yup, I have a Tikka t3 lite in 308 synthetic that is a tack driver! and which rifles do I gravitate to when hunting, wood and metal , mauser style actions, love feeling the 'density' of the action when working the bolt.

Yup, scan the shops for those old school rifle trade ins.

I agree My Friend.

@@Hill_Billy_Without_A_Hill Your right, often times You can find a really good used rifle for the same price. A basic old Savage 110, or Remington 700 ADL, or post 64 Winchester would be a much better buy.

@@RickNethery I agree with your statement many of these can be had for $500 or less

Green Knight I have a Weatherby vanguard Fiberguard in 30-06 that was made in 2006. It's factory certified to shoot 1/4" groups with premium ammunition

I have a Vanguard Deluxe in .270 and it is an excellent rifle. A work of art, really. It is absolutely beautiful and has laser beam accuracy.

PickCity1474 Yours a S2?

I have to say I wouldn't consider it budget though at least not anymore

Yes it is a sporter deluxe. It has the gloss stock and deep rich blue finish. Absolutely gorgeous and a solid performer. My local Wal-Mart was clearing them out some time ago and I picked it up for $349. It was the deal of a lifetime.

You make sense Rusty - there has to be a market for them or they wouldn't make them. Still, pretty sad rifles in a lot of ways...even if they go bang.

I wouldn’t even put one on my ATV rack. No need to disrespect an ATV in such a way. Lol

Amen even the thompson compass 6.5 creed i picked up shoots 1 moa 5 shot groups after i bedded the action and did the 3 coil trigger spring lighter and did load development thompson i guess has a new barrel making machine with smith & wesson and are really cranking out some good accurate stuff you would have had to pay custom for just 10 years ago!

Not until we get a meat target.

my two fav channels plus hicock45 of course :)

What are some good ones to look for?

@@bradh6185 Well, the first thing one needs to do when looking into a hunting firearm is to make sure that it complies with the regulations for the hunting areas and types of hunts one is expecting to do. Beyond that one needs to keep in mind the terrain and game one is planning to hunt with said firearm. For example a Winchester Model 70 in 7mm-08 is an excellent deer rifle out west, but it isn’t suited for deer hunting in eastern Kentucky. Guns I recommend to a person looking for a quality rifle are sporterized military surplus rifles. Many of them will come with iron sights so they allow for their immediate use instead of having to acquire a scope in order to use them. Others such as the post-64 Winchester Model 70’s are a good value, and the post-64 Winchester Model 94’s are a good gun as well and generally don’t command the extra premium that a similar condition “pre-64” one does. Those are just some that come to mind from what I have come across in the used racks, and there are plenty of others. USOG also has a tendency of mentioning other excellent hunting firearms in numerous videos. Perhaps the best thing to do is to watch more USOG videos to build up a knowledge base of the different firearms makes and models one may come across in the used racks. Beyond that, in general, most hunting rifles today wear a scope and there are quite a few new gun packages that come with a scope. My general advice on that end of the spectrum is to avoid them. I prefer buying the scope independent of the new rifle because one generally doesn’t know who thought up of the rifle/scope combination. I am not saying there aren’t sometimes good scopes offered in those combinations, but I am always leery of them because I don’t who was the person who thought it was a good idea. Was it a hunter or someone who thought the gun and scope combo would look pretty in a marketing photo? Buying the scope and rifle independently can also allow a person to buy the rifle one year and the scope the next if they so decide. On that note I tend to lean toward the Leupold line of VX scopes such as the VX-Freedom or VX-3i as my own recommendation for solid hunting scopes. There are other great scopes as well and USOG would probably know more about them than I. Anyways, I hope this helps to answer your question and have a nice day.

Thanks Beretta102 - I'm pedaling as fast as I can : ) - I'm one of those "If you build it, they will come." people. So far so good.

You're welcome!

Thank you and all the best for 2023!

Is the recoil too much for the lightweight ?

@@tayloralbrecht8362 no, its god rekoilpad on, and you can feel the power 👌👌

There is a large survivor bias in old guns: the lemons, and there were many of them back then, are all long since on the scrap heap and we are left almost entirely with superb examples of craftsmanship. We use this small sample to project back and we assume all the old guns coming out of the factory were amazing guns when they were not. 3 MOA or larger was probably about average for a mass-produced gun until fairly recently. Now, if even the cheapest rifles don't get us near or below 1 MOA we feel cheated. Modern manufacturing techniques have made the average gun way, way better. However, without the hand-fitting, etc., of yesteryear, the very best guns coming off the assembly line are generally less amazing than the very best of the old guns,

Your apologies for the disjointed interjections. If I have missed it please let me know, but I would really enjoy a video of all or at least some of your mannlicher stocked rifles. The more vintage the better.

Hi Doreen - Thanks for being here - I'm glad you don't mind my sometimes scattered thoughts. I'll make a video on mannlicher stocks - or at least what I have. Take care Doreen and have a wonderful Christmas.

It's my pleasure Billy RD - thank you!

Thank you Herman

Congrats on having a really nice piece of crap compared to every one else who owns one of these total pieces of crap.

Thanks ZH - I agree - you bought the best of them all.

Hi Floyd, I have the SAVAGE AXIS II in .308 wood stock. Have killed deer and hog from 30-125 yards. With my hand loads (150gr bullet) I can print a 1 inch group at 100 yards but 2-3 inches at 200. It’s OK for a entry level .308 CAL. I have NO FLEX problems in the stock.

Hi Jimmy - You bought another gem - well done. It is easy for people to not be aware of how great guns from the past are - and unlike most other things; if cared for guns last. Your Lithgow makes any budget rifle look very sad indeed. All the best to you in the Lucky Country! Thanks for the note mate!

Hi Rick - every time I see a note from you I get a lift. I know I've thanked you many times...but thank you! And you are right " Paul Mauser was not John Browning or Mikhail Kalashnikov - but humble Paul, created the best firearm of all time. When every other bolt rifle has stopped - the Mauser goes on.

If you are correct about the cost being $75.00, i recall the the average price of a Remington 700 in 1970 was $ 135.00 - $150.00. I would much prefer the M - 700 for a bit more. And as I have several from that era alone, ADL's, BDL's and Varmints, I can assure you that they shoot just as tight and have held up as well as my pre war M - 70 Winchester in .270 Win. has. And as far as shooting as well as custom rifles from not to long ago is concerned, I don't know which rifles you are referring to. But any rifles that Kenny Jarrett, Melvin Forbes, Kimber ( Super America Series ) Cooper Arms, Dakota and some lesser known makers have produced, in the past, they will shot less than MOA in the X ring all day long at distances of 100 yards plus without even trying very hard. Hell, my very early, first 6 months of production, Ruger M - 77MkII Target Rifle with the Ruger Gray heavy barell, blued receiver, Laminated wood target stock with wide beavertail forend, recessed crowned muzzle and tuned trigger, just as it came from the factory around 1992 - 93, in .223 Remington shot .275 - 280" 3 shot groups right out of the box at 100 yards. For 5 shot groups at 100 yards it does .3" or less. This was no fluke as the blue book of gun values price of these early Target Rifles reflects their accuracy and quality. These early MKII Target Rifles it seems, were built by selecting the best components and assembled by hand, and fitted to perfection. The different color barells and receivers indicates the hand selection of parts used in these very early rifles. This did not last long, as they changed production to overall blue not long into production. Now, in 1992 or there abouts the price Tag on this rifle was higher than most. But an astute shooter could see the quality they were getting for the pricey $675.00 they would lay out. Trust me, that was quite a bit more than the competition were charging. But man oh man is she an incredibly superb shooter now and then. I've put a Lupold 4.5 - 14 A/O Vari-X III on her and if it can be seen out to 6 - 700 yards she can hit it with very impressive accuracy. The only complaint, and there are always at least one as nothing in man's world is perfect, would be the weight, she is a big girl. Probably tipping the scale at somewhere around 12+ pounds or more with the scope. However if it was incumbent upon me to have to hit a dime sized target at say 200 yards, THIS would be the rifle I'd grab, without hesitation !!! So no, just because modern production techniques are capable of turning out very decent shooting rifles, it's highly unlikely that they can match the semi custom or custom rifles of the mid 1970's thru the 80's and 90's. And I agree with you that the wood stock is missed and has a charm of its own. And where an H.S PRECISION Stock does have it's place, such as a long range, tactical or for big 5 Safari. The plastic, polymer stocks in widespread use by all the popular manufacturers are just what they are intended to be. A cheap means to hold a barelled action that will loose it's recoil pad before 10 - 15 years have passed, will strip out sling swivel stud screws and likely not hold up as well long-term ( 30+ years )as well as is thought. Just think of a Glock 50 years from now as opposed to a 1903 Colt pistol. Im not convinced of lasting durability, time will tell. Sorry for the long ramble, but these are my observations as a Smith over the last 28 years. Some are fact and some opinion.. But all food for thought.

@@bobgarr6246 I'm not sure of your age but I'm in my late 60s Most custom guns in my time were built on military Mauser actions. Beautiful workmanship, great stocks but they were built to hunt, usually with large calibers. In truth most were 1 to 11/4 moa guns. and for hunting 99% of the time that's all you need. Most of the guns churned out today by CNC machines can shoot as well. They were the guns I was comparing modern guns too. I also live in central PA home to the long range Groundhog gun. The guns they built were very very accurate because they were shooting groundhogs at over 500 yards. Many guns were one off wildcat calibers. these guns were accurate but not a gun I would carry into the woods. I agree that the what I call CNC guns will not hold up under hard use unless someone does some modifications to them but most people that are going to buy them shoot a couple of groups on the range and go hunting only shooting them a couple of time then too. Then they put them away until the next year. I my self would never buy one.

The MR-7 hasn't had an MSRP in 20 years from the date of this video ... they stopped making them in 1999. The price of a 110 is from $539 to over $2K depends on the features you want ... a 110 ENGAGE HUNTER XP with a Bushnell scope is about $580. 2 years ago, I bought a model 11 for $625. YDKWYATA

Good thoughts Greg - they seem to be accurate and work right out of the box.

Hi Ricky - excellent, excellent rifle. Mauser action from Zastava. These are tanks and usually quite accurate. They are as reliable as a rifle can be. I hope you get it.

They never certified 1/4” accuracy. It may do it but Weatherby never guaranteed it.

Jaeger Meister Weatherby guaranteed the model itself and not each individual rifle. For instance my rifle is a MOA model meaning it's guaranteed 1 MOA 100yd group. They made the MOA Fiberguard for only a couple years until they changed it too the SUB-MOA model shortly after. But on my rifle the factory tested target is a 1/4" group at 100yds. It has a MOA guarantee but from how i understood it's certified to shoot 1/4"

Why own a rifle if you've only shot it 3 times?

Rusty Shackleford The Neighborhood doesn't like when we shoot a 30-06 in our backyard... Plus it's against HOA rules and is very illegal

Rusty Shackleford But it's a hunting rifle so the only time it gets used is on hunting trips

Hello Guitarist - Thanks for the kind words. I'm in British Columbia - fantastic place. Glad the channel is useful - I'm trying hard. : )

اسلام عليكم صديقي العزيز ارجو منكم ان تترجم فديواتك بلغه العربيه ارجو منك ذالك وشكرآ

Same, I see Ruger not putting them on some of their 10/22’s now. I mean come on, who takes iron sights off of a .22?

Hi John - You have a great rifle. Mossberg is a fabulous company that never lost sight of why a company makes guns - or should. You can be proud of your rifle. Be healthy my friend and stay safe.

@@UnitedStatesOfGuns I don't know now that I saw you talk about the Mossberg Patriot. Starting to just wish I just got a Troy Pump Action Rifle.

Thanks Elgonz12 - I saw a couple of TC Compass rifles at the range - I think one was a .243 and the other a .308 - they both shot very well. I thought they would be about the same as the other polymer rifles and I'm glad you note something like that too. There are only so many ways to make a rifle less expensive so the manufacturers probably all use about the same ways. I like the used gun section far better than the new gun section in stores.

Hi Mr. NiceKnife - I like notes such as the one you wrote a lot. It shows that the objectives of accuracy and hopefully reliability have been accomplished - and are being offered at a reasonable price. This is a good thing. I'll try to get a Compass - I saw one at the range and it was just as you said - wonderfully accurate. I appreciate that you wrote and take care.

Hi John - That Mossberg is excellent.

You're right Chase - both are useful, accurate and affordable. I like the Patriot a lot.

Wise words Paul. And sometimes I tried a sport - squash comes to mind - and bought a cheap "first" racket - which broke during the first game. It took me 2 years to get back to the court with a decent racket - which was me being slow of course - and I've loved squash ever since.

@@UnitedStatesOfGuns - And, PS - A good friend of mine has a Howa in 30-06 that he's hunted with for 15 years; he swears by that rifle. It has a Kahles 3-12x56 on top and kills the deer as dead as our other buddy that hunts with a German Weatherby. Come to think of it, all of our rifles tend to kill the deer to the same level of dead. LOL!

Thanks Randy - hope you like the Howa (when you get one) as much as I do.

Ruger copied the T/C three lug. They were using them in the Icons and the ventures, and the S&W I-bolt before the Ruger A even was born. I still like the Ruger A though.

Hi flapwheat - I think your gunsmith is correct - I don't know of any collector that wants a polymer stocked rifle/shotgun of any kind. Some handguns seem to be okay - such as the Walther P38. Great note and thanks for writing.

so buy a wood stock

I think you're right - more people will "buy in" given the availability of affordable rifles.

Very fine rifle - I should test one - but people don't seem to sell theirs.

I had the older one in .223. Nice and light but the trigger was hard.

I'd take the post 64 Model 70 above the others. My collector friends can't seem to agree on the year of your rifle but I gather min 1980s is about right. I think you have a very fine rifle - the pre 64 made it look bad but in actuality the post 64 is excellent. Hope this helps and have a great hunt! And keep in touch.

@@UnitedStatesOfGuns Thank you for you quick response. I'm going with the post 64 Model 70. Winchester customer service called me back and advised the rifle was manufactured in 1997. Now...off to find the right scope for the elk hunt and a lot of range time in advance! Warm regards!

I like that Patrick - and they sell well so people must like them and need them.

Patrick Wentz i totally agree

@@UnitedStatesOfGuns -- Why carry a collector's item or family heirloom up and down the mountain in the dark to get banged up and rained on? Plastic stock and stainless barrel makes a slip-n-fall in the woods hurt less.

People also like the way the 60 degree lift avoids hitting large scopes with the bolt handle. Some designs, such as the Ruger American have very well designed cams and one hardly notices the slighly harder bolt lift. Over all - it doesn't really matter much which way one goes - both are fine.

: ) Thanks for subbing - and those plastic guns are really something unusual. I the used racks have the better guns - most of the time.

I agree

Hi Randy - I note that from time to time they are sold at a real discount - I'm not sure why - the rest of the time - you're right.

I'd say the actual Howa branded rifles are the top edge of "budget" and by far the best of the "budget" rifles. The Howas branded as Weatherby are the bottom edge of "quality" and still a fairly good buy in my opinion although you are paying a $50-$75 premium for the Weatherby name.

Hi Ed - Based on your accuracy results - I'd say you have a near perfect rifle. I wouldn't change a thing. Those M96s are absolute gems and I love the cock on closing. I also find the military trigger and all other features superb. Sweden came up with a cartridge that keeps being re-invented (Creedmoor) - but it remains the best. I have nothing but good to say about your rifle. Thanks for the kind words. I need them. : )

thank you much for the response, I won't touch the rifle, and I honestly just sat and chuckled when the 6.5 Creedmoor appeared and then apparently Took Over the market. I had pulled the ballistics for the cartridge from a 22 inch standard barrel, its a swede. Thanks for a great channel

Solid words Mr - and I should have said my USOG philosophy phrase : every gun is a good gun; it is just a matter of how good.

@@UnitedStatesOfGuns That is true. To appreciate the purpose of what the rifle was meant to achieve. Is more rewarding than comparing them with purdey finish or accuracy international precision. Thank you for all the energy and knowledge you share.

Sure - try the Axis - lots of people like them.

Stainless axis. The blued ones are fine for range shooting but if thry get wet thet rust like you would not believe.

I think you're right on all counts. The Howa is a cut above, although sometimes priced as low as the others. The Tikka should be priced lower - but somehow snuck into the higher price category. margins on that on must be a home run for the Beretta group that owns Tikka etc...

@@UnitedStatesOfGuns I had heard some reports of the newer Tikkas having issues with the magazines. Not sure if its here and there or across the board. I was thinking of getting one, so hope not. Might go with a Weatherby then. I have heard of other makes having issues too, so who knows.

Hello mum243 - oh yes - they are on my list; particularly the Strasser - but no luck getting one yet. Thanks for the reminder.

Hello again mum243 - I only now heard from a viewer that the Strassner is made in Salzburg! That is such a beautiful and unforgettable city - and not only because of the Sound of Music (filmed there and in the area) . I liked Salzburg so much - I didn't want to leave. BTW there is a gunshop/maker there - Dschulnigg - a wonderful shop just before the river - they have some fantastic rifles there - or used to. I hope Austria never loses its hunting heritage.

I just had the opportunity to handle one at the IWA convention in Nueremburg. I am planning to by the RS14 while I am stationed here in Germany. While I save up for it, I am using the Sabatti for hunting.

@@mum243 No suffering with the Sabatti : ) - great rifle as well.

😂

Hi RO - could be : ) but that's okay; all opinions welcome here.

That is the right way to be Freddy.

Good point. Some people have the same issue with glass and diamonds : )