Cheaper deer rifles worth it?

J

jwalle1

New member
I have a 270 BAR that just doesn't group like it should anymore. A friend of mine wants it and is going to trade me a versa max for it.. Now here is my question.

I'm deer hunting, just throw it in the truck and go, dragging it through cutover, occasionally throw it on the 4 wheeler.

Do any of these cheaper rifles shoot like the higher dollar ones. I really love rifles that group and shoot great. I reload.

Was looking at guns like:
Ruger American
TC Venture
Remington 783
Any other suggestions...

Should I give one of these a shot or go with the traditional guns. I know I've read great things about the ruger American but the one guy I know who has had one in 223 didn't praise it.. Most of those guns seem to be in the 400-500 range. My local Wal mart has 700BDL for 725 and I know tikka and some other companies I could get in the 600-700 range..

Thanks for all suggestions
 
Remove the 783, add a Savage m10-11. Main things with a truck gun, shorter barrel 22 or less and rock solid mounts and optics. Gun is worthless if it doesn't hold zero. You may have to modify the stocks on the entry level guns for consistency..
 
Whittakers has stainless Tikka T3x lites in 6.5Creedmoor in stock right now for 650$. Would make a heck of deer rifle and I'd be tempted to grab one myself if I wasn't getting ready to order another Criterion Remage 6.5 CM barrel for my wifes 243.

https://shop.whittakerguns.com/product/ss-1707201610258

Derrick and the guys there also do layaway on these so that is something else to consider.

I also have some of the ruger American's, standards and the predator, and I like them too. Mine all shoot very well.
 
Forgot to mention that I will stick with 270 since I already have a ton of brass and bullets and reloading stuff. I could go with 270 wsm since I have those dies and bullets.. I will also use it from the stand sometimes and shoot some longer shots so wont go below 22 inch barrel more than likely.
 
Ruger American is a solid gun for what you want. Accurate, cheap and decently built. The plastic stock is about its only drawback and that can easily be overlooked since its gonna be a truck gun anyhow.
 
Get a Tikka if you can afford it... they are the Best all around rifles out of the box.

PS... but my buddy and I bought the wood stock varmint models... not the plastic stock models.
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: dan brothersGet a Tikka if you can afford it... they are the Best all around rifles out of the box.
I vote for the Tikka too.
 
I have the Ruger American and it shoots a lot better than I can shoot it. Got it for $325. Put a muzzle brake on it because I could.
 
Thanks for the replies. I guess my main concern is are the $600-$800 guns more accurate out of the box, or just pretty and more feature rich. All I care about is accuracy right now
 
Originally Posted By: jwalle1Thanks for the replies. I guess my main concern is are the $600-$800 guns more accurate out of the box, or just pretty and more feature rich. All I care about is accuracy right now

I am not a good shot. Having only shot the rifle 4-5 times since sight-in. Off hand (no vise) the rifle put 4 shots inside a quarter sized dot. Granted that was at 50 yards, but if "I" can do that, then the rifle is more than accurate.
 
Originally Posted By: tripod3Originally Posted By: dan brothersGet a Tikka if you can afford it... they are the Best all around rifles out of the box.

I vote for the Tikka too.

+3.. what they said. I have a Tikka T3 in .270 and it is an excellent shooter !
 
Im not sure you should give up on the BAR. Have you tried wipeout? JB Borepaste?? I just traded in my BAR for a Tikka because mine stopped cycling reliably. Still shot 1/2 MOA, all day, with several loads. I would guess my Tikka T3x in 270, recoils at least 60% more than the BAR. That's is not exaggerating. 110Vmaxes, 110 sierra's, 130 bergers all shot tight groups.
Im thinking about trading my Tikka for a T3x in 243 or getting a Manners stock for it.
 
I have not tried that but I've given it a really good cleaning. It's an older gun, I bought it used from a man in his 50s and the gun belonged to his dad. It has always been a little picky for me, I did get it shooting good with a max load of 4350 and Sierra bullets but I think it's time has come for Me. My buddy knows it's history, just wants it for some reason. I still may try those things for curiosity, thanks for the suggestions
 
Originally Posted By: specOriginally Posted By: jwalle1Thanks for the replies. I guess my main concern is are the $600-$800 guns more accurate out of the box, or just pretty and more feature rich. All I care about is accuracy right now

I am not a good shot. Having only shot the rifle 4-5 times since sight-in. Off hand (no vise) the rifle put 4 shots inside a quarter sized dot. Granted that was at 50 yards, but if "I" can do that, then the rifle is more than accurate.

If you can put 4 shots out of 4 into under an inch at 50 yards OFFHAND, you are one [beeep] of a shot.
 
Definitly give it a good cleaning with Wipe Out.I thought my treaured old tang safety Ruger 7x57 was a gone'r.Tried LOTS of cleaning including some with JB bore paste.No luck till I tried Wipe Out.That was several years ago and it's still shooting great.
 
Originally Posted By: 6724Originally Posted By: specOriginally Posted By: jwalle1Thanks for the replies. I guess my main concern is are the $600-$800 guns more accurate out of the box, or just pretty and more feature rich. All I care about is accuracy right now

I am not a good shot. Having only shot the rifle 4-5 times since sight-in. Off hand (no vise) the rifle put 4 shots inside a quarter sized dot. Granted that was at 50 yards, but if "I" can do that, then the rifle is more than accurate.

If you can put 4 shots out of 4 into under an inch at 50 yards OFFHAND, you are one [beeep] of a shot.

Trust me, its the gun. I think the muzzle brake helped a lot as well.
 
Back
Top