Fit and finish on the sako's is excellent. The actions are smooth as silk, the kind of workmanship you don't see anymore. They are usually good shooters, any time I see them under $900 I look twice. A new sako 85 could run up to around $1700, and in some peoples opinions the older ones are better. Older remingtons are definately better than the new ones, all these companies are trying to cut costs to make a buck, materials and quality control suffer. The 50's, 60's and 70's is when they made they made some of the best product and developed their reputations.
Best bolt under $400
- Thread starter mzcloud
- Start date
Fit and finish on the sako's is excellent. The actions are smooth as silk, the kind of workmanship you don't see anymore. They are usually good shooters, any time I see them under $900 I look twice. A new sako 85 could run up to around $1700, and in some peoples opinions the older ones are better. Older remingtons are definately better than the new ones, all these companies are trying to cut costs to make a buck, materials and quality control suffer. The 50's, 60's and 70's is when they made they made some of the best product and developed their reputations.
$400 rifle
I agree completely with Kimberman, Blargon and others. If $400 was my established limit, I'd buy the best quality older and well used rifle I could find, regardless of calibre. So what if the gun is 40 or 50 years old. Alot of those old gems were built to last several lifetimes and they were actually made of metal and quality workmanship.
Case in point, over the last 2 years I've acquired 2 fantastic old Remington 721 bolt action rifles in 270 and 30-06. Each one was had for 425 to 450, and that included shipping, rings and bases. I love these old gems and they are available if you are patient. I think these old gals have alot more character and were much better built than these new "budget rifles." Besides, when you buy something old, you are getting something a bit different and unique. Just my 2 cents. Good luck!
I agree completely with Kimberman, Blargon and others. If $400 was my established limit, I'd buy the best quality older and well used rifle I could find, regardless of calibre. So what if the gun is 40 or 50 years old. Alot of those old gems were built to last several lifetimes and they were actually made of metal and quality workmanship.
Case in point, over the last 2 years I've acquired 2 fantastic old Remington 721 bolt action rifles in 270 and 30-06. Each one was had for 425 to 450, and that included shipping, rings and bases. I love these old gems and they are available if you are patient. I think these old gals have alot more character and were much better built than these new "budget rifles." Besides, when you buy something old, you are getting something a bit different and unique. Just my 2 cents. Good luck!
- Location
- vancouverstan
http://www.wholesalesports.com/onlinestore/control/category/~category_id=11784/~pcategory=1011000801
the mossberg 4x4 30 06 with 3-9 scope. its right in your budget and there a great value gun with decent stocks/trigger. and at 430(scope included) its a buy and go deal. i have been very happy with mossbergs products.
the mossberg 4x4 30 06 with 3-9 scope. its right in your budget and there a great value gun with decent stocks/trigger. and at 430(scope included) its a buy and go deal. i have been very happy with mossbergs products.
- Location
- Lloydminster
If that's the case, you are likely limited to the Stevens 200 or the Marlin XL7. Traditionally, the Stevens has been the king of entry level rifles. We've had great luck with the new XL7's and they really don't give up anything to the Stevens except they are about $50 or so more. However, they are IMHO a better looking and finished rifle.
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I have bought 4 husky's from Anthony at Tradeex-and they have been exactly-or in better condition than he described them.He will send you any pictures you want,and I believe he will take back a rifle if you are really unhappy with it[I haven't been] My last one was a nice 6.5x55-very good wood and chequering,barrel and action in excellent shape, barrel cut to 20'' and crowned,and with weaver mounts installed-all for $235.*....beat that if you can-I figure these are the best value in hunting rifles you can get bar none[ps-south of the line they sell the EXACT same rifles for twice as much....]Yes, they sometimes have handling marks[which he will tell you about]-but a couple of hours is well spent and they come up beautifully
*-those prices leave you enough room to put a good scope on it,but I just picked up a nice older 4x leopold off e-bay for $120,and that rig is good for virtually anything in NorthAmerica-the 6.5x55 is a very very efficient chambering with one of the highest sectional densities of ANY hunting bullet on the market.Its accurate and very easy on the shoulder too
*-those prices leave you enough room to put a good scope on it,but I just picked up a nice older 4x leopold off e-bay for $120,and that rig is good for virtually anything in NorthAmerica-the 6.5x55 is a very very efficient chambering with one of the highest sectional densities of ANY hunting bullet on the market.Its accurate and very easy on the shoulder too
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You can buy .30-06 ammo just about anywhere ammo is sold. It's a little bigger gun than the 6.5-55 so be prepared for more recoil. I think the .30-06 would be fine for bear, or anything else in north america.
I'm just curious, what do you currently own for firearms, and what have you had experience with?
I'm just curious, what do you currently own for firearms, and what have you had experience with?
In terms of rifles, I have a remington 700vs 308 with NF scope and 10 different handguns.
I had a Norinco M14 before, it shoots good with iron sights, but the finish I cannot stand, so sold it.
I know pistol calibers, but have no idea how the rifle calibers are like.
If you pick up a reloading manual, you can read about the different cartridges and see what kind of performance you can get out of these cartridges. If you like your .308 you could use it for a while and save a bit more $$ for a little more high end rifle...... like a kimber
, sako, or even a tikka. The weatherby vangaurds are also a good buy, maybe one of the best buys out there now. I still think you would do well with a 6.5x55, I shot my first deer with a husky in 6.5, now it's my wife's "training" rifle, and one day maybe my kids will take their first deer with it............. but that's a way's away yet.
, sako, or even a tikka. The weatherby vangaurds are also a good buy, maybe one of the best buys out there now. I still think you would do well with a 6.5x55, I shot my first deer with a husky in 6.5, now it's my wife's "training" rifle, and one day maybe my kids will take their first deer with it............. but that's a way's away yet.If you pick up a reloading manual, you can read about the different cartridges and see what kind of performance you can get out of these cartridges. If you like your .308 you could use it for a while and save a bit more $$ for a little more high end rifle...... like a kimber
Is 6.5x55 good for bear though? the problem with living in the GTA is rifle hunting is not allowed unless you go reallly up north. My 308 is too heavy and the scope 3.5x15 is too big to carry around. The sako finish is really nice, i held one once, felt really good. But I feel its a bit too much money for the woods. I will feel bad if I scrach the wood
. Another problem with the 6.5x55 is the availability of ammo. Its 30 bucks a box, pretty pricey for 20 shots just to practice and not widely available.Well, maybe a .30-06 is a better choice for you then, capable for any game, cheaper and redily available ammo. There are usually lots of good used rifles available in .30-06.
Frontier has a bunch of vangaurds advertised for $569. your choice of .30-06, .270, 300win mag, 7rem mag, .338win mag and more. All of which are common cartridges with easy to find ammo and capable of any north american game animal. They also have a bunch of savages and stevens adverised for good prices.
Frontier has a bunch of vangaurds advertised for $569. your choice of .30-06, .270, 300win mag, 7rem mag, .338win mag and more. All of which are common cartridges with easy to find ammo and capable of any north american game animal. They also have a bunch of savages and stevens adverised for good prices.
I'm not that familiar with the savage-stevens products. I believe the savage should be a little better quality than the stevens, but I think this particular rifle is pre accu trigger, and therefore maybe not that different. Again, I'm not a savage guy so I'm not sure about that.
