Rifles for around $1500 USD

[Bynotic]

Hello all,

I just wanted to get some opinions on some rifles around the $1500 range as I'm sure many of you have experience with these fine rifles. Those rifles being

-Pre-64 Model 70
-Current Model 70 Super Grade
-Sako 90/used 85
-Ruger M77
-anything else

I'm curious what you guys think of these rifles or if their are other options i need to look into, like if their is another rifle that is more expensive but is a great value. my only requirements are they need to be steel and wood. If anyone has an suggestion I will hear anything out.

 

[Ridge Runner]

There are plenty of rifles in the $1500.00 and under range that are very accurate out of the box.

Savage,
Remington ,
Mossberg,
Marlin,
Henry,
Rossi,
Thompson Center,
Para military rifles,

The questions an individual has to answer for themselves are:

Where do you plan to hunt?
What do you plan to hunt?
How much hunting will you be doing with a particular rifle caliber?
What is your satisfactory accuracy? 1" 5 shot group, 3" 3 shot group, 6" # shot group, at 50 yards, at 100 yards, at 200 yards?


I have a fist production Mossberg Patriot, 30-06, wood and steel paid less than or around $500.00 for it brand new; it's been to Africa 3 of 4 times, hunted: springboks, bushbucks, warthogs, kudus, red hartebeest, blesboks, impalas, blue wildebeast and black wildebeast. Here in North America it has taken a number of whitetail deer.

This rifle is very accurate out of the box; shooting under one inch groups out to 150 yards....lol.... if the shooter (me) is having a good day at the range.

I have a variety of firearms from different manufacturers, most purchased new under $1000.00 and several used purchased at or under $1000.00 used. Every one of these rifles that I have used, I have 3 unfired, in the field were accurate out of "the box" or "as is"; accuracy being consistently shooting 1" or less 5 shot groups at 100 yards zero.

With all said, it's not necessarily the price one pays for an "off the shelf" firearm, but getting an "off the shelf" rifle that is satisfactorily accurate in the user's opinion.

I do have more expensive manufacturers' and custom built firearms to compare manufacturers' and custom firearms against and have yet to distinguish either one better than the other.

Trigger pull, length of pull, and shoulder mounting varies by manufacturer because these mass produced rifles, and shotguns, using wood are designed under the fallacy one size fits all. Thus it becomes finding an "off the shelf" rifle that best fits, and a tolerable trigger pull to use out of the box or to send off for minimal custom work.

The more specifics, the fewer variables, the narrower the search, the better response(s) to your question(s).

 

[Bynotic]

There are plenty of rifles in the $1500.00 and under range that are very accurate out of the box.

Savage,
Remington ,
Mossberg,
Marlin,
Henry,
Rossi,
Thompson Center,
Para military rifles,

The questions an individual has to answer for themselves are:

Where do you plan to hunt?
What do you plan to hunt?
How much hunting will you be doing with a particular rifle caliber?
What is your satisfactory accuracy? 1" 5 shot group, 3" 3 shot group, 6" # shot group, at 50 yards, at 100 yards, at 200 yards?


I have a fist production Mossberg Patriot, 30-06, wood and steel paid less than or around $500.00 for it brand new; it's been to Africa 3 of 4 times, hunted: springboks, bushbucks, warthogs, kudus, red hartebeest, blesboks, impalas, blue wildebeast and black wildebeast. Here in North America it has taken a number of whitetail deer.

This rifle is very accurate out of the box; shooting under one inch groups out to 150 yards....lol.... if the shooter (me) is having a good day at the range.

I have a variety of firearms from different manufacturers, most purchased new under $1000.00 and several used purchased at or under $1000.00 used. Every one of these rifles that I have used, I have 3 unfired, in the field were accurate out of "the box" or "as is"; accuracy being consistently shooting 1" or less 5 shot groups at 100 yards zero.

With all said, it's not necessarily the price one pays for an "off the shelf" firearm, but getting an "off the shelf" rifle that is satisfactorily accurate in the user's opinion.

I do have more expensive manufacturers' and custom built firearms to compare manufacturers' and custom firearms against and have yet to distinguish either one better than the other.

Trigger pull, length of pull, and shoulder mounting varies by manufacturer because these mass produced rifles, and shotguns, using wood are designed under the fallacy one size fits all. Thus it becomes finding an "off the shelf" rifle that best fits, and a tolerable trigger pull to use out of the box or to send off for minimal custom work.

The more specifics, the fewer variables, the narrower the search, the better response(s) to your question(s).

I have seen a Savage axis put more meat in the freezer than any other rifle. What I'm asking in a round about way, what are your experiences with the rifles i have listed, did any blow you away? disappoint you? or just your general personal experience with the Sako 90, model 70, or another rifle in that price point?

a better way to ask my question I believe might be if you had $1500-$2000 USD without an optic what rifle would you buy from a quality perspective?

I think typically the Caliber determines what you can morally hunt with it.

I believe most rifles off the shelf are "minute of deer" as a gentleman i know always says.

 

[Hedge774]

My choice would be the Ruger 77 Hawkeye. The fit, finish, handling, and of course accuracy hit above the $1000-$1200 price point for me.

 

[Mountaineer]

Don’t forget Browning A-bolt or X-bolt. I really like both.

 

[Nicaburns]

For a classic, wood stocked rifle, Ruger Hawkeye African. I have one in 300wm that is sweet though it is mostly a safe queen.
For a do-all rifle, I’d buy another Weatherby 307 Alpine CT… I have one in 7mm PRC and it has been amazing.

 

[Russ16]

Depends on the caliber you’re liking for and what you want to do with it.

For a plains game type caliber it is hard to beat a Tikka for affordable out of the box accuracy. Well under $1000 and usually shoots under MOA without any fuss. Good trigger as well.

 

[farmer_john]

My do everytbing north america rifle is a remington 700bdl in 3006 made in 1978 paid 500 for it used.

Keeps about .8 inch groups would also work on plains game.

What works best for you is really allot of oersonal preference. As theres a million options that will all work at various price points. But you can get slot mord bang for your buck looking at used rifles.

 

[spike.t]

Whichever one feels good/fits you the best, and you like most......there are some rifles out there that people love...but I wouldn't touch with a barge pole, as they look shit to me.....not sure of the pricing over there ... but my mauser m12 is one of my favourite rifles I consider mid range price wise....

 

[Hedge774]

Depends on the caliber you’re liking for and what you want to do with it.

For a plains game type caliber it is hard to beat a Tikka for affordable out of the box accuracy. Well under $1000 and usually shoots under MOA without any fuss. Good trigger as well.

I can't argue that a bit. My brother is a southpaw. I told him, "Just stop overthinking your rifle and go get a Tikka." I have three now (.223, .243, and 30-06) and I'd buy another one or two today if able.

 

[Wyit76]

Where are you finding sako 90s and m70 super grades for less than $1500?

 

[MS 9x56]

Of your listing, Winchester super grade model 70.

 

[Ridge Runner]

I have seen a Savage axis put more meat in the freezer than any other rifle. What I'm asking in a round about way, what are your experiences with the rifles i have listed, did any blow you away? disappoint you? or just your general personal experience with the Sako 90, model 70, or another rifle in that price point?

a better way to ask my question I believe might be if you had $1500-$2000 USD without an optic what rifle would you buy from a quality perspective?

I think typically the Caliber determines what you can morally hunt with it.

I believe most rifles off the shelf are "minute of deer" as a gentleman i know always says.

Of the one's you listed I have a Ruger 77 22 Hornet. The only disappointment is no iron sights.

In the $1500 -$2000.00 range would be my CZ550 MAGNUM in 458WM. The big disappointment is the chamber. The chamber is larger/longer than a Win Mag and shorter than a Lott. To get the best accuracy I have to lengthen the COAL, IIRC .15 inches longer than my Remington 798, 458WM. The advantage is I get 100+/- fps velocity increase out of the CZ vs the Remington reloading the same 500gr bullet and using the same powder and grain weight.

 

[pilar]

Caliber dependent Sauer 100 in 9.3x62 =$+/-$1000
I am thinking about selling a Winchester M70 .270 lightweight it would be under $1000

 

[Bynotic]

Where are you finding sako 90s and m70 super grades for less than $1500?

Euro Optic for Sako, you can get a hunter for $1599

Midway USA, has a Winchester model 70 super grade walnut for $1362.47 in Rem Mag, others will cost you $1500-$1700 depending on wood and chambering.

 

[Flbt]

Hello all,

I just wanted to get some opinions on some rifles around the $1500 range as I'm sure many of you have experience with these fine rifles. Those rifles being

-Pre-64 Model 70
-Current Model 70 Super Grade
-Sako 90/used 85
-Ruger M77
-anything else

I'm curious what you guys think of these rifles or if their are other options i need to look into, like if their is another rifle that is more expensive but is a great value. my only requirements are they need to be steel and wood. If anyone has an suggestion I will hear anything out.

If you can find it a used cz crf
I don’t like the new cz

Out of the ones you talked the 77.
But I was much happier when the 77 was around 600$ that seems more inline with there build quality

 

[Ryan]

Of the list you provided I'd go with a Ruger M77. I own a left handed M77 African in 375 Ruger and it's a great rifle. It's never let me down for the plains game and buffalo I have hunted with it. Worth every penny I've put into it. I rented one on a plains game hunt in the Eastern Cape in 300 Win Mag that also worked great for my needs.

In the anything else class

For a practical bolt action my Savage M16 with an aftermarket Boyd's laminate stock fits the bill. Still under your price point. Better weight and lines with the upgraded stock, and dead accurate.

And running close third, a Ruger #1. I have two, one in 30-06 and one in 300 Win Mag. They'll take anything plains game.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[Cooposo]

Welcome to the party @Bynotic

I own a Sako 90 adventure in 30-06 and a current generation Model 70 Featherweight in 270 Win. I have a good amount of trigger time with both.

Some of what I like about my 90 Adventure would not be found on their Hunter- namely, the machined-in picatinny rail (seems the hunters all have the optilock system with which I have no experience), stainless and ceramic coated barreled action, adjustable comb on a weatherproof fiberglass/carbon stock, and threaded barrel. However, the smooth action, reliable and top- feedable magazine, and easily adjustable and crisp trigger would still be there. It is not picky with ammo and easily sub- MOA with most loads I’ve tried.

I don’t make it through a hunting season without getting my rifle soaked, so I hunt with the Sako more than the Model 70 but that’s due to the weatherproofness and ability to use a suppressor.

The model 70 fits me better and I shoot it off hand extremely well. It also has a smooth and reliable action, but with controlled feeding if that is important to you. My featherweight is quite plain compared to the super grades, which look fantastic, are heavier, and generally have longer barrels. I would not want to add weight or barrel to my model 70 to upgrade to the better looks. But I’m a boring utilitarian kinda guy. I did not like the stock trigger much, so I swapped with a Timney. Accuracy is also excellent, and my rifle can shoot 3/4 inch 100 yard groups all day with the cheapest federal blue box ammo money can buy. I hunt with a hot Barnes TTSX handload that shoots right at MOA.

Hope this helps. I could happily hunt deer and elk every year with either rifle and not feel shortchanged. Usually the sako is over my shoulder and the Winchester is in the truck as a backup.

As others have said, your preferences and use case and hunting conditions and species are all important.

Handle as many on your list as you can. Rifle fit cannot be adequately predicted with online shopping and has led to me selling many rifles purchased online. My friend loved the feel of a Bergara and it shoots lights out. But it didn’t fit me in any way, shape, or form.

Below is a two shot group with my Sako at 200 yards when I did a quick check before my last hunt. This was prone with a spartan bipod on the fore end and a backpack as a backup rest, just as I might shoot in the field. This type of thing gives me a lot of confidence before a hunt. I went on to kill a mule deer buck and an elk after putting the rifle through a fair amount.

You could have similar results with anything on your list. Or a Tikka. Or a Bergara. Or a Browning. Or a Howa.

Just please avoid Christensen.

 

[pjaln]

browning bolt rifles made in Belgium ,best bang for the buck as long as no salt stock

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

I’m a diehard Pre64 M70 fan
My second choice is going to be a Savage or an older Remington 700 BDL or XCR. I do also like tang safety M77’s