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Post by artjr338wm on Mar 1, 2010 0:03:31 GMT -5
My friend asked me a few days ago what is the best bolt rifle for sale for around $500-$600, as he plans on buying one for both him and his son to take out west hunting. He is not a man of great means, so I instantly replied the Tikka T-3. He asked where it was made I replied Finland. He then said he if at all possible wanted to by a US made rifle, quite admirable I might add.
So I would like anyones input as to what they think is the best made in America bolt action rifle for under $600. He will likely buy both in non magnum calibers like 30-06 or .270.
I have some ideas and are a big fan of Savage rifles, but I have not kept up to well on whats out there at present in affordable or so called "price point" rifles. I know Savage, and T/C make lower priced bolt rifles, but I would like my info to be fact based and as recent as I can get before I make my recommendations to him.
Thanks as I can use all the help I can get on this, Arthur.
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Post by cfvickers on Mar 1, 2010 0:32:10 GMT -5
My very best suggestion would be a Marlin XL7 and spend the balance on a good scope. Academy sports has them for 289 and I can tell you THEY WILL SHOOT WITH ANY 600.00 plus rifle out there not of the strictly target rifle variety. My dad bought one in 25-06 a couple weeks ago and I was skeptical but had read all the good press it has been getting. I tried one hand load and maybe I got lucky but it shot three consecutive groups under 3/4 inch. It shot 1.25 with plain factory remington express ammo. You can't go wrong with it and if he is looking for straight functionality and doesn't have a ton of money to spend this is the way to go. They come in 30-06, .270, 25-06, .308, and .243 maybe more I know they have these calibers. There is a lot to read out there about them recently but this is coming from a regular guy that tried one out and is sold on it. It will likely be one of the best all around rifles out there, regardless of price. Not everything on it is machined like a 700 remington, but neither is it on a Tikka. Before I shot this rifle I would have said a tikka or savage but if he doesn't need to spend a ton of money this is the way to go, leave money for ammo and other accessories needed for hunting. And this gun had a 70.00 centerpoint scope from walmart on it if that says anything. Add rings and you are right at 400.00 for a great shooting rifle tricked out. The price and quality can't be beat.
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Post by ozark on Mar 1, 2010 10:17:58 GMT -5
Sounds good to me. Only the trigger of the marlin has much to be desired IMO
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Post by 10ga on Mar 1, 2010 13:26:43 GMT -5
CZ !!! IMO if you want to buy the best rifle for the $ CZ is the way to go. In the past 5 years I've bought 3 and all gave -1 moa with factory ammo right out of the box. Saying you'll only buy American is like saying I want the fastest car on the street! so long as it's a ........ Either you do want the best value for your $ or you don't. My $.02. 10 ga
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Post by monster99 on Mar 1, 2010 15:10:28 GMT -5
HOW ABOUT THE MOSSBURG 4X4,THOSE ARE NEW GUNS FOR THE PRICE
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Post by screwbolts on Mar 1, 2010 16:22:00 GMT -5
Sounds good to me. Only the trigger of the marlin has much to be desired IMO My nod goes to the Marlin! Ozark, what have you found that is not to like about the trigger on the Marlin X-7s? From everything I have read and felt when handling the XS7 in 308. I find the trigger to be every bit as good as the Savage accutrigger. similar toggle and all. My personal MR7 in 30-06 has a great trigger, I believe it is a copy of the Win M70 trigger, easy to adjust and holds the adjustment. 2500+ rounds threw it mostly surplus tracers and still shoots great. Screwbolts
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Post by artjr338wm on Mar 1, 2010 16:40:40 GMT -5
Thanks for the replies so far. 10ga you make an excellent point, but my friend can be quite hard to dissuade once he makes up his mind.
I lean hard toward Tikkas because I have shot four now, two the older now discontinued models and two of the newer model T-3s. All four were absolute tack drivers and I quickly found my self in awe of them as I was able to shoot some excellent groups with rifles I was totally unfamiliar with, and were talking the very first three shots I fired out of these rifles, not after I fired a few groups to get use to them. One was in .308, one in 7mm Rem/mag, the newer T-3s one was in .300wm and the other in either .243 or 25/06 as I am not sure which caliber it was.
They were the only rifle for sale at this moment I have first hand experience with besides what I own to recommend to my friend. That is why I asked my question here.
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Post by ozark on Mar 1, 2010 16:45:45 GMT -5
I bought a Marlin .17HMR about three years ago and the trigger was terrible. I don't know about other models. I can say that the one I have shoots lights out. Extremely accurate. I installed a aftermarket trigger.
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Post by billc on Mar 1, 2010 17:06:11 GMT -5
Remington 798 is a fairly good weapon and CDNN has a sale going now. However, it has an American name, but is made in Serbia.
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Post by pposey on Mar 1, 2010 17:06:44 GMT -5
Savage if he likes the accutrigger,,, If like me he isnt a big fan then a Stevens 200. I have 5 Stevens 200s and they are all shooters.
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Post by youp50 on Mar 1, 2010 18:17:18 GMT -5
Ditto the Stevens. I own one. He will have plenty of change for a decent scope.
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Post by petev on Mar 1, 2010 19:52:06 GMT -5
I hear nothing but topnotch reports about Tikas. Savage is now a great shooting rifle, and the classic is actually a beautiful rifle. CZ seems to be top quality, and my .308 shoots under one MOA at 100 yards.
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Post by herman on Mar 1, 2010 21:22:24 GMT -5
I have shot the marlin in 270 and 7/08,useing my hand loads both have shot groups less than an inch at 100 yds.I just got a call from a friend this evening that I had loaded up some bullets for his 308 marlin and he said they were cutting holes at 100 yds. The gun shop I hang out at 2 different fellows have bought 30/06 and both brought in targets that were 3-shot one holers at 100 yds useing factory rem cor-lock bullets. If I didn't allready have rifles in the calibers that they offer I would have one in the marlin. The 2 I shot I set the triggers on 3 lb. The prices on the marlin that I have seen is a little less than the savage,but takeing nothing away from the tikkas and savages they are shooters too. If he wants to spend 5 or 600 on just the rifle I would look at the rem sps also they will shoot also.I have 2 of them but I think they have went up in price since I bought mine.They have a 24 in barrel which I like better.
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Post by cfvickers on Mar 1, 2010 21:40:14 GMT -5
The marlin I played with has an outstanding Accutrigger looking trigger at about 3.5 lbs with absolutely no creep or gritty feel what so ever.
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Post by screwbolts on Mar 2, 2010 6:53:51 GMT -5
I bought a Marlin .17HMR about three years ago and the trigger was terrible. I don't know about other models. I can say that the one I have shoots lights out. Extremely accurate. I installed a aftermarket trigger. I now understand your comment Ozark, you were judging and commenting on the XS and Xl 7s based on a non relevant to the question rim fire rifle. Totally understand now. I have found that the rim fire rifles triggers do sometimes leave a little to be desired. Glad you were able to find a good after market trigger. The XS7 that I have worked with has a very good trigger, and my much older MR7 Has a wonderful trigger. Thank you for serving Ozark!!! Ken
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Post by pposey on Mar 2, 2010 20:11:23 GMT -5
Where does he want the Safety??? For me it's a Tang safety or I'm not really happy,,, I can deal with a Mod 70 safety but greatly prefer a tang safety.
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Post by wildman on Mar 15, 2010 19:48:47 GMT -5
Savage out of the box, u can't beat accuracy for the price, and customer service if needed good old American made quality firearm.
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