What am I REALLY getting value vs perfomance lines?

[tackleberry45]

So I am new to the rifle game. You can read my old threads if you get bored. I want a new one in the old tried and true - .30-06. I am loking everywhere and see a lot of good value/ favorability/ accuracy to the Tikka line. So the question is, in any rifle line really, with the sheer value rifle makers are putting into their value lines what do I really get by going to the high end of their lines, for example, in this case, a Sako. I am hard pressed when I look at sites like for the Weatherby synthetic in the Vanguard 2 vs. a Mark V. Is there really a lot of perfomance difference? I will caveat this by saying I am going to be a casual hunter. Whitetail in Florida and Prongs and Muleys in the West.

 

[rcmodel]

No, you probably don't get much if any performance difference anymore.

What you do get is better fit, finish, and resale value, as well as pride of ownership if you can see the difference in SAKO's and Tikka's, or Mark V's and Vanguards, and truly appreciate it.


rc

 

[Z-Michigan]

Depending on the brand, not much in performance. Mostly nice pieces of walnut.

The Weatherby Vanguard (same as Howa 1500, btw) and Tikka are great rifles at decent prices. I would however be cautious about some of the US-brand value models, particularly the Remington 770 (junk), Savage Axis (OK but you don't save enough $ to make it a good choice), or Ruger American Rifle (unproven). For a low cost, high value bolt-action rifle I would be looking at Tikka, Howa 1500, standard Savage line, or possibly Stevens if you intend to swap out the stock and trigger anyway.

 

[sage5907]

Hunters who have been using rifles over a long period of time learn what works best for them. If I see a rifle that doesn't have the features I want I wouldn't buy it no matter how pretty it looks. Just because a rifle looks good it doesn't mean that you, as an individual, can shoot that particular rifle well. For example, a Weatherby style stock doesn't work for me but others like them. I won't buy a rifle that doesn't have a Winchester type 3 position safety because I want a safety that locks the firing pin instead of just the trigger. I want a hinged floor plate that opens easily with gloves. I want a flat bottom receiver because if the rifle doesn't shoot good you can easily bed the rear 2 inches of the barrel. I like a standard caliber like a 25-06, 270 or 30-06 because the magazine box will hold 4 cartridges. I want a open trigger that isn't affected by freezing moisture. The list goes on and on.

 

[Revoliver]

As long as you stick to reputable manufacturers, at this point I believe it just comes down to who offers exactly what you are looking for in regard to features.

 

[brnmw]

Hunters who have been using rifles over a long period of time learn what works best for them.

I have been using Winchester M70's all my life... I love them and for just casual hunting for whitetail the .270 Win. does just fine. For a factory trigger and accuracy they are hard to beat, along with prices all over the board... you can't afford the "Super Grade" no problem, there are many other choices. To be honest and I am not trying to start anything but my cousin has some type of Weatherby synthetic in the Vanguard series and I did not like it at all (Dare I say... felt cheap.). So yes it really does depend on the individual in question.

 

[Derek Zeanah]

Chevy/Cadillac, Toyota/Lexus, VW/Audi, Ford/Lincoln, etc. They'll all get you from here to there, reliably, and safely.

Whether the higher end version is worth it to you is a question of what you value and what you can afford.