Best Value Hunting Rifle

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cburbick

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Hi all, I have been shooting a Remington "jam-omatic" in .243 for years that my uncle passed down to me. Finally this summer while shooting the bolt latch broke. Took it in to have it fixed, but when I got it back the gunsmith said the action on the gun is about shot and its time to start looking for a new gun.

With all that being said, there are a few things I want to consider when looking for my new gun.

1. I'm used to the .243 (100 grain), and i've shot my dad's .30-06 (180 grain) and it feels like it kicks like a mule.

2. Preferably spending under $500-600 on the gun itself so I have some money for decent optics on it.

3. I hunt primarily wisconsin white-tail but hope to hunt out of state for white-tail, possibly pronghorn or elk as well in the future and was debating between a .270 and a .308 but would be open to other suggestions as well.

From the brief time I've had to research so far I've come across the Tikka T3 Lite and Weatherby Vanguard but have also heard good things about the Browning A-Bolt Stalker as well. Let me know what you think!!
 
Don't take this as advice from me because I have no practical experience. I've read quite a bit though. In other words, I'm not a real hunter but I stayed at a Holiday Inn once.

I'd be happy with either of the two you mentioned but they have somewhat different characteristics. If I needed a long-range rifle with a flat trajectory I'd buy the .270 and for medium range I'd get the .308. The latter probably has the edge on lower priced ammo and it's a standard NATO caliber which is important to me.
 
IMHO you can't beat the Savage 10/110 series rifles for value.
I've seen 110 rifles with synthetic stock for $259 at Walmart.
It may not be the best looking rifle in the world but they work and are usually very accurate. Other choices are Winchester and Remington and they make good rifles too. I would stick with one of these three major brands in case you need or want some work done on it... everybody work on them and every major accessory maker makes parts for them.

My main hunting rifle is a Winchester 70 Featherweight in 6.5x55 Swede.
It's has the Mauser type control feed bolt. The price was about $50 more than your top end.

In terms of caliber, between 270, 30-06 and 308 I would choose the 308 as it is available everywhere, price is usually lower than other two and it has potential to take any game you'll find in the lower 48.

A Savage rifle in 308 can be had for about $350 and it will do everything you require of it. Plus you'll have enough money left over to buya really nice scope and mount for it.
 
45shooter said:
IMHO you can't beat the Savage 10/110 series rifles for value.
I've seen 110 rifles with synthetic stock for $259 at Walmart.
It may not be the best looking rifle in the world but they work and are usually very accurate. Other choices are Winchester and Remington and they make good rifles too. I would stick with one of these three major brands in case you need or want some work done on it... everybody work on them and every major accessory maker makes parts for them.

My main hunting rifle is a Winchester 70 Featherweight in 6.5x55 Swede.
It's has the Mauser type control feed bolt. The price was about $50 more than your top end.

In terms of caliber, between 270, 30-06 and 308 I would choose the 308 as it is available everywhere, price is usually lower than other two and it has potential to take any game you'll find in the lower 48.

A Savage rifle in 308 can be had for about $350 and it will do everything you require of it. Plus you'll have enough money left over to buya really nice scope and mount for it.
Click to expand...
I Concur 100% !!!!!!!!!!!!
 
I picked up my Savage 16 Weather Warrior in .308 from Cabelas for $579, and threw a Burris FullField II 3x9-40 on top, and haven't looked back. FWIW my gun loves Federal Fusion factory ammo, although I'm currently working up some handloads for this year's hunting season.
 
I bought a Savage model 11 this summer, in .243. It is lots of fun to shoot, and (to me, at least) quite accurate. It came with a scope ... it works, but I'll probably be replacing it this year or next. My brother has one in .308, left handed, that he put a decent scope on. His deer last year was at 360 yards, did just fine. One friend has a Tikka, another has a Sako, and I also considered the Weatherby Vanguard, Remington, and nearly bought a Winchester Featherlight in 6mm Remington.

There's lots of guns out there. Shouldn't be too hard to find something that will be more than adequate for you.
 
Get the Thompson Center Venture with 5R rifling. It said to be very accurate.
 
You can find Remington 798's on GB/GA for under $500. Basically a commercial mauser action. The actions are a little rough but nothing some elbow grease and range time won't fix. In terms of caliber bigger is better IF you can handle it and shoot it well. 30.06 and .308 are almost ballistic twins. Surplus 30.06 can be found for under $0.75/round for practice. Nothing wrong with the .270 or .243 for that matter. Perfect practice makes perfect. A .243 in the vitals is much more effective and humane than a 30.06 in the guts. Current bullet technology has closed the gaps a bit between medium calibers. Just don't cheap out on your hunting ammo. Care enough to send the very best.
 
A 270 would be a good choice if Elk are in your future.Any light weight gun in 270 will have some kick though a 130 grain load won't kick nearly as much as a 180 grain load.

For value Savage is probably tops.Tikka is highly rated as an accurate shooter.The Remington 700 is highly respected but I've heard a lot of bad QC issues of late.

The best thing for you to do is go somewhere you can handle the brands you are looking at and see what feels good to you.

Personally,I don't like plastic parts on guns.I can live with a good synthetic stock in an all weather hunting rifle.At this point though,43 years old,I just don't hunt in the rain or if I do it's from one of my shooting houses under a roof. I would save a little more and get a new FN made model 70 sporter in 270.The little extra weight of the sporter over the ultralight will make it a sweet shooter and I would always recommend spending more rather than less on a gun if I can see a difference in things that matter to me.In my case I'm never happy untill I have what I really want and I spend the money later anyway.
 
Savage-Stevens 7mm-08 $268

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/36_62_974/products_id/14606

Throw away the plastic and get the Boyds: $100 +-

http://www.boydsgunstocks.com/Prairie-Hunter-Replacement-Stocks-Savage-Stevens-s/167.htm

The 7mm-08 splits the difference between capability and recoil and the Stevens is a proven platform and upgradable/customizable to your specific needs. You can shoot everything from a .358 Winchester to a 22.250 for the price of a $200 barrel kit from MidwayUSA.
 
I'd get a 308 or 7mm 08. I would go to a reputable, well stocked gun shop and try out the major brands. The recoil issue you had with your Dad's gun my be related to poor fit. Having a rifle that fits well is more important than whether it is 0.5 moa accurate or looks good. You can also buy managed recoil ammo that will help a lot but can still be plenty powerful enough for deer.
 
I would guess you do not reload.

"I hunt primarily wisconsin white-tail but hope to hunt out of state for white-tail, possibly pronghorn or elk.'"

7MM Rem Mag. I have a couple. One I built and one (Weatherby Vanguard) that cost me $2.00. Won it on my first trip to Gillette, WY.

I would use nothing but 140 gr bullets. There is no sense trying to remember the trajectory of others. Recoil in a 7.5#-8# rifle is rather mediocre and it will do the job ony animal on your list. It has the reach. Good recoil pad and a rather straight stock will mitigate perceived recoil.
 
Marlin XS7 in 7mm-08. I had a gun smith put iron sights on mine and then put a Weaver K4 on it. Grand total ~$500.

I hunt in northern Chippewa County. That or my .30-30 lever are quite good for those Wisconsin white-tails.
 
There are some Interarms Mark X rifles in .308 on gunbroker.com for $350 to $400. Well made Mauser actions, descent fit and finish. Just food for thought.
 
If your dad's 30-06 bothers you that much, there won't be that much difference in a 270 or 308. If you can handle the recoil both are great rounds. If I were recoil sensitive I'd look at 7mm-08 first. A little on the light side for elk, but would work with careful load selection. About the perfect round for anything smaller than elk though.

Of the guns you are considering I like the Tikka best.
 
Tikka T3, light weight, butter smooth action, and very accurate out to the box. here in Oklahoma under $500
 
My first suggestion is Buy American

I do not know much about hunting rifles but the Forums all say good things about the Savages.

Tonight I came home with a 1955 Winchester 88 in .308:

cimg0377x.jpg
 
agree with the stevens 200, change out the stock, get a good Redfield for under $200 and you got one hellluva tack driving hunting rifle. for a hundred more a Savage 10/110 with accugtrigger or one step up to a Tikka T3, count your pennys and you will have a great rifle.
 
For the money I don't think you can beat a Tikka T3, I load for a friend's and it's impressive. The only thing cheaper I'd recommend is a Stevens, if you can still find one, and only because of the parts swap capability. (Around here they've all been replaced by the Axis/Edge.)
 
I agree that either the .270 or 7mm-08 would be ideal if you wanted to save your shoulder a bit.
 
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