Looking for a new hunting rifle....suggestions?

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Looking for a new hunting rifle....suggestions?

Posted: 9/29/2014 10:31:39 AM EDT

Looking for a new rifle. I've been eyeing the Brownings lately. How do they compare to a 700 or Savage?

Posted: 9/29/2014 11:18:43 AM EDT

[#1]

ive been a fan of weatherby. love my vanguard 30.06. i am looking to purchase a mark V .257 real soon :)

Posted: 9/29/2014 1:21:01 PM EDT

[#2]

Almost every rifle is plenty accurate for deer hunting. Pick the one you like the lines of most

I agree, Browning makes some nice looking rifles

Posted: 9/29/2014 1:24:20 PM EDT

[#3]

Personally, I wouldn't own a Remington product made in the last 6-8 years. The quality has slipped so much I just can't see it. I had a 700 that I bought in 2012 iirc, sold it to pay for a cruise.

Posted: 9/29/2014 2:08:30 PM EDT

[#4]

Yeah I've heard about the Remington issues, which is kind of why I'm looking away from the 700's and looking at Browning

Posted: 9/29/2014 2:37:15 PM EDT

[#5]

Hard to go wrong with Browning. My current favorite deer gun is my blr in 358. As accurate as any bolt gun I have ever owned and lighter with a short action lever that shoots pointy bullets. Only complaint is the trigger is a little long and heavy and nobody wants to work on it but everything else makes up for that. a-bolts are pretty nice as well.

Posted: 9/29/2014 4:42:28 PM EDT

[#6]

Kimber Montana. But it all depends on what you want in a hunting rifle. Some of the Brownings are very pretty.

Posted: 9/29/2014 5:15:01 PM EDT

[#7]

Agree with the production like quality slip on the Remington 700. However, that does NOT apply to Custom Shop. If you can step up a bit, you can get a really nice Remington 700 with blueprinted action, air gauged barrel, nicely adjusted trigger with no creep or overtravel, and with a good wood or synthetic stock, accurately bedded. Custom shop workmanship is much better than the assembly line.

For over the counter production rifles, the current generation of FN Winchester 70's are nice, as are the Browning A-Bolt and X-Bolt rifles, both with very accurate barrels.

Savage makes incredibly accurate but homely looking rifles. The Ruger American is developing a nice reputation, but it is very plain also.

Weatherby Vanguard has great value. The Mark V action is superb. Styling is not for everyone, but I love my Mark V 300 Weatherby.

I do agree that for deer hunting at all but extreme ranges, there are a lot of highly accurate rifles out there that are reasonably priced.

Frankly, the best value is a used Remington 700 from the late 60's through the 80's. Remington still cared about quality on its production floor and parts and accessories and upgrades for the 700 far exceed anything else out there. That's where I would begin in looking for a deer rifle if I did not have one. Get the seller to agree to let you have a gunsmith check it out before you buy.

Posted: 9/29/2014 6:17:04 PM EDT

[#8]

All depends-
Whats your budget and what round??? Long shots, brush, mix?

Personally, money were no object, one of the FNs in 308 would rock my world

Posted: 9/29/2014 7:20:56 PM EDT

[#9]

Tikka t3 and be done.

Posted: 9/29/2014 11:05:49 PM EDT

[#10]

Brownings are great rifles. A t/c icon pre s&w would be another great rifle

Posted: 9/30/2014 2:43:10 AM EDT

[#11]

Marlin lever action chambered in 30-30 or 35 remington good brush guns and accurate enough for 100+ yard shots.

Posted: 9/30/2014 2:55:13 AM EDT

[#12]

Quote History

Quoted:
Tikka t3 and be done.

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This.

Posted: 9/30/2014 7:45:41 AM EDT

[#13]

I don't really have a budget per say. I'll be hunting in Vermont so its a cross of open brush and wooded mountains, so I could be shooting anywhere from 25-200 yards. I'm looking at either .308 or .30-06, haven't really made up my mind yet on it, leaning .30-06 though

Posted: 9/30/2014 8:13:51 AM EDT

[#14]

Quote History

Quoted:
I don't really have a budget per say. I'll be hunting in Vermont so its a cross of open brush and wooded mountains, so I could be shooting anywhere from 25-200 yards. I'm looking at either .308 or .30-06, haven't really made up my mind yet on it, leaning .30-06 though

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i would go 30.06. def take a look at the weatheryby vanguard. i have mine in 30.06 and love it.

Posted: 9/30/2014 8:34:14 PM EDT

[#15]

As far as off the rack bolt actions from the major manufacturers I've long been of the opinion the model 70 from winchester is head and shoulders above the rest. I own two. One is a stainless synthetic 300 wsm circa 2002 that has been a fairly accurate, tough as nails, 100% reliable gun. Good lines and good proportions. And the classic controlled round feed action is a proven winner.

My second is one of the new FN produced versions. Its a featherweight in 308. Just as good as my first but the New trigger and free floating barrel have made it even more accurate. And its a handsome gun for sure.

I'm also fond of Savage. Not the sexiest gun on the block but they tend to be exceptional shooters. Accu triggers are great as well.

Posted: 9/30/2014 8:37:50 PM EDT

[#16]

Weatherby Vanguard II. Guaranteed 1 MOA accuracy.

Posted: 9/30/2014 10:13:11 PM EDT

[#17]

Tikka is one of the most accurate out of box rifles i have ever owned. I would choose this as well. They also guarantee 1 moa accuracy. This is a 3 shot group out of the Tikka t3 lite chambered in 7mm rem mag shooting federal fusion 175 gr.

Posted: 10/1/2014 1:11:39 AM EDT

[#18]

Tikka or Sako depending on your wallet.

I just put a deposit on a Tikka CTR in 260 yesterday as a matter of fact

Posted: 10/1/2014 9:02:45 AM EDT

[#19]

Quote History

Quoted:
Kimber Montana. But it all depends on what you want in a hunting rifle. Some of the Brownings are very pretty.

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Spectacular gun, but pricey compared to the others mentioned. If your budget allows it, definitely look at the Kimbers.

Posted: 10/1/2014 9:38:44 AM EDT

[#20]

I'd consider a Ruger American in whatever caliber you prefer and then top it off with some quality glass. While nothing much to look at, the Americans are accurate, dependable rifles.

Posted: 10/1/2014 10:02:52 PM EDT

[#21]

Does it have to be new?

I've started down the path that current manufacture guns are a dime a dozen. I bought myself a 1964 Sako Finnbear Deluxe in .270 last year.

Something that has a chance of increasing in value, rather than just another gun that you can go replace from WalMart or your local gun shop. I think it makes my collection much more interesting, too.

Posted: 10/2/2014 9:51:08 AM EDT

[#22]

+1 on Tikka Rifles = Good Choice.

Posted: 10/2/2014 2:38:38 PM EDT

[#23]

....

Posted: 10/2/2014 2:42:06 PM EDT

[#24]

No the rifle doesn't need to be new.

I'll probably end up going with the Ruger American Rifle in .30-06 by the looks of it. Now I just need to decide on an optic and get it sighted in before deer season

Posted: 10/2/2014 11:04:58 PM EDT

[#25]

Savage is offering a $75 rebate on their 11/111 with Nikon scope.

palmetto state Armory has them for $399 - $75 rebate = $324

Walmart was selling them in 30-06 on clearance, for $350 - $75 = $275...$275 for a decent rifle with a Nikon 3-9x32 prostaff is a really good bargain if you can find one.

Posted: 10/3/2014 10:19:51 AM EDT

[#26]

Quote History

Quoted:
No the rifle doesn't need to be new.

I'll probably end up going with the Ruger American Rifle in .30-06 by the looks of it. Now I just need to decide on an optic and get it sighted in before deer season

View Quote

Can't go wrong with Vortex. Even their lower priced scopes are a really good buy.

Posted: 10/3/2014 10:26:44 AM EDT

[#27]

I really like my Swarovski. Super clear, and great light-gathering for the very beginning/end of the day.

Posted: 10/5/2014 11:31:20 AM EDT

[#28]

Quote History

Quoted:
Brownings are great rifles. A t/c icon pre s&w would be another great rifle

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Love my TC Icon

I got one of the limited edition 7-08's with the gorgeous ultrawood and stainless finish. It's a rifle that will not be sold from my collection.

Posted: 10/8/2014 9:27:59 AM EDT

[#29]

I grabbed a Ruger GSR. Simple, lightweight, easy, .308.

Posted: 10/8/2014 10:10:37 AM EDT

[#30]

I was going to buy a Browning xbolt, but all of them had warped stocks. Probably from being on their side during shipping from Japan.

I ended up with a Tikka t3 lite in 270.

The gun is more accurate than I am. 150 gr 5/8" 3 shot groups out of the box. My 140gr handloads (I am a beginner) print 3/4".

The 3 shot magazine is cumbersome if you can't have a loaded gun in the car while hunting. Kind of wish I would. Have bought a weatherby for easier top loading.

Posted: 10/8/2014 10:19:02 AM EDT

[#31]

tikka

Posted: 10/8/2014 10:48:06 AM EDT

[#32]

Tikka with a vortex scope. The best bang for your buck package when it comes to hunting rifles.

Posted: 10/8/2014 10:06:08 PM EDT

[#33]

Quote History

Quoted:

Love my TC Icon

I got one of the limited edition 7-08's with the gorgeous ultrawood and stainless finish. It's a rifle that will not be sold from my collection.

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
....A t/c icon pre s&w would be another great rifle

Love my TC Icon

I got one of the limited edition 7-08's with the gorgeous ultrawood and stainless finish. It's a rifle that will not be sold from my collection.

my icon is a 243 and a laser

for optics, I got a vortex viper "damaged box" it was just where tape was pulled off the box

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Looking for a new hunting rifle....suggestions?

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