Best bolt for the $$$???
- Thread starter daka
- Start date
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
Except that's not what he said, best value does not equate to cheapest.
Johnn Peterson
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Chemainus B.C.
I'd go with that. They're still going for around the $300 mark, aren't they?
Fantastically accurate, a great trigger, surplus ammo (and it's even non-corrosive) is as good as the match grade for a lot of other calibers, and at half the cost. Built to last forever. Surplus and commercial (hunting) ammo are both widely available currently. It's in that full powered cartridge category that means you can hunt pretty much anything with it.
Downsides:
A bit heavy. Long term, it will likely become another 8mm Mauser or .303 British in terms of ammo availability/cost, so stock up now.
- Location
- Steel Town and The Peg
All over the place and cheap? Not sure about either, but there's some nice premium upgrades out there. For example, Lumley Arms makes some outstanding products.
- Location
- Steel Town and The Peg
... and that's why we reload... if I relied upon the fodder on store shelves I would not be the enthusiast that I am today. 
... and that's why we reload... if I relied upon the fodder on store shelves I would not be the enthusiast that I am today.
Yup.
But also why I grab a good supply of the surplus right off the bat, and save the brass. A crate of surplus can be shot for the rest of your life, if reloaded.
Interesting, If I was forced to reload, I would not have the time to enjoy shooting as much as I do because of all the additional time required for the sport.... and that's why we reload... if I relied upon the fodder on store shelves I would not be the enthusiast that I am today.
I make considerably more per hour working that I could ever save per hour reloading so the choice is clear unless the caliber requires it.
... and that's why we reload... if I relied upon the fodder on store shelves I would not be the enthusiast that I am today.
With four safes full of rifles many of which are wildcats or extinct chamberings I simply could not afford to shoot without reloading.
Furthermore, tailoring a certain load to a rifle makes it all the more interesting.
When I first got really into this whole shooting thang back in the day I was almost more interested in creating ammo for oddball chamberings than I was in actually shooting them out of the rifles that used them.Now,I consider shooting and handloading as complementing each other,kind of a symbiotic relationship of sorts.Other people's mileage may vary.
I used to collect Sakos, now I do not own even one.
I used to collect rare Winchester Model 70s, now I do not own even one.
It took me a long time, and buying/selling over $17,000 worth of rifles, but
my gun safe now only contains rifles from one manufacturer - KIMBER of America (the 84M/84L series)
The best bang for MY buck? .... Kimber Classic Select Grade SS 84M (w/very highly figured French walnut stock/stainless, in 7mm-08)
I used to collect rare Winchester Model 70s, now I do not own even one.
It took me a long time, and buying/selling over $17,000 worth of rifles, but
my gun safe now only contains rifles from one manufacturer - KIMBER of America (the 84M/84L series)
The best bang for MY buck? .... Kimber Classic Select Grade SS 84M (w/very highly figured French walnut stock/stainless, in 7mm-08)
I have been impressed by Tikka T3's and Ruger M77's, which are not budget rifles but hit that "sweet spot" of functionality and finish. That is just my opinion of some examples of good value, I'm sure the Model 70 and Rem 700 and others mentioned are equally good, I just have yet to experience owning those.
"Value" will mean something different to everyone I suppose. For me, it often means that blue collar type product that does not necessarily come with exotic brand or model appeal, but holds its own in reliable, impressive performance. It usually is not the cheapest product available either, because there is little value in cheaping out where the ultimate result is a product being replaced prematurely because you "outgrow" it or it fails. Then you've bought two widgets for a combined price of what a better product would have cost to start with. The "sweet spot" of value generally lies in the middle and people have made many great suggestions here.
Shoulder and handle the whole gambit of mid range products, work the actions and see what you like! Now to try a used Husqvarna to see what all the excitement is about.
"Value" will mean something different to everyone I suppose. For me, it often means that blue collar type product that does not necessarily come with exotic brand or model appeal, but holds its own in reliable, impressive performance. It usually is not the cheapest product available either, because there is little value in cheaping out where the ultimate result is a product being replaced prematurely because you "outgrow" it or it fails. Then you've bought two widgets for a combined price of what a better product would have cost to start with. The "sweet spot" of value generally lies in the middle and people have made many great suggestions here.
Shoulder and handle the whole gambit of mid range products, work the actions and see what you like! Now to try a used Husqvarna to see what all the excitement is about.
I have also owned quite a few like many others here. My Winchester Model 70 in 300 mag ( Pre-64) was ok- sold it. My Remington Mountain rifle in 30-06 was just ok. It looked nice but did not shoot the great - sold it. I have a Husky in 30-06 and it fits well and shoots great but I don't use it. I have shot two different Weatherby's and I must give them credit for fit and feel. Weatherby makes rifle that fit me well and for the right price my be a good bet.
My go to rifle is my Tikka Model 695 Whitetale Hunter Deluxe in 7mm mag. I bought it new in 2003 and it shoots awesome, always has. I also own a new CZ 550 in 7X57 ( bought from Prophet River) which is a heavy rifle but shoots unreal with any handload or factory load I give it. I have shot a few T3's and they have all shot really well and fit me great.
My wish is a Tikka in 7X57...not going to happen.
So my plan is to buy a Tikka T3 Lite in 7mm mag. I think bang for your buck that is the best rifle on the market and yes the Weatherby fits well but I have to go with what I know and I know Tikka's shoot awesome. There are many others that I have not tried and a bit of this is what you think is cool or shoots well, so have fun with whatever rifle that is.
My go to rifle is my Tikka Model 695 Whitetale Hunter Deluxe in 7mm mag. I bought it new in 2003 and it shoots awesome, always has. I also own a new CZ 550 in 7X57 ( bought from Prophet River) which is a heavy rifle but shoots unreal with any handload or factory load I give it. I have shot a few T3's and they have all shot really well and fit me great.
My wish is a Tikka in 7X57...not going to happen.
So my plan is to buy a Tikka T3 Lite in 7mm mag. I think bang for your buck that is the best rifle on the market and yes the Weatherby fits well but I have to go with what I know and I know Tikka's shoot awesome. There are many others that I have not tried and a bit of this is what you think is cool or shoots well, so have fun with whatever rifle that is.
For a long time i was considering Kimber MA in .308 but reading through many reviews both US and CND i kinda became dissapointed with it. Some guys are swearing by its accuracy some are cursing like no other. Buddy of mine from BC told me his KMA is very accurate in 280 AI. I sort of come to understanding that with Kimber it is like lottery,what you end up with.
What throws me the most is their poor customer service,guys that send their rifles back because they were not able to get any kind of good groups were basically laughed at. No one ever resolved anything with them.
I hate to think this way but really like Kimber.
Sold some and still selling my SxS collection and was thinking of getting nice bolt for the money,scope,rings and whatnot as well.
Just testing waters and checking what most of the guys like or use.
Until now Tikka and Weatherby's are kind of leading on score board.
Had Tikka in 243 and just really accurate gun but was looking something for big game 6.5,270 to 300 range.
I would say Tikka T3 or Weatherby Vanguard, too.
The Weatherby is around $660 and the Tikka is around $800. $140 difference. This isn't really true, though. The Tikka recoil pad is awful. Simply awful. You need to drop $45 on a limbsaver on day one, and since it is magazine fed, to my mind you need an extra magazine for another $100.
So Weatherby: $660, Tikka $945, almost $300 difference.
Accuracy: about the same
Reliability: I've got both, hunted both, and neither has ever malfunctioned. A draw.
Ruggedness: Advantage Vanguard. One piece forged bolt, integral recoil lug, alloy bottom metal, alloy bolt shroud. There are a lot of stories of broken Tikka bolt shrouds, and I personally broke a plastic trigger guard... well, ruined it, anyhow. I torqued the action screws 10 in-lb *less* than the figure recommended by Beretta USA, and dished the integral washers, so now the wrist screw interferes with the cocking piece. "Hello, Coretac? Three metal trigger guards, please!"
Stock: The Tikka synthetic stock is better than the Vanguard stock. By a big chunk. Stiffer and nicer feeling.
Weight: The Tikka is much lighter.
Trigger (stock): The Tikka trigger is a bit better.
Detachable mag: Tikka has one, and that's a feature for me. Last fall's deer hunt, I was the only person with a hinge plate, and I got real jealous of the easy time the other guys had loading and unloading.
I actively hunt with a Tikka and prefer Tikkas because the weight advantage and detachable mags outweigh the disadvantages, for me.
For everyone else, I usually recommend the Vanguard.
The Weatherby is around $660 and the Tikka is around $800. $140 difference. This isn't really true, though. The Tikka recoil pad is awful. Simply awful. You need to drop $45 on a limbsaver on day one, and since it is magazine fed, to my mind you need an extra magazine for another $100.
So Weatherby: $660, Tikka $945, almost $300 difference.
Accuracy: about the same
Reliability: I've got both, hunted both, and neither has ever malfunctioned. A draw.
Ruggedness: Advantage Vanguard. One piece forged bolt, integral recoil lug, alloy bottom metal, alloy bolt shroud. There are a lot of stories of broken Tikka bolt shrouds, and I personally broke a plastic trigger guard... well, ruined it, anyhow. I torqued the action screws 10 in-lb *less* than the figure recommended by Beretta USA, and dished the integral washers, so now the wrist screw interferes with the cocking piece. "Hello, Coretac? Three metal trigger guards, please!"
Stock: The Tikka synthetic stock is better than the Vanguard stock. By a big chunk. Stiffer and nicer feeling.
Weight: The Tikka is much lighter.
Trigger (stock): The Tikka trigger is a bit better.
Detachable mag: Tikka has one, and that's a feature for me. Last fall's deer hunt, I was the only person with a hinge plate, and I got real jealous of the easy time the other guys had loading and unloading.
I actively hunt with a Tikka and prefer Tikkas because the weight advantage and detachable mags outweigh the disadvantages, for me.
For everyone else, I usually recommend the Vanguard.
Exactly. Model 1900 is my choice but the 1600/1640 is a steal
I like my browning xbolt hunter in .308.Why? It fits me good, its accurate and I love how the trigger feels, and I paid like 600 for it brand new. People will cringe at the reasons why I like this rifle but the best thing to do is, HOLD THE DAMN RIFLE YOURSELF, if it fits you well go for it . I've held multiple guns as I've done a ton of window shopping, and for some rifles its like nails on a chalk board to me when I hold it its just that wrong. Better yet if you know someone that has one ask if you can shoot it, that's really the best thing to do.
