Difference between $350, $1000, $2000 guns

[shooter12]

Originally Posted by sk270

Elk, I basically agree with what is being said by most in this thread. However, it seems that you are suggesting that a gun like an 870 or 500 will not be reliable. Or are you just talking about cheap O/Us?

Does anyone have any experience with Savage Axis or Ruger American rifles failing to function in the field? How about Weatherby Vanguards?

I just hunt deer and ducks so these questions are just out of curiosity.

Thanks for any explanations.

I had to send my Axis back to Savage to fix a headspace and when closing the bolt it could fire without pulling the trigger.
It took them 3 month to fix the problem .
The original trigger was around 8 pounds and I turned it down to around 1.5 pounds which made it very nice to shoot in the range or gopher shooting .
But there is no way I would pack this rifle in the mountains .
The design of the trigger is extremely simple , so I would not trust it in a bushes.

S12

[Dick284]

Originally Posted by pikergolf

You are putting a custom rifle together for 2000 bucks?

$425 for a barrel.
$450 thread, chamber, install, etc.
$600-$750 for a donor rifle/action.
$300-$400 for a laminate stock.
$150 for an aftermarket trigger.


So close to $2k it’s hilarious.

[elkhunter11]

Originally Posted by sk270

Elk, I basically agree with what is being said by most in this thread. However, it seems that you are suggesting that a gun like an 870 or 500 will not be reliable. Or are you just talking about cheap O/Us?

Does anyone have any experience with Savage Axis or Ruger American rifles failing to function in the field? How about Weatherby Vanguards?

I just hunt deer and ducks so these questions are just out of curiosity.

Thanks for any explanations.

The guy paid $750 for an Armsan semi auto that was total junk. The others were cheap O/U shotguns that he paid $500 to $700 for. Then he finally paid $900 for a beat up Maxus that at least functions. For what he spent, he could have purchased a quality new shotgun.

There is a guy on the Alberta Hunting Addicts Facebook site that has an Axis, which the stock broke completely in half when it fell out of the case. That would ruin a hunt in a hurry.

[sk270]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

The guy paid $750 for an Armsan semi auto that was total junk. The others were cheap O/U shotguns that he paid $500 to $700 for. Then he finally paid $900 for a beat up Maxus that at least functions. For what he spent, he could have purchased a quality new shotgun.

There is a guy on the Alberta Hunting Addicts Facebook site that has an Axis, which the stock broke completely in half when it fell out of the case. That would ruin a hunt in a hurry.

Thanks for the clarifications. Kind of reminds me of a guy who bought a cheap used outboard and then another and then a new one. He's happy now.

[Dick284]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

The guy paid $750 for an Armsan semi auto that was total junk. The others were cheap O/U shotguns that he paid $500 to $700 for. Then he finally paid $900 for a beat up Maxus that at least functions. For what he spent, he could have purchased a quality new shotgun.

There is a guy on the Alberta Hunting Addicts Facebook site that has an Axis, which the stock broke completely in half when it fell out of the case. That would ruin a hunt in a hurry.

Buy no name brands, expect half hearted results.
At the end of the day a Remington 1100 or 11-87 ain’t that much more expensive than some Turkish I’m a Knock Off.

As for broken stocks I’ve seen Ruger’s, Husky’s, Winchester and Weatherby’s all with broken stocks, mis handling is just that, brand plays no favourites neither does price, when it comes to busted stocks.

[elkhunter11]

Originally Posted by Dick284

Buy no name brands, expect half hearted results.
At the end of the day a Remington 1100 or 11-87 ain’t that much more expensive than some Turkish I’m a Knock Off.

As for broken stocks I’ve seen Ruger’s, Husky’s, Winchester and Weatherby’s all with broken stocks, mis handling is just that, brand plays no favourites neither does price, when it comes to busted stocks.

As far as broken stocks go, I have never seen a synthetic stock break in half, after being dropped onto the ground. A synthetic stock that does that, is exceptionally crappy. As for brand name, McMillan does offer a lifetime warranty against breakage, and it's rare that they have replace a broken stock.

https://mcmillanusa.com/stocks-warranty/

Wood stocks, are an entirely different matter, no matter how expensive they are, they are far easier to beak than a high quality synthetic stock.

[Dick284]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

As far as broken stocks go, I have never seen a synthetic stock break in half, after being dropped onto the ground. A synthetic stock that does that, is exceptionally crappy. As for brand name, McMillan does offer a lifetime warranty against breakage, and it's rare that they have replace a broken stock.

https://mcmillanusa.com/stocks-warranty/

Wood stocks, are an entirely different matter, no matter how expensive they are, they are far easier to beak than a high quality synthetic stock.

I here a certain scope manufacturer has a great replacement warranty too, it doesn’t mean their products are un breakable......

Broken is broken and your outting or hunt is done for if it happens.

All stocks can and do break, especially in equine adventures, and if a rifle slips or gets dropped to where any stock breaks, I’ll wager you’ve probably got multiple failures looking to rear an ugly head.

[elkhunter11]

Originally Posted by Dick284

I here a certain scope manufacturer has a great replacement warranty too, it doesn’t mean their products are un breakable......

Broken is broken and your outting or hunt is done for if it happens.

All stocks can and do break, especially in equine adventures, and if a rifle slips or gets dropped to where any stock breaks, I’ll wager you’ve probably got multiple failures looking to rear an ugly head.

No having a good warranty does not mean that the product won't fail but I haven't seen a broken McMillan stock myself, and a Google search, didn't bring up any hits. Do a google search for broken Axis stocks, and quite a few appear, they are a crappy design, which isn't unexpected for the price.

[catnthehat]

Two piece wood stocks are complete crap according to some people, prone to breaking, inaccurate, constant maintenance, etc.
Others that use them and like particular rifles like the Savage 99, Winchester'95, 85, and the various lever action repeaters do like them.
I like 1885 Brownings and inn particular the Ruger single shot, and do not worry about their so-called crappiness, because the rifles I have are accurate, take no more maintenance than wipe down and are no more prone to breaking than any other rifle that is handled properly.
I don't know anybody who has taken an Axis on a remote horseback hunt but I know quite a few hunters who have used two piece and one piece stocked Savages on remote hunts with no issues as well as other two piece wood stocked rifles
Cat

[tranq78]

My 16 year old hunts. I don't. He's been harassing me to start. He says I'm the only person in the woods in November who doesn't pack a gun.

Based on the logic of this thread I need to get me a Savage Axis, remove the bolt, and carry it in the bushes. The gun should last a lifetime.

I suspect my little guy's shooting accuracy will go down since he won't see properly after he puts a paper bag on his head.

(Parents are sooooo embarassing).

[hogie]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

No having a good warranty does not mean that the product won't fail but I haven't seen a broken McMillan stock myself, and a Google search, didn't bring up any hits. Do a google search for broken Axis stocks, and quite a few appear, they are a crappy design, which isn't unexpected for the price.

I had a Mcmillan stock break. Savage rifle that came with it from the factory. Went from shooting really good to a shotgun in a hurry. McMillan repaired it at a dealer of theirs in Canada. Added pillars to prevent from happening again.

[elkhunter11]

Originally Posted by hogie

I had a Mcmillan stock break. Savage rifle that came with it from the factory. Went from shooting really good to a shotgun in a hurry. McMillan repaired it at a dealer of theirs in Canada. Added pillars to prevent from happening again.

Which rifle model? How did you manage to break a McMillan stock? Which dealer repaired it?

[Dubious]

Finding a suitable used rifle as a donor and just swapping parts isn’t difficult or excessively expensive. I have also had great results with just the T3 rifles and a barrel swap. I know the tikka fan boys are going to be upset but aftermarket barrels on t3 rifles have worked very well. You can keep the trigger swap the Tupperware stock and spin on a barrel and be in pretty good shape with out breaking the bank.

[hogie]

Model 10 fcp, it broke at the rear action screw, Alberta tactical repaired it.

Yes it was torqued properly because I know that will be the next question.

Anything can break.

[elkhunter11]

Originally Posted by hogie

Model 10 fcp, it broke at the rear action screw, Alberta tactical repaired it.

Yes it was torqued properly because I know that will be the next question.

Anything can break.

I have to wonder if Savage over torqued it at their factory, before you had it?

[hogie]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

I have to wonder if Savage over torqued it at their factory, before you had it?

Or maybe it was a flawed stock that had to be repaired. Anything can break.

[elkhunter11]

Originally Posted by hogie

Or maybe it was a flawed stock that had to be repaired. Anything can break.

It could be, any company can put out a defective product, even if the design is strong. However, with the stocks that break fairly often, that is more likely a design issue.

[huntinstuff]

I have a middle of the road Sako A7 and a 3x9 Leupold that, in order to use the variable magnification, have to twist it with a Leatherman. I wouldnt trade it for some of the newer rifles.....

The Sako. I use it. It has a broken/repaired synthetic stock that has been painted probably a dozen times, bluing missing. I could care less. Rang the 500yd gong numerous times yesterday.

I can appreciate pretty wood stocks, but i wouldnt own one. Not the way I treat rifles.

[6.5 shooter]

I have 3 similar rifles to what the guys in the video have , Quality wise...

1) Rem $650. 6.5 creed. (Package gun).... shoots very well, feeds etc.... does everything a rifle should do but it is fair in quality and feels a bit like a toy, trigger is fair. (tossed the original scope)

2) Tikka T3 6.5x55 $800. scary accurate, smooth as butter action, good-great trigger good bluing and after I hydo dipped the stock, it fit like a glove to the receiver... Excellent rifle...But the stock is kinda cheap but better in the hand then the Rem.

3) Sako grey wolf .260 Rem. $2000. SS action, again, scary accurate. barrel is a satin type beaded finish, Grey laminated stock, solid as a rock. Action is almost as smooth as the Tikka. has three locking lugs, so stronger action...etc. Trigger is nice, better mag set up then either of the other two rifles.. But it is heavy!

Rem is a good starting rifle and will last for years and has some resale value!

Tikka is a nice solid rifle except for the stock..and will resale for near what I bought it for? down the road.

Sako, solid, better quality, heavy and is not any better, really, in the accuracy department ...BUT It has increased in resale value over the years.

So what does all this mean IMHO!

People mostly look at the up front cost vs the down the road value of a firearm.

If I had to choose I would pick the Tikka rifle out of the bunch due to the weight issue over the Sako. But quality wise, the Sako hands down.


JM2C

[leeelmer]

This year I had a horse go over backwards, and land on the rifle scabbard.
My Weatherby was just fine.
I shudder to think what a Axis would have looked like after.
Quality is just that quality.
For the guy that walks out his back door and hunts the field next to his house, just about anything will work.
But 40miles back in the bush with horses, and 10 days off work. It would sure suck to have cheeped out on my rifle and scope, and find out that it didn't put up with the abuse that happened. and ruin my hunt.
I held a axis once, and it felt so terrible that I couldn't even stand the thought of it in my gun cabinet.
My Weatherby cost a lot, but I like it, so the cost is justified to me. Maybe not the next guy, gut to me, and that's what matters, the guy paying the bill.
I could care less what the next guy uses.

[rem338win]

Originally Posted by Salavee

I saw a real nice old Tikka 65 for sale at a show that had a $850.00 price tag hanging on it. In the very next booth there was a brand new Tikka T-3 Lite, with warranty, for the same money. I'm wondering what the hell is going on with the used gun sellers. Do they think I'm crazy ?

Originally Posted by no-regard

Tikka M65 and M55 regularly sell for more than the cost of a new T3, they are of considerably better quality. I love them.

Exactly.

The two yokels in the video make no sense and are wasting time and money.

[Trochu]

Originally Posted by silver lab

Most Hunters should buy a $350.00 gun?

Is that kinda like saying commuters should all buy a Chevy Spark?