$400 to spend on a bolt action...
- Thread starter Lightsped
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Savage Axis is a fine gun and I use one in 30-06 regularly. My friend bought a Ruger American for his grandson last year and I liked it but like the Savage trigger better. Nothing at all wrong with the Ruger trigger. Make sure you get an accu-trigger on whatever Savage you buy. I have two without it and the triggers are pretty bad. The 25-06 is so hard I can never get good groups even from a bench rest. 7mm-08 is slightly batter but still hard to really "squeeze" the trigger.
I have a Mossberg that I despise but I don't recall exactly what type it is.
Deer season in GA, where the OP is posting, runs until sometime in January so used rifles aren't all that great a value right now around here.
I have bought 3 of the cheap combos over the years and have changed the scopes on all of them. You can get a decent scope and mount it for <$200 and that is probably more important than the type of rifle. The combos scopes are bottom of the barrel but will do in a pinch. I have several of the Tasco scopes sitting around.
I have a Mossberg that I despise but I don't recall exactly what type it is.
Deer season in GA, where the OP is posting, runs until sometime in January so used rifles aren't all that great a value right now around here.
I have bought 3 of the cheap combos over the years and have changed the scopes on all of them. You can get a decent scope and mount it for <$200 and that is probably more important than the type of rifle. The combos scopes are bottom of the barrel but will do in a pinch. I have several of the Tasco scopes sitting around.
Sunray
Member
"...Skip "package guns" the scope and mounts..." Not any more with the Savages Nikon's and Weavers these days.
Still look at used stuff in your local shop. More about guys blaming the rifle or cartridge for missed shots than needing money though. Not that it matters. You're still likely to find a higher end rifle and scope combo for roughly the same as a lower end package.
Your budget might be a bit light for anything new though.
Still look at used stuff in your local shop. More about guys blaming the rifle or cartridge for missed shots than needing money though. Not that it matters. You're still likely to find a higher end rifle and scope combo for roughly the same as a lower end package.
Your budget might be a bit light for anything new though.
godale
Member
i know where i am at ne ohio i dont see any used remmy 700s or winny model 70s. the only thing i see in the used markets are 22s and shotguns. think i might have seen a couple savage 340s
Bobson
Member
The Ruger American Predator gets my vote. Run ya about $375. If you don't want to leave your friend needing to buy a scope right away, you can grab a Savage Hog Hunter in 308 for under $450, and less if you find a sale. It has iron sights, so he can shoot it as-is while he puts money aside for a scope.
If you're into it, and some people aren't, a good sporterized mauser or 1903 can be a great rifle. I put up a couple pics of my rebuilt VZ-24 (CZ contract 98 Mauser) in the thread I just posted and I am in love with the rifle. Bought it for $300. I used it this deer season and it performed perfectly. With me shooting (and I'm an amateur so it's likely more accurate) it shot about 1.5-2 MOA at 100 yards with Remington Core-Lokt SP's. The stock is beat up and the bluing is worn but it's a great workhorse and fixing it up will be a fun project.
Personally I don't like the newer budget rifles. Between the plastic stock and simple actions they just feel cheap to me. Buying an old mauser is a bit of a gamble because you don't know what its been through but if you appreciate the character and history of an older rifle they can't be beat in my opinion. They're readily available on gunbroker or at pawn shops, can be found in a lot of calibers, and with a little searching great deals can be found.
Personally I don't like the newer budget rifles. Between the plastic stock and simple actions they just feel cheap to me. Buying an old mauser is a bit of a gamble because you don't know what its been through but if you appreciate the character and history of an older rifle they can't be beat in my opinion. They're readily available on gunbroker or at pawn shops, can be found in a lot of calibers, and with a little searching great deals can be found.
Win94_32
Member
I know I am late on the conversation just joined but what did you end up buying Lightsped?
Win94_32
Member
I liked the Ruger, Savage Axis II and Mossberg Patriot they all have their pro's and con's. Just determining which you can deal with and which one will fit your needs. For me it came down to price and caliber that was available at the time. Ended up with Mossberg Patriot 30-06 so far very satisfied.
Redlg155
Member
Rifle/scope packages are sometimes terrible, however, the Savage/Nikon package is definitely worth the money.
One definite consideration is the trigger. Make sure you get the one you want the first time. The Savage Accuttigger and competitors models are great. The standard model triggers not so great. Then you have to spend $80 plus for a rifle basix trigger or rely on some "bubba" smithing with a ball point pen spring.
One definite consideration is the trigger. Make sure you get the one you want the first time. The Savage Accuttigger and competitors models are great. The standard model triggers not so great. Then you have to spend $80 plus for a rifle basix trigger or rely on some "bubba" smithing with a ball point pen spring.
I just bought a savage 308 in model 11 and love it it came with a nikon that I sold and replaiced the nikon with a much better vortex. I love the rifle and savage however I would stay away from the axis I thought the bolt was much to long and quite "sloppy" feeling
steveracer
Member
You can get a used Remington 700 with Irons for that. I would do that first, and when you have saved up another $400 buy your scope.
jdavis123
Member
Mossberg Patriot walnut with 3x9x40 Vortex combo package is possibly the best bargain to be had in this category.
Newtosavage
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I bought a Savage 11 in .308 last fall and have been nothing but happy with it. Very versatile gun with plenty of aftermarket components if you want, or just leave it stock and it will still be a sub-MOA gun out of the box.
I was getting 1" or better groups with Winchester silver box ammo (150 grain) and nearly all my handloads do better than that - many of them approaching .5" at 100.
Great gun for the $
I was getting 1" or better groups with Winchester silver box ammo (150 grain) and nearly all my handloads do better than that - many of them approaching .5" at 100.
Great gun for the $
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