Best Bolt Action Hunting Rifle on the Market for the Money

Status
Not open for further replies.
blackops- does it matter to you where your next prized rifle is made?
just curious. it is a question I often ask myself.
if you go savage, remington or winchester, you'll be buying usa made rifles.

well, for that matter, the kimbers and TC's too.

I know the vanguard is not made here.

I've been in your shoes these last few months and I went with the Savage Model 14 Classic in .308 with Warne mounts and 3-9X 40 Leupold VXII scope. Its a ten year anniversary gift from my wife and I get it tomorrow night. I can't wait.
 
I will never understand why people seeking best value in a hunting rifle don't spend more time looking for used. I have bought a like new synthetic/stainless rem700 (.300wm) for $300 with scope mounts and rings, and a like new Ruger .270 M77 with Leupold VariX-II 3x9, sling, case, and 3 boxes of factory rounds for $400.
Of course, if nobody bought new, how would I get screaming good deals on like-new used hunting rifles?
sorry for the drift, I guess I'm no help here...
 
Well 1858, my opinions aren't kool-aid driven. Mine has given me problems, sure a trip to the factory might help, but I really hate the SPS finish. When I bought it I was looking for a 700 because they are common and well regarded rifles. I was also new to shooting and didn't know what else was out there yet. Also some other new Remingtons I have shot lately had certain issues. I will use a 700 in the future, not a new one but one from years ago. Anyways...

TC, any rifle from Tikka, Savage, Ruger, Weatherby, Winchester, Browning, Remington will be good (and the list goes on) just stray away from the rem 770. Just find one that has features you want and fits you well.
 
Not a Savage fan. Never had one, but the ones I handled just never tickled my fancy. More of a CZ fan.
I also like Tikkas. But, my friend bought one last year in 30-06. It borderlines brutal to shoot. I would take an 06 with a little more weight. My 7 mag BDL felt like a 22 compared to the Tikka.
Another friend just bought a new winny, that I really like.
 
I just went to the gun store and looked at a Savage. Two piece bolt blaaahhh. Don't like that at all.
 
Not much of a hunter here, but shoot a bunch. On my last trip to the range, I saw a regular out there and he was shooting his newly acquired Savage in .308. He was out there shooting single hole groups at 100 yards with hand loads. I got to shoot it a few times and what impressed me the most was the stock out of the box trigger with that little lever on it. It was sweet.

I've been keeping my eye open for a good "bang for the buck" bolt gun and there are lots out there. The one thing I did take note of though, is that there are LOTS of after market products for the Remington 700, if that matters to you.

The only bolt gun that I have right now is a Weatherby Vanguard in 30-06. I haven't shot it in years. When I got it, I bought it on close out for $300. it was a good price so I grabbed it, but it never really grew on me.
 
In that price range for me at least, the choice would be easy... new Winchester M70, either featherweight or exteme weather. A new featherweight can be had for less than $700 in some places.
 
1858,

I have that Winchester M70 Extreme Weather in 30-06 and its a great rifle, excellent fit and finish, smooth bolt throw, nice Bell & Carlson Medalist stock.

With regard to Kimber, the 8400 line no longer has the '06 based cartridges. The new 84L, just introduced this year, now has the '06 based cartridges and is lighter and trimmer than the 8400 line. They have not introduced the Montana version of the 84L yet though, only the wood-stocked Select and Classic Select. From what I have read, the Montana version is coming at some point.
 
Uncle Mike, is there even a question in your mind of the obvious difference in strength and consistency between a two piece and one piece bolt? Not trying to argue because the Savage 111FHNS was my first choice in the beginning. Please convince me with the positive aspects of a two piece bolt. A Vanguard in a medalist B&C is looking really good right now.
 
Thom, I would of course prefer american. King, the reason some people don't like used rifles is because you never can fully be aware of how they were treated or what problems they have had. Just because you don't see a bunch of scratches doesn't mean you're receiving a well mainained rifle. Plus I don't want somebody else old rifle. I want my own. If I'm buying used it's strickly for an action overhall or parts.
 
Uncle Mike, is there even a question in your mind of the obvious difference in strength and consistency between a two piece and one piece bolt? Not trying to argue because the Savage 111FHNS was my first choice in the beginning. Please convince me with the positive aspects of a two piece bolt.
Click to expand...

No sir, I do not see the obvious difference in strength and consistency between the two piece and one piece bolt.

So, please enlighten me to why the two piece bolt is inferior to the one piece bolt.

Look, anything behind the lugs, (towards the bolt handle), with respect to these two bolts, does what for strength, reliability and accuracy??

A floating lug(two piece) bolt allows for the lugs to align with the abutments in the receiver 100%, without all the expensive, costly machine work you would have to do to get the same level of performance from a one piece bolt.

One of the reasons a Savage will generally out preform a Remington with regards to accuracy is this very phenomenon, the floating lug bolt.

As for strength, I don't follow you on that one, lugs are lugs are lugs, and once they are rotated in alignment with the receiver abutments....what's left to ponder?

Constancy...well, the floating lug bolt will consistently align the cartridge within the chamber, and fully engage the receiver abutments, 100% of the time...the fixed lug (one piece) bolt, unless it has been lapped in, read, expensive machine work preformed, will not!
 
Two piece bolt blaaahhh
Click to expand...
If a one piece bolt is desirable to you, I think you narrowed down your choice to a Ruger or a CZ bolt gun. I can't think of any other modern bolt action rifles that use a one piece bolt body.
 
A bolt with a floating bolt head like the Savage is a great design for a rifle built to a price point. Cheap to make and solid lockup. It takes a precision to get those lugs to match up perfect. A floating bolt head doesn't rely on the entire bolt being 100% in spec to have great alignment. If budget is no concern a quality one piece bolt would be my choice but it certainly is a good feature when price is considered.

The Savage design is one that allows for great accuracy. The external barrel nut, while not pretty, allow headspacing to be done quick and easy. The floating bolt head allows for great lug contact area. They aren't a beauty queen but many shoot fantastic. I really think this reputation comes from being able to run headspace down to minimum spec as well as the bolt head getting a good contact with the lugs. If it isn't for you though, by all means, look at something else. I think they are leading the way (though maybe not all by themselves) when it comes to accuracy in the sub $1000 bracket. Still a ton of quality rifles out there.

Look back at my first post. A ton of different options with their followers that have positive first hand experiences. Doesn't seem to be a bad option in the group does there, well short of the Remington 770. Find the one that feels the best, is the weight and length you like, has the trigger you like, and just seems like the winner, and be happy. Today is a great day to be in the new rifle market.
 
Whooaa, thanks Mike exactly what I wanted from ya. I knew I could count on you to blow up for a informative Savage report! Rrrrrr! haha I'm not a Savage guy, but I know you are and honestly it took you too long to get to my thread.

Why is it inferior? Because a one piece is more stable and less likely to malfunction! More parts means more problems. And how is a two piece more stable than 1? Even though the lugs are locked into the recess the bolt is still going to feel some pressure. Am I wrong? Yeah Savage has found a economical way to align the bolt head with more contact and I will give Savage that over the recent years they really have developed a quality rifle, but I took a look at one in the local gun store and wasn't pleased. I turned the bolt head, locked the lugs, and the bolt handle still could move slightly back and forth while not moving the lugs. Basically the lugs were locked, but the bolt handle still had a little play in it. It just gave me a cheap feeling to the Savage. Hopefully I described that so you could understand. It's hard for me to think it would be more accurate than a weatherby sitting on an aluminum block for the same price.
 
Sako manufactured Finnish Mosin Nagant M-39 with Czeck light ball.
Valmet made in the same is what the wife shots with.....
200$ for the rifle , a case of ammo is 150$ deliver'd and I been feeding my family with mine for years..........I just have too many pix to post of the sucess I have with such an accurate rifle, but you fellas can look up my huntig posts............350$ and I get all the practise I need as well as a couple years worth of hunting for that price.
 
benzy2 said:
Today is a great day to be in the new rifle market.
Click to expand...

+1 ... everyone should be able to find the BEST rifle for them given the incredible range of choices these days. I do wish that more manufacturers offered true two-stage triggers though. I'm not a fan of single-stage triggers these days and will be selling all three of my Jewell triggers to finance two-stage triggers for three Remingtons and one Badger Ordnance action. From what I've read, I seem to be one of the few people that actually like the Savage AccuTrigger "shoe" since it gives the feel of a two-stage trigger. I also like a 60˚ bolt lift if possible and the ICON has that feature.


bpl said:
1858,

I have that Winchester M70 Extreme Weather in 30-06 and its a great rifle, excellent fit and finish, smooth bolt throw, nice Bell & Carlson Medalist stock.

With regard to Kimber, the 8400 line no longer has the '06 based cartridges. The new 84L, just introduced this year, now has the '06 based cartridges and is lighter and trimmer than the 8400 line. They have not introduced the Montana version of the 84L yet though, only the wood-stocked Select and Classic Select. From what I have read, the Montana version is coming at some point.
Click to expand...

Thanks very much for that information ... I really appreciate it. I will most likely buy a Winchester or the Icon (or both) and then an 84L Montana when they're available. I recently saw a stunning Kimber 84L Longmaster Classic in .308 Winhester ... wow ... but I can't for the life of me think what I'd use it for other than as a range gun.

:)
 
Last edited:
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

E
  • Locked
South Paw bolt action rifle suggestions
Replies
11
Views
544
RandyB
R
K
  • Locked
Best Stainless Steel Bolt Action Rifle
Replies
12
Views
3K
xjmox14x
X
S
  • Locked
Help with bolt action rifle
Replies
16
Views
662
.41Dave
4
S
  • Locked
Weatherby Or Savage .308/.223
Replies
11
Views
1K
Arkel23
A
carbine85
  • Locked
Remington, Ruger or Savage?
Replies
20
Views
1K
shooting4life
S
Back
Top