Affordable deer rifle

[220_Swift]

I am in the market for an affordable deer rifle. I live in Illinois, and we are a shotgun only state. This fall I will be hunting out of state with a rifle. I just have a hard time spending $5-600 for a rifle that will have limited use. A few years ago, it wouldn't have bothered me, but now that I'm married and have a child it's a different story.LOL Anyways, here are a few models I'm looking at.

Stevens 200 270 win. $250
Charles Daly field grade mauser 270 win. $350
H&R Ultra 270 win.$250
Remington 700ADL 30-06 spr. $300
Remington 700SPS 270 win $400

I would really like to stay with the 270. But that ADL only comes in 30-06 for that price locally. What are some opinions of these rifles? What are good, bad? I know the Stevens is just a Savage that is pre-accutrigger. Don't know much about the mauser other than it is imported by CD from Zastava. The H&R seems to be a solid gun, and I have owned quite a few Remingtons. Are the new SPS's worth the extra hundred bucks over the discontinued ADL? Thanks for any input you all can give. And if you have any other suggestions on a different rifle, please let me know.

 

[browningguy]

I'd go with the Stevens or a Savage model in your price range. For some reason they always seem to shoot better than there price would lead you to believe. The H&R's are usually accurate, but they are a single shot. I have some single shots but they aren't my first choice for big game hunting.

The Daly trigger will probably need some work to make it really good, although they are usually acceptable as is. I have a Daly action that my 458 Win was built on but it has a Douglas barrel and thrigger work done so really isn't indicative of what comes from the factory.

If the trigger is decent in the ADL that doesn't seem like a bad price, although to my mind, based simply on guns I've shot orhandled, it's not worth more than the Stevens.

 

[220_Swift]

Thanks for the info, it is much appreciated. I really like the looks of the Mauser, but I have never even seen one of these in person. I figured the Stevens was probably the best value out of the lot. And the ADL is very attractive at that price, but I hate buying guns from Wal-mart, and that is where that one is at for that price.

I will probably end up with the Stevens. Just didn't know if the Mauser was worth the extra $100, or any of them for that matter. The H&R would have to have an excellent trigger over the Savage to even iterest me. Just wanted to throw it in the mix as well in case it was a sleeper. Thanks again

 

[Pilot]

Don't most of the Savage rifles have adjustable trigger? They seem like a good value.

 

[xd45gaper]

Savages are a very good accurate rifle for the price and most have the Accu trigger that can be adjusted from like 1-7lbs i beleve

 

[Thefabulousfink]

Personally I'd go with the Rem 700, all my experiences with them have been great. As far as caliber goes, that becomes a personal choice. I like the 30-06, it is a solid, well-proven round and it gives me the option to shoot at larger game than just deer.

I use a sproterized 1917 Enfield in 30-06 that I bought for $200 from a friend grandpa. I think it was once rebareled years ago, and has a 30 year old scope on it.

From a bench I can shoot 5 round that touch each other at 100 yards, not bad for a 90 year old bargain rifle

 

[The Real Hawkeye]

Based on the choices you provided, I would go with the C.D. Mauser and not look back. For the money, it's a far better rifle, all things considered, than the others on your list. The reason it's such a good value is that it is made in Eastern Europe, where the US dollar has more buying power. If that rifle were made in the US, like the others on your list, you'd pay over a grand for it, I guarantee it. Much better value in terms of quality compared to price. Take a look at the CZ rifles too.

 

[220_Swift]

I will definitely have to look harder at the CD Mauser. I have heard a lot of bad things about it, but never a legitimate reason. I have heard people say they hate it because CD is the importer. What difference does it make who imports it? I certainly do not know. That is the rifle that really interested me to begin with. Seemed like a lot of gun for the money, and it looks pretty good as well. I just have not heard anyone having good things to say about it. Or even heard from many people who have first hand experiences. A buddy of mine bought a Charles Daly 20ga this year for dove hunting. He paid, I think, $200 for it brand new. And that thing is a great shooter. Again, thanks for all of the input.

 

[Oldnamvet]

So much for the rifle. Now you have to put good optics on top or everything else is a waste. Too often people skimp terribly on the scope and then ruin their hunt when it doesn't stand up.

 

[220_Swift]

So much for the rifle. Now you have to put good optics on top or everything else is a waste. Too often people skimp terribly on the scope and then ruin their hunt when it doesn't stand up.

I agree 100%. I have a Leupold Vari-X III 3.5-10X50 sitting in the safe waiting to be mounted. LOL A guy I know needed cash and sold me this scope for $300, and it is brand new in the box. I think it should work very well for me. But thanks for the input. I agree, too many people put their money in their guns, and don't buy good optics. Like I said earlier, we are a shotgun only state. And a slug gun will break a cheap scope in no time at all.

 

[MCgunner]

Out of that group, I'd go for the ADL in .30-06. GREAT all around caliber, great, accurate rifle, and you might need it again someday. Do yourself a favor and check out Weaver scopes, more scope for less money than a Leupold, better scope both optically and better built IMHO. "Gun Tests" agrees with me.

BTW, I have a Savage 110 in 7 mag. Great rifle, especially for the money. I still prefer my Remingtons. They're maybe a tad less load particular and, while the Savage trigger can be adjusted down to a crisp three lbs (mine is), the Remington's is a better trigger IMHO.

You really can't go too far wrong with either brand.

 

[middy]

Will you be hunting in the woods or fields? If you don't expect shots over 175 yards, you can get a used Marlin .30-30 for $100-150...

 

[220_Swift]

Do yourself a favor and check out Weaver scopes, more scope for less money than a Leupold, better scope both optically and better built IMHO. "Gun Tests" agrees with me.

Well, I already bought the Leupy for a song. But if I ever need another scope, I will give Weaver a look.

Will you be hunting in the woods or fields? If you don't expect shots over 175 yards, you can get a used Marlin .30-30 for $100-150

I will be hunting over fields, where shots can be out to 300 yards. As for how far I will actually take a shot will depend on the rifle I buy, and what I find at the range. But right now I have no problem shooting that far with my 22-250.

Thanks

 

[Kingcreek]

If buying new, the savage is my choice.
Have you looked at used rifles?
Good used bolt actions are not hard to find. I bought an older but like new Ruger M77 .270 cal with a mounted Leupold VariX II 3-9,sling, case, original box/papers, and 3 boxes of factory softpoints for $400 cash in a private sale. Lots of used 700 Adl/Bdl's around. this is a good time of year for bargains.

 

[The Real Hawkeye]

I second the suggestion to look at used rifles. You can pick up guns made back in the early 1960s and before. Quality was generally better back then, and these guns hold up well, and can often be had for a steal. Most hunting rifles will have been fired little and carried a lot, so they will have beat up stocks and warn bluing (just improves character), but will usually be mechanically perfect. Check the bore and bolt face for pitting. Some good makes back then were Browning, Remington, Winchester and Husqvarna.

About the scope, the one you have is a good one, but a bit over powered for what you are doing. That's not a problem, but just set it to four power and leave it alone.

 

[220_Swift]

I second the suggestion to look at used rifles. You can pick up guns made back in the early 1960s and before. Quality was generally better back then, and these guns hold up well, and can often be had for a steal. Most hunting rifles will have been fired little and carried a lot, so they will have beat up stocks and warn bluing (just improves character), but will usually be mechanically perfect. Check the bore and bolt face for pitting. Some good makes back then were Browning, Remington, Winchester and Husqvarna.

About the scope, the one you have is a good one, but a bit over powered for what you are doing. That's not a problem, but just set it to four power and leave it alone.

I have looked for used locally. The problem is the selection is not very extensive for deer rifles. And the ones I have found are more money than I really want to part with. But I do have a few more shops to check out first.

As for the scope, I wouldn't have bought that particular model except it was a good deal. And it should work just fine.

 

[WYO]

Is there any possibility that you could just borrow a rifle for your out of state hunt? Where are you going?

 

[Lonestar.45]

So much for the rifle. Now you have to put good optics on top or everything else is a waste. Too often people skimp terribly on the scope and then ruin their hunt when it doesn't stand up.

I hear that often repeated, but out of all my years of hunting and all the friends/family I've hunted with, I've never known a hunt to be blown because of the scope. Seriously. I've heard it happens, but I've never had first or second hand knowledge of it.

Out of your choices, I'd go with the ADL and put a good Nikon or Burris scope on it for under $200 and call it good. You won't be sorry.

 

[220_Swift]

Is there any possibility that you could just borrow a rifle for your out of state hunt? Where are you going?

I wouldn't feel comfortable borrowing a rifle. Just a quirk I have. And I will be going to either Tn or Mo. I have an open invitation to both and need to choose between them.

 

[1911 guy]

I've got Remingtons and Savages.

I like them both. Both are accurate, the fit and finish is a bit better on the Remingtons. Upshot of it: Remingtons are prettier guns than Savages. My deer rifle, however, is a Savage model 10 in .308Win. Not pretty, not expensive. Very accurate and I don't cringe when I ding then stock.

 

[Essex County]

The H&R Ultra is the sleeper of the bunch. I doubt You would be unhappy with it. Put rhe extra into good optics......Essex

 

[ArmedBear]

Get the ADL in .30-06!

$300 is a real bargain for a walnut Remington, and the .30-06 is a good deer cartridge, and good for just about anything else. Since you're not using it at home, consider that you might use it for something other than deer, too.

Check this for a comparison of a typical .270 round vs. its .30-06 brethren. About an inch more drop at 300 yards for the .30-06, if that.

http://www.remington.com/products/a...istics_results.aspx?data=R30061*R30062*R270W2

But you can also load the .30-06 with something like a "Light Magnum" 180 grain round and it will handily replace the .300 Win Mag for most purposes.

 

[Phantom Warrior]

OOOHHHH!!! PICK ME!!! PICK ME!!!!

I was in the same boat as you about three years ago. I ended up spending $600 out the door for a Remington 700 ADL in .308 w/ a...Swift scope, I think. That combination has notched up three deer. It's a great all round gun.

 

[BusMaster007]

Man, you got a HELLUVA deal on a great scope.
That happened to me once, too, except it was three Vari-X III's in 4.5-14x40 ( one gloss; one matte; one TACTICAL / Mil-Dot! ) and I'd just gotten my tax return...

Now, the RIFLE...

Get the Remington ADL / .30-06.
You've said you've had Remingtons before ( that's my prefernce, as well ).

The ADL ( is it the wood or synthetic stock one? out of curiosity ) is discontinued, so it's nice to have a 'special' one if you ever decide to sell it ( please don't do that... )

Who CARES if it's a Wally World gun? ( They've got it, you want it, get it! )

All you need is a sling; scope mount setup ( might as well get Leupold QD? ); and flip-up covers.

Post pics when you get it together!

 

[220_Swift]

Thanks for all of the input. The ADL is synthetic with a matte finish. looks just like this.

I have owmed several Remmys before and never had a lick of problem with them. Maybe that is the best way to go. I'll have to go check it out a little more. Thanks again.