Forums46
Topics537,784
Posts9,729,099
Members87,042
|
Most Online25,604 Feb 12th, 2024
|
|
|
What brand to buy for a loaner deer rifle @ under $400 net/net
#6400256
08/09/16 02:30 PM
|
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 6,407
WileyCoyote
OP
THF Trophy Hunter
|
OP
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 6,407 |
Looking at picking up a loaner deer rifle and have narrowed the choices to these brands, in either a new or used gun. Caliber will be something I already have supplies and a scope for, ie: prolly a 270, 7mm or a 30 cal non magnum, whatever the best buy I can find is.
New/Used Marlin XL 7 New/Used - Howa Lightning, or other labled 1500 series, & found some new ones at $330. New/Used - TC Venture Used - Wby Vanguard (aka Howa'aby)but better finished than the Howa's Used - Winchester M70 push feed XTR's & Fwt's Used - Ruger 77's got close to winning a clean looking Tang'er at $200'ish
Not interested in a Remington or Savage unless I can buy it cheap enough to change the triggers 1st in M7's & M700's & will not buy a Ruger American.
In this price range everything has a history of issues, just some of them more than others. I could shoot a Remmy or Savage but don't know which ones to avoid or to buy and fix, except for a Remmy 710 that I owned for a week with problems that could not be fixed...too bad too as the stock fit me perfectly.
Tired of the heat & looking forward to pulling the trigger, making day dream Plans...and the sale rate on Gun Broker reflects lots of other daydreamers too. Ron
It is TIME for Term Limits, cause Politicians are like childrens diapers and for the same reasons...Robin Williams "These are the times that try men's soul's"...Thomas Paine
"Those who fail to learn from History are doomed to repeat it" ....Santayana
|
|
|
Re: What brand to buy for a loaner deer rifle @ under $400 net/net
[Re: WileyCoyote]
#6400268
08/09/16 02:36 PM
|
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,900
JJH
Extreme Tracker
|
Extreme Tracker
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,900 |
If you find an XTR Fwt for $400, better jump on it!
|
|
|
Re: What brand to buy for a loaner deer rifle @ under $400 net/net
[Re: WileyCoyote]
#6400277
08/09/16 02:41 PM
|
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 39,534
redchevy
THF Celebrity
|
THF Celebrity
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 39,534 |
Love my savage and rem both with factory tirggers ha.
For a loaner gun I would be looking for something in the softer recoiling spectrum, 25-06 or probably a short action based on 308 family. A sporter weight 270 or similar can have more pop than a lot of people care to deal with.
It's hell eatin em live
|
|
|
Re: What brand to buy for a loaner deer rifle @ under $400 net/net
[Re: redchevy]
#6400310
08/09/16 03:00 PM
|
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 6,061
Wilhunt
THF Trophy Hunter
|
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 6,061 |
Love my savage and rem both with factory tirggers ha.
For a loaner gun I would be looking for something in the softer recoiling spectrum, 25-06 or probably a short action based on 308 family. A sporter weight 270 or similar can have more pop than a lot of people care to deal with. X-2
|
|
|
Re: What brand to buy for a loaner deer rifle @ under $400 net/net
[Re: WileyCoyote]
#6400322
08/09/16 03:08 PM
|
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 11,534
rickym
THF Celebrity
|
THF Celebrity
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 11,534 |
|
|
|
Re: What brand to buy for a loaner deer rifle @ under $400 net/net
[Re: WileyCoyote]
#6400327
08/09/16 03:09 PM
|
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 6,407
WileyCoyote
OP
THF Trophy Hunter
|
OP
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 6,407 |
Finding more XTR M70 Sporters at the target price range than Fwt's & lots of Shadows that I'd have to fondle before buying. The M70's are interesting to me, but they have lots of pro's & cons to watch out for as the New Haven plant was failing, and finally closed. Seems like the late '80s & early 90's guns were the very best quality production wise.
The Howa & Wby's are heavier than I like but could handle the bigger LA calibers recoil in the tupperware Hogue stocks + I won't load them at MaxMax either, lots of them out there too...even some of the lb lighter early 1500 series labled as S&W's, and those are usually high polish blue & glossy wood stocks, like my oldest son shot in the 80's. I know they can be made to shoot well too with not too much TLC needed. Ron
It is TIME for Term Limits, cause Politicians are like childrens diapers and for the same reasons...Robin Williams "These are the times that try men's soul's"...Thomas Paine
"Those who fail to learn from History are doomed to repeat it" ....Santayana
|
|
|
Re: What brand to buy for a loaner deer rifle @ under $400 net/net
[Re: WileyCoyote]
#6400382
08/09/16 03:42 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 9,273
blackcoal
THF Trophy Hunter
|
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 9,273 |
Have you looked at the T/C Compass ?
The Greatest Enemy of knowledge is not ignorance, it is the illusion of knowledge.--Stephen Hawking
|
|
|
Re: What brand to buy for a loaner deer rifle @ under $400 net/net
[Re: WileyCoyote]
#6400544
08/09/16 05:48 PM
|
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 32,601
sig226fan (Rguns.com)
duck & cover
|
duck & cover
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 32,601 |
I've actually had decent luck with the 710's, and have one for sale or trade in 270,
|
|
|
Re: What brand to buy for a loaner deer rifle @ under $400 net/net
[Re: WileyCoyote]
#6400565
08/09/16 06:02 PM
|
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 6,407
WileyCoyote
OP
THF Trophy Hunter
|
OP
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 6,407 |
Not yet, haven't found one anywhere down here or in Tyler, Buffalo or Jacksonville. MSRP on 'em is right in my target though. Gonna be in Temple in a couple weeks so we'll see what we can find there.
Have had lots of positive suggestions in the $300+ area in Marlin XL or XS 7's. s'posed to be the final and best re creation fo the Savage Model 10, only with some Remmy features like the bolt handle knob and feels like a 700 ADL. Went looking for one that was advertised in Jacksonville last Saterday on the way home from a Antique Store safari in Tyler, and it had already sold.
Some good deals on Vanguard S1's on Gun Broker right now, missed a 7RMg that was a little rough but sold at enough under $300 to be able to put some work in it about 10 days ago, that'd made a good West Texas beater.
Just Plottin' & Plannin' as always. Ron
It is TIME for Term Limits, cause Politicians are like childrens diapers and for the same reasons...Robin Williams "These are the times that try men's soul's"...Thomas Paine
"Those who fail to learn from History are doomed to repeat it" ....Santayana
|
|
|
Re: What brand to buy for a loaner deer rifle @ under $400 net/net
[Re: WileyCoyote]
#6400639
08/09/16 07:15 PM
|
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,693
grout-scout
Extreme Tracker
|
Extreme Tracker
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,693 |
If you were closer to me...I have several .270 marlins in the x series that I bought years ago and now I have no place to hunt.
They are very good guns for the money.
|
|
|
Re: What brand to buy for a loaner deer rifle @ under $400 net/net
[Re: WileyCoyote]
#6400689
08/09/16 07:48 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 19,234
Judd
#1 Creedmoor Fan
|
#1 Creedmoor Fan
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 19,234 |
TC Venture is in my opinion probably the best value out there and I don't own one but have shot a couple.
Don't let your ears hear what your eyes didn't see, and don't let your mouth say what your heart doesn't feel
|
|
|
Re: What brand to buy for a loaner deer rifle @ under $400 net/net
[Re: WileyCoyote]
#6400976
08/09/16 10:55 PM
|
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 33,946
Buzzsaw
THF Celebrity
|
THF Celebrity
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 33,946 |
|
|
|
Re: What brand to buy for a loaner deer rifle @ under $400 net/net
[Re: Buzzsaw]
#6400986
08/09/16 11:03 PM
|
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 7,935
bigjoe8565
THF Trophy Hunter
|
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 7,935 |
X2 That said, you're by interested in the American series so I'd say go with the Marlin.
|
|
|
Re: What brand to buy for a loaner deer rifle @ under $400 net/net
[Re: WileyCoyote]
#6401064
08/09/16 11:52 PM
|
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 6,407
WileyCoyote
OP
THF Trophy Hunter
|
OP
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 6,407 |
G'Scout look in your PM box... Ron
It is TIME for Term Limits, cause Politicians are like childrens diapers and for the same reasons...Robin Williams "These are the times that try men's soul's"...Thomas Paine
"Those who fail to learn from History are doomed to repeat it" ....Santayana
|
|
|
Re: What brand to buy for a loaner deer rifle @ under $400 net/net
[Re: WileyCoyote]
#6401442
08/10/16 03:28 AM
|
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 974
rjd
Tracker
|
Tracker
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 974 |
Ron, if you can find a Venture at a good price, you can get a $75 refund as a veteran. I called and they said as long as I had a VA card or something showing my status as a vet, it was good-to-go.
|
|
|
Re: What brand to buy for a loaner deer rifle @ under $400 net/net
[Re: WileyCoyote]
#6401446
08/10/16 03:31 AM
|
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,693
grout-scout
Extreme Tracker
|
Extreme Tracker
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,693 |
Where about do you hunt in west Texas? Sent you a PM back, I'm sure you already saw it though.
|
|
|
Re: What brand to buy for a loaner deer rifle @ under $400 net/net
[Re: WileyCoyote]
#6401565
08/10/16 09:48 AM
|
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,499
charlesb
Pro Tracker
|
Pro Tracker
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,499 |
T/C Compass. Threaded barrel, tactical style bolt knob. Fat 3-lug bolt, 5R rifling, Model 70 style safety, 1 MOA guarantee, good quality rigid synthetic stock, decent trigger, under 400 bills. This is the one that is hard to beat in the under 400 dollars category. TC Compass
Last edited by charlesb; 08/10/16 10:55 AM.
Kind regards, charlesb
|
|
|
Re: What brand to buy for a loaner deer rifle @ under $400 net/net
[Re: WileyCoyote]
#6401663
08/10/16 12:23 PM
|
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 474
rex47
Bird Dog
|
Bird Dog
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 474 |
Ruger American PREDATOR not regular american
when the going gets really tough, I sit down and rest
|
|
|
Re: What brand to buy for a loaner deer rifle @ under $400 net/net
[Re: WileyCoyote]
#6401739
08/10/16 01:23 PM
|
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 7,250
jhenderson
THF Trophy Hunter
|
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 7,250 |
I've tried majority of the cheap rifles.
How I'd rate them 1. Thompson venture 2. Weatherby/howa 3. Savage 4. Marlin 5. Ruger
I'm basing off of accuracy and feel to me. They all shoot great anymore so I'd just find what you'd want to use and go from there. All the sub $400 are getting pretty decent these days.
Last edited by jhenderson; 08/10/16 01:24 PM.
|
|
|
Re: What brand to buy for a loaner deer rifle @ under $400 net/net
[Re: WileyCoyote]
#6401740
08/10/16 01:25 PM
|
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 988
cyphertext
Tracker
|
Tracker
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 988 |
Curious as to why you ruled out the Ruger American? Seems to be a pretty good value for the money. Haven't shot the one I bought yet though.
|
|
|
Re: What brand to buy for a loaner deer rifle @ under $400 net/net
[Re: WileyCoyote]
#6401799
08/10/16 02:08 PM
|
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 7,825
poisonivie
THF Trophy Hunter
|
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 7,825 |
Like has been said, they all shoot lights out these days. Most bargain rifles will outshoot the shooter.
Pee on Photobucket
|
|
|
Re: What brand to buy for a loaner deer rifle @ under $400 net/net
[Re: WileyCoyote]
#6401832
08/10/16 02:30 PM
|
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 9,517
RiverRider
THF Trophy Hunter
|
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 9,517 |
I have a Mauser 98 sporter in .280 that I am going to part with. It's an excellent shooter and will include good steel Warne bases and Burris Zee rings. I'll be looking for a bit more than $400, but still a good deal. Let me know if you're interested, Ron.
"Arguing with you always makes me thirsty." -Augustus McRae
|
|
|
Re: What brand to buy for a loaner deer rifle @ under $400 net/net
[Re: WileyCoyote]
#6401922
08/10/16 03:26 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,394
booradley
Veteran Tracker
|
Veteran Tracker
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,394 |
I like the Vanguard/Howa platform. I'm also going to violate one of my own rules and make a suggestion not on your list. Don't own one, never was a Mossberg fan but I've shot one - Mossberg Patriot. I was impressed.
Last edited by booradley; 08/10/16 03:27 PM.
Don’t roll those bloodshot eyes at me.
|
|
|
Re: What brand to buy for a loaner deer rifle @ under $400 net/net
[Re: booradley]
#6402173
08/10/16 05:39 PM
|
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,160
J.G.
THF Celebrity
|
THF Celebrity
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,160 |
Worked up a load for a buddie's Mossberg in .223. I was shocked when I got it to shoot five rounds in one inch at 300 yards! It wreaked havoc on prairie dogs immediately afterwards, and has for two years.
800 Yard Steel Range Precision Rifle Instruction Memberships and Classes Available
|
|
|
Re: What brand to buy for a loaner deer rifle @ under $400 net/net
[Re: WileyCoyote]
#6402241
08/10/16 06:26 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 46,950
Gravytrain
THF Celebrity
|
THF Celebrity
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 46,950 |
I got an M77, it shoots pretty nice!
Upon us all, upon us all, a little rain must fall
|
|
|
Moderated by bigbob_ftw, CCBIRDDOGMAN, Chickenman, Derek, DeRico, Duck_Hunter, hetman, jeh7mmmag, JustWingem, kmon11, kry226, kwrhuntinglab, Payne, pertnear, rifleman, sig226fan (Rguns.com), Superduty, TreeBass, txcornhusker
|