What do you get for the money? Cheap rifle?

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John Matrix

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So I was at Dick’s sporting goods a couple of weeks back and I was surprised by how inexpensive some of their rifles are. I began tossing around the idea of adding a bolt-action .308 to my collection simply because I have always wanted one, and they are selling one with a scope for about $379. I recognize that this is on the cheap side, but I am curious as to why. What is the difference between this and a .308 that costs $1,000 more? (aside from quality of scope obviously)

I know this is very basic question, but I am honestly curious here as a bolt-action rifle is really quite simple. I understood the merits of spending a little more to get something nice when I bought my AR – that weapon has a lot more parts and precision operation, but for a bolt-action rifle, what is there really besides a tube, a simple action and some wood? Granted, I understand that the optics that come with that weapon are probably not the best, but that isn’t a big deal to me. I just want to another rifle to take the range. I don’t hunt, and don’t need to snipe communist insurgents. I am not opposed to buying a better hunting rifle later if I ever do get into hunting; and if the need to defend the country against communist insurgents ever arises, I will just grab my AR ;)

So what exactly will be the difference between a cheap rifle like this and a very nice one? 1” at 300 yards? Mis-feeds? Nothing?

Thank you in advance for your input.
 
That cheap rifle will probably shoot as well as you can. Will it win benchrest competitions? No. Will it have the nicest finish? No. But for a rifle to use and have fun with you won't be disappointed.
Not knowing which it is I can't say for sure, but likely there are parts out there that will give a boost in performance should you need it. New triggers, a better stock, and some minor gunsmithing (re-crown and lapping the lugs) will bring you as precise a rifle as you are ever likely to need. You can do these as you wish later if you wish.

Just my experience. Have fun!
 
If the cheap gun is a Remington 770, skip it. Its crap and is not upgradable. If its a Remington 700 SPS, Stevens 200, Marlin XS7 its probably ok. Not sure about the Mossbergs.

A more expensive rifle should have better fit and finish, bluing, smoother action and factors afffecting accuracy including better stock (wood or synthetic), possibly a free floated and/or bedded barrel, higher quality barrel, better trigger.
 
Some rifles are indeed cheap, as indicated above. Stay away from them.

Others however are merely inexpensive. Those can provide excellent service.

Knowing the difference between cheap and inexpensive is one of life's important lessons IMHO. It's good to get more than you pay for...

I'm looking at getting a Stevens 200 in .308 ( http://www.rrarms.com/catalog.php?prod=G17748 ), and topping it with a Nikon Team Primos 3-9X40 ( http://www.opticsplanet.net/nikon-team-primos-3-9x40-bds-riflescope.html ) as a 'loaner' rifle for the farm. Not expensive on either count, but certainly not cheap.

fwiw,

lpl
 
i agree with the above, this is more to a bolt action than meets the eye, yo got to think abot barrel quality, head spacing, is the action true out of the box, the barrel crown the trigger, the mounts on the scope how well the action is bedded to the stock. dont get me wrong one of the best rifles i ever had was a mossberg 300 wssm out of the box at 100 yrd i could shoot a 1 inch spred ALMOST any day of the week but i also know guys that got one and gave it away because i could hit the side of a barn to save your life! my .02 on the matter its much safer to spend 650 at a gun show on a used good rifle, than 450 on a new sckechy rifle. hope this helps
 
If the cheapie is a vanguard.. I doubt you will regret your purchase. The bolt wont glide quite as well as some of the more "refined" guns, but they will take what you dish out and keep on doing what they do. I am kind of obsessed with my buddies vanguard in .300 weatherby.... it just fits me right.
 
I researched and spreadsheeted and asked and read and looked and pondered a new .308 over the last three or four weeks and in the end, my rifle recommendations are, in order, as follows:

Budget Rifle
1. Marlin XS/XL - best buy, stellar accuracy, awesome trigger, light and nimble
2. Savage 110 (can still be found new) - nothing needs to be said; legendary rifle
3. Stevens 200 - accurate, reliable, trigger can be improved, flimsy stock though

Midpriced Rifle
1. Thompson Venture - 5R rifling gives sub MOA with factory ammo, VERY sturdy
2. Savage 111 - improved 110, accustock and accutrigger are excellent
3. Weatherby Vanguard - great accuracy even if not an "MOA" model, Howa action

I bought the Marlin XS7, but could have bought any of the others and likely been happy. My next purchase will be a Savage 111 Long Range Hunter. Savage, Marlin, and Thompson/Center are building some of the most accurate, reliable, and reasonably priced rifles the market has ever seen. Ten years ago a consistent 2" group at 100 yards was a good hunting rifle. Now we'll complain if a new gun won't shoot close to an inch with good factory ammo. :D
 
Like Lee I agree that there are good inexpensive rifles and there are cheap rifles of little merit. The notable "best-buys" IMO include the Marlin XL-7/XS-7, Stevens 200, Weatherby Vanguard, T/C Venture, and the Savage models 11/111 and 10/110. One rifle that you want to steer clear of is the Mossberg, IMO they are the worst centerfire bolt action rifle (still produced today) inflicted on the American people (they need to inflict it on other countries...but then they would just hate us more :p).

:)
 
The XS7 seems ok, but I'd pass on it personally. Instead go and get a nice old Mauser that someone sported a couple of decades ago. It'll cost about the same as a modern cheap junk rifle but will hunt for your grandkids. .308 isn't too hard to find in one; lot's of other fine calibers too.

William
 
Yeah, don't forget the milsurps. I recently got a Yugo mauser that looks like it just came from the factory for under $200, and the action feels nicer than any commercial bolty I've ever owned.
 
They have pretty much already summed up what I was going to say. Which rifle is it you are looking at? There are some that are cheap like the Remington 770's as mentioned above that you should just stay away from. Then there are others like the Marlin XL/XS rifles as well as the Savage rifles that seem to be great rifles for great prices.

BTW Walmart sells the Savage Model 10 or 110 depending on the caliber. One is long action and one is short. It's right under $400 for one with a Simmons scope on it. This is the accu trigger model but not the accu stock. I saw one at our Walmart today and I think it was $384 for a 110 in 30-06. I've seen other calibers too that's just what our Walmart had instock. This is a great rifle that I wouldn't hesitate to purchase. The accu trigger is a very nice thing to have too. The Stevens 200 seems to be about $85 cheaper some places. It's basically the same as the Savage Model 10 but the older model without the accu trigger. This is also without a scope but more than likely with cheap package gun scopes you are going to want to upgrade the scope eventually anyway. To me the accu trigger is worth the extra but it may not be if on a super tight budget.

The Marlin's I've never shot but they have a great reputation for amazing accuracy. They also have a trigger similar to the accu trigger. These are a little cheaper than the Savages. I've seen the XL-7's right over $300. Around $310-320 and I think I've read of people getting them for $300. This is just an awesome price if it shoots near as good as all the reviews say. The only thing that makes me hesitant about one of these is we have seen how crappy Remingtons have gotten now. Marlin is owned by the same company that owns Remington so it wouldn't surprise me if we started seeing quality control issues. However, I haven't heard of any so far so right now it seems to be a good buy. I prefer the look and feel of the Savage slightly but both seem to be great rifles and you don't seem to be able to go wrong with either.

Another good gun is older Remington 700's. Not 710's or 770's but the regular 700's. The older ones seem to be good if you can find a used one cheap. I wouldn't go with a new one though.

Overall, the Savage, Stevens, or Marlin mentioned above would be my choice on a budget rifle. They don't seem to be cheap in quality but cheap in price. On a $1000+ rifle the difference is more than likely instead of a cheap feeling synthetic stock you would get a nice finished walnut stock, instead of a cheap bluing on the barrel you'd get a nice bluing, you may get a smoother bolt, and you'd probably get better optics. However, accuracy wise I doubt you will find many $1000 rifles that are any more accurate than a Savage. You mostly are paying for the fit and finish in a $1000 rifle. I really like Browning but that basically seems to be what you are paying for. Depends on if you need nice wood and a nice bluing or not. If not the ones mentioned above are great.
 
My first High Power rifle was a BRNO .30-06 that I paid 300 bucks for brand new. I added a $140 scope and that gun shot just under 1" at 100 yards. It was my primary hunting rifle for years, and it always got the job done.
 
Budget Rifle
1. Marlin XS/XL - best buy, stellar accuracy, awesome trigger, light and nimble
2. Savage 110 (can still be found new) - nothing needs to be said; legendary rifle
3. Stevens 200 - accurate, reliable, trigger can be improved, flimsy stock though

Midpriced Rifle
1. Thompson Venture - 5R rifling gives sub MOA with factory ammo, VERY sturdy
2. Savage 111 - improved 110, accustock and accutrigger are excellent
3. Weatherby Vanguard - great accuracy even if not an "MOA" model, Howa action
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I think he summed it up very well, been reading LOTS of very positive comments about the Marlin. As one of the first people pointed out stay away from the econo Remingtons 710/770 or whatever they are.


Another option would be to buy an older used rifle, lots of them available on-line for 400.00 shipped at various forum classifieds.
 
Thanks - replies are very helpful. Unfortunately, I didn't write down what type of .308 I saw at Dicks and I don't remember what it was. I tried checking their website and learned two things:

1) Dicks doesn't have any information about rifles on their website.
2) The URL for Dick’s sporting goods is NOT dicks.com --> that is an ENTIRELY different website and rather disturbing.

Unfortunately, this being New Jersey, our Wal-Marts don’t carry rifles or ammo – I always hear about what great deals they have on both – neither are usually an option for me. However, tomorrow, if this snow lets up I am heading down to a client in PA so I can check Dicks and Wal-Mart there. I will plan to avoid the Remington and Mossberg and look for a Marlin, Savage or Stevens.

I don’t want to spend a lot of money on this so if I can keep the purchase under $500 out the door I will go ahead and make it happen.

-Tim
 
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John Matrix - I made that exact same mistake... and I know it was picked up by the baracuda web filter at work. My only savior is that I went to google very quickly after that and searched for dicks sporting goods and clicked on the right link.
 
Will just parrot what everyone else has said. The remington 710, 770 is a CHEAP gun (took one in trade, and couldn't get rid of it fast enough even though it was accurate), the savage, mossy, (have owned both) and stevens and marlin (have shot both) are very good guns for the money. They don't have the fit or finish other "nicer" rifles, but the shoot accurately, and reliably, and give a good bang for your buck IMHO.
 
scythefwd said:
John Matrix - I made that exact same mistake... and I know it was picked up by the baracuda web filter at work. My only savior is that I went to google very quickly after that and searched for dicks sporting goods and clicked on the right link.
Click to expand...
Yeah, I dropped my boss a note in case our firm's Internet cops were alerted. She got a good laugh out of that...
 
If you want a cheap, accurate bolt action rifle I would recommend picking up a Mosin Nagant M91/30 for about $80. It is fun and cheap to shoot. Love the punch of the 7.62x54r round.
 
still not sure what folks have against the newer Mossberg bolties. I got one on a whim and it was able to do sub 1 moa on the cold shot. the only reason I got rid of it is because I don't need a bolt-action hunting rifle. I just thought it was too good a buy to pass up at $250+tax new (Walmart). it was a 100 atr 30'06 and I got what I paid for it a little later and my only regret is I did not get it in .308

For some reason having a .308 boltie makes more sense than a 30'06 for me; but really I'd rather have a Remington 760 in .308 mmmmmmmmmmmm!
 
still not sure what folks have against the newer Mossberg bolties.
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IMO it has a horrible fit, finish, craftsmanship, bolt was not smooth at all, failure to feed reliably (on the one that I shot, was .308Win FWIW), horrible stock, accuracy left something to be desired (though not horrible, again on the one that I shot), and bolt issues (which I have been told have been fixed). I don't see too much going for it when there are Marlin XL/XS-7s and Stevens 200s that are about the same price.

:)
 
still not sure what folks have against the newer Mossberg bolties. I got one on a whim and it was able to do sub 1 moa on the cold shot. the only reason I got rid of it is because I don't need a bolt-action hunting rifle. I just thought it was too good a buy to pass up at $250+tax new (Walmart). it was a 100 atr 30'06 and I got what I paid for it a little later and my only regret is I did not get it in .308

For some reason having a .308 boltie makes more sense than a 30'06 for me; but really I'd rather have a Remington 760 in .308 mmmmmmmmmmmm!
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Well, they had those few problems of people getting hurt from something with it. I can't remember the details but I know it made me weary of them. I'm still not sure if it was really Mossbergs fault or not.

I'm not saying they are crappy guns because I don't know. It's not that I have something against it. Just that I don't see why you would buy one when you can get a gun that's great for only $50 more like the Marlin XL or XS 7's. No reason to get a Mossberg when you can get one of those for only $50 more.
 
Can't go wrong with Savage/Stevens for the money so watch for bargains. Dicks and Wal-mart and Bass Pro often run specials. For me the accu-trigger is worth the extra money, YMMV.

Another nice if inexpensive .308 right now, CDNN is closing out the Remington 798s about $200 below last years MSRP. These are new Zastava (Serbian) mausers that were imported by Remington and stocked/finished here in the US. Formerly imported by Charles Daly (RIP) and IIRC Interarms. Anyway, it's a brand new mauser 98 for all intents, different safety and stripper clips won't work but otherwise...pretty nice and proven pretty indestructible. Stock is a brown laminate, I like mine but I can see Walnut-lovers being miffed.
 
If the cheapie is a vanguard.. I doubt you will regret your purchase.
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I gotta say... I agree completely with this. I talked my friend into buying a 300 WBY for a hunt in Montana and he came back with a Vangaurd. I thought he jumped the gun and was just being cheap but when we sighted in the damn thing, I was pleasantly surprised. It shot just fine...

two years ago, I decided I needed a 257 WBY and bought a vanguard 257 WBY hoping for the same luck and was not dissapointed.

Vangaurds won't win any popularity contests with the bench rest crew but it is a very nice little rifle.

LGB
 
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