Agree with Chuck Hawks's rifle recommendations?

[Art Eatman]

taliv, I just really don't want to have to gut more than one hog at a time.

If the plan is pest control, drag out most any old el-cheapo semi-auto, like the SKS I mentioned earlier. Last time I got into a mess of hogs was in the Appalachicola River bottom swamp, and I discovered that a K4 had nowhere enough field of view at ten feet.

 

[DefiantDad]

The standard THR answer is to whip out the credit card and buy both rifles.

After thinking about this much more, I think that is exactly right, and that I will eventually get both, and have just been trying to fool myself that I will be happy with just one more rifle. So, seeing that I am probably going to get a semi-auto .308 some time later (maybe next year, budget willing), and that I already have a semi-auto 5.56/.223, I decided I am going to get a bolt-action .308 now. So, I will proceed accordingly. Will update more later.

 

[Bobson]

A cheap Ruger American or a Savage Axis with a decent scope is enough rifle for what you want to do. But if you have the money, take a look at the Winchester M70 and the Browning X-Bolt.

I agree. My brother-in-law has a Savage Axis and it really is a superb performer. When I was looking for my own rifle, I wanted something I could use through my life and pass on to my son later. I went with the Winchester M70, and couldn't be happier with the rifle I bought.

Frankly, aside from the feel of the stock and aesthetics, I see zero difference between the quality of my BIL's $400 Savage and my $1,000 Winchester. That's about as honest as a man can be.