Newbie Rifle Comparision.

bdb.hunting

bdb.hunting

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Hello, I'm fairly confident I am putting this in the right area but we shall see (its my first real post here after lurking for a bit)

So I recently got my firearms license approved (apparently its in the mail) My father has his close behind, We will both be buying rilfes before september (hunting season start in BC) So I have spent the last few months doing my fair share of digging and research on rifles the good the bad the normal.

So my father is basically set with 30-06 Ill either be the same but haven't totally made up my mind, This isnt about calibers dont worry thats a post for another time.

I have picked out 6 entry level Rifles that i think all have some good meritt and would be great rifles to own as first hunting rifle.

1. Weatherby Vanguard Series 2 Synthetic

2. Winchester® XPR

3. Ruger® American Rifle

4. Browning® AB3 Composite Stalker

5. Mossberg Patriot

6. Remington® Model 783

From what I know these are all basically the more affordable options for the budget wary hunter. I have my likes and dislikes about all of them. I want real opinions and likes and dislikes from owners of these rifles.

If you own(ed) one of these 6 rifles I would like it very much if you could tell me what caliber you had it in and what you liked or disliked about the rifle.

Cheers
B
 
Find a caliber you want and then select the rifle that feels the best fit. If you're dad's going 30-06, it makes sense to match. You can share ammo if someone forgets or runs out. .270 is a good all around caliber any one of those rifles will be chambered in. Composite stocks if you're hiking or in weather.
 
I have owned,

Vanguard S2 in 308: Very well built rifle, great stock fit, excellent trigger and plenty accurate.

Ruger American in 7mm-08: Ok rifle with some good features, didn't care for the stock, action had rough machining and the finish seems like it would wear off easy. Accuracy was sufficient, but it wasn't consistent.

Remington 783 in 30-06: Ok rifle with not a whole lot of features. Stock was cheap, bolt was rough, finish was cheap. Accuracy was fine.

I've played around with the the XPR, it seems like a half decent rifle. I've heard good things about the AB3

I'm not a Mossberg fan.

Another "budget" rifle I've owned and would suggest you check out if possible is the TC Venture, Well built rifle with a reputation for accuracy.
 
Out of all those I would probably say the vanguard 2. Better yet, go to tradeexcanada.com and get yourself a nice husqvarna 1600 in 270 or 3006 and call it a day. Much better value that any of the rifles above.
 
The Vanguard is the only one on your list I've shot so it's the only one I can in any way vouch for personally. But I can really vouch for it based on the accuracy of that one example (a .223Remington.) Having said that, if you get to try handling or even better shooting a rifle before you buy, no matter how good the rifle is if it doesn't fit you well you might not get it's best.

Personally I prefer a detachable magazine or the simplicity of a single shot (very pleased with my Handi-Rifles) but I do have one bolt-action with a built in magazine with a hinged floor plate and it shoots well enough to make putting up with that easy. Think about the features you want, but if a rifle fits you well and you shoot it well, it's not a bad choice. And if you get the perfect rifle first time out, you might miss out on a lot of fun buying more guns.
 
Good news, big game hunting season in BC is a lot more than September. You can hunt the majority of the year for something.

As for rifles, give heavy consideration to buying a rifle you won't replace. Your first is special and many of us here would wish we bought something quality the first time we could hang onto rather than something semi budget.

My advice would be a Winchester Model 70, used here off the equipment exchange, in .270 Winchester.
 
Sounds like you're on a wee bit of a budgit.
I'd buy used quality rather than new iffy.
S2 is a decent rifle, all be it, a tad on the heavy side.

Gun shows coming up in Penticton and the big one in Kamloops in less than a
months time.
I'd karrewse these and find a decent, lightly used Ruger 77, Winchester Mod 70,
clean Mauser 98's, BSA's and as mentioned earlier........dem Whooozsvarna's.
 
Of your choices I would go with the Weatherby VGS2. Really nice trigger, exceptionally accurate. I don't find mine overly heavy. HOWA (Japan) makes the barrelled actions for the Weatherby Vanguard series. I have several and they all shoot well. One I've had for 33yrs. Again as mentioned in this and other similar posts you have to find the fit & function that best suits you. Go "shoulder" a few. Good luck
 
Speaking from my limited experience, give serious thought to spending more money up front to buy the rifle with all of the features you want. It'll save you the headache of buying a more expensive rifle later on or upgrading the budget model.
 
1. Vanguard or Howa 1500 are excellent rifles with no real weak points, other then they are a big overbuilt heavy duty action. I have 5 to date, very good reliable rifles. Check Prophet River for the Howas.
2. The 783 I have is actually in 30/06, nothing wrong there either (considering the price of course), also a fairly heavy barreled action, good stock and recoil pad, good mags, decent trigger, only one negative is the molded in sling swivels may break if you take a serious header, but that's minor.
3. AB3 is the nicest made of the budget guns, but in 30'06 it might be a bit much for a new shooter, they are light.... I have a 270 and a 308, nice guns but you notice the recoil a bit.
I owned 2 Americans (junk) the XPR is too similar to the AB3 (same bolt/receiver) for the price as they have some crappy features, and the Mossbergs are pretty sloppy.
If you can stomach used, a pair of HVA 1640's can be had for $1000 for the best examples Tradex has in stock currently in 30'06. Wonderful​ old rifles from the 50's-60's that were made by skilled hands, not machines. Only thing not great are the triggers which can be a little heavy, but totally fine for hunting.
 
Nothing wrong with a Vanguard.

Better yet are the suggestions for a Winchester or a Ruger.

Leave those other ones for people who don't know enough to ask.
 
Mik123 said:
Speaking from my limited experience, give serious thought to spending more money up front to buy the rifle with all of the features you want. It'll save you the headache of buying a more expensive rifle later on or upgrading the budget model.
Click to expand...

If only we ever know what all the features we want looks like. I can't seem to ever figure that out.
 
So I really appreciate everyones help and all this info is great,

Looks like I have a few new rifles to research. Also looks like the Weatherby VGS2 has a decent average rating.

I can totally deal with a used rifle as well doesnt bother me too much, I was more so trying to figure out which ones I could hold and feel, Ill be moving to vancouver in 1 month and know of the two big name stores around (cabelas and Bass pro) and am hoping to find some smaller shops as well where I can go try the feel and fit. Maybe even find someone who owns a few to let me try them out at a range (I would cover a box of ammo and entry fee for the day) I know how important that fit and feel can be.

I will think about my budget a bit more its just a hard time, Just graduating from college and have some student loans to pay back.

Cheers Everyone :D
 
I have a couple Vanguard S2's and they are a great rifle. They are reasonably priced and very accurate. You can probably get a deal on a used one or possibly find one on sale. Yes, a bit heavy perhaps but your a young guy you can handle an extra pound just fine! Think of the extra rifle weight as a recoil reduction device.

You are wise to go and handle as many rifles as you can before you buy as how it feels to "you" is the most important consideration. Two people can handle the same rifle, one guy thinks its fantastic the other guy thinks its junk. There is no "correct" answer.
Once you have narrowed your choice down see if you can try shooting one or two as you indicated.
Have fun finding your first rifle!
 
"If you can stomach used, a pair of HVA 1640's can be had for $1000 for the best examples Tradex has in stock currently in 30'06. Wonderful​ old rifles from the 50's-60's that were made by skilled hands, not machines. Only thing not great are the triggers which can be a little heavy, but totally fine for hunting.[/QUOTE]


What he said.
 
bdb.hunting said:
So I really appreciate everyones help and all this info is great,

Looks like I have a few new rifles to research. Also looks like the Weatherby VGS2 has a decent average rating.

I can totally deal with a used rifle as well doesnt bother me too much, I was more so trying to figure out which ones I could hold and feel, Ill be moving to vancouver in 1 month and know of the two big name stores around (cabelas and Bass pro) and am hoping to find some smaller shops as well where I can go try the feel and fit. Maybe even find someone who owns a few to let me try them out at a range (I would cover a box of ammo and entry fee for the day) I know how important that fit and feel can be.

I will think about my budget a bit more its just a hard time, Just graduating from college and have some student loans to pay back.

Cheers Everyone :D
Click to expand...

Never mind the big box stores. Check Reliable out. There you can shoulder any of a variety of used and new rifles.
 
The scopes that come with the Remington 783 are crap. 1 out or 10 rifles will have a scope out of the box that doesn't even work or was assembled incorrectly. Its very common to pick one up, look though the scope, and see the retical is like an X so you think, oh #### the scope isn't levelled, but then you look at the scope and it is on levelled. Some look fine but when you go to sight in the scope it doesn't work. Honestly I just blame Mexicans for this when reality is the scope is probably make in China. Like the Mexican staring frog of southern Sri Lanka. It just doesn't make sense but I'll just roll with it. #Buildthewall. Honestly though the 783 is a fine budget rifle. A tad on the heavy side but it already comes from the factory with decent bases. You just need to scrap the scope and rings and buy at least a $200 Vortex Crossfire, Nikon Buckmaster, Bushnell Trophy, or Burris Droptine for it. Actually a $100 Bushnell Banner is a better scope then what it comes with. Then get a set of Leupold PRW ($80) if you can afford them. If not get a set of Weaver Grand Slam ($40). All that said and done with a box of ammo, gun case, some targets, and sling you're looking at about $700. If you want new its not a bad route to go but id rather look for a used Savage 116.
 
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