The Hunter's Life Forums

What brand of rifle what you consider to be the best all around not thinkng in terms of calibers but in construction, accuracy, reliabilty, durability and portability. Price is not in question. Here are the four Bolt action center fire rifles in question.
 
Winchester Model 70
 
Browning A Bolt
 
Remington 700
 
Ruger M77

Quite honestly, they're all good choices.  If I were deciding for myself, a lot would rest on which particular model I was looking at, and which one fit and appealed to me the best.
 
I've never owned a Sako, but I know from others who have that they're quality firearms.
 
I've owned several of each of the others (still own some of them), and never had a problem with any of them.
 
Daryl

ive never owned any of the mentioned rifles but i own several remington and planning on geting another one this spring.  i swear buy remington.  i will buy aother types if i like them and the price is right but remington is my rifle of choice.

:D the older model winchester model 70's, Ron

Jeez this is like asking if Ford is better that Chevy or Dodge. Going off the choices you listed and not the ones in the poll, I don't know if I can answer which is better because I think they are all good rifles and probably boils down more to preference than anything else. Sakos...well, I'm sure Sakorick will throw in his two cents on them;) .

Wellll... I prefer the Remington safety over the Wichester and Ruger.  I own a nice Ruger and the introduction of the Model 77 sure got the others motivated.  

I've never been quite satisfied on the relative proportions of the bolt on the Sako.  I've built a number of rifles on Sako actions but that was at the customer's specific request.

With the Winchester I'm neither hot nor cold.  I suppose that's the problem.  There isn't that special connection with any particular Winchester.

The Browning stock finish leaves me cold.

My great love (in bolt actions) is the Mauser followed by the 'altered'  '17 Enfield and the Springfield.  Since you didn't make those available to vote on... I opted for the obvious.

I would venture to guess that all of the manufacturers  make good rifles and bad.  And that the users of all the different brands have good days and bad.

I have found that I have never met a man who owned a Ford and hated Fords.

QuoteI have found that I have never met a man who owned a Ford and hated Fords.

I have!
 
;)
 
Daryl

Of those listed, I s'pose I'd choose the Remington. Neither Browning or Sako ever "got to me" emotionally, and you gotta go a long way back for me to like a Winchester enough to put out cash over one of the other choices. Apparently I'm not alone in that sentiment. However, Ruger tops my personal list for over-the-counter rifles.
 
Paul
 
PS - And who might that be Daryl ;)

Paul,
 
A buddy of mine, Mark, had some problems with several Fords.  He still drives one, but didn't like them much for a while.
 
My dad owned Fords for many years (like 30+ years).  He now owns one that he's trying to sell (f250 Super Duty/Diesel), but drives a Chevy.  Too many problems in the past with the Ford he has now.
 
Another friend, Ken, is about to switch to another brand of truck.  He's cussing Fords pretty bad these days, since his won't run for more than a week at a time.
 
Not saying that they're bad trucks; just saying some drive them and don't much care for the quality they've been putting out lately.
 
;)
 
Daryl

I thought you were talkin' about me. :D
 
Paul

Paul,
 
:D
 
Daryl

A Texan rancher told an Ohioan that he could get in his Ford truck and drive all day and not leave his ranch. The Ohioan said Yea I had a Ford like that.

Sav... Sav.. Savage! sorry it's just kinda hard to get that out :D

+1, Gunman! ;)

Well as I don't really like mu ch any of the choices :p  as those regulars know I like older firearms :D  so I carry on looking out for them. Either Parker-Hale of my first preference BSA :D . Although I have said it before and will say it again I do rather fancy a Remington Model 30 or 30S I know sad is it not :o . Of cousre a nice original Obendorf would not be turned down ;) .

I assume you mean a bolt rifle. Ask a USMC sniper. Model 700 .

Personally, I feel they all make good rifles. Sako once produced a very high quality rifle, but times change and the last one I looked at did not have the high grade workmanship of their 1960s models IMHO. So, I would say the Ruger M-77 for out of the box accuracy. But I own Rem and Win too, and they are good rifles. grayghost

Hi greyghost,

   Yes Sako did make much finer rifles and a noticable drop in quality occured which strangely enough seems to have happened with the Beretta take over :rolleyes:  Now Berretta shotguns do not seem to ave suffered this drop in quality and finish. I wonder if the likes of Sako and Tikka are subsidising the Berretta production costs? :confused:

    Hmmm never been much of a fan of Berrettas myself. This stms from the early days on my Clay shooting, British Sporting Clays naturally ;) , when ever there was a hold up due to gun problems you could bet your bottom doller it was a Berretta, would.nt fire, eject or open yet because of the flash and fancy advertising campaign similar to how they marketed BMW's they were fasionable so good :rolleyes: :o . Oh after working driving a recovery truck around the notorious M25 in Southern England my opinions of BMW's plumetted as well now I would not have one as a gift :frown .

   Slick advertising makes a right dog look good :rolleyes: .

I've owned Beretta semi-auto's for many years and they have been flawless. Never owned one of their O/U but I missed a deal on a 1959 model the other day by minutes. I did have a problem with their new Extrema. I failed to clean the action and due to some sort of lube, the action seized up last winter. One shot and it froze up. I wasn't too happy but I should have cleaned it thoroughly before taking it afield. I had to use it single shot and we had Snow/Blue Geese all over us that morning. I've seen a number of brands slip in quality and that may turn into a trend. Let's hope not. :) grayghost

well this is a pretty old thread but I JUST MENTALLY INVENTORIED MY GAN SAFE  and remingtons prevail 721, 700, rolling block to name a few

Quote from: Alboy;100871well this is a pretty old thread but I JUST MENTALLY INVENTORIED MY GAN SAFE and remingtons prevail 721, 700, rolling block to name a few

I haven't owned a Remington rifle in nearly 20 years.  Nothing agaist 'em, really, but others better suited my "fancy".
 
;)
 
Daryl