So I've been considering buying a more budget oriented bolt action rifle for a while but I'm not sure which to get. I'd like to have it for some hunting and maybe some distance shooting (or what passes for distance shooting here in Nova Scotia).
I've looked at:
- Mossberg Patriot in 6.5 creedmoore (~$500)
Not sold on the colour of the rifle (I like my rifles to be black/blued. Anything else just kinda doesn't look good to me.) The rifle doesn't come with any optic and has no iron signs so it means buying an optic. Though it does have a picatinny rail for mounting. I've also heard mixed reviews about the Patriot with people saying it's accuracy is not overly good.
- Mossberg Patriot Scope combo in 30-06 (~$550)
I like the idea of having a scope come with the gun. Usually Vortex makes decent scopes. And the scope that this gun ships with is normally $230 +tax on it's own. So it makes this a bit better of a bargain (so it seems). I also like this gun because it comes in black. Though on the down side is the 30-06 has more recoil... Though I have no idea how much more. (I've only shot .308 a few times and it wasn't bad at all. But I'd imagine a 30-06 is a bit more than that.)
- Savage Axis XP in either 6.5 creedmoore or 30-06 (both are same price - ~$494)
I've never really been impressed with the Savage line. It's just never struck me as one I needed to have. But with the price roughly in par with the others, it's not bad. Offers both 6.5 or 30-06 to boot so then it really comes down to cartridge selection.
- Remington 783 in 6.5 creedmoore (~$574)
I don't overly trust the Remington line. Especially since they were looking like they were heading into bankruptcy. People have also stated that quality control in recent years has declined so I'm a bit wary to trust Remington. Plus the cost is a bit higher than the others. Like the Mossberg Patriot (6.5cm) it also has no scope but has a picatinny rail.
I've been kinda wavering on 6.5 creedmoore since I haven't really seen that calibre around here much. Meanwhile the 30-06 is a solid option though the rounds aren't exactly cheap, but they're likely in a lot more places. (If I had to I probably could buy them at Canadian Tire. Not sure if I can get 6.5cm there...)
So then...
Thoughts on these rifles? Anyone own one/several of them or shot them? What did you think? Any you'd recommend or say to steer clear of?
As an aside... I know people will probably say it... "Get <gun> in .308" but I don't want to duplicate calibers (yet) and I'm holding out for a .308 rifle already (come on Non-Restricted FN Scar 17S). So I kinda don't want to get a .308 bolt rifle. I'd be open to other options though.