If you had $1300 for a rifle which one?

[Desert Fox]

Man, no love here for Kimber 8400.

http://www.kimberamerica.com/rifles/mod ... lect-grade

 

[BK]

Wish I could be more helpful, but just thinking of 1300 dollars in my hand and no conscience telling me not to, I would by the mark v sporter in 7mm bee. Some days I think of selling a bunch of guns just to buy this one. 8)

Not a bad call. I'm not a huge fan of MK V actions, but I might buy one, as that's about the only way to get a 7 Weatherby (outside of maybe a Remington 700 Classic)

Or sending a fantastic M70 off to PacNor or the smith of your choice to get one built! Scotty

Guess I should have said "from the factory". Would people think you daft for rebarreling a 7mm RemMag to a 7mm Weatherby? :grin:

 

[SJB358]

Not a bad call. I'm not a huge fan of MK V actions, but I might buy one, as that's about the only way to get a 7 Weatherby (outside of maybe a Remington 700 Classic)

Or sending a fantastic M70 off to PacNor or the smith of your choice to get one built! Scotty[/quote]

Guess I should have said "from the factory". Would people think you daft for rebarreling a 7mm RemMag to a 7mm Weatherby? :grin:[/quote]

I would.

 

[Oldtrader3]

I guess, that based on the rifles which I already have, I would buy a Ruger Number One, .300 H&H, now that this rifle is currently being chambered for that cartridge. This choice would be based on replacing an old time favorite cartridge which I am sorry that I sold years ago.

 

[onesonek]

I too would consider sending a donor action to Pac-Nor for rebarreling. I get most my blanks from them, and couldn't be happier.
Otherwise for a production bolt rifle in that price range, would be a Kimber. My choice would be the Montana.

 

[super-7]

While I am not a gun snob, and all suggestions here I think are relevant, I think the weatherby vangard would also be in the running for a decent budget gun. I recently picked up a Sub Moa, for under 800$ Canuckian. I installed a set of talley light weights, and a redfeild 4x12 revolution scope, for a total of 1200$. Well I would love a custom rifle built by Darcy Echols or Kenny Jarret, or a quality Cooper, nosler custom grade or the likes I cannot justify it while doing what I do for a living. Plus with a few mouths to feed(and another on the way) and a single family income it would be very selfish for me to spend 4000-5000$ on a rifle and then that again on optics. I have little doubt in the capability of a budget rifle to put meat in the freezer, which is what I ask of any rifle.

 

[trsmith1818]

So I am stuck between getting the remington 700 SPS stainless and having some smith work done or buying the 700 CDL SF. Here is the break down as I see it....please comment

700 SPS Stainless $599 700 CDL SF $889
-barrel Fluting $100 Fluted already
-Fluting bolt $65 Fluting bolt $65
replacement wood stock $$?? already wood
glass/pillar bedding (same for both)


what am I missing what do you think?

 

[Guy Miner]

1. What's with all the fluting? I've shot winning scores in matches, and brought down nice game without a fluted barrel or bolt. On the other hand, if you like it, go for it. Just curious about why... it doesn't really do much in the practical world. Looks cool though.

Side note - I'm not sure fluting an existing barrel is such a great idea. Have heard it's considered a no-no among accuracy-minded rifle builders.

2. Have you actually laid hands on the rifles or is this all internet study?

I may well have missed it if you mentioned that. The CDL is hands-down the "nicer" rifle, but I won't be surprised if it's a tossup for accuracy. Also remember that Scotty here (Beretzs) had problem after problem trying to get his 700 CDL to shoot well. Finally after numerous fixes, he gave up on it. I still feel a little bad about that as I think I influenced his purchase with my glowing descriptions of the accuracy and field-worthiness of my 700 CDL.

FWIW, Guy

 

[BK]

My SPSs all came with a very rough finish... I've heard it described as "gravel-blast' so I think a wood stock on one would look pretty funny.

 

[SJB358]

1. What's with all the fluting? I've shot winning scores in matches, and brought down nice game without a fluted barrel or bolt. On the other hand, if you like it, go for it. Just curious about why... it doesn't really do much in the practical world. Looks cool though.

Side note - I'm not sure fluting an existing barrel is such a great idea. Have heard it's considered a no-no among accuracy-minded rifle builders.

2. Have you actually laid hands on the rifles or is this all internet study?

I may well have missed it if you mentioned that. The CDL is hands-down the "nicer" rifle, but I won't be surprised if it's a tossup for accuracy. Also remember that Scotty here (Beretzs) had problem after problem trying to get his 700 CDL to shoot well. Finally after numerous fixes, he gave up on it. I still feel a little bad about that as I think I influenced his purchase with my glowing descriptions of the accuracy and field-worthiness of my 700 CDL.
FWIW, Guy

Guy is referencing the 25-06 CDL I bought. Loved the looks of the rifle and the wood looked really nice. I tried a bunch of things and finally put pillars in it and floated the rifle. The inletting was crappy. I have a CDL Whelen and I love that rifle and it shoots everything really well. I still am not against the CDLs but would expect to do some bedding work, as you already plan. They are a very nice looking rifle but expect them to have sloppily cut firing pin holes and some other minor things but again if you go into it expecting to do some work I don't think you will be as disappointed as I was. I could never get anything over 100 grain bullets to shoot well. I tried 110's, 115's and some 120's to shoot. None of them really did. I could have used it shooting 100's but I didn't want it for them, I wanted the heavier bullets so I ditched it. I was actually hating that but I just wasn't happy with it. It was a wonderful handling rifle and very nice to shoot, it just wasn't put together very well. Again my Whelen is a dream and shoots everything well but it was made over five years ago. I can't imagine what an SPS will need in order to make it what you are looking for. Oh, not a big fan of the X-Mark trigger. The older regular Remington trigger on the Whelen is much nicer and no little screw hanging out. Scotty

 

[DrMike]

I have two of the CDLs, and there won't be anymore. Each will require quite a bit of work before they are what I expect them to be. One thing at a time, however.

 

[FOTIS]

So what are we getting? :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

 

[trsmith1818]

UGHH!... so confusing. I thought about the cheaper SPS just to get the 700 action and then make modifications...no good? why are there no well put together rifle under $1500. I guess its too much to ask for


....BTW I like the look of fluting, thats why

 

[DrMike]

I like the look of fluting, thats why

Good enough reason. Go with the CDL and spend the money to pillar bed it and ensure it is free floated. Then, work up a load that will shoot, and you're good to go.

 

[BK]

I have two of the CDLs, and there won't be anymore. Each will require quite a bit of work before they are what I expect them to be. One thing at a time, however.

I'm pretty sure I will be getting at least one more CDL, one of the 6mm SF models. If I were to stumble upon a twin of Scotty's good rifle, I'd probably own that one, too. I wouldn't rule out picking up the Limited Edition CDL-SFs that were chambered in .257 Roberts and .280, either. I guess I'm just a sucker for Remingtons (and odd chamberings).

But I'm still more interested in M70s now. Just wish they had some more interesting options in what hulls they shot.

 

[Oldtrader3]

Winchester did chamber for odd cartridges in the Model 70 and even USRAC did chamber some oldies and oddies occasionally. Browning however, is not noted for doing so. I am surprised that they even chambered for the .280 Rem in the A-Bolt. Too bad that Browning doesn't take a chance now and then. I have owned Browning's ever since the days of the Browning Safari and even finding one of those chambered for .338 WM was a challenge when I bought mine.

USRAC did have a sort of cartridge of the year type of program for awhile which mirrored the Remington Classic model in chamberings. Gun companies now seem more interested in short magnums then in rechambering classic cartridges. Too bad, a lot of more experienced shooters want something more than the latest short or ultra magnum of the year. I personally have always been interested in the family cartridges such as the ones based on the 7x57mm Mauser case or many others that have been produced over the years. I also am interested in medium bores as are a lot of more seasoned shooters.

Being an older shooter, I already have all of the basic calibers that I need for hunting anything that I am going to hunt from a practical standpoint. however, I am interested in a lot of the old classic calibers that have been around since before WWII. I would much rather buy a rifle chambered for an old classic cartridge than many of the new ones.

 

[trsmith1818]

wondering if you can convert the standard spring magazine for a box magazine?

 

[SJB358]

A ton of great info posted up here. Charlie brings up a great point about the old cartridges. They are still as good and more times than not, better than they have ever been. I do like the WSMs a whole bunch. I do like almost all of the 06 based cartridges and would like to put another 25-06 in the safe.

I just think for the money, the M70 EW is very strong. I know it isn't exactly what your looking for so building off another M70 or M700 would seem to get you what you want for your 1300 mark.

Kurt, I can't say enough good about my CDL Whelen. Just a great rifle. I would however be in a serious dilemma if Winchester chambered the Whelen. Might be some horse trading happening. Then again, my M700 is a nice one and shoots really well. Either way, jump on an M70 264 if you can find one. I don't think you'll be disappointed. You'll likely use your 270's for fence posts or something. Just kidding but the 264 is very impressive when loaded correctly. Scotty

 

[Oldtrader3]

I would not convert any rifle that I own to a box magazine for the simple reason that they are nearly never as rigid and stable a shooting platform as one-piece bottom metal is. For example, in the Model 70 Winchester, every box magazine equipped rifle that I have ever seen is a more flimsy box design and is less accurate than a rifle with rigid bottom metal. Just my $.02.

 

[BK]

Either way, jump on an M70 264 if you can find one. I don't think you'll be disappointed. You'll likely use your 270's for fence posts or something.

I'm pretty seriously considering only keeping the 725 intact. I bought both of the SPSs (a stainless and a blued) as donors. A 6.5-06, a .280 AI, and a .338-06 standard or AI are all in the mix.

Still would like to get a Sporter M70 in .264, though. A Supergrade might work in a pinch. :twisted: