300 savage is an older round that is somewhat lower in power than a .308 but otherwise fairly similar and very useful for deer-sized game. You wouldn't have any problem reloading ammo for it IMO; ammo components and load data are available.
Any half-decent, cheap .308 or 30-06 guns?
- Thread starter Hellbore
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Yep. 300 Savage is an excellent deer cartridge. I'll have an 99 someday, though I yearn for one in 250-3000. 
John
John
oneslowgun
Member
Something to consider, and most people miss this.... A lot of cartridge/bullet testing you see in the "Gun Rags", is done with a Savage 110 or variant. When you see those glossy pics of some nice tight groups, and read about how "This cartridge/bullet/powder" is "the best for..." whatever... Take a second to look at what rifle was used for the testing. Like as not, it was a Savage.
I would like to shop the local gun stores and pawn shops... However, I noticed on my Dad's Savage that it doesn't seem to say anywhere what caliber it is.
What's a good way for me to tell what ammo a rifle shoots, if the guy at the shop doesn't know? (i.e. if it's some pawn shop owner who doesn't know)
What's a good way for me to tell what ammo a rifle shoots, if the guy at the shop doesn't know? (i.e. if it's some pawn shop owner who doesn't know)
There will always be a marking somewhere on the barrel or reciever that shows the caliber. Trust me. Having handled over 400 rifles in the last couple days trying to find a couple dozen .30-06s and .223s for a pair of guys in a shop with THOUSANDS of weapons, I had to inspect a LOT.
Usually, left side of the rifle, just ahead of the reciever, where the manufacturer's name is, there'll also be listed the caliber.
Usually, left side of the rifle, just ahead of the reciever, where the manufacturer's name is, there'll also be listed the caliber.
RoyG
Member
Mossberg ATR 100
Has anyone tried the Mossberg ATR 100 yet?
You can pick one up at wallymart for under $250 plus tax.
Been on my may buy list for a little while...
Has anyone tried the Mossberg ATR 100 yet?
You can pick one up at wallymart for under $250 plus tax.
Been on my may buy list for a little while...
kennedy
Member
just found a savage mod 116(stainless) in 30-06 only 5 boxes of ammo thru it for $275 still thinking about it. would it have the adjustable trigger?
Ash
Member
The 100ATR is basically the Charter Arms Field King reborn, which was a decent rifle. I would personally rate it better than the 710, but in the same class. For $100 less (okay, $80 less when you add the same scope), it is a better deal.
Now, I have never fired a 710. I looked at it, wanted it, and then held it and lost any desire to own it. I didn't have to drive a Yugo to know I would not want one (even before they revealed as the pieces of crap they were). In the same manner, I can look at the 710, which is a dead end as far as rifles go. It is as good as you can get it. There are no better models of 710. There can be no upgrading, no improving the trigger or stock, nothing. It is built cheap, not just inexpensively, but CHEAP. But, it is priced at the same level as the Savage 110XP, which has an almost infinitely better trigger, better construction, better bolt (much safer bolt as well in the event of case failure), smoother feed (no need for plastic to dress up a crappy reciever), can can be upgraded down the road should the shooter want more. When you get a Savage, you have all the room you need to improve it cosmetically or ergonomically.
With the 710, that's it, that's all you get. Nothing else. The magazine attachment is weak, the bolt depends no plastic inserts to operate properly, and the trigger is nothing to talk about. For the same price of a Savage, it is piece of crap.
Now, if the 710 were the price of the Mossberg ATR, then it would be different. I would still not like it, but at least it would be priced less. Hi-Points are cheaply made firearms that are ugly and have no future, but they are at least priced that way. But nobody would buy a Hi Point that was the price of a CZ-75. The Remingotn 710 is like Smith and Wesson introducing a pistol built just like the Hi Point but charging the same price as the CZ-75. Folks might brag that their pistol shot well, but the fact remains it would not be worth the price.
The Emperor has no Clothes.
Ash
Now, I have never fired a 710. I looked at it, wanted it, and then held it and lost any desire to own it. I didn't have to drive a Yugo to know I would not want one (even before they revealed as the pieces of crap they were). In the same manner, I can look at the 710, which is a dead end as far as rifles go. It is as good as you can get it. There are no better models of 710. There can be no upgrading, no improving the trigger or stock, nothing. It is built cheap, not just inexpensively, but CHEAP. But, it is priced at the same level as the Savage 110XP, which has an almost infinitely better trigger, better construction, better bolt (much safer bolt as well in the event of case failure), smoother feed (no need for plastic to dress up a crappy reciever), can can be upgraded down the road should the shooter want more. When you get a Savage, you have all the room you need to improve it cosmetically or ergonomically.
With the 710, that's it, that's all you get. Nothing else. The magazine attachment is weak, the bolt depends no plastic inserts to operate properly, and the trigger is nothing to talk about. For the same price of a Savage, it is piece of crap.
Now, if the 710 were the price of the Mossberg ATR, then it would be different. I would still not like it, but at least it would be priced less. Hi-Points are cheaply made firearms that are ugly and have no future, but they are at least priced that way. But nobody would buy a Hi Point that was the price of a CZ-75. The Remingotn 710 is like Smith and Wesson introducing a pistol built just like the Hi Point but charging the same price as the CZ-75. Folks might brag that their pistol shot well, but the fact remains it would not be worth the price.
The Emperor has no Clothes.
Ash
Ash
Member
You can tell immediately if it has the accutrigger just by looking at it. Otherwise, you will need to remove the action from the stock and look at the trigger to see if it has adjustment screws. The Savage-made trigger will have two screws on the trigger itself and one on the housing (to adjust weight). A timney will be very similar, but the leaf-spring used by Savage will be discarded in favor of a coil housed within the trigger itself. As a result, it will have three adjustment screws on the trigger, one in front of the blade like the factory adjustable to change let-off, and two behind, one to adjust over-travel and the other to adjust weight of pull. The factory trigger cannot be adjusted for over-travel, but that isn't really a problem. I cannot vouch for the SharpShooterSupply trigger as I have never used one.
Ash
Ash
I have a Mossberg ATR-100 in .30-06.
STILL haven't had a chance to fire it yet...One local range only allows center-fire rifle on Mon-Wed-Fri, and guess what...I work Mon-Fri.
Decent looking rifle, though...fit & finish are acceptable, 22" barrel has "Weaver" style scope bases already installed. Black synthetic stock. It looks a lot like the Savage 10-11 series, construction-wise, with 2-pillar bedding, free-float barrel, etc.
Got a bunch of ammo to try from 147-gr FMJ up to 220Gr Rem soft-point.
With some careful perusing of the close-outs, and hard bargaining since the barrel finish was scratched a bit from being in the rack, I was out the door for under $315 with rifle, Simmons Blazer 3-9x50 scope, sling, Uncle Mike's QD swivels, and Leupold Hi-Rise rings. Now, if it will hold minute-of-Bambi, I'm set.
Rifle alone was priced $244, got them (Wally World) to knock off $25 for the barrel finish scratches.
Poking around a bit on Remington's web site, the .300 Savage has a bit of an edge on the .30/30, but not not quite as hot as the .30-06, with about the same bullet weights {170 Gr in .30/30, 180 Gr in .300 Savage & .30-06}
.30/30 2200 FPS at the muzzle
.300 Savage 2350 FPS
.30-06 2700 FPS
So, if you have the .300 Savage,, you would be pretty well set for anything on the Continental US.
STILL haven't had a chance to fire it yet...One local range only allows center-fire rifle on Mon-Wed-Fri, and guess what...I work Mon-Fri.
Decent looking rifle, though...fit & finish are acceptable, 22" barrel has "Weaver" style scope bases already installed. Black synthetic stock. It looks a lot like the Savage 10-11 series, construction-wise, with 2-pillar bedding, free-float barrel, etc.
Got a bunch of ammo to try from 147-gr FMJ up to 220Gr Rem soft-point.
With some careful perusing of the close-outs, and hard bargaining since the barrel finish was scratched a bit from being in the rack, I was out the door for under $315 with rifle, Simmons Blazer 3-9x50 scope, sling, Uncle Mike's QD swivels, and Leupold Hi-Rise rings. Now, if it will hold minute-of-Bambi, I'm set.
Rifle alone was priced $244, got them (Wally World) to knock off $25 for the barrel finish scratches.
Poking around a bit on Remington's web site, the .300 Savage has a bit of an edge on the .30/30, but not not quite as hot as the .30-06, with about the same bullet weights {170 Gr in .30/30, 180 Gr in .300 Savage & .30-06}
.30/30 2200 FPS at the muzzle
.300 Savage 2350 FPS
.30-06 2700 FPS
So, if you have the .300 Savage,, you would be pretty well set for anything on the Continental US.
jefnvk
Member
Savage. My friend got a 110 on closeout at a local gunshop for $200 NIB. He loves it, it shoots as good as my Remington 700.
I'd go with Ash on the 710. Never shot one, but I don't like it. I know of one shop that says they won't carry it. And when it is priced about the same (in some places, more) than the Savage combo, I don't know why people would buy it.
I also have a friend that has a Savage 99 in 300 Savage. That is a NICE gun. I would not hesitate to buy one if the price were right.
I'd go with Ash on the 710. Never shot one, but I don't like it. I know of one shop that says they won't carry it. And when it is priced about the same (in some places, more) than the Savage combo, I don't know why people would buy it.
I also have a friend that has a Savage 99 in 300 Savage. That is a NICE gun. I would not hesitate to buy one if the price were right.
If there is no caliber designation anywhere on the Model 99, better get a chamber cast to make sure. Most of the early ones were 250-3000 or 300 Savage, but don't even think about loading it if you aren't certain the ammo is right.
Dad should know, and probably has some ammo for it or empty cases that can be reloaded. Most civilian firearms bear a caliber legend, but I'm not familiar with 99s... Might have had a new barrel installed or a rechamber, so don't take any chances.
When it comes to .308s I'm a Tikka T3 fan, but it's a little outside the budget. There should be lots of good used rifles out there if time isn't critical. The 308 is a popular chambering because of the GI background, so just about any bolt action sold has included the 308 option. Then again, if the 99 is a 250 or 300 Savage, you've got a good deer gun and may want to think about a .223 for varmints and paper punching.
Dad should know, and probably has some ammo for it or empty cases that can be reloaded. Most civilian firearms bear a caliber legend, but I'm not familiar with 99s... Might have had a new barrel installed or a rechamber, so don't take any chances.
When it comes to .308s I'm a Tikka T3 fan, but it's a little outside the budget. There should be lots of good used rifles out there if time isn't critical. The 308 is a popular chambering because of the GI background, so just about any bolt action sold has included the 308 option. Then again, if the 99 is a 250 or 300 Savage, you've got a good deer gun and may want to think about a .223 for varmints and paper punching.
WhiteKnight
Member
That wasn't me.
I think it was misanthrope.
Fumbler
Member
You're right, it was him.
My memory sucks.
My memory sucks.
airbornekyle1
Member
you should pick up the weatherby vanguard its msrp is $475.00 it comes in all sorts of calibers my favorite is the 7mm rem.mag. you can hunt everything from deer to grizzly.
rwc
Member
Tikka T-3 in .308. Mine likes Hornady 165 gr. BTHP Match.
Have fun.
Have fun.
RoyG
Member
foghornl,
Have you gotten to the range yet?
Have you gotten to the range yet?
Father Knows Best
Member
Hellbore, if you want to get rid of that 99, send me a PM. I know a guy in Georgia who has been looking for one in 300 Savage. It's the rifle he hunted with as a teenager. I can't remember if it's the 99E or 99F he wants, but he'll pay top dollar for one in very good condition.
Secondly, any gun shop probably has a dozen or more bolt action deer rifles in stock right now. This is the off season, and they just don't sell. Guys come in almost every day wanting to sell their deer rifles, and most shops have so many on the rack they won't even consider it, for any price. Depending on where you are, .30-06, .308, .243 and 7mm are the most common. .30-06 is the cheapest in the southeast, just because there are so many of them and nobody seems to want them. Gun shops can't give away .30-06 bolt action sporters.
Use that to your advantage. Don't buy new. Shop for good used hunting rifles now, in the off season, while they're not moving. If the gun shop says the price is $400, offer $250. They may well take it just to move the darn thing.
In fact, the guy I mentioned who wants a 99 in 300 Savage works at the same gun shop as my dad. It's in Georgia just a little ways northwest of Atlanta. They've got a dozen or so bolt action hunting rifles, and they'd love to get rid of them. He'd probably give you one of them and some cash for that 99.
Secondly, any gun shop probably has a dozen or more bolt action deer rifles in stock right now. This is the off season, and they just don't sell. Guys come in almost every day wanting to sell their deer rifles, and most shops have so many on the rack they won't even consider it, for any price. Depending on where you are, .30-06, .308, .243 and 7mm are the most common. .30-06 is the cheapest in the southeast, just because there are so many of them and nobody seems to want them. Gun shops can't give away .30-06 bolt action sporters.
Use that to your advantage. Don't buy new. Shop for good used hunting rifles now, in the off season, while they're not moving. If the gun shop says the price is $400, offer $250. They may well take it just to move the darn thing.
In fact, the guy I mentioned who wants a 99 in 300 Savage works at the same gun shop as my dad. It's in Georgia just a little ways northwest of Atlanta. They've got a dozen or so bolt action hunting rifles, and they'd love to get rid of them. He'd probably give you one of them and some cash for that 99.
Joe Meyer
Member
I have a Savage 110 in 30-06 . It is one great gun!
RoyG
Member
foghornl
Do you have a range report yet?
Do you have a range report yet?
rgs1975
Member
I've used my Enfield SMLE .303 for deer hunting and it works beautifully You can pick them up easily for under $100.
You can pick them up easily for under $100.tuna
member
Looking at used guns, don't forget the "sleepers". My buddy asked me to clean his rifle and see if I could do anything about the trigger. The trigger was so bad he was willing to sell it to me dirt cheap, until I told him that his "Sears Mod 55" is really a Winchester Mod 70 with an ajustable trigger. He decided not to sell :banghead: :banghead:
Boy howdy...
Savage makes a fine rifle in bolt or lever action... you just don't see too many old timers parting with them (the model 99s) over time (a LONG time) the model 99 has a weak point where the stock connects to the action but only if the wood has had excess oil seep into it.
CZ USA makes a great line of true mauser actioned rifles at a reasonable price with nice features that make great hunting rifles, I'd give themn a good look over as well.
As far as really cheap... there are any number of rebarelled/sporting mausers available on the market as package deals for under $300, but if you want to buy NEW, check out your local Wal-Mart for 'package deals' and 'close out' sales.
I've hunted with Savage rifles exclusively for nearly 20 years. I highly recommend the 116 line.
Savage makes a fine rifle in bolt or lever action... you just don't see too many old timers parting with them (the model 99s) over time (a LONG time) the model 99 has a weak point where the stock connects to the action but only if the wood has had excess oil seep into it.
CZ USA makes a great line of true mauser actioned rifles at a reasonable price with nice features that make great hunting rifles, I'd give themn a good look over as well.
As far as really cheap... there are any number of rebarelled/sporting mausers available on the market as package deals for under $300, but if you want to buy NEW, check out your local Wal-Mart for 'package deals' and 'close out' sales.
I've hunted with Savage rifles exclusively for nearly 20 years. I highly recommend the 116 line.
I saw a sporterized P17 Enfield at a recent gun show for $180, private collection! Talk about a great deal in a fine .30-06 rifle. Of course, had it not been sporterized, it would be worth $500 or more as a collectible. Beyond that, a Savage Stephens line turnbolt in .30-06 or .308 would be a heck of a good gun at about $250.
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