Best bolt for the $$$???

Although discontinued I'd say Stevens 200. They sold for between $300-350 and shot well. However howa weatherbys are a good option. I still like savage rifles. They fit me and shoot accurately
 
The vanguard S2 is the best for the $ by far. They fit quite well and they are all shooters.

My Mark V ultralight in standard calibers fits better and they also shoot quite well, but at 2x the price I'm going to have to go with the vanguard.
 
Brian46 said:
European brands like Steyr, Sauer, Merkel, Heym, etc have always been well worth their added cost to me as they provide a superior fit and finish that I look for over North American brands.

They also have options for their rifles like no sights, fluted barrels, threaded barrels, muzzle brakes, barrel lengths and profiles, scope mounts, etc all done by the manufacturer so you retain that level of fit and finish throughout the whole package. Factory European rifles also have a much higher resale value and are easier to sell than any custom built/modified North American brand
Click to expand...


Factory Euro stuff blows away most factory North American stuff. Big budget ? Sauer

But thats not what you we're asking.

Did anyone ask what your intend budget is?
 
Last edited:
For value based on performance, reliability, accuracy vs $$$ I'd say it would be a used rifle and go with a Browning A Bolt Hunter model followed closely by any of the rifles (Weatherby, S&W, Mossberg etc) based on the Howa 1500.
 
Doesn't the OP's last sentence indicate that he is trying to minimize his cash outlay? Or am I misinterpreting that final phrase?

I'm a fan of the Euro stuff as well. If the question were simply "what's best?" I'd head straight for those makers and skip most of the American stuff without hesitation.

But he didn't ask "what's best?", but rather "what's the best for the buck?" Value-wise, the high-end Euro guns don't stand a chance. A Blaser or a Merkel can easily cost 10x, 15x (or more) the price of a budget American gun like a Ruger American or similar. Are the Euros 10 or 15 times better? Of course not...they provide measurable increases in performance, they hold their value, they have extra features, yes...but for a beginner who wants a gun with which to learn the basics of shooting, or of hunting, they are a waste of money. Most of the intangibles they provide are meaningless to a beginner. He won't even understand many of the differences, so he'll certain not appreciate them. Buy a Heym...or a Rolex...or a Ferrari...or some other high-end imported luxury item. Enjoy the performance, the exclusivity, the beauty, the "feel"...but don't kid yourself that it's the best value for the dollar, because it's not.
 
jjohnwm said:
Doesn't the OP's last sentence indicate that he is trying to minimize his cash outlay? Or am I misinterpreting that final phrase?

I'm a fan of the Euro stuff as well. If the question were simply "what's best?" I'd head straight for those makers and skip most of the American stuff without hesitation.

But he didn't ask "what's best?", but rather "what's the best for the buck?" Value-wise, the high-end Euro guns don't stand a chance. A Blaser or a Merkel can easily cost 10x, 15x (or more) the price of a budget American gun like a Ruger American or similar. Are the Euros 10 or 15 times better? Of course not...they provide measurable increases in performance, they hold their value, they have extra features, yes...but for a beginner who wants a gun with which to learn the basics of shooting, or of hunting, they are a waste of money. Most of the intangibles they provide are meaningless to a beginner. He won't even understand many of the differences, so he'll certain not appreciate them. Buy a Heym...or a Rolex...or a Ferrari...or some other high-end imported luxury item. Enjoy the performance, the exclusivity, the beauty, the "feel"...but don't kid yourself that it's the best value for the dollar, because it's not.
Click to expand...
the title doesn't state best bang for the buck, just that it has to be the best along with a question mark next to the price as if he himself does not know what the best costs.

That is my take anyways. If this is another best rifle for the cheapest dollar thread it has been done to death already.
 
Brian46 said:
the title doesn't state best bang for the buck, just that it has to be the best along with a question mark next to the price as if he himself does not know what the best costs.

That is my take anyways. If this is another best rifle for the cheapest dollar thread it has been done to death already.
Click to expand...

I don't think so... he has three dollar signs because he is looking for a rifle under $1K.

I am always going to say Ruger M77... In the flavour of your choice.
 
Well, I would say that a good criteria to measure this by would be to look at the number of rifles, that are newer, and in good condition, on the buy and sell. Then take a look at how many times you read people saying they wished they'd never have sold such and such a rifle.

With those two criteria in mind, I would say the Winchester Model 70 offers the best value for the money.

Ruger M77 would be fairly close behind.
 
Brian46 said:
the title doesn't state best bang for the buck, just that it has to be the best along with a question mark next to the price as if he himself does not know what the best costs.

That is my take anyways. If this is another best rifle for the cheapest dollar thread it has been done to death already.
Click to expand...

Actually, the title does indeed state "best for the $$$?", along with the last sentence which says "best bang for the buck and least as well..."

But I agree, this topic ranks right up there with "bear defense", "best non-restricted black rifle" and "the importer is overcharging us!" as the most boring and overdone subjects on CGN.
 
well my opinion based on budget is this:
$300-$400- stevens 200
$400-$500 - savage 111 (sometimes on sale) or used husky,sometimes a vanguard or equivalent, ruger american
$500-$600 - weatherby vanguard, ruger american
$600-$700 - ruger m77, remington 700
$700-$800 - tikka t3, vanguard s3, model 70, rem 700, m77

That's as high as I feel i need to go on a bang for buck thread. Of course the prices depend on features, availability, location, sales, etc but I think that kind of covers the bases.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom