Hunting Washington Forum

Equipment & Gear => Guns and Ammo => Topic started by: konrad on April 09, 2010, 07:34:40 AM

Title: Best Bang for Buck?
Post by: konrad on April 09, 2010, 07:34:40 AM: So here are my next questions:

A: Which bolt action rifle offers the “Best Bang for the Buck”?

I would sacrifice money before accuracy.
The preferred chambering will be in 7mm Remington Magnum.
Projected maximum range (to be used on elk/mule deer) 500 yards with an eye on maintaining a maximum six inch group.

B: Is it realistic to believe a less expensive platform will provide this type of accuracy?
Title: Re: Best Bang for Buck?
Post by: high country on April 09, 2010, 07:36:14 AM: savage, tikka, vanguard/howa.......any of them should do it in the right hands with the right loads.
Title: Re: Best Bang for Buck?
Post by: jackelope on April 09, 2010, 07:38:05 AM: :yeah:

nuff said....
Title: Re: Best Bang for Buck?
Post by: JackOfAllTrades on April 09, 2010, 09:04:53 AM: Savage! I've seen many magnum Savages at the low end of the spectrum shoot hand loads to MOA or less.

I would have to throw Tikka in the mix too. I think some would say that Weatherby Vangard is of the low end. All very capable of what you're asking.

If you weren't looking for a 7mm mag, then the absolute biggest bang for the buck on a bolt rifle is the Marlin XL7 or XS7.

-Steve
Title: Re: Best Bang for Buck?
Post by: whacker1 on April 09, 2010, 10:33:05 AM: lots of options, but my first pick for least expensive would be the HOWA 1500 with Hogue synthetic stock - $400 if you can find it on sale.
Remington 700 for $525 I saw not long ago.
Savage is on the top of the list, but I haven't seen any recent sales
Or if you are on a budget - could look used and possibly find something worthwhile.
Title: Re: Best Bang for Buck?
Post by: JackOfAllTrades on April 09, 2010, 10:38:22 AM: Marlin XL7 in 30-06 is tough to beat for $300 + tax out the door.

I know you can get the Savage/Stevens for that cheap, but it's not known for being as accurate or have the adjustable trigger or pillar bedded composite stock or use a common Win70 scope mount or have a fluted bolt.

I guess I'd have to throw a Remington Mod 7 in the mix as being big bang for the buck too. But they're missing some of the Marlin features too.

I like the Howa too.

-Steve
Title: Re: Best Bang for Buck?
Post by: KimberRich on April 09, 2010, 11:03:25 AM: My vote would be the Vanguard. Great rifle for the money.

I've heard a lot of great things about the Marlin though and it is around $300 so very affordable!

Good luck.
Title: Re: Best Bang for Buck?
Post by: BigGoonTuna on April 09, 2010, 06:35:49 PM: i'd go with the howa...same action as the vanguard but usually around 100-200 bucks cheaper. don't know if it comes in 7 mag though.

stevens 200 probably wins the bang for the buck(as well as flat out least expensive, period), but i think all savage bolt actions are ugly and sloppy feeling.
Title: Re: Best Bang for Buck?
Post by: satchel3006 on April 09, 2010, 07:25:32 PM: id go with the vanguard which is cheaper than the howa around here(oddly enough). do the stevens have the blind box magazine? i always hated that feature
Title: Re: Best Bang for Buck?
Post by: ecnclan on April 09, 2010, 07:41:30 PM: Quote
savage, tikka, vanguard/howa.......any of them should do it in the right hands with the right loads.

All good just find the one that feels good for the price. :twocents:
Title: Re: Best Bang for Buck?
Post by: jackelope on April 09, 2010, 08:56:04 PM: There's about 10 different models of vanguards from synthetic/blue for $400.00 to a sub-moa for 800 bucks or so...The Howa's will all be around $400 too for the base model. Vanguards will have a 1.5"moa out of the box with off the shelf ammo.
Remingtons are great rifles but you have to trick them to get them to shoot better than just average. :twocents:
Title: Re: Best Bang for Buck?
Post by: shaneman153D on April 09, 2010, 09:00:12 PM: I have a Remmy 700 ADL (Don't do that) in 7mm. I got it for $500 OTD scoped. With commercial ammo I was less than impressed, 1.5-2 MOA. However, now that I handload, I'm getting .8 MOA with 162gr AMAXs. I'm guessing the SPS version will do the same, and it runs about $520 on Gunbroker. I didn't know about Berger hunting match bullets when I bought the AMAXs, but that's a big game bullet that will probably perform the same or better.

If you can deal with a Savage, it will probably be more accurate. If I had to do it all over again, I may have gone with a Howa.
Title: Re: Best Bang for Buck?
Post by: norsepeak on April 09, 2010, 09:10:18 PM: tikka for me... :twocents: