General Factory Rifle Opinions

[farmerboy78]

Oh, we got a Savage fanboy indahouse.

Ruger uses machined, hardened steel vee blocks to bed the barrel to the stock and is very precise. Savage uses shrouds, which is not as strong. This is just one of the things Ruger does better for a little more.

Well my model 12 lrp 6.5 Creedmoor has a hs precision stock with an aluminum bedding block, my model 12 vlp has a laminate stock and pillars, and my model 10 .308 has an accustock... and all three will out shoot any factory ruger... past that I have 2 custom M28/76 finn MOSINS that will do the same...

 

[Big_Sloppy75]

Sorry guys didn't mean to cause hard feelings. Sounds like everyone agrees that Tikka is the best, or one of the best for the money. Even though a 6.5 creedmooor is probably a better round than what I need for my uses, I still wish that Tikka made one.

 

[meanmrmustard]

Sorry guys didn't mean to cause hard feelings. Sounds like everyone agrees that Tikka is the best, or one of the best for the money. Even though a 6.5 creedmooor is probably a better round than what I need for my uses, I still wish that Tikka made one.

Theres nothing saying you can't make it one some day.

Look hard enough, you might find one in 6.5 Swede.

 

[CB900F]

Big Sloppy;

Really, the 6.5 Creedmore and the .260 Remington don't have a thing on the original 6.5 swede. I'd suggest looking up SoDak Sports in Aberdeen South Dakota. They are a Tikka master dealer, very friendly, and have prices competitive with anybody's. Being a master dealer, their stock on hand is very good. Synthetic or wood stocks, stainless or blued, fluted barrels, and other options. See if they have the T3 Forest in stock in 6.5 Swede.

900F

 

[PapaG]

1952 M70, 30-06, three 77s, a 22mag, a 243, and a 308. Two Savages, a 93 17hmr and a 223. Each is best in a certain category. History, machining, and retained value, Winchester. Accuracy about equal to the others, trigger in the middle. Savages, homely, workmanlike, great triggers abducted 17 is lights out accurate, he 223 not quite up to my AR, yet. Rugers, goog to very good fit and finish, really good accuracy (first 22wmr I've ever had that regularly flirts with MOA) and nice wood on the 243. All Weather wmr is homely, Frontier is cool with scope placement options, but none have a trigger I've fallen in love with.
My pick, overall, would be my M70 but that isn't really fair as it isn't a readily available gun.

 

[BLRguy]

As for accuracy per dollar, shooters have never had it better. I think any make with a heavy-ish barrel will get you started paper punching. A few may not be to heavy for hunting. Go handle a few, no real bad choices out there.

 

[HexHead]

Don't overlook a Weatherby Vanguard S2 with it's sub-MOA guarantee. The user adjustable match grade 2-stage trigger is really nice, and the stock design mitigates felt recoil. They are now offering a lightweight version as well.

 

[rbernie]

I believe that the Tikka T3 series represent the overall best value for quality and accuracy when balanced against cost.

 

[ccoyle]

OP didn't state whether aesthetics is a consideration for him. The under-$600 Tikka is most likely the T3 Lite with a composite stock. The T3 Hunter in wood will run in the neighborhood of $650-$750 depending on model and caliber. A CZ will be comparable in price to the Hunter, and that includes the option of the full-stock 550 FS. Not as many calibers to choose from for the CZ. I chose a 550 FS simply because I love Mannlicher stocks, but Tikkas are highly regarded as well and I did look one over while I was shopping. Either would serve your purposes well, I think. I gave serious thought to the Weatherby Vanguard Sporter as well - lovely rifles, and in that same price range.

 

[CaliCoastie]

A couple things I have to ask. What's your budget? New, it would you entertain used? Are you on a time schedule?
Used, checking pawn shop's and classifieds can get you a Hell of a gun for under 500.
I have a tikka, hunt with it, but when I get a chance to get something better, I'll sell it and not look back. I like the caliber more than the gun. I personally don't care for a detachable mag. That's my biggest gripe, now if I can find a used Sako in 7mm-08 that's stainless? I'd buy it in heart beat.
What features do you want? Detachable mag? Internal mag? Safety that locks the bolt, safety that doesn't lock the bolt? Adjustable trigger?

 

[SCgman]

"Don't overlook a Weatherby Vanguard S2 with it's sub-MOA guarantee. The user adjustable match grade 2-stage trigger is really nice, and the stock design mitigates felt recoil. They are now offering a lightweight version as well."

My nomination would be a Weatherby V2 as well, but I don't believe you need to go as high as the RC or Sub MOA class to get an excellent bolt gun. If you want to upgrade the stock, Bell & Carlson products are drop-in fits. Could get a tad heavy though, but recoil will be less.

 

[Big_Sloppy75]

Well I'm not at all on a schedual, and as far as budget, I don't really have one either. Realistically, it's around 2 grand, but I want a rifle I can do some work on too. Cosmetics are of no concern. I'm skeptical of used, but if I could find one in good shape for a good price I would hop on it for sure. As far as stocks, I want to buy a rifle I can throw in a stock or chassis system if my heart desires. That being said, do any of you have opinions on stocks too? I have a Boyd's on a B-Mag and love it. But I know that better is available.

 

[CB900F]

Big Sloppy;

Once you want to move above any of the common aftermarket stocks, ie. Boyd's, Richardson Microfit, etc., you're getting into the area of custom work. In that arena pretty much anything can be done that you want to pay for. It can be expensive, but OTOH you can spread the cost out over time.

My left hand Tikka in 6.5 Swede had the action trued, and the floating recoil lug replaced with a conventional type. The upper half then had the flats put on to match the Tikka action. It was fitted with a 22 inch hunter weight Lilja barrel. The stock was a custom from Rob Smith, and he sure does nice work. Tom Stevens checkered it, Dennis Erhardt in Helena blued the metal, including the Talley rings, to perfectly match the finish of the Zeiss scope. It took about 2 years and a bit more to get all done, but I feel it was worth it.

Oh, and it shoots pretty darn good too.

900F

 

[Big_Sloppy75]

I'm sure it is a sweet gun CB900F. I'll look into the 6.5 sweed, nothing hurt by learning more. I would like to do custom work someday, but not this time around. Higher end stocks and chassis systems do hurt the bank a little, but I can do a little harmless tinkering with a rifle that way.

 

[Tirod]

Cast isn't a big issue - a lot of Brand Name 1911's are coming in from overseas and they cast the frame. Nobody complains about them, and the 1911 community understands the cost/performance ratios.

Not to forget every polymer gun made is cast . . .ahem.

There's a bit of opposition in the requirement for "paper punching" and "big game." One could be a 6mm PPC based cartridge, which are the record holders for long distance precision shooting. The other could include Dangerous Game, and that rounds in the magnums.

To do both the Army uses .300 Win Mag, which isn't cheap or considered pleasant to shoot on a sunny Saturday afternoon. Most guys would quit before they even got to 50 rounds. Pro's shoot a few hundred a couple of times a week. YMMV.

That illustration is meant for the contrast to what might be picked. Any cartridge can be accurate to some distance, if big game is preferred, then something with a .30 cal bullet and a case over 51mm is going to be needed. That makes the floor .308 - which is a fine round for plinking and big game. Plenty of accurate barrels and rifles out there.

Changing up the parts and furniture limits the choices, tho Look at the marketplace and you will quickly find that 1) American guns have more options, and 2) the ranking gun for all that is that junk Remington 700 so despised for all it's faults.

Funny, that.

Even more so, the M24 and M2010 are based on the Remington action. I haven't heard of any recalls there. If anything, the trigger on the M2010 was made non adjustable by the user. The Army had too many issues with the shooter's tinkering with them. It caused problems.

Whatever trigger you get, hunting in the field means no less than 4 1/2 pounds, if not 6 pounds pull. That is the standard for military triggers carried by the average human over rough terrain under stress - which is similar to what some hunters are doing tracking game for recovery. You don't want a target range light trigger struggling thru brush to discover your safety wasn't on. Humans make mistakes and our actual experience curve carrying firearms in the field is steep considering the actual amount of time we do it.

Certainly a Savage in .308 would also do but that means not having the 50 year background of Remington 700 accessories and the demand that fuels it. Much the same reason I sold my HK91 and have built two AR15's. Not that any desire for an accurate, light, and powerful rifle like the AR10 was yet mentioned.

 

[FL-NC]

I'm a fan of the Rem 700. The M24 is the rifle that I "learned" on, thus the basis for the bias. My go-to for deer has always been a 700 (wally world cheapy) in 243. I also have a police variant in 308, a 5R, and an actual M24, all of which I enjoy for long distance shooting, plinking bottle caps at 200 yards, etc. That being said, I decided I want a lighter 308 bolt gun with a shorter barrel, suppressor-capable, for deer hunting from a stand, along with hogs and black bear. I ordered a Ruger American predator (18" bbl, threaded) based on the reviews and its service record over the last couple of years they have been available. Really excited to get it, set it up, and see how it performs.

 

[MSR1]

I have a Springfield SOCOM 16 .308. It is an awesome defense weapon, a super accurate paper puncher and will handily take down game animals. A little pricey but you get three rifles in one. Use with Federal Fusion M.S.R. ammo and you can't go wrong.

 

[d2wing]

I also recommend the Tikka T3, they are a very well made accurate rifle. Smooth action, smooth trigger and mine in 7-08 is a tack driver. Depending on what you want to do, I am a big fan of the 7-08 as an all arounder. 30-06 for a do-it-all.
The new Ruger American, Weatherbye, and others have a good reputation. I have had a Few Remington 700's and they have all been very accurate, reliable, and nice looking. Savage has a fan base here, I have only had one and was defective from the factory.
As someone else said, the rifles being made today are made to much finer tolerances than ever.

 

[greyghost01]

I bought the Savage 10FCP-SR its fantastic and shoots 1/2" moa out of box the only changes I made was the bottom metal, Went with accurate mag
205.00 for bottom metal and 1 mag
This is the rifle that used to come with the accurate mag, Then savage switched and went with there own mag, Some had trouble with theirs, I studied the original rifle that sold for 1200.00, This one I paid 685.00 - a 100.00 rebate so paid 585.00 + the 205.00 so I have 790.00 and its the same as the original 1200.00 rifle. And it shoots and a 308 works on about anything from paper to Moose. Accu stock and trigger are great, Trigger is fully adjustable and barrel is ready for suppressor or brake your choice,
Ive been a Remington guy since I was 5 yrs old, I bought my last Rem in 1999, 1st savage in 2015 Savage gets my vote the new Rems are not that good, My LGS wont even stock them, My son loves Rem 870's the last one he bought was total junk, Freedom group ruined about 4 different companies and still do to this day

 

[cdb1]

I sell guns for a living and handle most of the rifles mentioned everyday. Don't care what anybody says but pre-conceived notions play a huge role in the buying decision.

Rifles, even budget rifles are more accurate than they have ever been.

My next rifle will be a Winchester M70, IMO the latest iteration of it is the best ever, better than the pre-64.

I love the CZ 550 American, alas it is not made any more. The replacement for it comes with a 20" barrel in most cartridges(unless it has been changed) which is a deal killer for me.

Tikka - excellent firearms and the only reason I don't have one is I've got a very bad shoulder and want a heavier firearm.

Remington, I've got some older 700's that are excellent, the newer ones seem to be lacking in the fit and finish dept.

Browning. Excellent rifles, they just don't happen for me, I don't know why, they really are good.

Weatherby Vanguard-ticks all my boxes except in magnum cartridges. We have four in the family. Vanguards only have 24" barrels in 300 WM, 7MM RM, etc. I want 26"s.

Ruger, I'll take a M77 with a Timney trigger.

Savage 10/110 are good rifles but I don't care for the accu-trigger. Had one and sold it. Just personal with the trigger, most people love it.

One thing I don't see mentioned often with the Axis, Ruger American and other budget rifles is the loading port. It is very small and makes it difficult to single load a cartridge directly into the receiver. It also makes it much more difficult to clear a jam. Tikka's have the same issue but I can forgive it in a Tikka.

So many of my likes and dislikes as stated above are personal and not really objective. That is why I believe it is important to handle as many rifles as you can and make your decision based on how a particular rifle feels and your budget. Because as much as I have my likes and dislikes, if I didn't own a rifle, couldn't afford one and someone gave me one, almost any rifle made today would get the job done nicely.