Browning or similar or Savage or Marlin or what?

[hometheaterman]

So I've always been partial to semi auto's but I've found myself wanting something very accurate. I'm starting to think maybe I need a bolt action for this even though I'd much rather have a semi auto. I want something in a caliber like 25-06 or 7mm-08 or similar. I want it to be able to shoot groups under 1" at 100 yards.

I've been reading how great the Marlin XL-7's are and they seem really nice as well as have great reviews for being super accurate. The other gun I've been considering is a Savage with the Accu trigger also gets great reviews and known for having great accuracy.

The problem lies with the fact that the more and more I think about it I don't think I will be happy with something like a Marlin or Savage like that. They all have cheap feeling synthetic stocks that I think are ugly. I'm a fan of a nice shiny blueing and nice wood stock with a shiny finish on it. I hate to pay the price of a Browning but I know in the past in a lot of cases when I have gone with cheaper stuff such as Remingtons or similar I've been very unhappy with them. Now I will say every Savage and Marlin I've experienced I've liked.

I also know that the way I hunt the wood will get all scratched and beat up and in 2 years will look like crap. My current hunting rifle which is a Browning is like this now. It was in near perfect shape when I got it and 2 and a half years later it's all scratched and dinged up. I hate to do that to a new rifle but then again I hate to have a synthetic stock.

What do you guys think? How do they compare? Are the Brownings worth the extra? They seem to cost a lot more and not have near as many features like the accu trigger.

 

[Uncle Mike]

I'd tell you to get a Savage, if you like shiny blue and wood check out the 14/114 American Classic(detachable magazine), or the 14/114 Classic(Hinged Floorplate).

Both these models are blued steel, the American is shiny, the Classic is matte and both have Walnut stocks.

As for the Browning, they are pretty rifles...that's about the only thing they have going for them.IMHO
I don't like the Euro trash look of some of the Brownings nowadays.
Browning still demands premium price for their wares, albeit your paying for the name. And keep in mind, Browning bolt guns are fabrique en Jap land!

The Marlin is a good rifle, not as aesthetically pleasing as other makes...but a good rifle for the money non the less.

There is also the Remington CDL, Model 7 CDL....but they are priced way more than their worth and accuracy may not be all that.

 

[Hesenwine]

A new Savage with their Accustock might be just the ticket for you. It's synthetic and should handle the abuse you say you dish out.

Why bother with a "pretty" wooden stock when you're a self-admitted "abuser"?

 

[Arkansas Paul]

Weatherby Vangaurds are super accurate and super affordable. Right at $400 new. However, they too have the cheap looking synthetic stock.

 

[Clipper]

The best made and most accurate rifle I've ever owned was a Moruku (Japanese) Browning...

 

[ClemY]

I don't have one, but from what I read, the Thompson Center bolt guns are very accurate and reasonably affordable.

 

[David Sours]

I have an A-Bolt that I bought 19 yrs ago in 280 and it shoots as good today as it ever has, it has been a great rifle and still my favorite. Recently I was in the market for a new rifle as well, wanted something flat shooting with light recoil that would shoot. I settled on the Thompson Center Icon Precision Hunter. It is a varmint/bench model gun but I will say this is shoots very very well. If I was looking for a new hunting rifle to carry I would seriously consider an Icon, American Made and excellent accuracy. Again I have the Precision Hunter but if the regular Icon model shoots as well it is money well spent. I have shot 4 types of factory loads through my gun Fed. Premium 55 BT, Fed. Premium 85 gr TSX, Rem. Premium 90gr Scirrco and Win. Supreme 95 XP3 all of which shot three shot groups sub MOA. The XP3s shot the best with consistant groups at .6 MOA @ 100. I have since loaded Berger VLD 95 gr with IMR4350 and I have been very pleased. With my best group @ a 100yds being 5 shots @ .4 MOA and a three shot group @ 200 that was .5 MOA. Anyway I would seriously consider the Icon espically witht the $150 rebate.

That's it for my .02c

Thanks,
David

 

[SSN Vet]

this is the ticket for you.....

http://www.savagearms.com/11fcns.htm

note: only the 2009 production of this part # have the Accu-stock... so watch out for on line auctions that are priced way below the others, as they may be older models. If you're gonna get a poly Savage, you want the Accustock! PM sellers and ask specifically.

 

[bpl]

My feeling is if you want MOA or sub-MOA accuracy, skip the Marlins and Mossbergs. I have not heard great things about the XL7/XS7. Savage should be ok if you can get past their ugliness. My opinion is its better to save a little longer and buy what you really want in the first place. Otherwise, you're ultimately unhappy and probably end up selling for a loss and buying what you want later anyway.

I have an Abolt in .243 and a M700 CDL in 7mm-08 and both are capable of MOA/sub-MOA accuracy right out of the box. Both are very nice rifles, IMO! Big difference between a M700 CDL and an SPS.

Another excellent choice would be the new FN manufactured Winchester M70. I bought the M70 Extreme Weather SS in 30-06 and am very impressed with it! Its a very nice rifle!

Good luck with your decision!

 

[hometheaterman]

What have you heard bad about the XL7? I'm not sure it's what I want but I haven't heard anything bad about them either. A Remington is out of the question. I don't want a Remington at all and the fact that Remington own Marlin is the main reason I don't want a Marlin.

That Savage 114 is looking like what I want. I had never seen one of those before and really didn't know Savage made them. It's really nice looking. At the same time I'm not sure if I want something that looks nice with wood and nice bluing or if I want something that will hold up to being hunted with and still look decent afterward.

 

[Uncle Mike]

At the same time I'm not sure if I want something that looks nice with wood and nice bluing or if I want something that will hold up to being hunted with and still look decent afterward.

Well if your looking for a 'work' rifle, the Savage 116 is the ticket...now mind you Savage changed the rifles configuration a couple of years ago, so there are still a bunch of the 'old' models floating around.

If you can live with a stock that does not have an aluminum bedding block in it, then the old model will do you fine.

If however you want the latest and greatest you'll have to get the 'new' model 116/16 Weather Warrior.

They have a full length aluminum bedding block and a system that 'grips' the receiver of the rifle along with a 'wedge' system that pulls the action tight to the recoil lug of the stock...the new style stock is called the Accustock.

You'll know the new style Savage 116 by the bolt release being in front of the trigger guard instead of on the right rear of the receiver, and the barrel nut is of the 'smooth' type along with a jeweled bolt body.

The new Weather Warrior(116 or 16)has the excellent Accutrigger and the Accustock.

A real workhorse that is less than MOA right out of the box!

 

[classcpl]

I am a dedicated Savage shooter who recently purchased a Marlin XS7 in .243 because it was too good of a deal to pass up, and I can tell you that the Marlin is definitely a shooter! With a 100gr Hdy SPBT over 33.7 grains of Varget this rifle consistently averages 3/4 to 1 MOA out to 300 yds. (The longest distance available at my range.) The stock may be somewhat plain, but I found it to be very comfortable to use and durable as well. IMO, it is also considerably better looking than the old savage synthetic stocks with a more ergonomic design. The trigger is pretty good, but does not break as clean as the Accutrigger. Still, its way better than what should be on a rifle in this price range and is apparently adjustable for weight down to 2.5lbs. I left mine at the factory set 3.5lbs. Also, you get the added benefit of a pillar bedded stock and a Savage-style free-floated bolt head. Mine also came with the one-piece weaver style scope base. All for around $300??? Get it while you can...I bet these will start to increase in price after about a year or so.

Can you tell that I love shooting this rifle? http://www.thehighroad.org/images/smilies/smile.gif