How do the basic bolt action rifle makers rank?

[HOOfan_1]

What do you want to use the gun for???
Again...intent is the most important factor.
I wouldn't buy a Savage Axis for practical shooting matches...and I wouldn't even buy it for a range toy. I might consider it for a bare bones hunting rifle.

I've heard complaints about Howas having rough barrels with copper fouling problems. If you are using this as a hunting rifle...that isn't a problem. If you are using this as a target rifle firing hundreds of shots a month...that is a problem.

 

[breakingcontact]

Purpose, general use. Cover multiple roles.

 

[Rifleman1st]

Winchester. Free floated barrel, 3 position safety, CRF, American made. I have owned Remingtons, Rugers and Savages. If you look in my safe the Winchesters outnumber all the others 5 to 1.

 

[breakingcontact]

I'm looking for an entry gun into the bolt action world. I really like to stick with a brand for a type of gun. So whatever I get, I want to find others in that brand that I would enjoy as well.

I've ruled out the Howa, thought about the idea of the Japanese who make them not being able to own them, doesn't sit well with me.

So I'm at Savage, Remington, Ruger, Winchester and others. I know the Remington 700 was considered the standard for a long time. I've heard over and over how their quality is way down now. Are the new Remingtons really that bad?

Savage seems to be the direction I'm heading in. They seem to be highly recommended and nearly universally praised for their accuracy.

I do like how the Winchesters look but haven't handled them. Again, they once had something that was considered a standard and now a classic, the Model 70.

I am looking for a short (20-22") barrel.

 

[I6turbo]

I'm looking for an entry gun into the bolt action world. I really like to stick with a brand for a type of gun. So whatever I get, I want to find others in that brand that I would enjoy as well.

Sir, you are a candidate for CZ-itis, an affliction where you buy one CZ, then a year later you have a bunch.... maybe with a few BRNOs sneaking in there....

It starts innocently enough with just one.


Then you find yourself with another...


Then another...


Then they just keep coming...







I'll stop now, but you get the picture how bad the disease can be....
Just be sure you really want it before you ask for it.

 

[SwampWolf]

I think that most manufacturers (including Remington, Winchester, Sako, Savage, CZ, Weatherby, Browning, etc.) make decent bolt-action rifles. I've shot and hunted with Ruger Model 77s and their iterations since the early seventies (I currently own four of them) and have always found them to be well-made, plenty accurate, reliable, durable, nice-looking and affordable. Ruger is my rifle of choice when it comes to center-fire, bolt-action rifles with the Winchester Model 70 being a close second.

 

[breakingcontact]

I'd think your view that they all make decent rifles has to be more accurate than the team players out there who trash everything but their brand. I like Smith pistols, but Glocks/Rugers and most others are good too.

The CZs are fine rifles indeed. Their prices are higher then the domestics no?

 

[I6turbo]

I think that most manufacturers (including Remington, Winchester, Sako, Savage, CZ, Weatherby, Browning, etc.) make decent bolt-action rifles.

I agree. 90% of people could probably get their rifle job done with just about anything from an entry-level gun to the "finest" money can buy. For someone who is really interested in the guns themselves, they need to find the guns that speak to him/her beyond just what it is on paper. Frankly, that can't be reliably done on the internet. You can do a lot of useful research, but you can't necessarily pick your ideal gun without at the very least handling them, and the real proof is in shooting them some.

 

[I6turbo]

The CZs are fine rifles indeed. Their prices are higher then the domestics no?

Higher than some, lower than some. The 527s and 550s (the centerfires such as the examples shown in my 2nd and 3rd photos above) can be found anywhere from excellent condition to LNIB for absolute bargains if you do your homework and are patient.

 

[breakingcontact]

Agree it helps to handle different brands and models. As far as shooting all of the ones a guy is considering, that's very impractical for most people.

I am trying to avoid the phenomenon of people going overboard with their wants/needs. I don't want junk. But don't need $1000 gun either. Thinking about a Savage in $400-$600 price range.

 

[housecat]

(Just replying to a previous poster's question about Browning)

I was wondering about the lack of love for Browning. A friend with a 30-06 A-Bolt Stainless Stalker with a BOSS told me it would shoot groups of less than .5 MOA on demand (from a dead rest). Because he was a friend, I didn't scoff, but did ask to go shooting with him. I'm glad I kept my mouth shut. It is indeed that accurate. As far as reliability, I only shot it that one day. However, it is his regular deer harvester, and judging from the amount of venison I've eaten at his house, it works pretty good.

 

[I6turbo]

Agree it helps to handle different brands and models. As far as shooting all of the ones a guy is considering, that's very impractical for most people.

I didn't say it was practical, I just said that's where the proof lies.

I am trying to avoid the phenomenon of people going overboard with their wants/needs. I don't want junk. But don't need $1000 gun either. Thinking about a Savage in $400-$600 price range.

I paid less than $600 for each of the centerfires above (2nd and 3rd photos), and recently bought another 550 (like the 3rd photo) that is in that range but included a $200+ Sightron scope and $60 rings. If you're shopping for new in the box, you won't get those deals, though.

 

[xfyrfiter]

I have owned Winchester, Ruger, 77and#1, Mauser etc. I have fired many more and as far as a budget minding rifle, the Howa or Vangard are pretty hard to beat, IMHO only, others are free to agree or not, YMMV. The Savage is a good rifle but I just couldn't like the stock at all, 110 version.

 

[The Grand Baboon]

Hah, it looks like I'm not the only one out there, I6turbo. I caught the CZ bug when I purchased a 452 Trainer. I was so impressed by the quality and workmanship on the little rifle that when I came time to put down the money for a decent elk rifle, I bought a 550 in 30-06. I'm kissing 1 MOA @ 100 yards with handloads...and open sights.

...or maybe I just have a thing for walnut and blued steel.

 

[PlaneJain]

Heres one ya won't get your hands on 16turbo:



And BreakingContact, CZ's do make some beautiful rifles, and their handguns are excellent as well.

 

[The Grand Baboon]

And another...

 

[HOOfan_1]

CZ rifles used to be cheaper than pretty much any wood stocked rifles...then everyone figured out how awesome they were...price shot up.

 

[CB900F]

Breaking;

I've got a "coupla" rifles, many brands represented. However I'm also a left-handed shooter, and tend to go with the makers who make my life easier.

Here's my take on your question:
Tikka, best value for the money. Winchester hasn't made a left gun since the USRAC days, but now making a helluva gun I'm told by people I believe. I have several CZ's, but not a 550, no lefties though they are available in Europe. The 452's & 527's are fine guns. And Sako, but the Tikka is the same gun without the frills and the price.

I won't have a Savage for a couple of reasons. Look at the bolt diameter, it does not fill the action. Crud can, and does, get into the magazine well because of it. I don't like that. And then, the bolt head screws onto the bolt body, it's not a monolithic bar of steel. Which lets them change the bolt face if you want to convert the gun from a standard caliber to a magnum. But I don't like the idea of a thin bolt with screw threads in it.

With that said, put anything you're considering to the shoulder. The fit can significantly mitigate the amount of felt recoil. A proper fitting stock is a joy, and an ill-fitting one is a pain in the shoulder.

900F

 

[HOOfan_1]

 

[d2wing]

I, for one, appreciate the observation of someone of Orkan s experience and professionalism. Reports of feeding problems with Savages have been reported on other sites and the only Savage rifle I bought new failed on the first shot. The bolt was defective.
They are a good rifle but like other products across the board quality control is an issue.

 

[I6turbo]

Heres one ya won't get your hands on 16turbo:

Nice! Is that a 455 Lux? I've wondered how those feel. Different stock and barrel length than a 452 Lux/Trainer, but they look like they'd be nice.

 

[I6turbo]

And another...

Looks great! What caliber? I almost grabbed one that looked quite a bit like that (with that checker pattern but I don't think the wood was as nice) in .30-06, but I had about 700 rounds of .308 ammo and nothing chambered in .308, so I found the .308 above. What year proof is yours? I see it's got the earlier checker pattern, but the three-position safety...

 

[I6turbo]

At the risk of this turning into a CZ thread.... HOOfan, what is that one?

 

[PlaneJain]

Nice! Is that a 455 Lux? I've wondered how those feel. Different stock and barrel length than a 452 Lux/Trainer, but they look like they'd be nice.


Yep, 455 Lux. And my first ever CZ rifle I have held. I have shot many 22 rifles, and this one by far has been my favorite.

 

[HOOfan_1]

CZ550 Varmint laminated stck .22-250