Advice on pawn shop rifle

[happycamper374]

So, I've been looking for a good .308 or 30-06 to round out the hunting guns. I have a 10/22 and a model 94 30-30. The idea was that, upon purchasing the .308 or 30-06, I could rest easy know that if I got the call to go elk or moose hunting, I would have the rifle for it. (I don't want to start arguing whether those are the optimal rounds for those animals. They'll do fine.) I have the deer rifle end of things covered.

Well, I was in the pawn shop today and saw a nice Savage 110 with the accutrigger for $340 with the Simmons scope on it. It looks like one of the package deals that go for about $540 on Buds. The rifle looks to have been well cared for. I know that they'll go down on the price because they've worked with me in the past. The catch is that it's chambered in 7mm mag.

So, here's what I'm thinking. The 7mm mag is a bit pricier to shoot and is a bit smaller in diameter. However, it's a bit higher in velocity and energy. And, based on my searching, the savage 110's go for around $300-350 WITHOUT the accutrigger. This one has it for $340. I have the money.

Does my logic sound good? Do you think this is a decent price? What say you, buy it up or pass and keep looking?

PS I don't reload if that impacts your decision.

 

[W.E.G.]

7 Mag will kill any North American animal deader than a doorstep.

No shortage of recoil either.

 

[saturno_v]

I don't know in your area but the Savage 110 package combo can be frequently found on sale (chambered either in 30-06 or 7mm Magnum) around here (western WA) for $349-399 at the big box sporting goods stores.

 

[Moose23]

Get the caliber you want or you'll never be satisfied with the purchase. Then you'll have to get another one.

Then again, that's not really a bad thing, is it?

 

[dakotasin]

Get the caliber you want or you'll never be satisfied ...

and there y'go... if a 308 or 30-06 is what you want, you need to get one of those. the right rifle will come along. wait on it.

 

[happycamper374]

I don't know in your area but the Savage 110 package combo can be frequently found on sale (chambered either in 30-06 or 7mm Magnum) around here (western WA) for $349-399 at the big box sporting goods stores.

Interesting. That's not the case that I've seen around here in NC or in MI where I'm originally from. Maybe I should be calling the big stores and asking if they can get me a deal. Dicks is the only "sporting goods" store in the area.

Moose, I think you're probably right. Both about not being satisfied and also about needing more rifles

 

[PT1911]

If I was in the market for a kill anything rifle, I would have no issue whatsoever going with the 7mm mag. In fact, I think it is a hell of a good choice... Great long range ballistics and plenty of punch when it gets there.

I personally have a 270 for most larger game purposes and will be adding a 338 federal soon and a 45-70 down the road... Cant have too much variety...

Seems like a fair price, if you like the gun, I say go for it.

 

[happycamper374]

I just checked online on some specials and it seems they sell the 110 packages at those prices but not the ones with the accutrigger.

I guess I don't know how much more I like the accutrigger than the other trigger. I've only shot savages with the accutrigger. I did like it a lot though. But maybe it's not as big of an issue as I'm making it out to be. There's quite a large price difference in new guns with the different triggers, however.

 

[slowr1der]

Walmart sells these package rifles for $399 brand new. I've seen it slightly cheaper at other Walmarts. The price seems to vary from Walmart to Walmart, but $399 is the highest I've seen it and $377 the lowest. So $350 imo for a used one that's not in the caliber you want is way too high of a price. Just spend the extra $50 and get the caliber you want. The one at Walmart comes with a sling, Simmons Blazer scope, and the rifle with the accu trigger. It imo is one of the best deals going for a great rifle if you are on a budget. I don't think you can go wrong with this rifle. However, I wouldn't pay $350 for a used one when you can get a new one for right at $400.

A used one imo is worth no more than $300. However, I see guys post the same package deals they sell at Walmart on local classifieds for the same price as Walmart sometimes even more and they seem to sell them. I think because these packages are more expensive at gun shops people seem to think they cost more than they do at Walmart.

 

[PT1911]

The accutrigger is a BIG plus to me. I personally do not own a Savage, but that is one of the big perks to the Savage brand... I have handled both (accutrigger and not) and MUCH prefer the accutrigger. Does that mean i wouldnt buy an Edge should it fall into my lap in a cartridge I have been lusting after? Not at all. Seems to me that rifle would fill every "need" you have listed and do so at a good price... the question is, what had you set on the 30 cal to begin with? If it was just a matter of common calibers that are capable of harvesting any animal in NA and nothing to do with.....some other affinity toward the 30 cal, the 7mm mag will do everything they will and do it just as well or better.

 

[MachIVshooter]

7mm Rem mag has long been one of the top 5 western hunting cartridges, in the same group as the .30-06, .308, .270 and .300 Win mag. It'd be a fine choice. Down side is that it has a bit more bark and bite than the .308 or '06. The upshot is a flatter trajectory and more energy. Your call, but I don't think you'd be disappointed in the performance of the venerable 7 mag.

 

[dogngun]

I think you will do better with a new rifle in the caliber you really want - no knock on the 7mm Mag, it is a superb round for long range, but is more expensive to shoot. BUT:
If you really like it, buy it. I found some really neat stuff in the used rifle racks over the years...


mark

 

[happycamper374]

I think I'm going to hold off for the exact rifle that I want. Thanks for the advice all.

 

[Smokey Joe]

Buy a rifle...

Happy Camper 374--I think you are wise to hold out for the cartridge that you want. Have patience; it will come.

BTW, you DO want the Accutrigger. Difference of night & day. The "old trigger" used by Savage was OK but that's all. The Accutrigger is a target trigger, right out of the box.

Put it this way: Since the Accutrigger can't be retrofitted to older Savages, I wouldn't even look at an older Savage.(Well, except for a nifty old Savage M99! Most elegant-looking lever-action ever made!) Any used Savage WITH Accutrigger comes along, I'm interested.

 

[Palehorseman]

Also, don't know if you reload or not, but .308 (7.62x51) brass can be found much cheaper than 7 mag. I still have a 5 gallon bucket full of once fired LC NM and it was dirt cheap when got it years ago.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

While I love the 7 Mag, if it's not what you're looking for, wait. Don't get in a hurry. I've missed out because I got anxious and bought something too soon. More than once.

 

[sargents1]

7mm Rem Mag is a fine caliber. It will do anything and everything that a 30-06 will do, often times better. Recoil is similar, sometimes it is actually less because you are shooting a smaller(lighter) bullet. In a lot of ways a 7mm Mag shoots a bit like a big varmint rifle.

Ammo cost is not really that different. Besides, how many rounds to you expect to put thru a hunting rifle?

As for the Savage 110. I had one in 30-06 and it was very, very accurate. the one I had was before they started the Accu-trigger and as a result the trigger pull was quite stiff, but nevertheless the gun was a veritable tack-driver.

My one big beef with it was that it kicked like a mule for a 30-06. I have hunted with a 30-06 since I was 11 years old and that particular rifle was a real challenge to shoot well because of how much it bucked you. I ended up trading it towards a Browning A-bolt in 7mm08 with a BOSS. The Browning kicks like a .223 and is a joy to shoot at the range but it does make your ears ring when you touch-it-off without ear protection. I will say that the Browning is NOT as accurate as that old savage. Where the savage would print under an inch at 100yds the Browning is 1.5-2.0 inches.

Its your call as to whether or not this particular rifle is for you, I dunno, but Savage makes a good rifle, especially for the cost, and 7mm Rem Mag is a great caliber for hunting.

Cheers,

-steve

 

[lloveless]

Hi,
My hunting buddy has a 7 mm mag he swears by. He wanted me to buy one before we went to Colorado hunting Elk, bear etc. It kicks. It shoots flat (he held 3 inches over the top of a deer at 100 yds and missed it cause he shot 3 inches over the deer). Between the .308 and the 30/06 get the 06 cause it has more versatility due to the larger case(more powder/heavier bullets farther). Good luck with what you buy.
ll