Help me pick my new center-fire rifle

K

kr1

Joined
May 30, 2006
Messages
1,343
This is not an EOTWAWKI or SHTF thread. I need a solid hunting rifle for North America. I sold a bunch of stuff and have up to $1000 to spend. I use to know what a great rifle was 30 years ago. There are new players in the field that I don't know and times change so I hope you guys can clue me in on the new good stuff. Most likely candidates to be hunted at first are Deer but other larger game or farther shots might be in the offing some day.

I am currently looking for stainless/synthetic. I am trying to decide between .308 and .300 win mag as I see advantages in both. I would like 1 MOA or less if possible. Bolt action. I am looking at Savage, Ruger M77, Remington and Winchester. I have not made my mind up on any of this but I do have some leanings and prejudices based on my earlier gun shop experiences so any input is welcomed and it will actually help me make a choice. First hand experience is always appreciated. I can tell you I don't want any of the new exotic calibers unless you can tell me a very specific reason for its use as I always worry about availability. I use to reload all my center-fire ammo, both rifle and pistol and may get back into it at some time in the future.

Thanks for your help with this.

KR
 
I own a savage rifle and have family who do as well. Specifically 30-06. Very accurate out of the box, the accu-trigger is pretty neat, and they look good. That would be my vote but I do not have experience with the others you mentioned. Hope this helps
 
Savage will be the most accurate and likely the most affordable, with the best trigger (accutrigger) out of your choices. You should be able to get a halfway decent scope for it, and still keep it under $1000. Also, they have recently upgraded their standard stocks with a full aluminum bedding block for greater accuracy.
 
Best bargain, as others have said, will be the Savage. They also make a good selection of left-handed guns if that matters to you (it does to me).

Not as common (or cheap) but I bought a Tikka stainless synthetic leftie in 308 this year. It's wearing a Leupold 3X9 VX2 and he whole rig was comfortably under $1000. It handles beautifully and is a real tack driver.

Of course if you really want something nice, buy a commercial version of the classic Mauser 98. Does Interarms still import them? I'm a big fan of rifles with the controlled round feeding of the Mauser/pre 64 Win 70. Sadly, I don't think Mauser makes a leftie.
 
I am leery of the new Winchesters. If you can find a slightly used Winchester Featherweight Classic or Classic in 30-06, 308, 270 you should be under a g-note. The Featherweight and Classic offer the "pre-64" type controlled claw feeding and extraction.

I also give a very large thumbs-up to the CZ550 American. Had one and sold it to a friend only b/c I prefer the Winchester Featherweights and Classics, but the Winnie will double your bank debit.

The CZ's are controlled-feed Mauser actions which, with a little break-in and proper lube, are not only entirely positive feeding and ejecting, but run like wet glass and tend to be exceptionally accurate pieces.

I really wish CZ would build a 550 in either 308 or 30-06 with an 18-inch barrel and some irons on it right out of the factory. I do own and enjoy a Model 527 chambered in .223 which is a lightweight death ray and very handy.
 
Savage - especially with their new stock, that will leave you $500+ for good glass and break in ammo.
 
Parker said:
I am leery of the new Winchesters. If you can find a slightly used Winchester Featherweight Classic or Classic in 30-06, 308, 270 you should be under a g-note. The Featherweight and Classic offer the "pre-64" type controlled claw feeding and extraction.
Click to expand...

Thanks guys for the information so far. I am reading every response. This was one of the questions I was wondering about. I owned a pre-64 Winchester 70 that was a fantastic gun and very accurate. I know nothing of the current model 70's so this is some of the information that I am wondering about. As another comment I have seen the new savages and am very impressed. Savage use to be a somewhat medium tier gun company. They always made a pretty solid gun but not in the league of the Remington's and Winchesters or even Rugers. It looks like their quality and designs have really improved.

This is why I am asking for your assistance with this. I really appreciate the help.

KR
 
Here you go: http://www.fnhusa.com/mil/products/firearms/model.asp?fid=FNF006&gid=FNG005&mid=FNM0012

This is one of the finest rifles I've ever played with for a factory rifle. My buddy owns one and it is impressive. He has a night force scope on it and he can hit anything within 1000 yards with it no problem. He's into all that sniper shooting stuff and has won many competitions with his FN over guys with custom rifles. He even shot and placed decent in the Allegheny Sniper Challenge with it a year or two ago. I think he said he was like 25th or something. And that was among some of the best shooters you're ever gonna meet.
 
Savage makes a fine rifle, the accutrigger (and new accustock) are great things. I saw someone mention the Tikka. Good gun too, I have been playing with getting a T3 lite, but would not do so in a 300 win mag, just too light of a gun. The Winchester 70 is now made by FNH (and I love FNH), but everything I've heard makes it out to not be as good as the original. Supposedly they are very ammo picky By far for accuracy I would take the savage, for a smooth smooth action I would take a Tikka. And you can't go wrong with a remington 700, it just wouldn't be my first pick. (BTW, I sell guns for Bass Pro Shops, so I get a lot of feedback on each and every model)
 
Correction, I think the model 70s are now made by the Olin corp., who are somehow affiliated with FN...not sure how though
 
Much as I hate to bash an American product I have to tell you there's a Savage forum that really turned me off them when I was in your spot (except I wanted a .30-06). I got really lucky and got a good deal on a really beat up but accurate pre-64 Model 70.

If I hadn't I would've gone CZ or Tikka. What kind of hunting do you do? The Tikka (stainless/synthetic) is very light, the CZ heavier, so less recoil or less weight to hump? Both get great reviews, are reasonably priced and very accurate.

Have fun- let us know what you get and why!
 
I have seen some good reports on the new Model 70s. As far as the Interarms/Commercial Mauser question, Charles Daly picked them up after Interarms and then Remington took them (Model 798). Remington has discontinued them and CDNN is liquidating them pretty cheaply. EAA I believe is going to have them next...

Lots of good choices out there. Probably best to try some out and see how they fit you and how they feel.
 
All good replies, but like buying a house, location location location come into play, as well as intended use.

If all you are going to do is punch paper. then a .308, or even a .260 or 6.5 creedmore in a savage. Recoil starts to eat you up with even a .308 over time.

Hunting deer is spoken of, but not where or how, do you stalk? Tree stand? ride a 4 wheeler till you see them? I would think a .308 is all you need for any deer in America, and probably more than you need really, I kill all my deer with a .300 savage, which is a slightly weaker .308. my kids shoot and kill deer with 6.5 swedes (almost the same as .260, a 6.5 swede is a little longer, and loaded a little softer, a 260 is a .308 case necked down to 6.5 mm) and with .250 savages.

Unless you are routinely hunting elk and bigger game, there is no need for a .300 winmag on north american deer. its just too much recoil, blast, and bloodshot meat compared to what you can use, and it won't kill 'em any faster.

Western rifles can have a little longer barrel and get a little more speed, but its not needed, eastern guns, used in heavier woods and brush can be shorter so they are easier to carry, the velocity difference on Deer will not matter much.

I am getting to be a big believer in moderate sized rounds in easy to use rifles, loaded to moderate levels. A simply terrific deer killer is the .308 downloaded to about 2500 FPS shooting 165 grain Sierra gamekings or Hornady Interlocks. At the ranges a sane man hunts, you will never know the difference in how it kills vs a max loaded .308, but your butcher will thank you for the clean, easy to cut up carcase. Very little bloodshot meat, very little bullet chunks floating around and on almost all deer, a very nice exit wound to pump the blood trail out of.

If you are hunting western ridges and plains, the 6.5's will carry a bit better, and the deer will never post on an internet forum about the a-hooley who dared shoot them with piddling pea shooter.

You said you once reloaded and might do so again, and for this I say, do not worry about availability of cases, as .260 and 7mm-08 cases can be made from .308's in one stroke, and their will always be .308 cases as long as we all live. Reloading a couple hundred rounds of any of these will give years of hunting ammo, and if you do not push the cases hard by reloading to the max, getting 20 or more reloads a case is not hard. I have some .250 savage cases which are well past 20 reloads and still perfect, because they have never been anywhere near loaded to the max.
 
The new Mossbergs come with an owner adjustable trigger from 2 to 7 lbs, a very good rep for accuracy and a really attractive price tag..KV
 
All good suggestions here.... I use to collect early Winchesters. Model 70's and lever guns of all models. I honestly can't tell you how many I have owned because I quit counting a long time ago...

Another option that seems to get good reviews are the Weatherby Vanguards.
They are a nice looking rifle. They are made for Weatherby by Howa. Wal Mart even carries them, and if IIRC, they are usually under 500 bucks.. The wood stocked versions are nice looking rifles.
IIRC, they guaranty 1 inch or 1 1/2 inch accuracy with factory ammo and come from the factory with a test target. I wouldn't worry to much about 1 inch accuracy, a lot of rifles will do that or close to it, once you find a load that particular rifle likes. The accuracy problem with a lot of rifles isn't the rifle, its the shooter.

Others have mentioned the new Savages. They are known for their accuracy, and the new ones I have seen are nice rifles. I looked at a synthetic/ ss version, and it was one of the most comfortable rifles I have shouldered in a long time. They also came out with what I think is a great magazine floor plate design. Another nice version is their Classic with wood stock. I have only seen a couple of them, but the wood they had on them was very nice by todays standards...

If your looking at used rifles, the older Remingtons, Rugers and Winchesters will all serve you well. As long as the gun isn't beat up, and the bore is in good condition, most hunting rifles don't get shot much

Its personal choice on the scopes too. I have used Leupolds for years and have been very happy with them. In the few instances where I have had them serviced, I had them back in a week. Don't be afraid to buy a used Leupold product. You can save quite a bit of money, and it doesn't matter that you aren't the original owner, it is still warrantied for life..
I have almost exclusively used fixed 4 power scopes. They are a good compromise for up close, and shooting at distance. Most people aren't honest with themselves about how far they shoot, and feel the need for big variable power scopes.
If I can't hit it with a 4 power scope, I need to get closer. YMMV

As far as the caliber, the 308 will do most anything needed. IMHO, the 300 win.mag is way over rated. It really isn't that much better than a 30-06, especially at most hunting ranges. The only real benefit would be if you actually were going to be doing long range shooting or using heavier bullets.
People say the 30-06 isn't a good choice. That caliber has probably killed more game than all the newest short magnums ever will. IMHO, the short mags are nothing more than a marketing tool to sell more rifles. Which I guess is o.k because thats what they are in business for. The Swedes have been using 6.5's for killing Moose for years, and I don't recall ever reading that they felt the need for a bigger caliber.

Another point about caliber, is a lot of people can't shoot them well because of the recoil. I happen to be weird, and recoil doesn't other me. It doesn't do any good to have a big rifle if a person can't hit what they are aiming at
 
Last edited:
The Winchester Model 70 is the rifleman's rifle.
30-06 is a classic and versatile caliber that is easy to find.
CDNN had some great deals on Win 70s in 300WSM with iron sights and Belgian proof marks and may still have some...
 
Savage is super accurate right out of the box. I also like the Tikka Rifles as well. Tikka is a division of Sako. They make fabulous rifles. I bought a Sako action, and had a custom rifle built around the action. I would say the Tikka.
 
Not one response for the Remington 700 yet? I am surprised to say the least. The single most impressive rifle I have shot so far has been my Rem. 700 5R in 308 I picked up last year. I have shot Savage, Remington, Winchester, Browning.....My personal preference is for the Rem. 700. My 5R is almost boringly accurate, shooting below .5MOA with Black Hills. I have never had another gun even come close.

I see your budget is $1000, does this have to include glass too? There are several 700 models to choose from. For deer, no need to go bigger than 308, but the 300 Win Mag will get you further on larger game if you ever need to.

Also, like others have mentioned weight may be an issue depending on how you are hunting. I hunted this year with my 5R including some walking hunts, but I would not really want to hike into the backcountry with it either, it is pretty hefty.

No matter which rifle you choose you will be satisfied. Savage makes fine rifles as do any of the other makers mentioned. My preference is for the Rem. 700 based on what I like in my bolt actions.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top