Help me pick between these 3 rifles PLEASE!!!
 

Ok. The money is saved up for my "go to" deer and hog hunting rifle. I wound up selling the Remington XCR that didn't "fit" me. So, now I'm without a large caliber hunting rifle. I've looked at a ton of rifles and asked tons of question (thank you all so much for your opinions and experience).
I've narrowed my choices down to 3 rifles. All have things I love about them, and things I'm not so sure about.
First, the left handed Browning A Bolt Stainless Stalker. Great reputation for accuracy, I REALLY LIKE the 60 degree bolt throw, and the gun "fits" me very well.
BUT......every single one I've looked at has a floorplate that has some "play" in it. Even with the detachable magazine clipped in. When closed and the floorplate latch locks things into place, there in still about 1/8 to 1/4 inch of room. Like it's still not closed securely. I've asked multiple people about this and the response I got from everyone was "Every A Bolt I've ever seen was like that"...and "I promise it's in there securely". "Thats just the way Brownings floorplates are".

HUH?????

Is that how they really ALL fit? Seems like the "clank clank" produced from the movement of the floorplate might be a problem if you were up close and personal with a deer. Not to mention it seems like the only negative I can find in the A Bolts build quality.
Can this be "tightened up", or should I just accept it?

Next, the left handed A Bolt Medallion. Wow! What a beautifull gun! Same great "fit" and short bolt throw.... But same "play" in the floorplate. Also, I worry about the glossy finish on the stock scaring game away. Can that easily be removed in place of an oil finish like Brownings Hunter model by a gunsmith. And by "easily", I mean without a lot of expense.

Last, the Left handed Ruger Hawkeye stainless/laminate. SUPER solid build like I'm used to from Ruger and their floorplate closes and locks in place very securely. I assume since it's not a detachable magazine rifle.
My only concern with the Ruger is possibly having to buy the rifle AND have the barrel floated and the action bedded to get it to shoot as well as the A Bolts

Ok. There's my picks. Help me out folks. This is a tough decision!

RE: Help me pick between these 3 rifles PLEASE!!!
 

I would pick the A-Bolt Medallion and hunt with a purdy gun.:D I like the looks of the medallion and would not ever worry about shine spooking game.

Some Ruger rifles shoot great and some do not. I have owned two that shoot great and four that did not shoot well.

RE: Help me pick between these 3 rifles PLEASE!!!
 

Browning A - bolt classic ,

RE: Help me pick between these 3 rifles PLEASE!!!
 

I own 3 ruger rifles and have never had a minutes trouble with any of them, Also all 3 shoot MOA. I wouldnt bother me to buy another one. I have never owned a browning, but have shot several of them. To me it seems that the recoil is lighter on a browning vs ruger with the same loads. All the brownings have shot fine as well. I dont think you would go wrong with either brand.

RE: Help me pick between these 3 rifles PLEASE!!!
 

If you want to dull the finish on a medallion then why not just buy a hunter? Same rifle and save a couple hundred bucks.

I know that you did not include the X-bolt but I would pick it long before the A-bolt. There are so many mechanical and designadvantages to the X-bolt that it honestly makes the A-bolt obsolete. It has the same 60* bolt throw, a better designed and trimmerbolt, a much better and stronger extractor, a more adjustable trigger, a center feed magazine instead of that horrid magazine on the A-bolt,a slimmer and more trim receiver, and a better recoil pad.

RE: Help me pick between these 3 rifles PLEASE!!!
 

Three fantasatic rifles.

First of all see if a dealer will allow you to load the magazine and put the magazine in the rifle. I think most of the play will go away when you load the magazine.

I also do not like the high gloss finish. However I really like the look of wood. Refinishing the rifle with a hand rubbed finish is a great idea if you like every other part of the rifle.

IMO the Browning A-Bolt is one of the most accurate out of the box rifles available. For the price I would actually rank it as the most accurate out of the box factory rifle. I have shot a bunch of them. And they all shot great.

I have handled the new Ruger, but I have not shot one. So I can not comment on the accuracy abilities of the new Ruger. However I can comment on the older Ruger's. IMO they are the least accurate out of the so called out of the box rifles. However they are highly dependable, and built very solid. I also like their actions. However for some reason they are just not as accurate. However the accuracy is more than acceptable for hunting, just not to my standards. Tom.

RE: Help me pick between these 3 rifles PLEASE!!!
 

As far as the X Bolt goes, I would grab one in an instant IF they made them in a left handed model....along with a Kimber, Sako, ect.
I hate being backwards...LOL.
And 1person recomended the Hunter model. I've actually thought about that too but can't seem to find one that doesn't look sad and homely. I know it's the same gun as the Medallion, but......

On a side note......while the Remington XCR and CDL stocks (straight comb) don't feel that "snazzy" to me, the BDL version with it's monty carlo cheekpiece feels VERY good. Just haven't been able to find anyone with a lefty model even available to order. I would still want to loose the glossy finish on the stock like the Medallion though.

If anyone can think of a left handed model rifle I haven't thought of, please let me know. If it helps, I've already checked out the Savage line as well as the Tikka rifles and can't seem to warm up to them.

Thanks for the advice so far. Keep it coming!!!!!

RE: Help me pick between these 3 rifles PLEASE!!!
 

I do not know how you feel about the TC Encore rifle. However I bought one with the Left handed thumbhole stock. This is the most comfortable rifle I have ever shot or owned in my life. And I have owned a bunch of them. I can also shoot the rifle better than any rifle I have ever owned. You should try to find one and handle it first. It really is a dandy. Tom.





You can also get a nice Left handed stock from Richard's microfit, and have it made to your specs.





Manners also makes a nice LH stock for a Remington action that fits and feels very well.

RE: Help me pick between these 3 rifles PLEASE!!!
 

Don't know what caliber you have to have.Here is a Sako in .308 LH that is on gunsamerica.They have a few more different calibers also.Also have a pretty good selection of NIB tika left hands in various calibers.

RE: Help me pick between these 3 rifles PLEASE!!!
 

The Ruga'....

RE: Help me pick between these 3 rifles PLEASE!!!
 

It sounds like you really want the A-bolt. So get what you want and be happy. If you buy a gun you don't really want, you will never be happy with it. You could try to shim the floor plate with some cork or paper. That would help with the noise.

RE: Help me pick between these 3 rifles PLEASE!!!
 

I have two Ruger bolt guns.One of which is the Hawkeye all weather in .280 Rem.It shoots great!I think Brownings are excellent guns as well but for the money I think Ruger has the edge.Besides if you put the cost difference into refining one I'm certain it will beat out the Browning in most any and all regards.

RE: Help me pick between these 3 rifles PLEASE!!!
 

Either A bolt
or to save money
Hawkeye

RE: Help me pick between these 3 rifles PLEASE!!!
 

One thing that I've learned is that you'll never find the "perfect" anything -- and asking for too many opinions only creates confusion!! I could pay thousand and thousands of dollars for a custom built rifle, but I'm 99.9% sure that I'd find issues that that gun too! A good hunting friend of mine has went broke at times buying and selling guns, always hoping to find the "The Gun". I completely took advantage of a couple of those imperfect guns that he dumped!

My brother is a lefty, and he really likes the A-Bolt Stainless Stalker. He also has a lefty Medallion A Bolt. I have to admit they are great shooting, nicely built, and accurate guns.

The glare from the Medallion stock is not an issue. Tons of game have fallen to glossy BDL's and Medallions, just to mention a few. I've never seen or heard of a problem with the floor plate on the A-Bolts either. Again, lots of game killed with that gun too.

Seems like you prefer the Browning. If you do, get it, put a nice scope on it, practice with it, hang on to it, and call it a day!

RE: Help me pick between these 3 rifles PLEASE!!!
 

The looseness on A-bolt magazines disappear when loaded and pressure is exerted from the spring. Also the glare is a non-issue when hunting for game with rifles. Go for the Browning-or wish you had and always wonder. You love the features of it and it fits YOU to a "T".

RE: Help me pick between these 3 rifles PLEASE!!!
 

I'd lean (a touch) towards the Browning, however, I like Ruger's also. They are very solid and dependable. I actually prefer the X Bolt over the A Bolt but either is a fine choice.

RE: Help me pick between these 3 rifles PLEASE!!!
 

I think all three guns would serve you well. However, there are a couple of things to consider.

First is glass. Buying the Ruger frees up another $150 - 200 for a better scope. If you think you can live equally with all three rifles, this can be the ultimate decider for you.

Second is "confidence" in the rifle. Personally, I prefer to shoot rifles I have confidence in and that feel "right" to me. I feel better about making tough shots with a rifle I have confidence in and a $150 scope than I do about a rifle I don't have confidence in and a $1,500 scope. Some people are not this way, though. They shoot everything well and make due with what they have. If this is important to you, however, buy the rifle that feels best.....period.

RE: Help me pick between these 3 rifles PLEASE!!!
 

SAVAGE-

RE: Help me pick between these 3 rifles PLEASE!!!
 

When I bought my 1st remy 700 it was a shooter and I like it ,but sold it, cause I thought "i could do better", that and I was addicted to buying rifles, for a while. Now about 10 deer rifles and several thousand dollars later, I own another 700 and I am quite content.

Happy shopping;)

RE: Help me pick between these 3 rifles PLEASE!!!
 

I think that floorplate rattle could be eliminated...........

RE: Help me pick between these 3 rifles PLEASE!!!
 

Since either one is an excellent rifle, you might examine the total cost to complete a rig of your desire, as other people have stated, you may want to purchase one rifle over the other so as to be able to afford the optic you want.
Just a thought.