Looking for a new bolt action deer rifle...

Post by **cmfireman** » Wed Mar 18, 2009 2:43 am

Okay, I'm looking at a new budget bolt action deer rifle (in .270 unless you can convince me otherwise), as so I can afford to have a solid package after spending some money on a quality scope.

I have it narrowed down to a few, and would like for any of you guys to share any experiences.

Marlin has introduced another effort in the bolt-action category, the XL7, and after reading reviews it seems to be a capable rifle shooting 1 MOA at 100yds. It also has the Pro-fire adjustable trigger (the same as Savages accutrigger).

Theres also the Savage 110 with accutrigger, a proven reliable cheap gun.

I was looking at the Remington 770 series, but after reading reviews it seems like Rems bottom of the barrel economy bolt action sucks hard compared to the other two.

Both of these guns can be had for <$350 out the door.

I will be mainly hunting deer in the southeast, and maybe a coyote or bobcat along the way.

Which would you buy, or would you step up the budget? In todays market I think a cheap rifle with a good scope would be as good as some of the heavy hitters such as Browning, TC, Weatherby and Remington.

Feel free to add anything I've overlooked in the poll. Thanks!

Post by **Looneybomber** » Wed Mar 18, 2009 9:04 am

I don't have any first hand experience with either of those guns, so I can't say which I'd buy over the other.

For .270, it's a good all around caliber. I perfer a .30 cal, likley the .30-06 just because of how common it is. You can get bullet weights from 110-240 grains...and probably more if you look around. Another thing is you can get .22cal sabots for a .30cal if you want to varmint hunt...coyotes included.

So the .270 is not a bad round at all. I just perfer a .30 cal.

Post by **Mr1der** » Wed Mar 18, 2009 12:15 pm

Remington 770.

it's a GREAT budget rifle.

http://www.remington.com/produ...0.asp

good god, people really do dog it..

the 710 was a nice shooter...

Savage however makes a hell of a rifle for the money.

I still want a savage tactical in .300 Win Mag

Wed Mar 18, 2009 1:01 pm

.270 is a fantastic round.

All the 7mms are, really.

Post by **shortmag** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 11:23 am

I got my Weatherby Vanguard (.300WSM) for just a shade over $400 at my local sportsman's warehouse when they were clearing out the previous years models to make way for the new ones. great rifle and will cloverleaf @ 100yds all day long. Added a Sightron 3-9x40, bipod and sling totaling me out somewhere around $600.

SM

Post by **cmfireman** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 1:26 pm

I went to Gander Mountain last night and held the Savage and the Marlin side-by-side and played with the bolts.

The Savages stock doesn't fit me right (I have a 6'5 inch armspan tip to tip).

The Marlin felt good and was on sale for $299..........then I picked up a Tikka T3 Hunter in .270.

Awesome feeling gun, and from the research I have done is an excellent value rifle that can shoot sub-MOA all day long. A cool fact is the stock was designed by Giugiaro Design (of Italdesign).

It costs $600 with no scope, so I'm going to shop around a little while longer before I get one, but hell, I've got until November till deer season.

Post by **Looneybomber** » Sat Mar 21, 2009 9:18 am

Bah, don't worry about the stock. Just order one custom built for you. You get an unfinished laminated stock fairly cheap in whatever color, style, size, and acc. that you want. Just do some sanding and finishing and you'll have a nice stock.

Post by **Mr1der** » Sat Mar 21, 2009 12:09 pm

the Tikka T3 is an very nice rifle for the money too...

the Howa rifles aren't bad either...it's similar to the Weatherby Vangaurd....I think they might share the same action honestly...maybe more than that.

Sat Mar 21, 2009 1:14 pm

CZ makes good rifles too.

And Gander Mountain is a ripoff.

Post by **Mr1der** » Sat Mar 21, 2009 3:25 pm

as is Bass Pro.

I go there to look at stuff, laugh at the prices and sometimes buy ammo.

Post by **PoorManQ45** » Sun May 17, 2009 11:25 am

Check out walmart.

Is this going to be a food gathering weapon or a sporting weapon?

Walmart currently has a cheap NEF 270 for $249. THink it's a break open, but who cares. It only takes one shot

Is it just me, or is 1 MOA pretty bad at 100yards for high powered rifles? Good .22s like the CZ452 have been doing 1/4-1/2 MOA at 100 yards for ever!

Post by **PoorManQ45** » Sun May 17, 2009 11:28 am

I'll through a curve ball in here because you said hunting in the southeast.

most hunting calibers are really overkill.

The 22 magnum has been proven to drop deer with proper shot placement. Alot cheaper to shoot also.

Maybe a 22-250?
Modified by PoorManQ45 at 6:11 PM 5/17/2009

Post by **Mr1der** » Mon May 18, 2009 1:04 pm

it's illegal to use less than a .24 caliber in a lot of states.

TN for example

most of the .22 calibers are used for varmint work.

Post by **PoorManQ45** » Mon May 18, 2009 2:22 pm

Yeah, that kind of sucks.

People used to hunt with 22s. Proper shot placement was more important.

These days people argue about shooting through the "boiler room" or the shoulder. With a 22 you have to hit the heart/lungs.

It kind of sucks as a 22-250 and 220 swift can easily drop a good size dear at 100 yards.

Post by **Mr1der** » Mon May 18, 2009 6:14 pm

no doubt.

I'd like to think the law is in place in hopes of it being more humane kills to the lesser skilled shooters.

I feel sorry for a deer that gets gutshot by some doofus that sighted in a rifle with ammo that he wasn't gonna hunt with or just botched a shot because he got too excited and snatched the trigger

Post by **PoorManQ45** » Tue May 19, 2009 2:37 am

LOL, good point.

Unfortunately that happens with any caliber

Looking for a new bolt action deer rifle...

Looking for a new bolt action deer rifle...

Re: Looking for a new bolt action deer rifle... (cmfireman)

Re: Looking for a new bolt action deer rifle... (cmfireman)

Re: Looking for a new bolt action deer rifle... (shortmag)

Re: Looking for a new bolt action deer rifle... (cmfireman)

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