Who makes a quality Rifle anymore?

[JLA]

A smith that 'wont' work on a certian action is probably not set up for it. Savage and rem 700 actions are very close, so a smith tooled to do rem 700s should have no problem adding a 40 dollar barrel nut wrench to his tooling and doing a savage too.

I can see a smith set up for savages and rem 700s (2 most popular bolt action brands today) not working on win 70s, mausers, rugers (all 3 are mauser actions) and others.

[reynolds357]

Originally Posted by lonewolf204

I shoot a lot of Remington 700s with no complaints!

I am not Remington bashing. Half my rifles are Remington. As of lately, their barrels just plain suck. Some bores are finished awesome and some look like $68 mauser conversion kit barrels. I think even the most die hard Remington loyalist must admit they have some problems.

[reynolds357]

Originally Posted by JLA

I agree! the set trigger of the 550s is by far the best factory offering of any manufacterer.

Definitely agree.

[reynolds357]

You cant go wrong with Savage, CZ, or Weatherby Vangard.
The best rifle I ever bought for the money was an FN. My fiend at the Gunshop showed me some in a catalog and asked me if I wanted to try one for $400. I told him sure. When it came in, it was worth twice that. It is a Winchester Coyotee wearing different stock. This thing is a tack driver. It was supposedly built in Sc. from left over Winchester parts. Needless to say after mine came in as the guinea pig, he ordered a pile of them and sold them for much more than$400.

[Albtraum]

Like some have said else-where on this forum, the term, "They don't make like they use to" is kind of flopped, with technological advances, CNC machinery, and just all around more precise and accurate tools and machines, barrels and actions can be made to extremely tight tolerances, thus, accurate rifles. Any up-to-date manufacturer can produce quality firearms.

[merbeau]

My guess is that Chuck Hawks (www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=211246) started all this with his review and trashing of the Tikka T3 and other modern day rifles which when you read the article he made a statement about the rifles of old (e.g., Winchester Pre 64 Model 70). I grew up in the days of the Smith Wesson 52, Colt Python, Browning Safari, Winchester Model 70 and Remington 700. I think these older models had the best of both worlds in quality of workmanship, parts, and components and certainly for collectability. Increased labor costs pretty much dictated going to less hand fitting, cast instead of forged parts, and ceramics instead of steel. Several in this forum are correct in pointing out that technology has progressed tremendously and many fine rifles are still produced. I have a Weatherby Vanguard deluxe in 257 caliber which is probably my most accurate stock rifle.

[bluesea112]

Originally Posted by JLA

But then wed have to call them baseblocks wouldnt we??

Not unless you are willing to call a pig skin a foot oval.

[BobMcG]

Originally Posted by joshj

I had always heard that Browning was really good

Was true, is true.

Originally Posted by joshj

but when I was at the store and handled a new x-bolt, it felt super cheap.

Then you're probably in for a world of disappointment.

Originally Posted by joshj

I did a bit of research and found that they are actually made in china.

As you've found out, wrong answer. They're made in Japan and very well made at that.

Originally Posted by joshj

What garbage.

Perhaps your "research" was, but not the rifle.

Originally Posted by joshj

I want a rifle that feels like and actually will last more than a lifetime.

The rifle you had in your hands is capable of just that, but in the right hands.

Originally Posted by joshj

I don't know a bunch about rifles,

Kinda shows.

Originally Posted by joshj

does anybody have any suggestions?

Yes. Setting Browning aside for now... If you want to spend a fair chunk of change and feel all good about it, you can go with Kimber, Cooper, Nosler and the like. All fine rifles. However, (IMO) if you want the best bang for the buck, Savage is there for you. But who knows, you might pick one up and think it feels like garbage.

[JLA]

I was kinda thinkin the same thing. The brownings are very well made rifles and they feel like it. As are most of the other reputable rifles. Savage 10/110 series, Rem 700s, Win 70s, Tikkas, Sakos, weatherbys, brownings. They all make high quality rifles that are affordable to the average shooter. In fact of all the mfgrs I just listed theres only one I can think of the tell you to avoid.. Thats remington and their 710 and 770 platforms. they are both cheap dollar store copies of the browning A bolt and poorly executed in thier fit and finish. They will shoot and hit the target but not with any kind of breathtaking accuracy, and they are fugly.

[Bobn257Roy]

It is not where or by who it is made, specs and it is the QC standard that the buyer, Weatherby, Browning ect sets that makes the difference.

[WTHines]

Ruger 1A ... most accurate I've ever held. Great value...who said price was the driving issue. The question is who makes a quality rifle...and I will admit trigger pull can be an issue with some but that is simply and easily rectified.

[BobMcG]

Originally Posted by WTHines

...who said price was the driving issue.

No one?

At any rate, I'm a BIG fan of #1s as well. IMO one of the most beautiful rifles made today. There's three of the gorgeous rifles in the safe right now. (And believe me, that's not nearly enough of 'em. )

[hardluk1]

This company seems to produce school build quality rifles. Buddy back in florida has one for elk hunts. Nice shooter ,beutifull rifle. many choices in the line up today.http://www.montanarifleco.com/

[WTHines]

I'm with you BobMcG.... and, if one shot is not enough for the hunter...they best practice up! When you "depend" on a back up shot, you usually don't take time to make sure of buillet placement on the first one; but, that is an issue for another post, another place. Happy holidays everyone.

[marlin795]

Marlin makes quality stuff and they're made in the USA.

[Fast Forward]

Picked up a used Stevens M200,for 200.00,,basically a Savage 110 without the Fancy Trigger,,
Savage has great customer service,,the Screw on barrel makes for easy Modification and future Barrel upgrades

[hardluk1]

In 43 yaers of hunting I have only made a second shot 2 times . Missed then. Had couple other times i could have tried but was so suprized i missed I did not try just knowing the deer would fall died.

fastforward If you don't like a stevens 200 trigger get a Rifle basix trigger. Cheap and a great trigger upgrade. Make it way easier to make a good pull compared to the stock trigger group.

[Fast Forward]

Originally Posted by hardluk1

In 43 yaers of hunting I have only made a second shot 2 times . Missed then. Had couple other times i could have tried but was so suprized i missed I did not try just knowing the deer would fall died.

fastforward If you don't like a stevens 200 trigger get a Rifle basix trigger. Cheap and a great trigger upgrade. Make it way easier to make a good pull compared to the stock trigger group.

I found a website that shows how lighten the pull a little I also polished the trigger a little,,I,ll probablly go to a different trigger later but i recently bought a 26'' fluted steel target barrel in 223 cal,,so now I,m on the hunt for a stock up-grade

[hardluk1]

Look like your up grades are getting closer to happening, Wow that 26" barrel well hold the velocity up. Nice find.

[justsomeguy]

I have to say Cooper as well i have held them at the shop in town and its a real piece of equipment.

[reynolds357]

Originally Posted by Cowboy6373

Just bought the savage bear hunter in 300 win mag. It has the accu stock and accu trigger with compensator. I am so impressed with this rifle. Out of the box with factory ammo I shot under one inch @ 100 yards. I also bought the savage 20 ga bolt slug gun. Again very impressed with the quality and accuracy.

I bought one when it was called the "Weather warrior." The action ripped itsself out of the stock. I have a new stock for it, but still have not found a long enough set of bolts to work with the new stock. I guess I will eventually get around to finding some. I must admit that I have not looked real hard. I hate the Savage factory brake on these rifles. I have no idea who engineered the thing, but the angles are way too steep. If I push my loads up using slow powder, I literally get hot powder in my face. I honestly think it is going to end up getting rebarreled into a 6mm/300win.