[hardluk1]

rainman33 Buy a ruger american or ranch depending on cartridge choice and end up with a moa rifle that weather and hard use will not hurt and you can tune or adjust the trigger down to 2lb pull for a quality hunters trigger pull . Use the extra dollar saved on a upgraded scope again depending on what a long shot might be a 2 or 2.5-10 x 42 opr 44mm with a 30mm tube that should sure work well out to 400 yards .

I never had issues loading a internal mag or box mag but the smooth bottom internals do carry better when off the sling . Slings .. Try a Boonie Packers Safari Sling that allows you to carry your rifle across your chest or side at a sort of 2:00 centerline for a right hander and do so hands free . When ready to shoulder simply raise to a shooting position not dealing with conventional style slings . I have a 10lb long range I walk a mile or so to a stand using on a 48 year old rem 788 I bought new to walk and stalk hunt with . Used the sling mentioned above for at least 30 years .

 

[Hiih8r]

Ok, let’s get real. You obviously have an axe to grind but there is no dang way on earth the XPR and B14 actions are even remotely close. Something bogus is going on.

I have an axe to grind? No dude, you’re just a biased fanboy. Anything but absolute praise for what you chose to spend your money on obviously gets your panties in a bunch. Guess what... not everyone has to like what you do and people can even think it sucks.

 

[tacticaljoey]

I have an axe to grind? No dude, you’re just a biased fanboy. Anything but absolute praise for what you chose to spend your money on obviously gets your panties in a bunch. Guess what... not everyone has to like what you do and people can even think it sucks.

Really? Biased fanboy? In this thread I recommended Bergara, Tikka, older Remington, FN Winchester 70, even said a Savage 10 would be a good choice. Comparing the XPR receiver and B14 receiver as equal is either an axe to grind or you have a terrible ability to compare and contrast. Do I like my Bergaras and recommend them, when someone asks about them? Yes. If he said he wanted to shoot PRS with it would I have recommended them? No. I would have said build off of a Nucleus most likely. I’m done arguing with you. You lost credibility with your XPR equal to B14 nonsense.

 

[Texas1836]

I would agree, Tikka would probably win in a poll. I think it’s mostly due to relatively less familiarity with Bergara though. I can tell you I have a lot of experience with Tikka, Bergara, Remington, Savage, Ruger, Weatherby Vanguard (Howa 1500)and lots of others. The Tikka T3x and Bergara B14 are similar quality and overall better than the others mentioned. I personally think the Bergara is the better rifle over the Tikka but it’s close and somewhat subjective. Honestly, Either the Bergara or the Tikka will be about as good a hunting rifle as you will ever need.

Looking for your opinion for price/quality and keeping cost down.
I have an Axis in 223 stainless and a 110 Hunter in 30-06.
For low cost quality rifles, what your opinion off Savage vs other budget brands?

 

[tacticaljoey]

Looking for your opinion for price/quality and keeping cost down.
I have an Axis in 223 stainless and a 110 Hunter in 30-06.
For low cost quality rifles, what your opinion off Savage vs other budget brands?

110 is a good action and on the higher end of a budget rifle as far as accuracy generally. Some 10/110s can be finicky feeding and extracting, but most function quite nicely. The Axis, in my opinion, is a pretty big step down in quality from the 10/110. Much more cheaply constructed and basically zero aftermarket for them. If it’s close to equal money (say sub $500ish and below) for me it would be
Used OLDER Remington 700
Savage 10/100
Ruger American
And that’s about where it stops for that price range unless you got a screaming deal on a Tikka, Bergara or something like that.

 

[Tvov]

Some others have mentioned them, but check out the CZ line of rifles.

My son bought one... I didn't know anything about them.

I am impressed as all heck by it. Excellent quality and feel, and (to me at least) it is waaaay more accurate than it should be for the price!

 

[Colt38SuperDude]

People kept saying zero or little aftermarket supports for these economic rifles…what exactly are you going to modify on an el cheapo $300-400 rifle?

You buy it cheap for a reason. Slap an economic scope on it, a cheap sling, then go to town.

If you’re going to buy a $300 gun then put on a $200 trigger, then put on a $300 stock, then put on a $300 barrel, you might as well buy a better gun right from the start.

 

[garya1961]

People kept saying zero or little aftermarket supports for these economic rifles…what exactly are you going to modify on an el cheapo $300-400 rifle?

You buy it cheap for a reason. Slap an economic scope on it, a cheap sling, then go to town.

If you’re going to buy a $300 gun then put on a $200 trigger, then put on a $300 stock, then put on a $300 barrel, you might as well buy a better gun right from the start.

Also they get hung up on which rifle has a better trigger. For most of us we are talking about hitting a deer at 50 to 150 yards, you don't need a competition trigger to do that.

 

[WVSurveyor]

I've handled and shot an XPR in .308. It operated and grouped just fine and I actually liked the trigger.

 

[Daveyboy]

I think some of this boils down to a pretty accurate hunting rifle vs quality and durability.

I also have an Axis that is plenty accurate just like the Ruger Americans—I don’t think either are as high quality or heavy duty an action as a Weatherby Vanguard.

That might not matter to some buyers.

 

[Colt38SuperDude]

Also they get hung up on which rifle has a better trigger. For most of us we are talking about hitting a deer at 50 to 150 yards, you don't need a competition trigger to do that.

Talking about which $300 guns have better trigger pull is like talking about which car has better lateral G-rating - a Ford Fiesta or a Toyota Yaris.

 

[AK_Stick]

I prefer Weatherby

I had a Mark V many years ago.

There was a time where they made quite the rifles. However they’re largely running in the name, while slapping it on the side of a (still nice) Howa rifle.

 

[AK_Stick]

The Vanguard is not a real weatherby. It’s a Howa 1500. Decent gun but unremarkable. Bergara is surprisingly good rifle from Spain. Frankly, neither measure up to Tikka T3X. The Tikka has superior fit and finish plus a sweet ass trigger pull.

I wouldn’t agree with that. I would put the two (Tikka and Bergara) at the same level.

Tikka makes an excellent rifle, and Bergara makes the best Rem 700 clones (and arguably better barrels than Tikka) on the market.

You wouldn’t go wrong with either.

 

[tacticaljoey]

People kept saying zero or little aftermarket supports for these economic rifles…what exactly are you going to modify on an el cheapo $300-400 rifle?

You buy it cheap for a reason. Slap an economic scope on it, a cheap sling, then go to town.

If you’re going to buy a $300 gun then put on a $200 trigger, then put on a $300 stock, then put on a $300 barrel, you might as well buy a better gun right from the start.

OP started this thread asking about buying his only hunting rifle, then asked for opinions on the XPR. I was just trying to give him what I felt was pertinent information on that rifle. If he wants one and only one, there are things like aftermarket to consider in my opinion.

 

[Colt38SuperDude]

OP started this thread asking about buying his only hunting rifle, then asked for opinions on the XPR. I was just trying to give him what I felt was pertinent information on that rifle. If he wants one and only one, there are things like aftermarket to consider in my opinion.

If he’s going to buy a cheap gun then what exactly on the aftermarket accessories is he going to consider?

 

[tacticaljoey]

If he’s going to buy a cheap gun then what exactly on the aftermarket accessories is he going to consider?

When I was younger I made the mistake of buying an inexpensive rifle. I quickly got tired of the heavy, crunchy trigger and crappy limp noodle plastic stock. It ended up costing more in the long run because resale was basically zero as was aftermarket fixes.
OP originally asked about Bergara and Vanguard, then asked about the bargain basement Winchester later. I was just trying to point out that when you buy bargain basement you are limited to what you have, because there are little to no aftermarket options if later you decide there are things you don’t like. Tikka, Bergara, Weatherby, Savage 10/110 it’s not as big an issue, aftermarket is pretty good on all of them if you want to make upgrades later. Just trying to give the information to the man that was looking for information.

 

[hogfish]

rainman33 Buy a ruger american or ranch depending on cartridge choice and end up with a moa rifle that weather and hard use will not hurt and you can tune or adjust the trigger down to 2lb pull for a quality hunters trigger pull . Use the extra dollar saved on a upgraded scope again depending on what a long shot might be a 2 or 2.5-10 x 42 opr 44mm with a 30mm tube that should sure work well out to 400 yards .

I never had issues loading a internal mag or box mag but the smooth bottom internals do carry better when off the sling . Slings .. Try a Boonie Packers Safari Sling that allows you to carry your rifle across your chest or side at a sort of 2:00 centerline for a right hander and do so hands free . When ready to shoulder simply raise to a shooting position not dealing with conventional style slings . I have a 10lb long range I walk a mile or so to a stand using on a 48 year old rem 788 I bought new to walk and stalk hunt with . Used the sling mentioned above for at least 30 years .

+1 on the sling.

 

[rainman33]

Resurrecting an old thread for opinions and Brownings AB3.
Thanks

 

[tacticaljoey]

Resurrecting an old thread for opinions and Brownings AB3.
Thanks

If you are looking Browning, X bolt is better by a wide, wide margin.

 

[AK_Stick]

Resurrecting an old thread for opinions and Brownings AB3.
Thanks

Would avoid.