never had a cooper that didn't have to load for...

Because you use cheap factory ammo or because you try 1 factory box and then go straight to reloading?

I reload everything, but I have found a factory load that works well in all of my coopers. They are very accurate guns, even with factory loads. If its not accurate with factory loads, it's the ammo not the gun.

Ruger American "predator" comes with vortek scope

Strange iv never shot anything but factory loads... and they have all for the most part found the mark... the normal rounds I shoot are about the cheapest you can find... and that's out of an old 110 savage with a $200 scope

The most accurate out of the box rifle I have is a Styer Pro Hunter SBS, factory composite stock and factory trigger. Quick look on Guns America shows a 308 at 699.00 NIB.

I wasn't implying they are exactly the same. But thanks for clearing that up.

+1.

The 70 has it all.

The thing is, what one guy thinks is "best" may be completely out of the question for another. It depends on how you look at it. Some guys think they have to have the absolute maximum in accuracy and that's all that counts. In my own point of view, you carry a rifle a lot more than you shoot it. The rifle has to be comfortable to carry. The ergonomics have to be good, and there has to be nice balance and feel. The function of the safety and trigger, and feeding and extraction have to be top drawer. And YES, accuracy does count. Aesthetic appeal figures into it also.

IMO, the Model 70 has it all. I don't choose other folks' rifles though.

And that's why I tend to drift towards the old Tang Safety Rugers. They have the looks and feel of what I consider a hunting rifle to be and they put the safety where GOD intended it to be. They're not the most accurate (factory trigger) or the prettiest but they're rock solid, reliable and dollar for dollar one of the best meat and potato rifles out there. Bed it, float it and replace the trigger and it shoots with the best of them.

After extra work, and money.

Love my Tikka rifles, 7mm-08 and .30-06. Also really love my Winchester Model 70 (FN) and Browning X-Bolt both in .270 Win. For my uses, they all do exactly what I need and all perform flawlessly. None of them are the least or most expensive out there, but they are what I like. YMMV.

I don't own a M70 but it will be my next purchase. My most accurate rifle is a CZ 550 American 6.5x55. I can't believe CZ discontinued the 550 American. I'd like one in .275 Rigby.

Just to say it, I've had three tang safety Ruger 77's, and all are really good shooters. The UL 270 finally needed a new trigger after many years of rain and mud while in the hands of my Dad. The 77V still has the original trigger, though it has been worked on. The full stocked Int'l model has the original trigger. It's so good that I asked the original owner if it was a Timney. He said it was original.

Anyway, if I wanted a new rifle and had a budget to follow, I'd get another Tikka. If the budget was higher, I'd get another Sako. I'd consider a W70, but if I was going to do that, just get the Sako.

Amen


Makes me wonder if some of these guys have ever handled a rifle outside of a big retail chain

What rifles are y'all talking about? I haven't shot any of the current value guns being mentioned.

I agree with your thoughts on a Tikka for the price value. The 3 most important parts of a gun are the Trigger the barrel and the optics. Its got a sako barrel so its great. The trigger can probably be replaced like you said and the optics is all on you.

The Sako 85 has the entire package including a fantastic synthetic stock but it is another $1200 new but if you are not in a hurry you can watch the classifieds for a bargain which is what I did and got exactly what I wanted.

I put a Trijicon Accupoint 3-9 X 40 on it and being a 30-06 with a 20.5 in barrel it is an all purpose hunting tool.

My lifetime hunting rifle that I paid aprox $1900 for scope and gun both new.

Had a sako a7 that I still kick myself for selling. If I could find one I'd snatch it up but tikka is by far easier to find.

Only Tikka for me.

I agree the cz550 American is the most acurate straight out of the box
I have a 7 Mauser it shoots a 0.46 inch group with 120 g.bt @ 100 yards.
They are available on gun broker nib.

I bed them and float them myself. While I'm pretty comfortable working on Ruger triggers I don'y suggest it for everybody. Total cost if I do it is just the bedding material should I chose to replace the trigger we're looking at another 100 bucks and I'll still come out cheaper than 600 dollars. Most I've payed for a Tang Safety Ruger in the last 5 years was 450.00, but it had a unique feature and caliber I was looking for.

Funny that a turd can still shoot strait in the right hands.. How much does all that money really change under a normal shooters distance

Tikka hands down. Savage is a close second IMO.

Best built gun will have to to the winchester m70 followed by the wealtherby vanguard

Wow we agree...

I love my Weatherby Vanguard as well, will venture to say it's more accurate than out-of-box Model 700

I have 3 rem 700's, a wby vanguard, and a savage. None have been modified and shooting my handloads all will do better than 1 moa at 100 yards.

Out of all the rifles for shooting and carry I like the sendero and vanguard best and I like the looks of the savage the best, but in all fairness I like wood stocks and the savage is a Model 14 American Classic stainless, contrary to the common belief, its a pretty gun.