My nephew called me and is looking to by a new rifle for deer hunting possibly a .243 or .308. He has found two that he has enough money for a Stevens Edge and a Remington Model 770. I suggested to him to put a little more cash with it and get a Remington Model 700, but he says that is not an option. Does anybody have any feedback about these two guns? I have not used either one. I have heard that the bolt gives some problems with the Remington Model 770. Any suggestions?

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I suggested to him to put a little more cash with it and get a Remington Model 700,

That was good advice.....and even better yet he should cruise the used racks.....he'll find a great Rem 700 for about $400....and be far better off than with a new gun that he'll be trading off next year!

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Originally posted by vapodog:

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I suggested to him to put a little more cash with it and get a Remington Model 700,

That was good advice.....and even better yet he should cruise the used racks.....he'll find a great Rem 700 for about $400....and be far better off than with a new gun that he'll be trading off next year!

Second that. Around here you can get a nice used 700 scoped for under $400. I still have the first 700 I ever bought. Heck, it was my first centerfire bolt gun.

If he has to have a cheap NEW rifle, I'd steer him toward a Stevens 200. Not much to look at but they are solid, shoot straight, and the design has been around forever.

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If he has to have a cheap NEW rifle, I'd steer him toward a Stevens 200. Not much to look at but they are solid, shoot straight, and the design has been around forever.

I second that, the Stevens 200 is a great bang for the buck rifle. The Marlin XL7 might be an even better way to go, but I have no personal experience with them. Seems like Weatherby Vanguards are priced around $400 new, too. The Howa actions are smooth and strong, if a bit heavy.

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The Marlin XL7 might be an even better way to go, but I have no personal experience with them.

Well I have.....the neighbor kid bought one and in it's first year has twice bought it to me to be fixed!

Thanks for your advise. I think that I am going to recommend once again going with maybe a used Remington 700. If he don't like that idea, I think the Stevens 200 might be a better option for him. I looked it up on Cabela's website. It was only $349.00 for a rifle and scope combo and have good reviews. I even have a $20 coupon for Cabela's I will give him. I think he is coming in from Arkansas today or tomorrow. We will probably go rifle hunting. He just lease the lease next to ours last week. Thanks again.

He will be disappointed with the cheap scope that comes with the Stevens.

I would go to Cameraland and pickup a Pentax Pioneer 3-9 if Doug has one available. He had a few for about $85 a while back.

Stevens 200 definitely if buying new. Otherwise a good condition used Rem 700. I've no experience with the 770, but it's predecessor the 710 felt like a toy.

LWD

This is just me, but I got convinced to take a 710 in a trade. Biggest POS I have ever seen. I'd rather have a cast receiver Arisaka or a Carcano.
The 770 does not seem to be a major improvement.
At least the Stevens will work properly, and be safe to shoot.

Rich

Isn't the Stevens just a renamed Savage ?

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Well I think we may have found a used Remington 700 that my brother knows of for $400. I hope the man will come down to $375. I did go and look at Bass Pro at the Remington 770. I have never picked up a cheaper feeling gun. The bolt did not even feel real. Thanks again for all of the advice.

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Originally posted by 500N:
Isn't the Stevens just a renamed Savage ?

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It's their economy model.

Take a look at the Weatherby Vanguard. They are very well made, sporter grade 24" barrels, adjustable triggers, proven design and accurate. Buds guns online for $375 depending upon caliber.

I would add a Boyd's Classic laminated stock but I wouldn't think twice about buying the gun.

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Originally posted by cobra:

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Originally posted by 500N:
Isn't the Stevens just a renamed Savage ?

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It's their economy model.

Yes, I thought it was.

Just like the Weatherby Vanguard is made by HOWA.

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Isn't the Stevens just a renamed Savage ?

This thread is actually slightly misnamed. It's a Stevens 200 and a Savage Edge. Even though the Stevens has been regarded as the budget model, the Savage Edge has a lower MSRP by $80. It also appears to have more features with a better stock and detachable box magazine.

LWD

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Originally posted by LWD:

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Isn't the Stevens just a renamed Savage ?

This thread is actually slightly misnamed. It's a Stevens 200 and a Savage Edge. Even though the Stevens has been regarded as the budget model, the Savage Edge has a lower MSRP by $80. It also appears to have more features with a better stock and detachable box magazine.

LWD

Appears is the key word here. The Stevens 200 is essentially the pre-accutriger Savage 10/110.

Not really sure what the Edge is. And because of that and the relatively short amount of time it has been on the market I would pick the Stevens 200 were I considering a Savage/Stevens.

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Originally posted by z1r:

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Originally posted by LWD:

quote:

Isn't the Stevens just a renamed Savage ?

This thread is actually slightly misnamed. It's a Stevens 200 and a Savage Edge. Even though the Stevens has been regarded as the budget model, the Savage Edge has a lower MSRP by $80. It also appears to have more features with a better stock and detachable box magazine.

LWD

Appears is the key word here. The Stevens 200 is essentially the pre-accutriger Savage 10/110.

Not really sure what the Edge is. And because of that and the relatively short amount of time it has been on the market I would pick the Stevens 200 were I considering a Savage/Stevens.

This discussion stimulated my interest and I spent some time reviewing the Edge both on the Savage site and independent reviews. The Edge has the basic 110 action with some cost saving mods apparently borrowed from the Rem 710/770; which itself borrowed features from some 1990's Mauser offerings.

They cut some cost by eliminating the rear tang as an integral machined part of the receiver and replaced it with a tang extension stamping/casting which the trigger group is attached to. The trigger/safety basic design is old 110, but with no adjustments. The sources I checked stated the factory pull set between 4 and 5 lbs. It can be gunsmithed though with a couple of tapped set screws and a spring, or you can alter an old 110 trigger with adjustments already on it.

There is no recoil lug on the receiver, only a 1/8 inch slot cut out of the bottom front of the receiver ring which accepts a pressed-in lug set in the synthetic stock. It has a detachable mag similar to the 770. The barrel and lock nut arrangement is the same as the 110.

The receiver has been re-shaped and a new semi-skeletonized bolt handle added. The wrist/receiver interface is even more awkward than the 110 and I don't find it very modern or attractive. For the low cost though, it is a good deal. There are dealers on the net selling the scoped package for as little as $340 shipped!

In terms of value for your dollar I don't know of any new rifle today which compares to the Weatherby Vanguard.

Basic rifle can be purchased for well under $400 in a wide range of standard and magnum (even a couple of Wby magnum) calibers. Never seen one which would not shoot sub moa with quality factory ammo right out of the box.

Of course I am always on the lookout for clean used 700s, especially the S/A models - but it seems a lot of others are as well! If I have to pay the same amount of money I'd rather have a new Vanguard.

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Originally posted by Dave Anderson:
In terms of value for your dollar I don't know of any new rifle today which compares to the Weatherby Vanguard.

Basic rifle can be purchased for well under $400 in a wide range of standard and magnum (even a couple of Wby magnum) calibers. Never seen one which would not shoot sub moa with quality factory ammo right out of the box.

Of course I am always on the lookout for clean used 700s, especially the S/A models - but it seems a lot of others are as well! If I have to pay the same amount of money I'd rather have a new Vanguard.

I think some of the stock options on the Howa's are better - unless Wby has caught up.

The fact that you can buy only a barreled action from Howa also makes them a nice option.

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No argument from this corner, 500N. As far as I know there is no difference in quality between Howa-marked rifles and the Vanguards made for Weatherby by Howa.

Reasons I like the Vanguard include (1) available in two Wby cartridges I like, .257 and .300 Wby, at no extra cost over standard calibers, (2) Weatherby's excellent reputation for customer service (haven't heard any negatives about Howa C/S as far as that goes). (3) if I ever get rich the Weatherby Custom Shop can turn the rifle into a showpiece with a fancy walnut stock and engraving, and (4) Weatherby is currently marketing them at what I consider a ridiculously low price.

But certainly no knock on Howa and you make a good point on the availability of barreled actions.

I would advise him to save his money and get either a Remington 700 or even better a Mod 7 in 308.

That is a rifle that he could use for the rest of his life, and then pass it down to his son.

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Originally posted by Dave Anderson:
No argument from this corner, 500N. As far as I know there is no difference in quality between Howa-marked rifles and the Vanguards made for Weatherby by Howa.

Reasons I like the Vanguard include (1) available in two Wby cartridges I like, .257 and .300 Wby, at no extra cost over standard calibers, (2) Weatherby's excellent reputation for customer service (haven't heard any negatives about Howa C/S as far as that goes). (3) if I ever get rich the Weatherby Custom Shop can turn the rifle into a showpiece with a fancy walnut stock and engraving, and (4) Weatherby is currently marketing them at what I consider a ridiculously low price.

But certainly no knock on Howa and you make a good point on the availability of barreled actions.

You hear bugger all problems with either of them over here so they must pass the test
because Aussies are quite vocal.

From what I read/understand, Aussie hunters also do a heck of a lot of shooting, probably taking far more game annually (on average) than the average U.S. or Canadian hunter. Hope to get there someday soon!

In a side by side comparison, Howa/Vanguard, the Vanguard is a stand out. It offers three distinct features that sets it above Howa. First is the std. sporter weight 24" barrel which is a bonus compared to the industry standard 22". The second is the bolt shroud which prevents debris from entering or gasses escaping. It is also a much cleaner look IMO. The last thing is the 3 vent holes that allow escaping gasses exit the side of the bolt rather than elsewhere. I like the idea that Howa offers Barreled actions but I have priced them out and they are more expensive than the base line vanguard. Basically the throw away plastic stock is free with the Vanguard. If Weatherby offered the 338-06 as a chambering I'll bet they sell a boat load.

It sounds like your not really in the market anyway but for sure the other two guns are not even in the same league for similar pricing.

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Originally posted by Dave Anderson:
From what I read/understand, Aussie hunters also do a heck of a lot of shooting, probably taking far more game annually (on average) than the average U.S. or Canadian hunter. Hope to get there someday soon!

Yes, you can say that again.

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