Cheap vs Expensive Rifle

Production numbers are usually low for expensive rifles, $500 to $5,000 is a wide range. Plus they compared stock rifles to customized in order to validate their price.
 
One thing I noticed, I am far less disappointed in cheap rifles and it's the expensive ones that pass through my hands more often than not. I have gone the custom gun route now as I usually get what I want as opposed to "factory expensive". After $2000, the law of diminishing returns becomes very evident in all cases though. So be prepared to open your wallet if you want something truly nice in a factory offering. For example, the new Mauser M98's are truly exquisite, but are north of $12,000 cdn dollars for a mid-grade model. $3000 gets you nothing special anymore.
 
I would be interested to see another component in the video, one where the shooters were not bench resting, but shooting in a typical standing hunting style position. To be sure, the mechanics of the expensive rifles were very nice, but I'm not sure how much it would matter in a hunting situation, where one shot is usually the norm.
 
I've found that adding a mdt lss chassis to most factory entry level rifles greatly improves the accuracy and if you like the chassis style greatly enhances the shootability of those entry level rifles. Case in point I have two rem 783 hb rifles that I had bought with plans of rebarreling to other cartridges because 223 and 308 are just boring. Upon shooting both rifles I discovered their accuracy is as good or better than I can shoot so I settled for the factory barrel and chambering for now.
For me it's not so much the cost of the rifle as I'm more into hunting than target shooting. It's the cost of the optic. Now days most rifles shoot good enough. I reload and swap stocks out so finding an accurate load really isn't that hard. What is hard is using an entry level scope when some of your other rifles have higher end glass
 
Somewhat interesting.
They should have compared three rifles of the same calibre in that test....there was too many variables between rifles....not really apples to apples comparison.
 
My cheap-butt savage axis impressed me so much with accuracy that i sold my Tikka T3x - only upgrade I did was install a McCarbo trigger spring/washers. Cheap doesn't usually mean garbage - am really impressed with my Girsan MC-312 cycles 1 ounce shells reliabilty.
 
I'm not sure of the weight difference, but
I'm pretty sure my still hunt/stalking style of hunting would not be very compatible with those heavier chassis rifles - plus the brake .
If I had to choose between these three it would be the cheaper rifle .
Cat
 
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I only call the $700-$800 and under rifles cheap, they have crappy triggers, and usually very poor fit and finish. Once you get into the $1000-$1500 range, most rifles do not have serious issues, and I would have no issues hunting with a T-3 or a Vanguard. I don't own any $5000+ plus rifles, because they don't offer anything that I need, that I can't get for under $5000. I won't own a braked rifle, and none of my rifles have chassis, because they aren't what I prefer. Shotguns are an entirely different matter, I own several shotguns that would cost me over $10,000 to replace.
 
stubblejumper said:
I only call the $700-$800 and under rifles cheap, they have crappy triggers, and usually very poor fit and finish. Once you get into the $1000-$1500 range, most rifles do not have serious issues, and I would have no issues hunting with a T-3 or a Vanguard. I don't own any $5000+ plus rifles, because they don't offer anything that I need, that I can't get for under $5000. I won't own a braked rifle, and none of my rifles have chassis, because they aren't what I prefer. Shotguns are an entirely different matter, I own several shotguns that would cost me over $10,000 to replace.
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Shotguns are functional art. Rifles are tools
I can hunt with an ugly rifle but when it comes to shotguns that's another story
 
brybenn said:
Shotguns are functional art. Rifles are tools
I can hunt with an ugly rifle but when it comes to shotguns that's another story
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I like my SxS shotguns to balance and swing a certain way, with good triggers, and properly regulated barrels, and they have to fit me You don't get that in cheap SxS shotguns. My clays guns need to be able to handle high volume shooting, with good triggers, and the balance and swing that I like, again, again with perfect fit, not something that comes cheap. And I typically buy the base wood and engraving, or the cost would be even higher.
 
Maybe 25 yrs ago my brother in law and his son in law decided to get serious about deer hunting. I suggested they look at the Savage 110 "package" guns - case, sling, scope, caps, mag and rifle in synthetic stocks. Maybe $500 each. They chose identical .300 WM rifles. One shot a mulie buck that got into the bottom of the Saskatchewan book, and the other shot an equally nice mulie that was just outside the cutoff score. Their success proves that you don't need an amazing piece of engineering or manufacturing finesse to do well in the field.
 
maple_leaf_eh said:
Maybe 25 yrs ago my brother in law and his son in law decided to get serious about deer hunting. I suggested they look at the Savage 110 "package" guns - case, sling, scope, caps, mag and rifle in synthetic stocks. Maybe $500 each. They chose identical .300 WM rifles. One shot a mulie buck that got into the bottom of the Saskatchewan book, and the other shot an equally nice mulie that was just outside the cutoff score. Their success proves that you don't need an amazing piece of engineering or manufacturing finesse to do well in the field.
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True. One of the most successful hunters I know (and the best running shot I've ever met) uses an old Win 70 Ranger in 30-06. - dan
 
All the MDT videos are made to make you want their chassis. I'd take a Cadex over theirs any day of the week. Most hunting rifles are good enough to hunt in the 100 200 yard ranges anyway. And much lighter as said above. Climb a mountain with one of those 25lbs guns lol.
 

This video is more realistic. I noticed a vast improvement with my Savage with an MDT LSS chasis, reloaded ammo, and a better trigger. I still have the factory barrel on it.
 
The Kurgan said:
One thing I noticed, I am far less disappointed in cheap rifles and it's the expensive ones that pass through my hands more often than not. I have gone the custom gun route now as I usually get what I want as opposed to "factory expensive". After $2000, the law of diminishing returns becomes very evident in all cases though. So be prepared to open your wallet if you want something truly nice in a factory offering. For example, the new Mauser M98's are truly exquisite, but are north of $12,000 cdn dollars for a mid-grade model. $3000 gets you nothing special anymore.
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Completely agree. This is why I buy old 98s and spruce them up!
 
^ it's funny, I'm perfectly happy with my middle of the road "budget" Italian semi auto.

At this point I only seem to want rifles that cost around 3k and up.

I don't need them, but I feel the opposite. Shotguns are high volume beater tools for the swamp. Rifles are something else and the design and styling matter to me even if I know that a stainless Tikka 7mm would do everything I could ever want.

I guess when it comes down to it you're either a rifle guy or a shotgun guy.

Still wouldn't mind a nice side by side
 
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