right now.
Right at your budget a Ruger Hawkeye in either Walnut/Blue or SS/Synthetic would be a close 2nd place finisher and my pick if you have a firm budget and are looking for a traditional looking rifle with both style and performance. Not the most accurate, but close enough for any hunting and probably the toughest rifle currently made.
If you just want accuracy and aren't interested in aesthetics there are many choices well below your budget.
The Vanguard, is an excellent choice, but is the heaviest rifle money can buy. Not on my short list only because it is a pig to carry.
The Ruger American is getting rave reviews, is a flyweight rifle outshooting guns costing 2X as much.
Tikka makes an excellent, but very non-traditional, gun in your price range.
Not a personal favorite, but most of the Savage rifles shoot very well for the money.
Do you value a good walnut/blue rifle, or are you just interested in performance? Do you value rugged reliability, or is pure accuracy your goal. Do you want a heavy rifle for shooting at the range or from a stand while hunting, or something lighter that is easier to carry for miles?
If you add about $100 to your budget a Winchester 70 Fwt in blue or the Ultimate Shadow in SS/Synthetic are the best guns made for the money right now.
Right at your budget a Ruger Hawkeye in either Walnut/Blue or SS/Synthetic would be a close 2nd place finisher and my pick if you have a firm budget and are looking for a traditional looking rifle with both style and performance. Not the most accurate, but close enough for any hunting and probably the toughest rifle currently made.
If you just want accuracy and aren't interested in aesthetics there are many choices well below your budget.
The Vanguard, is an excellent choice, but is the heaviest rifle money can buy. Not on my short list only because it is a pig to carry.
The Ruger American is getting rave reviews, is a flyweight rifle outshooting guns costing 2X as much.
Tikka makes an excellent, but very non-traditional, gun in your price range.
Not a personal favorite, but most of the Savage rifles shoot very well for the money.
The_Next_Generation
Member
Look no further than a CZ rifle. A good dealer should be able to find one to suit your needs for about $650. Beautiful rifles, high-quality feel, and not a speck of plastic anywhere!
Oh, and their set-triggers are awesome. Makes for an extremely capable rifle.
Oh, and their set-triggers are awesome. Makes for an extremely capable rifle.
Corn-Picker
Member
My Weatherby Vanguard S2 youth in 308 is only 6.5 lbs, which I don't consider heavy. Of course if you get a long action with a 24" barrel in a heavier contour that will add weight...
My vote is for the Weatherby, but they are what fit me best. I say try out a few of these models in a local store. After you shoulder, cycle, and dry fire them a few times you should have your list narrowed down.
My vote is for the Weatherby, but they are what fit me best. I say try out a few of these models in a local store. After you shoulder, cycle, and dry fire them a few times you should have your list narrowed down.
MinnesotaFats
Member
Be sure to check out the Savage 10/110 Trophy Hunter XP. Comes with a nice nikon scope for under 650$
Best bolt under.....
jmr has it right....for any given condition(s) there are better fits than others.
my $0.02:
- Win 70, the year production makes a lot of difference. pre '64 or the last two years, otherwise, not for me
- Tikka t3, i kept it for about 6 months, .223, it is a great rifle but something, i can't tell you what just did not work for me. that's why 'personal preference' is always pointed out
- Weatherby VS2, again my two cents, hands down the most fun, accurate and comfortable rifle you will find in that price range..i have three, .223, 257 mag (just because i love the caliber) and 300 wthby mag. I reload for all calibers, all guns. my 223 is just...well, i may as well be a lilttle kid giggling all the time shooting it.
- Savage 110, again i have three, all long action, 223, 308 and 7mm rem mag. none are stock. love em and tinkering with them just can't be beat. if i ever finish the 308 i'm thinking it will outshoot the Weatherby (not the 223) just because i've had so much fun playing around with it.....pieces and parts are plentiful.
- Rem 700, there was a day. not anymore.
Just my $0.02. happy shooting whatever you decide. kb
jmr has it right....for any given condition(s) there are better fits than others.
my $0.02:
- Win 70, the year production makes a lot of difference. pre '64 or the last two years, otherwise, not for me
- Tikka t3, i kept it for about 6 months, .223, it is a great rifle but something, i can't tell you what just did not work for me. that's why 'personal preference' is always pointed out
- Weatherby VS2, again my two cents, hands down the most fun, accurate and comfortable rifle you will find in that price range..i have three, .223, 257 mag (just because i love the caliber) and 300 wthby mag. I reload for all calibers, all guns. my 223 is just...well, i may as well be a lilttle kid giggling all the time shooting it.
- Savage 110, again i have three, all long action, 223, 308 and 7mm rem mag. none are stock. love em and tinkering with them just can't be beat. if i ever finish the 308 i'm thinking it will outshoot the Weatherby (not the 223) just because i've had so much fun playing around with it.....pieces and parts are plentiful.
- Rem 700, there was a day. not anymore.
Just my $0.02. happy shooting whatever you decide. kb
sappyg
Member
Best bolt under 650?
Hmmmm.
We talking current production I guess?.... I really couldn't say. I haven't tried them all yet.
A strong case is always made for the Tikka, Vanguard, and Savage. It's easy enough to avoid Remington these days. I would try some of these and see how they feel.
Hmmmm.
We talking current production I guess?.... I really couldn't say. I haven't tried them all yet.
A strong case is always made for the Tikka, Vanguard, and Savage. It's easy enough to avoid Remington these days. I would try some of these and see how they feel.
TexasPatriot.308
Member
with all the changes in ownership etc.... Savage stands out right now...Remington has become trash, Winchester is foreign made...Ruger is fantastic for more that $650, but Savage is the way to go right now....tack driving, sensible price.
Im sorry but my father, and both my aunt and uncle who work for the DNR have had savage rifles, they were cheaply made in my opinion and theirs. I will try the others, but I have never had a problem with any of the three Remington shotguns that I have and they are all less than 5 years old, my father shoots a 700 in .308 and I love it but will try the Ruger which I have good experience with. The tikka which I have no experience with is new to me but I will look at it. Sadly all the TIkka's within 75 miles of me are 800 dollars plus so they are probably out. Looking at a 30-06.
Gtscotty
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Kygunco.com has the basic Tikka T3 lite, the stainless, and the hunter models In 30-06 for $530, $620 and $620 respectively with free shipping. Grabagun.com has them as well for about the same prices but I think shipping is $6 or so.... There's no reason to pay $800 for a Tikka.
MinnesotaFats
Member
What model(s) Savage did your Dad, Aunt and Uncle own that the three of you concluded to be "cheaply made"? My guess is the Axis maybe? Do a 5 min google search on Savage accuracy/quality and youll see 95% of people have had great results in both departments.
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1911 guy
Member
Savage, Weatherby, Howa, probably several Tikka models. Being willing to look at used stuff would open up so many options it would be impossible to list them all.
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