I Can't decide

[Holo]

Looking for an entry level deer rifle for this coming season and for the life of me I just can't decide between a few rifles.

Went to numerous gun shops and tried all of their long action bolt guns.

Weatherby Vanguard
Savage 111
Remington 700
Mossberg 100ATR

I have not tried the Tikka t3 or the Marlin X7 but I hear they are nice too.

I would like to see 1 MOA out to 200 yards which is possible with all of these. Holding them to my shoulder the only one I did NOT like was the remington 700.

These all get decent reviews from what I can find on Google...So has anyone had a bad experience with any of these??? I can find endless good reviews, I'm more interested in the negative.

 

[ldhulk]

I would like to see 1 MOA too, shooting offhand in a stiff breeze. I would also like a weekend with Taylor Swift and a million-dollar-a-year pension. A Marlin 30-30 with a compact 2-7 power scope will put meat on the table just fine, if you do your part.

 

[BK]

Let's try and actually be helpful here.

Since the 700 didn't feel right, nix it for the time being. What about it put you off? You can keep reading up on it and try another one the next time your in a gun store, but there's no reason you should have to settle for a gun you don't like.

I would say that they are all really going to be fine entry level deer rifles. You could also check out a Ruger for that matter. But of the remaining guns you mentioned, I'd tell you that you should find a Tikka and see what you think of it. I've never heard a bad thing about Tikka.

 

[Sock Puppet]

The Weatherby Vanguard is essentially a Howa 1500, so you may keep an eye out for one of those. They can be had with a Hogue overmold stock which is quite nice, and are usually less than the Weatherby.

 

[Holo]

Of all of those listed there isnt one that I wouldnt put a hogue on. The stocks they come with are horrible and a hogue can be had for around $100 shipped.

The one I'm leaning towards the most is the Savage due to the stellar reviews it gets in the accuracy and reliability department. The trigger was also pretty nice though it was an accu trigger. What will most likely decide it for me is a mixture of what they have in stock and what one has the best trigger.

It is worth mentioning I plan on getting it in .270 WSM but if the one I HAVE to have is in a similar caliber I would be willing to be flixible.

 

[Bobson]

+1 on the million dollar per year pension. lol jk

Seriously though, I've heard great things about all of those rifles. I'd suggest choosing the rifle that was most comfortable, and if possible, aid your decision by spending some time firing each option.

 

[788Ham]

As Holo mentioned, look at a Savage 110 model, try to see if you can get it in the .243 cal., this is a splendid deer rifle. The Savage will shoot just as good as the others, and, you'll not have spent a fortune doing it.

 

[Holo]

I went to Bass pro for their event going on. I ended up coming home with a TC Icon in .308. Its the aluminum bedded hogue stock and adjustable trigger and 24" barrel. I ended up paying $569 out the door. Which is a really good price for this item looking at even the online prices. It was marked down because it was their display gun for a promo they were doing. Even comes with a jeweled bolt.

Cant wait to shoot it. Ill upload pics soon.

 

[Abel]

What scope does it have?

 

[mshootnit]

I bought a new Weatherby Vanguard stainless from Cabelas last summer. The rifle is definitely sub moa. The action is nicer to me than any push feed except maybe a Sako. I really couldn't recommend anything over the rifle I have. Totally satisfied with it. (257 Weatherby)

 

[rule303]

Weatherby or Savage, whichever fits you better. Don't just buy the Weatherby because it says Weatherby-it is a Howa, nothing wrong with that.

 

[jmr40]

Weatherby buys their actions from Howa. Weatherby then builds their own rifles using their barrels, bolts, safeties and stocks. While the rifles are similar, they are far from the same. The Vanguards are priced a bit LESS than Howas. I prefer the Howa safety and have found them to be more accurate, at least with the limited comparisons I've had. Either would be a good choice if you like heavy rifles. The Howa/Vanguard actions are the heaviest of all production rifles.

Any of your choices are fine except for the Mossberg. The Tikka is usually a bit more expensve than the others, but if you can afford it, would be my first choice followed by Remington, then Howa/Weatherby. Dicks sporting goods and Sportsmans Warehouse are selling stainless ADL's with a cheap scope for around $469 or so. About $350 in blue.

 

[snakeman]

Weatherby vanguard s2 hands down in 243, 308, 270, or 30-06. I just got one in 257 and it is extremely accurate in my opinion.

 

[hardluk1]

Put the TC venture into that mix. Today that would be mine in 308

 

[courtgreene]

I just picked one up (shouldered, not bought) in a gun store the other day... smooth and nice stock. I was impressed. I won't get one because I have all the rifles I need/want, but I was interested in that tri-lugged bolt. It looks like a great middle step between the floating bolt head of savages and the typical two-lug bolt head that we usually see. I look forward to your post-range evaluation.

 

[Holo]

Im expecting great things. They include a 3 shot target in the box from the test fire at the factory and it grouped .89inches. Good enough for not being broken in and with 1 type of ammo.

It did not come with a scope. I would just sell the scope on the WTS boards anyways or slap it on a .22 since thats all they are good for.