Advice Please-non hunter wants to buy one nice rifle

[bushmaster1313]

I take pleasure from my guns and like to shoot.
But I don't hunt.
Nevertheless, I would enjoy owning and shooting one nice high powered rifle.

Here are a couple of factors to consider:

Price under $1,000 (This rules out a Dakota)
American made
Used (so I get the best value)
I shoot left hand (but do not need a left hand gun)
I want to be able to use a scope like a Leupold 4X
I like wood
Not needed for home defense or plinking
Shooting would be almost exclusively at 100 yards
Gun should hold its value

Guns that I have identified include:
Pre-64 Model 70
Savage 99
Ruger No. 1 RSI

What else does the Forum suggest?

 

[dtvburns]

Here you go. I just bought one new with a Nikon 4-12 50mm scope for $1k

http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f25/savage-model-12-vlp-22-250-a-55959/

 

[Ed Harris]

Pre-64 Winchester Model 70 is the most classy and classic, will appreciate and hold its value. You can't go wrong with that choice and can probably get a nice one in your desired price range. I'd pick the .30-'06 because it's most common, but there isn't anything wrong with another caliber as long as you can easily get ammo for it, or will handload.

In my opinion nothing else out there will hold its value and perform as well. You got it figured out.

 

[jayjaypunisher]

I know you said you like wood but heres a great package, ok so that whole sentence sounded gay! http://www.snipercentral.com/entrypackage.htm

 

[Hansli]

No wood, as you said, but Howa is not made in this country either.

 

[HGUNHNTR]

Sako is made in Finland, but meets the other criteria. Finnish rifles are excellent. Just something to consider.

 

[Dr T]

The No. 1 RSI is a joy to carry and shoot (I have had a 30-06 in an RSI for 24 years). The wood in my RSI is very nice, and it is almost too pretty take to the range.

However, I picked up a T/C Icon last year that has very nice wood. However, you may be put off by the plastic clip.

 

[clamman]

I have a Remington 700 in a leftie that I may sell

 

[gkdir]

Weatherby. Either a Mark V, or an older Vanguard VGX, or VSX. Nobody makes one that is more appealing to the eye, and they will hold their own with any of the "designer" models . Just my $0.02. And--yes-- with patience they can be had for under 1k.

 

[jkingrph]

All three would be excellent choices. It just happens that I have the same setup, except my Rugers are either standard, light, or tropical models, no international.

I really like the little 1a in 7x57, closest to an international model. My Mod 70 featherweight 30-06 was a present when I finished high school in 1963, and wears a Leupold 4x scope in an old Weaver pivot mount that has proved reliable, repeatable, and accurate.

 

[slowr1der]

It's not American made but if you want something with nice fit and finish and looks very nice as well as shoots decent too I think Browning is the way to go.

 

[GunsBeerFreedom]

A Remington Mosin Nagant. American made, cheap plinking ammo, will hold it's value, easy to use left handed (for my anyways). You can scout scope it or drill and tap it for scope.

 

[mjkten]

I really liked the look and feel of the Remington CDL series. One of those in 30/06 or .270 Winchester would be a classic styled rifle with some nice features. Check them out.

 

[JR47]

Look into the Savage guns. They are available in left-hand versions, are available in high-grade finishes, shoot accurately, and won't break the bank. You'll have enough left over to upgrade the optics, and to lay in a supply of ammunition.

.30-06, .270 Win., .308 Win., and, perhaps 7mm Re. Mag. depending on how high a high power you want.

 

[bushmaster1313]

Just for the fun of it I went to look at several Model 70's. I could see how well they were made and how classy they looked, but they did not make my heart go thump.

Perhaps it was my unfamiliarity with bolt actions or the fact that I shoot left handed. Whatever, although I see why someone else would, I do not see myself spending $1000 for a Model 70.

 

[Kernel]

Whatever you get, for a 100 yd paper-puncher, do yourself a favor -- make it a .223 Rem. Ammo is not particularly rare or expensive, and just about everything else will have very harsh recoil in comparison.

 

[MachIVshooter]

I personally favor the Remington 700. BDL or CDL, depending on whether you like gloss or satin finish on the wood. No, it's no Dakota or Kimber Super America, but very nice rifles, great shooters, and well within you budget.

 

[APIT50]

nice rifles should hold value Kimber 84 or Cooper

 

[Smith357]

nice rifles should hold value Kimber 84 or Cooper

+1

While even a used centerfire Cooper will be just out of your price range, a Kimber should be very doable, a leftie may be a bit harder to scrounge up.

The Savage 99 is a great classic American rifle and since you mentioned a lever action and you range is 100 yards you should look at a pre-64 Winchester 94. For your $1000 you can pick up a minty 94. You can also find a bunch of nice vintage Marlin lever actions at your price point.

As for a pre-64 model 70, $1000 only gets you a well used one in .30-06 or .270, any other caliber in that model comes at a premium. The rarer the caliber the higher the premium, and putting a new scope on a vintage rifle does not look right.

How about a nice rimfire??
Winchester 52 or 75
Remington 37, 513, 541, or 40x
Stevens 44
Kimber 82
Cooper 57

 

[Carl N. Brown]

Beyond Pre-64 Model 70, Savage 99, Ruger No. 1 RSI:

Marlin 336C (walnut stock with bullseye insert), .30-30, classic, ambidextrous, one nice rifle, evolved from the original Marlin Model of 1893.

That would be my choice for one nice rifle (if I could not get a Savage 1899 in .250/3000).

 

[the elton]

if it isnt for hunting maybe consider something in the .223/5.56 flavor

a remington 700 is a good example that would leave you approx. $300 dollars for a decent 3-9 or 4-10 power scope

or a nice lever action in .30-30 by henry arms

and i know you said you like wood but an AR15 or AR10 would land right around the grand marker and would be both fun to shoot and hold its value, at least until we switch over to a new form of infantry weapon then like the garand and m1903 its price will go up

but i do seriously recommend the .223 it is a great round for the 100 yard mark, and is very common for either bulk ammo purchases or reloading data

 

[berettashotgun]

Ruger RSI #1 in any caliber fits the bill.
I want one.