Okie76

This is my first time posting here and I have a couple questions that I am hoping can be answered.

I am looking to buy a new gun for deer hunting and I have decided on a 25-06. However, I have not decided on the gun manufacture and is what I am needing your assistance with. Five hundred dollars is the most I can spend for just the rifle, as I have to buy a scope also.

With a 500$ cap I have found the following:
1. Mossberg 4x4
2. Thompson Center Venture
3. Marlin X7S
4. Savage Axis

I have listed them in order of what I think are the best quality/accuracy. I have not shot any of them, handled any of them nor do I know anything other than what I have read about them online in other reviews. My hope is that some of you have personal experience with these 4 rifles and can tell me how they really are? What kind of shot pattern I can expect out of them (They all say they are sub MOA - but if I was trying to sell a turd I would probably say the same thing). For ammo I will be using Winchester's Premium Ballistic Silvertip 85Gr rounds.

Thanks in advance for anyone who offers assistance with this.

Sheridan

Take a look at this line up.

BTW - .25-06 ammo can be expensive & hard to find on the store shelves.

http://www.ableammo.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=117270

http://www.ableammo.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=117249

http://www.ableammo.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=113410

http://www.ableammo.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=87768

http://www.ableammo.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=99595

http://www.ableammo.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=90826

http://www.ableammo.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=86358

http://www.ableammo.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=86703

Also: all of these can be found at better prices.

Bocajnala

Of those I have heard good things about all of them. Personally, I like the looks and feel of the Mossberg and the TC. A lot of people on here have commented on how good the Marlin is. The Axiz is supposed to shoot well, but I think it's kinda ugly and feels cheap. Good luck choosing!
-Jake

Superpig

You might want to take a look at the Weatherby Vanguard. They can be had at the chain stores for $399 plus tax and are nice rifles for the money.

Okie76

Im dead set on the 25-06 and all of those are in 270. For ammo I have already called the local gunshop and the manager told me they are more than willing to order the ammo if they dont carry it. The winchester Ballistic silvertip I was plan on using runs about 38$ a box here in Oklahoma. He said a max of two weeks for delivery. Im ok with that.

If you were just referencing models with your links Here's what I have read up on them so far:

Mossberg Model 100 ATR - Read lot's of bad stuff on them, Something about mossberg buying the patent from someone else or some such. Lost interest after reading multiple bad reviews on it?

Marlin XL7 - It is the same barrel and bolt as the X7S I linked above as my number three rifle.

Thompson Center Venture - Same as my Number two rifle linked above.

Weatherby Vanguard - Read lots of bad stuff about them and a buddy at work has one who swears it wont shoot below a 3 inch group at 100 yards. Conversly read that the mark 5's are awesome but I can't afford those.

Howa / Hogue - I wish. Out of my price range.

Tika T3 - I wish. Out of my price range.

Remington 700 - I wish. Out of my price range.

Savage 116FCSS - This is actually another gun I intend to save up for (either this one or the 11FCNS), but it will be next years season before I can get it and it will be in the 300WSM.

The last three (Howa, Tika, and Savage) are all guns I have looked at but considered out of my current price range since I have not been able to find them for under 500$ unless i shop on craigslist or some other used auction type gun site.

Back to my original 4? any experience with them?

huntingkidPA

the mossberg atr is basically supposed to keep up with the lower line of guns, but i have heard so many bad thing about it i would just stay away from it. The one i can speak for is the XL7. I have mine chambered in .270. your pretty crazy on buying a 25-06, ammo is only going to get more expensive. My .270 really like rem cor lokts. it prefers the 150 gr. The accu trigger or what ever its called is really nice. Its a pretty light rifle too. shooting off the bench i can get 1" groupings. i cant recommend this gun enough for someone on a budget. i wish i would have bought mine in stainless or a wood stock. Another thing is the recoil pad is very nice. hope you find a gun you like!

jerry d

I believe with the 25-06 you're going to want a barrel length of 24"-26" to get optimal preformance out of the round. So check the barrel length on the rifles you like.

Okie76

Does the wood stock affect performance in any way or is it cosmetic in nature?

Sheridan

76,

"The winchester Ballistic silvertip I was plan on using......"

Your gun, whichever one that ends up being; might not shoot them well !

Shoot a bunch of different "brands" of bullets that are properly constructed for your use and let your gun will tell you which ones it like best.


Yes, the links are for the purpose of listing brands/models at the entry level price range (and maybe a bit higher).


If I were chooing between those (and I wouldn't even consider the last two....I'd save my money and get the TC Venture or the Marlin).


1. Thompson Center Venture
2. Marlin X7S
3. Savage Axis
4. Mossberg 4x4

For what that's worth...............just my 2 cents.

emtrescue6

First off, you ask people help and "opinions" yet you give them crap when they do respond?

Anyway, Sheridan is correct in pointing out 2 important points...1. You're rifle may not like the 85g Ballistic Silver Tips, so you may need to try several options when finding the round your rifle likes. 2...25-06 ammo is only going to get harder to find and more spendy (unless you reload).

Personally, for a first bolt rifle, the 25-06 isn't what would top my list of options, that being said, for some reason you are dead set on it. With that I offer some options...

But first, a question...does that $500 limit include glass? (glass, rings/mounts will likely add at least $300 to the package for basic quality glass)

Of the rifles you list, the only one I would ever consider owning it the TC...all the rest are junk IMHO!

Assuming your limit of $500 does NOT include scope, etc...here are some options...these prices were obtained after a quick internet search...

Tikka T-3 lite: $509 (scope rings/bases included) http://www.tombstonetactical.com/cat...-24.5in-black/

Savage 111: $451 (scope included and an accu-trigger) http://www.jetguns.com/savage-111fxp...ope-p-882.html

Savage Edge: $361 (scope included) http://www.midwesthuntersoutlet.com/...%2BJDyOLrQE%3D

Weatherby Vanguard: $436 http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/73930-1.html (guaranteed SUB-MOA ...as long as the shooter does their part)

Any of the above rifles, with the right ammo and the shooter doing their job will produce MOA or better results @ 100 yards...more than good enough for a deer hunt anywhere in North America...and meet your $500 range...and would all be on my list if I were in your seat.