Best bang for buck in rifles today

[xxclaro]

With so many options out there today, what do you think offers the most for the least? Bottom end we have the Axis and 783 along with a few vanilla Savages. The Axis is out for me as for a couple bucks more you can get a Savage or 783 with an easily changed out barrel. Then you have your plain 700's for under $600,and Vanguards just a touch more. A little higher still and Tikka is an option, or a nicer than 700. Almost forgot Ruger, with the American priced right around $500,and the Hawkeye in there with the Tikka. So, with all these options anymore, what do you feel offers the most for the least, and why?

I was planning to buy an American when they first came out, but with a $500+ price tag I think there's better options. If we could get them for $350 like the US I'd be all over it. The Vanguard and 700 are both a bit heavier than I'd like but managable. The Tikka feels pretty cheap and is a bit pricey for what it is I think but they are light and almost always shoot good. At this time I'm leaning toward the Vanguard, since they can be had on sale pretty cheap right now. Your thoughts?

[elkhunter11]

The Vanguard that I purchased recently from Wholesale Sports for $399, is the best value that I have seen in a few years.

[Robmcleod82]

Ruger American

[Ranch11]

Those vanguards are pretty good, heavy rifles, and are a decent price. I recently purchased a 240 and 257. They're not tikka like in out of the box accuracy, but 5 shots around 1.5-1.75" isn't that bad.

[FinnDawg]

Not to long ago wholesale had a deal on the tikka t3 hunter combo in .300 wsm for $900.
Wish I would have jumped on it.

[elkhunter11]

Originally Posted by Ranch11

Those vanguards are pretty good, heavy rifles, and are a decent price. I recently purchased a 240 and 257. They're not tikka like in out of the box accuracy, but 5 shots around 1.5-1.75" isn't that bad.

My Vanguard in 243win will put five shots in 1" at 100 yards with my handloads. That is about as good as many of the sporter weight Tikka rifles that I have fired.

[Salavee]

If you are considering only new rifles there are some good options available. On the other hand if it is the best value for your money you want, have a look at the many used older rifles like Husqvarna,Parker Hale, Brno, Mauser,Browning etc that are available at real bargain prices (less than $700.00 cdn) Many of them are of very high quality that cannot be duplicated considering todays manufacturing costs for much less than $2000.00. Just a thought.

[Ranch11]

With factory loads, my tikka will put em almost touching, 243 58 grain vmax and 80 grain GMX. My 257 vanguard was putting the factory 87 grain Hornady sp into .433". I can't find this ammo now, switched to 100 sp and groups opened up considerably. My 240 vanguard shooting factory 100 sp, is right around 1.5", just like they guarantee. Which is good enough for a hunting rifle

[BANG]

Originally Posted by Salavee

If you are considering only new rifles there are some good options available. On the other hand if it is the best value for your money you want, have a look at the many used older rifles like Husqvarna,Parker Hale, Brno, Mauser,Browning etc that are available at real bargain prices (less than $700.00 cdn) Many of them are of very high quality that cannot be duplicated considering todays manufacturing costs for much less than $2000.00. Just a thought.

X2 take a look at used rifles on tradex

[KegRiver]

If you want a big bang, this will give you that.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8WiLqPB4lU0

[Ranch11]

Or depends where you live, hit up auctions. Pretty good deals there can be had sometimes.
Last one I was at, Tc encore barrels, high price was 220, low end was 150. Bought 4 of em

[M.C. Gusto]

You guys above talking about the old vanguard of the new Howa Vanguard S2?

My Howa is an absolute tack driver and pretty cheap.

Best budget rifle I think is the Stevens. They all shoot good.

[ForwardBias]

Model 11 Trophy Hunter is a fine deal.

[north american hunter]

Weatherby vanguard s2.

[xxclaro]

Originally Posted by Ranch11

Or depends where you live, hit up auctions. Pretty good deals there can be had sometimes.
Last one I was at, Tc encore barrels, high price was 220, low end was 150. Bought 4 of em

Really? I've been to a few auctions and 95% of the people got hosed, admittedly due to their own stupidity. I've bought one rifle at an auction, but that was a long time ago. Not really into buying used rifles if I can't get hands on and inspect them well first.

Tradex has neat stuff but nothing that interests me. I'm just curious what people are seeing as the best value in new guns today. I think the market is more flooded now with decent options than its ever been, so it can be a bit confusing to try and find the best deal.

The S2 that was just on sale at Wholesale I think was the deal of the year, probably of the last 5 years honestly. Unfortunately caliber selection was limited. I was considering another .243, until I checked the ROT and saw it was 1-10". Thats a deal breaker for me. Thats what I mean about confusing. I think the Vanguard is more gun for the money than the Ruger American, but the Ruger spins its .243 properly so in this case for me it would have been the better option. I'm kinda kicking myself for not just settling for a plain ol .308 in the Vanguard, even though I have the older model already.

[58thecat]

Marlin lever 30/30.
Throw on a fixed four power scope, rifle for life!

[xxclaro]

I've got 5 lever guns and while I like them, they don't see that much action. They work, but in most situations I find myself in a good bolt gun is just a better all round choice. Oh, and NONE of them are 30-30's! Thats about the bottom of the barrel,imo...

[Bergerboy]

Winchester M70

[Pathfinder76]

Mrc x2

[north american hunter]

Originally Posted by Bergerboy

Winchester M70

Could work.

[PaLuke]

Over the years I've been lucky to have different brands of rifles. What absolutely amazed me was the accuracy of the Savage rifles. I picked up a used 116 in 7mm WSM that is very accurate. I paid $400 for the gun and honestly it shoots everything well that I run out of it. I'll never discount Savage again. These aren't the Savages of old. Good luck hunting.

[Big Thumper]

Was looking over the Syeyr Pro Hunters at the LGS the other day when picking up my 450/400 Ruger #1
They seem like a fantastic deal at just over 1000.00 IIRC.

[xxclaro]

Originally Posted by Bergerboy

Winchester M70

Why? Cheapest one I see is the Featherweight(which isn't, at 7.25lb) for $1100 and it goes up from there. Is there a cheaper model I'm missing? If not, how is the M70,at well over a grand, superior to the Vanguard, 700,Tikka or a Sako? If you want crf, what are its merits over say a Hawkeye for $3-400 less?

[Pathfinder76]

The best bang for your buck is usually not the cheapest.

[Bergerboy]

Originally Posted by xxclaro

Why? Cheapest one I see is the Featherweight(which isn't, at 7.25lb) for $1100 and it goes up from there. Is there a cheaper model I'm missing? If not, how is the M70,at well over a grand, superior to the Vanguard, 700,Tikka or a Sako? If you want crf, what are its merits over say a Hawkeye for $3-400 less?

With the exception of the Hawkeye, I have shot all of the rifles listed above and many more. My hunting partner has an M70 extreme weather. I think what Winchester offers for performance and features is by far the best bang for the buck over the other ones.

Now, if you asked what I thought was the best low cost entry level rifle I would recommend the Ruger American.

[xxclaro]

Originally Posted by chuck

Mrc x2

Whats that?

[sns2]

Originally Posted by xxclaro

Whats that?

An overpriced Model 70 with the old style Model 70 trigger.

[sns2]

Originally Posted by Bergerboy

With the exception of the Hawkeye, I have shot all of the rifles listed above and many more. My hunting partner has an M70 extreme weather. I think what Winchester offers for performance and features is by far the best bang for the buck over the other ones.

Now, if you asked what I thought was the best low cost entry level rifle I would recommend the Ruger American.

Bergerboy nailed it, IMO. And, I've owned a Hawkeye. Two actually

[xxclaro]

I haven't handled the newer M70's. What exactly is it that they bring to the table?

[Hat in the Cat]

Originally Posted by 58thecat

Marlin lever 30/30.
Throw on a fixed four power scope, rifle for life!

x2

Except I got a 3x9 on mine but with the right ammo it shoots a hair under an inch at 100m.

I have never needed any more range than it can provide in the areas I hunt.