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

If you find an XTR Fwt for $400, better jump on it!

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

Remington 783

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

Have you looked at the T/C Compass ?

I've actually had decent luck with the 710's, and have one for sale or trade in 270,

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

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.

TC Venture is in my opinion probably the best value out there and I don't own one but have shot a couple.

ruger american

X2

That said, you're by interested in the American series so I'd say go with the Marlin.

G'Scout look in your PM box...
Ron

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.

Where about do you hunt in west Texas? Sent you a PM back, I'm sure you already saw it though.

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

Ruger American PREDATOR not regular american

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.

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.

Like has been said, they all shoot lights out these days. Most bargain rifles will outshoot the shooter.

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.

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.

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.

I got an M77, it shoots pretty nice!