Some might say that comparing these three rifles is an apples-to-oranges comparison. This article will pit each rifle against each other. Or will it? Is there a place in everybody’s battery for a bolt action and a lever action? Let’s check out the strengths and weaknesses of each rifle and see where they shine.
The first question that needs asked is, what sort of hunting are we going to do with the rifle? With deer season nearly upon us, many will be hitting the fields soon in search of that wily prey.
Ruger American Predator Rifle
The American Predator was introduced by Ruger in 2016. It’s not a cheap rifle as in it’s put together well and functions great. However, it’s an inexpensive rifle compared to many others on the market.
The threaded medium-weight barrel accepts devices such as sound or flash suppressors. The barrel’s medium weight embodies, in my opinion, the best of both worlds. It’s better than a light, thin barrel because it provides more rigidity but not much more weight. In addition, it handles heat better than a thin barrel for times when we’re putting several rounds down range quickly. These characteristics lend themselves to accuracy.
Speaking of accuracy, this rifle is capable of a level of accuracy that surprised me when I first shot it. At 200 yards with Hornady’s American Whitetail ammunition in 6.5 Creedmoor, I shot a 1 1/8-inch group. To do this with regular hunting-grade ammunition made my jaw drop!
The 6.5 Creedmoor round is great for deer and even slightly larger game. It shoots flat and, because it was created for competition, really retains velocity at extended ranges. To top it off, the recoil for the 6.5 is pleasantly mild.
A convenient and fast tang-mounted safety is used on the American Predator. The three lug bolt is similar to what Mauser pioneered so long ago. With a 70-degree throw, it’s a smooth operator. A generous Picatinny rail adorns the top of the receiver and makes mounting optics easy as can be. There’s plenty of room so the scope can be mounted forward or farther back to achieve proper eye relief.
Speaking of scopes, Ruger included a scope with the rifle as a package deal. The scope they choose was the Vortex Crossfire II 4-12x44mm. This scope has performed admirably so far and mates well to the rifle. It offers a clear view and duplex reticle that’s easy to see in low light.
The factory colored green stock is some form of composite and contributes to the rifle’s light weight of 6.6 pounds. While not the most sophisticated, the rifle’s excellent accuracy shows the stock does the job well. Ruger chose a matte black finish for the rifle’s metal components, which works very well and is low-key. I decided to give the entire rifle a rattle can job and chose Flat Dark Earth to make it very low profile.
The American Predator’s adjustable trigger came from the factory with a weight and pull that I consider perfect. It’s light enough for outstanding accuracy with a crisp break. I wouldn’t change a thing!
The rifle’s polymer magazine holds four rounds and fits multiple calibers, including .308 and 6.5 Creedmoor. It feeds smoothly, and fits flush into the bottom of the stock.
Overall, Ruger’s American Predator is an extremely capable rifle that delivers all the accuracy you’ll ever need for hunting. It’s available in a wide range of calibers too, so your favorite caliber is likely included. This rifle will easily reach out several hundred yards depending on the shooter’s capability.
Remington 700 ADL
Introduced in 1962, the Remington Model 700 action is one of the most iconic in world history. Its claim to fame has been the action’s strength and its accuracy. The action is so strong because Remington uses a recessed bolt face that fits into a barrel recess and then into the action. This creates “Three Rings Of Steel”. So, in the event of a cartridge failure, the shooter is protected because gasses and particles are blocked from reaching the shooter. For decades, the 700 has been the choice for military and police snipers to the extent that it’s become the standard.
The Model 700 ADL has an integral (or blind) magazine inside the stock that helps keep the price down. Speaking of which, this rifle was purchased by a family member at Walmart as a rifle/scope package for a very reasonable deal.
There are two small sections of Picatinny rail on top of the receiver to mount a scope. A solid Pic rail would have been better for more space to adjust the scope forward or backward for eye relief, but the current setup works okay. We couldn’t figure out the scope’s manufacturer; it’s obviously very far from high-end. With that said, the 3-9x scope functions well enough for now but I foresee a future higher-quality replacement.
The 700’s overall length is 44.5 inches with a lighter contour 24-inch barrel. The black synthetic stock complements the barrel and receiver’s matte blue and non-reflective finish. This particular rifle is chambered in .30-06, which will pretty much take any North American game animal. There are many factory loadings with even more variety for hand loaders with bullet weights going from the lighter side to heavier. Certainly, it’s more than enough bullet for deer hunting.
At the range, this rifle delivers MOA accuracy with hunting-grade ammunition. The free-floated barrel really helps in the accuracy department. This particular rifle easily scores hits out to a few hundred yards and will take most any game animals that you’d care to name. For a few hundred bucks, this rifle shoots way above its class!
Marlin 336
The old lever gun. It’s been the go-to choice for deer hunters for over a century (Teddy Roosevelt used one). Marlin’s 336 was first introduced in 1948, and has been going very strong ever since with over six million produced.
The rifle in this article has a 20-inch barrel with a 38.5 inch overall length and seven pound weight. The under-barrel tubular magazine holds six rounds loaded through a side gate. Manufactured in 1973, this particular rifle has exemplary fit and finish. Here in Pennsylvania, many hunting shots in the woods are well under 100 yards. For that range, the lever gun’s buckhorn sights work well enough.
This one is chambered in .30-30 Winchester, which is a supremely popular caliber for deer hunters, and it can even be used to take smaller bear. The most popular bullet weights are in the 150 and 170-grain range. It’s not the flattest-shooting caliber, but it really doesn’t have to be. After all, the .30-30 has probably harvested more game than most other calibers.
Aside from its efficiency, the lever action has another attractive aspect — its classic style. There’s just something about carrying a lever gun in the field knowing our ancestors carried them for generations. Accordingly, they still work as well now as they did a century ago.
Comparing Rifle Attributes
Both bolt actions mentioned here are longer than the lever gun, so they don’t handle as well in tight spots such as brush and thick woods. On the other hand, they are both capable of excellent accuracy out to several hundred yards. In that case, the long-range accuracy factor goes to both bolt guns, hands down.
As far as price goes, the edge solidly goes to both bolt guns too. Lever guns are in amazingly high demand these days and their prices reflect that. At this time, to lay hands on a Marlin lever action will likely cost around $1,000 — or more.
Hang on now…lest you think the lever gun is losing ground, think again. It’s short length makes it very handy in confined spaces such as brush or deer stands. The six round capacity is respectable while the lever action offers fast follow-up shots at a higher rate of fire.
While some might point out the .30-30 lever action’s more limited range (when compared to the bolt actions) as a criticism, it isn’t necessarily so. The lever gun was never touted for long-range performance. Rather, Lever actions were always short-range propositions. Yes, it can reach out to 300 yards in skilled hands. For instance, Hornady LeverEvolution’s pointed bullet profile helps .30-30 achieve a bit of extra range compared to normal blunt-tipped .30-30 projectiles. But honestly, the .30-30 shines out to a little past 100 yards. In thick woodlands, its fast handling makes it the perfect choice.
What’s the final word?
Which rifle is the winner? Whichever one that you decide is the best. They are all great choices. If I’m working in the thick woods, I’ll go with the lever action for its slick, fast handing. The ability to have fast follow-up shots is preferable too.
In a situation where there’s some distance involved, I’ll go with one of the bolt actions. Specifically, the American Predator in 6.5 Creedmoor because of the low recoil and extreme accuracy.
With all that said, the Remington 700 ADL wouldn’t be a bad choice and, if I had to use it, I wouldn’t feel hampered at all. If I were bear hunting, I’d use the 700 and load it with the heaviest grain ammo I could find.
With two of these three rifles modestly priced, you don’t have to break the bank to get an accurate rifle that works well and shoots accurately. The key, as usual, is choosing the right tool for the job at hand.
