DG, Vapodog,Stubble--others need some advice

Colorado Bob · 02-04-2004, 07:43 PM

Let me start with the story first. I drew a tag for Oryx on the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. This is a was in your lifetime tag. Socorro, NM is about 300 miles from my home----the hunt was for 1/31 & 2/1----this past weekend. I decided to pack the truck on Thursday nite so we could get an early start on Friday. That way we got find a motel, the roads to the Gate where we could enter the range. Thursday night over 9 cars were broken into in my sub-division. They stole my rifle, spotting scope & binco's. I had that 30/06 for 34 years. I bought it when I was 15----from money I saved from my paper route & working as a grill cook at the local DQ. That gun went on every hunt I had. Lots of nicks & gouges---but each one was a memory. Like the one I got when I slipped an a talus slope while sheep hunting. Anyway now for your help.

I'm looking at a replacement for that Remington 700. The 3 guns I thinking of are a Tikka, Savage & Ruger. I'm left handed & want a bolt action. I'm a one gun hunter---I believe in the about 1 gun & know how to use it.

I like the Tikka but I'm not trilled about the composite(plastic) clip. It's good points are good trigger, that's adjustable. Accurate

Savage 110------It also has the adjustable trigger & good barrell------Suppose to be very accurate. But look up ugly in the dictionary & you'll see a photo of the 110.

Ruger 77---Looks great. Has a control feed. I like the safety. Bad points probably the least accurate of the lot. You hardly ever hear about the accuracy of a Ruger.

I'm probably going to stick with the 30/06 or I may get a 270.

I'm 49----I plan on hopefully a moose hunt, caribou hunt & hopefully another sheep hunt. Then the usual elk, deer & some antelope.

I really don't want to work on the gun-----free float, glass bed etc. Just adjust the trigger & hunt.

I plan on using mostly factory ammo but I do have dies for the 06 & may work up a load.

I'm not really interested in another Remington---I don't like the safety. Winchester--not really---just don't like them.

FYI-----I got a great bull. He will probably go either gold or silver in SCI.

Thanks,

Vapodog · 02-04-2004, 08:36 PM

Clorado Bob, if you've read my posts you know I'm not into cheap....I'm into good!!!

Putting myself in your position I'd be looking for a good interarms/ M-70 or other fine action to host a Douglas XX grade barrel in .338-06 or other similar cartridge......30-06, .280 Rem, .270 etc.

Savage and Ruger are not on my list of fine firearms. Tikka might be but I know so little about them....they have a fine reputation.

Quit looking at cheap....start looking at good.....and that's the post war mausers and the M-70.....also the Howa, Sako, and CZ rifles.

Visit a lot of used gun shops.....there's a lot of fine used guns out there.....and be darn picky.

stubblejumper · 02-05-2004, 06:24 AM

In a factory rifle my choice would be the tikka.I would however go with a 7mmremmag due to the flatter trajectory and extra energy with very manageable recoil.

oldelkhunter · 02-05-2004, 06:31 AM

I have to take some exception with the Ruger comment about them not being accurate.....I have one at home a 1yr old M-77 7 Rem mag that will shoot circles around my 1997 Rem 700 KS in the same caliber...all I have done to the gun is have the trigger worked on ....it also has shows higher velocity with the same handload. Makes me feel real good that a gun that costs 900 more retail can't outshoot it. Every single 77 I have owned has been a very good shooter..guess I must be lucky or something. Rumours about bad barrels started years ago when Ruger was buying their barrels from an outside source...they are manufactured in house now and are as good if not better than any other factory barrel out there. Go to Alaska and tell me how many people shoot rifles other then Rugers and ask yourself why. They are Dead reliable is the answer.... I also would look at a new rem 700...I just picked up a 7-08 Mountain rifle and it is a very well built gun contrary to what you hear about them these days also. Tiika is a piece of plastic crap that I wouldn't even consider buying...just picking one up and looking at that plastic triggerguard makes my hairs stand on end...

spl1 · 02-05-2004, 08:17 AM

I would say go back w/ a REM, I mean 90 % of custom rifles are built on Rem actions. There is a reason behind that I would think.

popeye · 02-05-2004, 11:04 AM

If your choice is based on cost and accuracy I would go with Tikka, Savage with an Accutrigger, Ruger in that order. I wouldn't worry about the composite mag in the Tikka. However if it puts a doubt in your mind then don't buy it. After all a hunter needs to have total confidence in the gun he shoots. Go to the gunshop and handle a few and see which one you like best. I would also stick with a 30-06, that's the best round going for the hunter who wants only one rifle. All three are a good rifles for the money.

diyj98 · 02-05-2004, 11:22 AM

I've owned all the rifles you've mentioned. The Tikka would be my pick of the choices you listed. Don't worry about the plastic clip. It's far stronger than it looks.

Ruger-Redhawk · 02-05-2004, 02:26 PM

Colorado Bob, Sorry to hear your rifleand stuff was ripped off.After owning it for that long it must have been like losing your arm.
I have to go along with Oldelkhunter on this one.The Ruger M-77's are hard to beat. All of mine are more then satisfactory in the accuracy dept.I have some unfired but the ones I do shoot are very good. The triggers do need a little work. Most of mine break around 3-3.5 pounds.I did buy a Tikka but haven't fired it yet.I've heard nothing but praise about the Tikka's. Remington at one time were some fine rifles.Those days are gone unfortunately. The way Remington's quality and customer service is now I would look elsewhere.Savage for the money is hard to beat. Nothing fancy but good shooters.Look at the Ruger's. I think you'll like what you see.
Ruger Redhawk

James B · 02-05-2004, 03:01 PM

Savage with accu trigger. If you think its ugly, put it in a bag. That is when your not shooting the center from the X RING.

Sometimes CHEAP is better.

GordonGekko · 02-05-2004, 05:39 PM

Colorado Bob, I've owned 2 Rugers, 3 Savage's, and 1 Tikka, but ended up selling them all for something else. Not saying that you won't be perfectly happy with one, but the only two bolt rifles I own now are a Browning A-Bolt, and a mid 80's Remington model 700 Mountain rifle. If I had to choose the from the one's you mentioned it'd would probably be a Ruger or Savage. I just don't care for the Tikka myself, the one I had was a shooter, but the "one size fits all" action always bothered me (especially since it was a 308), but in an '06 it's probably a moot point, and I have never cared for detachable magazines. All three of the guns you listed should be capable of good accuracy, especially if you take time to work up some loads. However, if it were me, I'd take the insurance money, put some of mine with it and look for a Sako, or at the very least take a look at the Browning A-Bolt. Of course a good quality used model 700 might fit the bill too.

Gordon