Sako Shooter
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X-Bolt is a class act. X-bolt .243 w/ 85 grain Federal premium BTHP = sub moa all day long. Great trigger, great feel.
Best bolt action under $700
- Thread starter Kachok
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Kachok
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Yeah I like Savages too, like I said I have owned five of them now. All great except the .22 auto that went FULL AUTO on me LOL. Owned four remingtons and half of them sucked (first Model 700 would not chamber a round). One old Winchester 70 that kicked like a mule (7mm mag with solid butt stock). My current baby is my T3 Stainless 6.5x55 which is far and away the best rifle I have ever owned to date, Match grade accuracy and slim light egronomic design perfect for smaller shooters like me. Never owned a Ruger, Browning, Weatherby or CZ. I like the feel of the X-bolt it is darn near a copy of the tikka with nicer wood, but I also love mauser style actions, so I am a little torn. I am leaning toward giving Winchester another try, but I get the occasional Ruger fanatic that swears all the bad talk floating around about them is BS, and they are the greatest rifles ever. They do have a fanatic fan base usualy Ruger fans own them in several calibers I have noticed.
If we are talking hunting/sporter profile rifles, for me it would go
CZ>Tikka>Weatherby>Winchester>Savage>Remington>Browning>Ruger
I wouldn't be embarrassed to own and shoot any of these rifles though. I really like the trigger on the CZ. It is better than the crowd listed. For offhand shots in the field, the trigger on the CZ can't be beat. The Tikka is an underrated, underpriced rifle in my eyes as well. Weatherby has a good shooting rifle with the Vanguard and the new Vanguard 2 line is coming out with an MSRP of $450 with an adjustable trigger and a 1MOA guarantee. The current Model 70 is a real nice rifle with a lot going for it. Not much bad to say really. Savage is known for good shooters and the accutrigger. If you got one with either a wood stock or a accustock there isn't much from a hunting rifle that would need touched. I haven't found their sporter barrels to be anything extraordinary, about like the rest in this crowd. Remington has been hit or miss for a lot of people, though the last few years seem better. I'm not convinced they are putting out an inferior shooting product compared to 20+ years ago, but many are convinced today's Remington is spotty. Browning is the beauty of the group (outside of a CZ with the fullstock). Not really known to be shooters though. Ruger probably should be ahead of Browning. They make hunting accurate rifles at affordable prices, well used to. Now they make hunting accurate rifles at middle of the pack prices. If you find one that shoots they are good rifles, but many had issues with accuracy and for a while their triggers were terrible. Still, many seem to shoot well.
I would be glad to shoot any rifle from this group as my main hunting rifle. Not a real problem child in the group.
CZ>Tikka>Weatherby>Winchester>Savage>Remington>Browning>Ruger
I wouldn't be embarrassed to own and shoot any of these rifles though. I really like the trigger on the CZ. It is better than the crowd listed. For offhand shots in the field, the trigger on the CZ can't be beat. The Tikka is an underrated, underpriced rifle in my eyes as well. Weatherby has a good shooting rifle with the Vanguard and the new Vanguard 2 line is coming out with an MSRP of $450 with an adjustable trigger and a 1MOA guarantee. The current Model 70 is a real nice rifle with a lot going for it. Not much bad to say really. Savage is known for good shooters and the accutrigger. If you got one with either a wood stock or a accustock there isn't much from a hunting rifle that would need touched. I haven't found their sporter barrels to be anything extraordinary, about like the rest in this crowd. Remington has been hit or miss for a lot of people, though the last few years seem better. I'm not convinced they are putting out an inferior shooting product compared to 20+ years ago, but many are convinced today's Remington is spotty. Browning is the beauty of the group (outside of a CZ with the fullstock). Not really known to be shooters though. Ruger probably should be ahead of Browning. They make hunting accurate rifles at affordable prices, well used to. Now they make hunting accurate rifles at middle of the pack prices. If you find one that shoots they are good rifles, but many had issues with accuracy and for a while their triggers were terrible. Still, many seem to shoot well.
I would be glad to shoot any rifle from this group as my main hunting rifle. Not a real problem child in the group.
Maverick223
Member
For my money i'd take the Winchester hands down (in fact I am strongly considering a custom Ftwt. M-70 chambered in .280Rem. for my next hunting rifle). I'd also make it a Featherweight version rather than Sporter...is there any good reason not to (schnabel forearm)? Barring that, i'd take a good commercial mauser (neither a CZ nor a Ruger). What particular chambering are you looking for?
If you end up going with a push feed action I see little reason to look past the $350.00ish Marlin XS/XL-7 (for a dedicated hunting rifle that is). It is an outstanding rifle for the money. That would allow you to put a little more money into optics (if you hadn't plan to do so already).
If you end up going with a push feed action I see little reason to look past the $350.00ish Marlin XS/XL-7 (for a dedicated hunting rifle that is). It is an outstanding rifle for the money. That would allow you to put a little more money into optics (if you hadn't plan to do so already).
I can't stand 95% of any push-feed/plunger-eject systems - so we're down to Winch, Ruger, and CZ.
From here, well, I grew up in NH, so one'd figure I liked Ruger - their bolts rattle when open like a Rem700, the safeties are kinda stiff/clunky, and the triggers always felt..well, like a teeny lever that you yanked on. No personality.
So, Winchester vs CZ - Well, Winchester doesn't seem to offer any of the calibers I like nowadays, and as much as they have a SOLID nice Mauser-derived action, and are wonderfully accurate, their stock feels too skinny in my hands. Also, I actually like a two-stage trigger, or one with a tad bit of creep. The last Winchester I dry-fired had ZERO movement in the trigger, which I know for many is an attraction, but drove me up the walls, honestly. I'll take a simply-designed set-trigger system. Thus, CZ won. Plus I like their looks over the Winchesters.
The only other rifle NOT mentioned here, and acquirable under 700 (used, though), is the Steyr ProHunter/SBS system. About the only push-feed I'll begin to enjoy. The ergos are nice, it's a very pretty rifle (of course beauty is in the eye of the beholder), and between the weatherproofing, solid bolt-design, and the competiton-grade trigger from-factory (plus Steyr accuracy), it's an amazing gun.
Provided it never breaks on you in the field... *wince*
From here, well, I grew up in NH, so one'd figure I liked Ruger - their bolts rattle when open like a Rem700, the safeties are kinda stiff/clunky, and the triggers always felt..well, like a teeny lever that you yanked on. No personality.
So, Winchester vs CZ - Well, Winchester doesn't seem to offer any of the calibers I like nowadays, and as much as they have a SOLID nice Mauser-derived action, and are wonderfully accurate, their stock feels too skinny in my hands. Also, I actually like a two-stage trigger, or one with a tad bit of creep. The last Winchester I dry-fired had ZERO movement in the trigger, which I know for many is an attraction, but drove me up the walls, honestly.
I'll take a simply-designed set-trigger system. Thus, CZ won. Plus I like their looks over the Winchesters. The only other rifle NOT mentioned here, and acquirable under 700 (used, though), is the Steyr ProHunter/SBS system. About the only push-feed I'll begin to enjoy. The ergos are nice, it's a very pretty rifle (of course beauty is in the eye of the beholder), and between the weatherproofing, solid bolt-design, and the competiton-grade trigger from-factory (plus Steyr accuracy
), it's an amazing gun. Provided it never breaks on you in the field... *wince*
Sako Shooter
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- Apr 14, 2011
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This is what Gun Tests said about the X-Bolt if accuarcy is your main concern:
"The Browning X-Bolt’s performance was astonishingly good. It shot all three of our test ammunitions superbly, displaying tighter-than-MOA performance with everything we fed it, despite less-than-ideal range conditions. The Browning averaged about 0.6-inch groups center-to-center with the Stars & Stripes loads, 0.8-inch clusters with the Hornadys, and 0.9-inch groups with the Cor-Bons—one of the most accurate production 270 Winchester hunting rifles we have tested."
"The Browning X-Bolt’s performance was astonishingly good. It shot all three of our test ammunitions superbly, displaying tighter-than-MOA performance with everything we fed it, despite less-than-ideal range conditions. The Browning averaged about 0.6-inch groups center-to-center with the Stars & Stripes loads, 0.8-inch clusters with the Hornadys, and 0.9-inch groups with the Cor-Bons—one of the most accurate production 270 Winchester hunting rifles we have tested."
Kachok
Member
Yeah like I said I am torn, love the X-bolt/Tikka slim ultra modern design if only they made them a CRF action. Never owned a controled round feed and I want one. Someone asked what chambering I wanted and I think I am settled on a 25-06, it does not astonish me on paper but some of the most experenced hunters I have ever spoken with highly reccomend it, especialy if you handload, which I do. If it is half as versitle/accurate as my 6.5 Sweed I will be thrilled.
Maverick223
Member
M-70 is available in .25-06Rem. For a nice PF action I have been looking into the T/C Icon with UltraWood stock...really purty rifle with a great many nice features...but only available in short action chamberings (with that stock), and no .25-06 at all (but there is a 6.5Creedmoor FWIW). I'd buy one in a heartbeat if they made the .280Rem. chambering in that UltraWood stock (might even buy one if they had a 7mm-08Rem. or .260Rem.).
OKcarburetor
Member
My M77 25-06 just threw some 100gr Sierras 3530fps(not a typo) about an hour ago with zero overpressure signs. I absolutely love the 25-06 and I also love my M77. Like I said before, I'd take the Winchester, then the Ruger or CZ depending on the caliber. The 700 would be in the running after that, but I don't care for push feed after owning a Savage.
Kachok
Member
WOW 3500+fps what powder are you using? My Nosler manual has the 25-06 maxing out at 3350fps with a 100gr.
OKcarburetor
Member
Just sent you a reply Kachok, with load data.
Bill_Rights
Member
I agree with Maverick223:
The "Pro-Fire" trigger on the new ones is excellent, light and predictable. Mine measured 3 lbs, 2 oz. pull weight NIB after cursory initial clean/lube without disassembly. Bolt/feed smoothness seems a little rough, compared to the best of the $700 class, probably.
Kachok
Member
Owned a XS7 308, good shooting, great value guns without a doubt, never fell in love with it like I did my Tikka though. I will take a perfect single stage trigger over any two stage anyday.
Caddisflied
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- Mar 16, 2011
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One more vote for the Win. 70.
I had a Winchester model 70XTR in 264 Mag. that I regret selling about 15 years ago.
For me, it shot slightly better than the Vanguard I now have.
I had a Winchester model 70XTR in 264 Mag. that I regret selling about 15 years ago.
For me, it shot slightly better than the Vanguard I now have.
Fullboar1
Member
Water-Man said:
Water-Man Knows his rifles but you forgot a few more things a Tikka has in favour of it.
Best accuracy guarantee (by a country mile, second only to a Sako).
Best trigger on a factory production rifle (second only to a Sako) and are better then most after market triggers.
Best barrel on a factory production rifle (I have looked down hundreds of rifle barrels with a bore scope).
The Tikka Synthetic stocks dont look the best but they are fibre reinforced with an alloy bedding block (most others in the same price point are injection molded with pillar bedding).
Another thing great about Tikka's and Sako's is they are not picky with ammo (like alot of other guns) and will shoot any ammo you put into them "VERY" accurately from cheap surplus to match grade to handloaded ammo.
IMHO the Tikka "IS" the best value rifle on the market today (you dont have to change anything on them as most parts are as good as you will get). IMHO the Sako is (by far) the best factory production rifle on the market today (they just ooze CLASS).
SwampWolf
Member
I agree that the Tikka is a great value but, in terms of the very best buy out there, my vote is for the Weatherby (aka Howa) Vanguard. My local gun shop was selling them for $299.99 last month. I would argue that that price is a hard one to beat for a decent centerfire rifle.
M-70 is available in .25-06Rem. For a nice PF action I have been looking into the T/C Icon with UltraWood stock...really purty rifle with a great many nice features...but only available in short action chamberings (with that stock), and no .25-06 at all (but there is a 6.5Creedmoor FWIW). I'd buy one in a heartbeat if they made the .280Rem. chambering in that UltraWood stock (might even buy one if they had a 7mm-08Rem. or .260Rem.).
Maverick,
The T/C Icon was produced in a limited run of 7mm-08 (250 produced) with the ultrawood stock and weathershield finish. I sold mine about a year ago. Good shooter but a little heavy for a SA rifle.....Very nice looking rifle though. You can check it out here: www.gunblast.com/TC-Icon.htm
Kachok
Member
Because I owned a rem 700 ADL and despite the fact that it was a real shooter I HATED it! No ammount of cleaning/oiling would stop that stupid thing from rusting! I don't ever care to see another budget remington as long as I live. Yes it was THAT bad. Now a 700 SPS in Stainless I would consider, still don't like the el-chepo plactic stock, or the tiny flimsy extractor, but if it shoots like my ADL did I would not complain a bit. TC Icons have a good reputation for accuracy/reliability but I really do not like their huge bulky stock, I am 5'5" 170lbs and that thing feels like a tree trunk to me. Our local gun guru at Quints tried to sell me one and I knew the second I shoulderd it that it was just too darn big for me. Much bulkier then even my 700s or model 70 which are full sized rifles.
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Kachok
Member
I don't know if the Tikka is the best rifle on the market, but I can assure you, you will never regret getting one. I LOVE mine! Not the first sub MOA rifle I have ever shot, but the only one that has been sub MOA with everything I have put through it. Plain Jane winchester power points and Prvi 139gr SPs are both .75" at 100, and handloads have been that good and better. Trigger is perfect, and the action is so smooth I have to look to see if it is chambering a round. Like I said before, if they made it a Mauser (CRF) action, and gave it a 24" barrel I would call that the perfect rifle without a doubt. Hey you engineers at Sako are you reading this...hint hint.
Fullboar1
Member
Kachok said:
There is some cheaper rifles on the market but when you consider what you have to do with them they are not as good value (IE:
Trigger upgrade around $100
Stock upgrade around $100 (at least)
Bedding action and floating barrel $50 (at least)
Time and money finding a handload or factory ammo it likes. Even after you have done all that theres no guarantee it wont shoot well (and if it doesn't you could be up for a barrel upgrade and that will cost around $300 at least). With a Tikka you get all these things (and more) as well as a guarantee it will shoot Sub MOA groups, to me anyway that is worth alot more then taking a gamble that a cheaper rifle will do as well.
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Maverick223
Member
Cool beans, just wish that they'd add it to their regular lineup...better yet just wrap the UltraWood stock around one chambered for .280Rem.6.5swede said:
FWIW, I think a custom M-70, polished blue, chambered for said cartridge, and dropped in a nicer stock is going to be my next rifle...it'll be anything but cheap, but it'll be exactly what I've wanted for a while but am unable to find.
Cool beans, just wish that they'd add it to their regular lineup...better yet just wrap the UltraWood stock around one chambered for .280Rem.
FWIW, I think a custom M-70, polished blue, chambered for said cartridge, and dropped in a nicer stock is going to be my next rifle...it'll be anything but cheap, but it'll be exactly what I've wanted for a while but am unable to find.
A Win 70 280 like this?....This one's for sale on Guns International. I seriously considered buying in but decided to pass. I think it's still available.
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