Opinions on value vs price

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rhtwist

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Hello,
I am considering buying a bolt action 30-06 rifle, price is a problem!! I am asking advice on the comparison of a Ruger American around $400 or a Remington 700 ADL camo stock and scope (blind magazine) for around $500. Both are new.
I am leaning toward a Winchester Model 70, but my wallet isn't allowing that option..... Of the two mentioned, what are some pros and cons on value and such?
All opinions welcome!
rhtwist
 
If you're considering the Ruger American, you ought to also consider the Savage Axis. They're nearly identical, but the Axis is less expensive.

I wouldn't touch the R700 unless it was the least expensive of the three - and even then it wouldn't be an easy choice.

Value is the point at which quality meets price. As quality climbs and price decreases, value increases. If quality declines or price increases, or both, value decreases at an exponential rate. That's my formula anyway.
 
By the way, in either the Axis or the American, look for a rifle that does NOT come with a scope. You're paying more (not MUCH more, but more all the same) for disposable glass. The Axis is sometimes available at Wally World for $298 sans glass. That's one hell of a deal for this particular entry level rifle.

Throw a secondhand Leupold VX-whatever on top for $150-200, and you're $500 into a very decent rifle, and solid glass.
 
Look at the Mossberg ATR rifles. You can get them new for less than $350 online. I have a stainless ATR in .30-06 and its a great shooter. I have a review of it on the website too.

I paid $317 including tax for my synthetic stock stainless Mossberg .30-06 NEW.I bought a used Nikon Pro staff for $110 off eBay. For how it performs vs the $ amount spent there isn't a better deal anywhere.
 
Thank you Gentlemen for your responses and the other options available. I also was considering the Remington 783.
Bobson, may I ask the reason for the dislike of the 700 ADL. Turns out it is a Retailer special that is on clearance. I've always thought the 700 action was a tested design. Granted the scope will eventually be replaced but being old and thus old school, I was wondering on your reasoning.
The new breed of rifles do seem to be less expensive than the older designs and may be a better value.
I appreciate your opinions and will consider all. Unless I win the lotto and get my model 70 :)!
rhtwist
 
I have only owned Remington 700's but I don't think their quality is what it once was.

The reason the Winchester costs more is because it has a much better fit and finish compared to the others. For instance, the stock that comes on the Savage Axis and Ruger American is pretty cheaply made. This can cause issues with accuracy when shooting groups.

If I were you, I would figure out some ways to raise the money for the gun that you want. Find some things around the house that you could sell or make a few sacrifices in other areas of your budget. I have mowed lawns, scrapped aluminum, sold stuff on Ebay, and taken side jobs to afford my gun hobby. :cool:
 
Of the 2 the Ruger is the best buy in a bolt rifle right now. Great shooters, and extremely light. Which could be an advantage, or disadvantage. I tend to lean toward light rifles, but many find the recoil from the Rugers in 30-06 to be just too much. A 308 in the same rifle will come close enough to never notice, but with about 25% less recoil. Just a thought.

The 700 could be considered a rifle to build on for the future. You won't find it any cheaper without the scope so consider it free. The cheap scope can do for now, but you'll want to upgrade later and use it on a 22 or something. If you buy the 700 it will also hold it's value and be worth more down the road if you get to the point where you can afford to trade and upgrade to a better rifle.

Or you could use the basic rifle and upgrade the stock or other parts as money allows. The 700 is a good rifle to build on with lots of aftermarket support. With some time and custom work you could end up with a first class custom rifle.

Right now there isn't much you can do with a Ruger American. If buying the Ruger I'd just keep it as I doubt it will have any long term value and buy a 2nd, better rifle later when funds permit.

Just waiting till you save enough for the Winchester or looking for a used version are other options.

If I were buying, for my uses, it would be the Ruger. But then I have some better Winchesters, Remingtons and Kimbers. I don't need another nice rifle, but the Ruger appeals to me as such a great bargain for a knock around rifle. As soon as I see one of the 223 compact versions on a dealers shelf it is coming home with me.
 
I paid $350 for a stainless Axis-XP delivered to my FFL. The rifle is very accurate and the Bushnell 3-9x scope is good enough for me. The only caveat I have is the lousy magazine base plates... they break easily if you're not gentle with them.
 
The Model 70 would be a terrific rifle, I'm sure most would agree. I certainly would. :p

I don't dislike the R700 ADL. Frankly, if I was going to get any 700, the ADL would certainly be the stock rifle I would choose. Rather, it's a distrust of Remington's products in general since they were bought out by Cerberus. To be clear, this is based entirely off internet hearsay, and may be totally unfair. The thing is, when there are cheaper rifles out that I know are great based on firsthand experience, I can't recommend a Remington.
 
Love the diverse opinions and reviews, thank you kindly. Please keep them coming!!

Best,
rhtwist
 
I have a marlin XL7 .270WIN that I paid $250 (new) for a few years back. I replaced the stock for a Boyd's thumbhole feather light ($100) and it's been a great gun. I hunt with it every year. Great value.
 
In my area gunshops give less trade-in money for both Ruger and Savage bolt guns compared to Remington 700's.
 
Remington sure has a historic reputation and name. Wonder how bad the overall quality is or if it is just a large number of duds?
 
Buy once, cry once. If you want a Winchester, save up or sacrifice something less important so you can get it. I've learned the hard way that buying something that isn't quite what you want just ends up with spending even more money later to get what you wanted originally.

Having handled half a dozen of the FN M70's and owning a 2008 Fwt. Deluxe in .30/06, I can tell you that they are very fine rifles, and I am very pleased I saved for mine and didn't settle for less than what I wanted. I think you would be very hard pressed to find a better rifle in the $1000 or less range.
 
My first reaction is to say save up for a bit longer and buy the Winchester 70.

If that is truly something that isn't in the cards, I'd look hard at the Savage Axis and Ruger American. I own several Savage rifles, all well made and accurate. I have heard nothing but praise for the American from the few people I know who own or have shot them.

If you can find a used Remington, throw that into the mix, also. If new, I'd avoid it for the very reason Bobson mentioned. The tales of dismal quality are too frequent and too plentiful to be merely whining over ownership changes.
 
OldBrownDog said:
Buy once, cry once. If you want a Winchester, save up or sacrifice something less important so you can get it. I've learned the hard way that buying something that isn't quite what you want just ends up with spending even more money later to get what you wanted originally.

Having handled half a dozen of the FN M70's and owning a 2008 Fwt. Deluxe in .30/06, I can tell you that they are very fine rifles, and I am very pleased I saved for mine and didn't settle for less than what I wanted. I think you would be very hard pressed to find a better rifle in the $1000 or less range.
Click to expand...
My wants often exceed my reach! Yours must be a beauty. Thanks for the honest assessment.
rhtwist
 
1911 guy said:
My first reaction is to say save up for a bit longer and buy the Winchester 70.

If that is truly something that isn't in the cards, I'd look hard at the Savage Axis and Ruger American. I own several Savage rifles, all well made and accurate. I have heard nothing but praise for the American from the few people I know who own or have shot them.

If you can find a used Remington, throw that into the mix, also. If new, I'd avoid it for the very reason Bobson mentioned. The tales of dismal quality are too frequent and too plentiful to be merely whining over ownership changes.
Click to expand...
Appreciate your opinion.... Maybe I will wait a bit more. Do really want the 70. The Ruger for some reason is at the head of the new design guns list.

Best
rhtwist
 
I know it's not one of the two mentioned, but you might also look at the TC venture. Excellent rifles and very well priced. Just know there are other options out there. Don't get stuck on 2 or 3.
 
You mentioned stretching your budget to $500. For around $500, you'd be really hard pressed to do better than a Weatherby Vanguard Series 2 Synthetic. Match grade 2-stage trigger and sub-MOA guarantee out of the box. I have three Series 2s, and all easily outshoot their guarantee.
 
I'm a fan of both the Winchester Model 70 and the 30-06. I would recommend that you save your money over a period of time and buy the rifle a year or two from now. Most of the guys who read this forum, including me, couldn't afford their first rifle when they wanted it. I did extra jobs on the week-end for extra money and I still do that today. Every time I want a new toy I begin to plan on ways I can get the money without taking it out of my current earnings. Whether your supporting a family, going to school or dealing with a demanding wife the answer is the same. Buy the Model 70 some time in the future and you will be happy with your purchase for many years. There's a big difference in the quality between a Model 70 and some of the rifles listed, and none of them are as user friendly as the Model 70. The excellent accuracy, the 3 position safety, the magazine latch and the long list of after market accessories all make it well worth waiting for.
 
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Yes more choices and the used market. Areas I hadn't considered.
Again appreciate the info and opinions. Am considering them all, especially the save and get the 70, but I still can't see that happening.
I'm going to look up specs!!

Regards,
rhtwist
 
rhtwist said:
I am leaning toward a Winchester Model 70, but my wallet isn't allowing that option..... Of the two mentioned, what are some pros and cons on value and such?
All opinions welcome!
rhtwist
Click to expand...

Assuming the rifle is intended as a hunting rifle on a limited budget I would recommend the Axis. IMO it brings more value than others mentioned.
Others will have better triggers and that's fine. A good trigger OTB is a nice bonus but does not create more utility. Honestly, a 5-6 lbs trigger is just fine for a hunting rifle. If that bothers you 30 minutes of you time can fix that if you're able and willing.
That said, the American (in 30-06) is a well thought out rifle but, to me, is a rehash of what Savage offers. Albeit for more money.
Now as to the ADL. I've recently picked one up used at a gun show in 30-06. It was a gamble to be sure but has proved to be quite the shooter. For $300 I'd say it was a good value.
If cost and value were the only concern the Axis is the clear choice for me. However, the M70 is truly on another level. Thing is, it won't kill any better than any of the choices considered. It's just nice.... Way nice....
 
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