Best .270 hunting rifle under $1500
- Thread starter FineNdandy
- Start date
FineNdandy
New member
- Location
- Southwestern Ontario
At one point, I was looking at the Vanguard MeatEater edition. I like a lot about it for the price. I'd like a detachable magazine though I think. Then Weatherby came out with their Model 307, so it's one I'm considering (the Range XP).
fade2black
CGN Regular
- Location
- Central Ontario
Vanguards in 270 can be changed to a detachable magazine with their retrofit kit. Saves weight too.
Falconflyer
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
There’s lots of nice 270’s out there but I’ll stick with my pre64 m70 featherweight. I’ll admit to tweaking the trigger and glass bedding the action but it will shoot 1 moa and that’s plenty for normal hunting distances. As for the cartridge, it’s a 100 plus year old version of the 6.5 prc out to 400 yards and I don’t feel a need to shoot further than that.
RJ
First choice would be a used Sako L61, A2, A5, 75, or 85. There are a few deals available.
Second choice is a Win70 Featherweight, which usually has a new shelf price of $1400. Great rifle that requires no replacement of parts. Great rifle straight out of the box.
Third; Rem700SPS is around $1000 out of the box, but it needs a new trigger. The nice thing about the 700 is the availability of aftermarket parts. This is a platform that is easily modified and upgraded to your own preferences.
Fourth; a used Ruger 77 or Browning A or X.
Tikka and SakoA7; $980-$1500, but their bolts are stiff and they are still a Tikka. They shoot well as they have the same barrels as the higher model Sako, but there is just something about the bolt, receiver, and plastic that scares me away.
Skip the true economy rifles like Savage Axis, Vanguard, Howa, Mossberg, and Ruger American.
Second choice is a Win70 Featherweight, which usually has a new shelf price of $1400. Great rifle that requires no replacement of parts. Great rifle straight out of the box.
Third; Rem700SPS is around $1000 out of the box, but it needs a new trigger. The nice thing about the 700 is the availability of aftermarket parts. This is a platform that is easily modified and upgraded to your own preferences.
Fourth; a used Ruger 77 or Browning A or X.
Tikka and SakoA7; $980-$1500, but their bolts are stiff and they are still a Tikka. They shoot well as they have the same barrels as the higher model Sako, but there is just something about the bolt, receiver, and plastic that scares me away.
Skip the true economy rifles like Savage Axis, Vanguard, Howa, Mossberg, and Ruger American.
waynewjw
CGN Regular
A Sako A7 in 270 would be a great choice. It is my go-to-hunting rifle and found it more accurate than any of the Weatherby’s I’ve owned. There are a few that come up on the EE. And mine shots little bug holes with 130 and 140 factory as well as 150 hand.
Yeah I don't see how a Vanguard/Howa is an "economy rifle". The Vanguard Series 2 stock is quite good for a factory tupperware stock. Plenty rigid. The action itself is well made and very true, and the barrels on em are good.
Comparing it to a Ruger American or Savage Axis is a mistake.
Comparing it to a Ruger American or Savage Axis is a mistake.
pete dobinson
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Courtenay BC.
They kinda are though, before the ruger american and savage axis rifles came out vanguard/howa were economy rifles, it's just that the manufacturers took it one step further with cheapness.
They were priced well cause they're made in Japan. They ain't cheap.
One piece bolt body/handle, Sako extractor, integral recoil lug, all steel, actual bottom metal....Not a lot of economy feature there. Heck that beats a lot of more expensive rifles lol. Hence Winchester bailing on US manufacture.
Arguably a better rifle if one isn't concerned with overrated CRF in most applications. Except maybe the bluing aint so nice but for like $900 vs $1500 I am sure it can be arrannged...
I have owned and would recommend a Husqvarna 1900 or 1600, sako A7 or a Vanguard. Not sure about present models the Vanguard had a 24" barrel and the Howa had a 22" so I prefer the Vanguard, I presently own a Husqvarna 1640 MC and it shoulders great for me. There are Huskys around for less than $900 so still a great value. Both the Husky and the A7 are lighter than a Vanguard.
pete dobinson
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Courtenay BC.
I hear what your saying however along with remington sps vanguard and howa were the lowest cost rifles at one time.
Used A7 is a great choice if you can find one.
A and L series SAKO represent a killer deal in today's market. They are on par in terms of production with pre 64 m70s and modern high end options for much less money.
Both can be had for less than a t3x if you watch the e.e
Someone's old mauser custom in a wildcat or B&C might meet the criteria
Ruger m77 mkii and hawkeye will not win any beauty pageants but are simply solid guns
A and L series SAKO represent a killer deal in today's market. They are on par in terms of production with pre 64 m70s and modern high end options for much less money.
Both can be had for less than a t3x if you watch the e.e
Someone's old mauser custom in a wildcat or B&C might meet the criteria
Ruger m77 mkii and hawkeye will not win any beauty pageants but are simply solid guns
Ardent
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
That was my head guide’s rifle, I even tried dropping it out the door of a taxiing floatplane but it floated just long enough to be retrieved.
Bought him a classier rifle he carried a couple times to make me feel better, but the T3 .270WSM kept coming back. He took his personal grizz with it, in fact he’s taken damn near everything with it. I stopped making light of T3s due to him. And I like the chambering.
I actually love Ruger’s lines, and agree.
