A few bolt actions, need advise

[dak0ta]

I'm considering my first bolt-action.

I've looked at a few and I like the Remington 700 CDL, Savage Model 14 American Classic, and the Ruger M77 Hawkeye.

I was wondering if any of these models I should stay away from due to quality control, bad out-of-box accuracy, bad triggers, bad safeties, bad bolt-action etc.

I'm leaning towards Savage but people always bash them like Mossberg, but the M14 American Classic looks like a real good rifle.

 

[dakotasin]

all 3 are solid rifles that will serve you well.

my personal preference is for the 700 cdl, but that shouldn't be construed as a bash against the other 2.

 

[Clint C]

All three are great rifles, but I don't care for the safety on the m77's. I like the savages that I own, and would recommend them to anyone. Remington I would say has the best resale. Good luck and you should be happy with anyone of these rifles.

 

[kir_kenix]

savage, remington, and ruger all make good guns. i would choose the savage (accu-trigger) personally, but there is nothing wrong w/ any of them. all of them have their following, and im sure there are hundreds of thousands of each out there.

maybe if u gave us an idea what u were going to be using it for we could be more precise. hunting, competition, plinking, dangerous game....etc.

the remington has the best aftermarket accesories available right now. savage has the accu-trigger, and there is a good aftermarket being built up around these guns. barrel swap on the savage is a breeze. the ruger m77 has a strong cast action. im not crazy about ruger triggers, but some ppl dont seem to have a problem.

maybe if u ask specific questions regaurding each rifle we can give u better answers.

edit: welcome to the high road dak0ta! ull learn a bunch from this group for sure.

 

[dak0ta]

I'll be using the rifles for target shooting at the range and for deer/moose hunting. A scope we be obviously necessary as well.

I'm thinking of .308 or 30-06 but I'm not sure about the "short-action" vs. "long-action". Recoil associated?

 

[surjimmy]

Out of the 3, I would pick the Savage. Not on your list you might look at is Tikka T-3.

 

[dak0ta]

I took a look at the Tikka T3, I didn't like the checkering on the stocks. It's too.. non-traditional I guess? I'm sure it's a good rifle like the Sako85 but I like the good old American walnut stock with nothing too fancy.

 

[dak0ta]

By the way, TC Icon looks like a nice rifle, but they don't sell them near me. Are they of limited availability? What do these guns price at?

 

[foghornl]

Short-action bolt rifle...for shorter overall length cartridges, like .308
Long-action...long overall length ammo, like .30-06, .270, etc

.308/7.62x51 ammo case length 51 Milli-meters
.30-06 ammo case is 62 Milli-meters long

Pic is Left-to-right:
.308 150-Gr Soft-point HotShot
7.62x54 Soviet 147_gr Albanian Mil-Surp 'Ball'
.30-06 150-Gr Remington Core-Lokt SP

My inexpensive USA-made bolt rifle is a Mossberg ATR-100 in (what else?) .30-06.

Of the brands you mention, my pick is the Savage. Savage has been making very good quality rifles & shotguns for a long time. Nothing wrong with the Ruger or Remington; I prefer Savage of the brands you mentioned.

 

[skinewmexico]

Get the Savage. Then when you get tired of the caliber, you can re-barrel it yourself. For me, all of those guns are too pretty to hunt with.

 

[Shawnee]

Any of the three would be fine. I would probably choose the Remington or the Savage - but that decision would probably be the result of tossing a coin - probably "best - 9 out of 17".

 

[1911NM]

You can't go wrong with any of the guns mentioned. I have been a Remington 700 bolt guy most of my life, but just picked up the T3 for a varmint gun. Can't say I am in love with a plastic stock, but love the gun. Great adjustable trigger, and superb accuracy out of the box. Will put a wood stock on it when I have time.

BTW, 30-06 is probably the most versitile hunting cartridge for the North American Continent.

 

[glockman19]

When I was faced with a similar decision not long ago I decided to go with the Remington 700 CDL in .30-06.

IMHOP it is accurate, and can take any game in N. America.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

I'm not sure about the "short-action" vs. "long-action". Recoil associated?

A short action rifle has an action about half an inch shorter than a long action -- and is a bit lighter as a result. Recoil has nothing to do with it.

 

[04JRB]

All 3 are nice solid rifles as said before. I like my 700 action more than many of my other. But I like the accutrigger on my savage more than all other triggers on my other rifles. I dont own a ruger, (yet).

Get which one fits you best and feels most comfortable to you.

 

[Eightball]

I agree with the other posters who said the Tikka T3 would be the thing to have, but that's not on your list. If you wish to know more, PM me, I don't feel like typing it all out right now.

Savage has some of the worst extractors I've ever seen in a rifle, and their accu-trigger, to me, screams "this is what we give you when we don't trust you with a good, safety-less trigger." Their idea of "quality" stocks and actions has left me with a bitter taste in my mouth. They'll function, but I prefer a little more refinement in my firearms.

I've seen some bad Remingtons come through my store, but they just got bought by a different company (Ceberus), and I've seen some promise coming out of their factory as of late. Decent push-feed action, good for single-feeding rounds. A lot of their new stuff looks intriguing, and their X-mark trigger seems spiffy.

The Rugers have a good design for the bolt, but it's a ripoff of an M70, at best--and it's still investment cast. May or may not be an issue, but if you like controlled-round feed and a claw extractor, it'd be nifty. The safety may or may not be an issue to you, and I'm neutral on their triggers.

The T3 is made in Finland, imported by Beretta, and is one of the few companies with an "accuracy gurantee" for their firearms--i.e. it shot a 3-shot 1" group before leaving the factory. Nifty mechanism, it's parent company is Sako, and their fit and finish has been great for the price they charge, based on the rifles I've seen zip through my store. Great triggers.

Ultimately, get what feels right, and is priced even better. Go in there armed with knowledge, and you'll be more at ease to make a decision.

 

[eliphalet]

My advice is, if it were me choosing from the three I'd pick the one that fit/felt/looked the best to me. None are bad guns.

 

[H1500308]

Howa

Howa makes great bolt actions that are a great value as well. Check out the ones with the Hogue stock.

 

[cracked butt]

They're all good, but put me the 'reccommends a Tikka' category.

 

[pbrktrt]

Vanguard Deluxe if you like the walnut & moa with a decent price.

 

[dak0ta]

Tikka T3 Hunter / Tikka T3 Deluxe vs. Ruger M77 Hawkeye

Pros Cons?

 

[MT GUNNY]

The first thing Id say is go to the store and play with the action on each you listed, witch ever one you, like get it.

My opinion is you should get the Rem 700. I own three .300RM 30.06 7MM RM,
22.250 VTR on order

The triggers are adjustable, and have great out of box accuracy

 

[VATX Hunter]

All three guns are good Choice.
I noticed a few comments from others about the trigger on the The Ruger.
I dont agree if they are refering to the New M77 Hawkeye,
Some Rugers in the past yes I will agree.
If you are concerned with recoil, go with the 308.
In most cases unless someone is having a sale.
Remington will cost the most, then Ruger than Savage.

 

[Savage Shooter]

I'd go with the savage for 3 reason one I have one and love it two their cheaper than ruger or remington three if you want a different calliber you can swap the barrel and the bolt head out your self and not have to go to gunsmith unlike remington as for ruger can't say don't have one so can't bash it.

 

[Reyn]

Id go with the Ruger.