Cheap Rifle for a Friend

[TBert]

First of all, I really appreciate all of the advise I received from this board when purchasing my first rifle a month or two ago. I ended up with a Remington 700 ADL 30-06 with a used Nikon Buckmaster 3-9x40 scope. I absolutely love it. Also, I got my first kill (100 pound hawg) last weekend.

After sharing my hunting stories with a couple of buddies, they want to join in the fun. My friends are on limited budgets and want the best bang for their buck. They are down to three choices:

1) Savage 111 with scope package and Accutrigger
2) Savage 111 with scope package and NO Accutrigger
3) Remington 710

I assume the Savage is better, so maybe it comes down to is $50 worth the AccuTrigger?

 

[Darth Ruger]

The AccuTrigger is absolutely worth the extra cash.

 

[osteodoc08]

+1 on the Savage with Accutrigger

 

[ArmedBear]

Savage with Accutrigger is the best option of the three and worth some extra $$.

Howa scope package, or Weatherby Vanguard (also a Howa barrelled action) are other great options. Adjustable trigger, VERY solid, well-made rifle, and accurate.

This is a current ad from a local store here in CA.

Nix the 710 from the list. A used 700, though, would be a great gun as you know.

 

[dfaugh]

You won't hear much good about the 710s--probably adequate for some people, but leave a lot to be desired, especially in the accuracy department. But with such a small difference in price the Savage(s) are about twice the gun.

Edited to add-Get the Accu-Trigger

 

['Card]

Yeah, I'd agree with those who've said skip the 710. Even if it was a decent rifle (which I don't think it is) that weird grey plastic stock looks more like the box a real stock would come in. Go with the Savage. I don't have any experience with the Accutrigger, but everything I've heard and read has been good.

As for cheap scopes... I keep buying BSA's for cheap applications on guns I'm going to beat the hell out of. Somehow those cheap little scopes just keep on taking it and working well anyway. I'm starting to really like them, even if I probably wouldn't admit to that in public.

 

[Darth Ruger]

You just did.

 

[jbrodie7]

710

Im not positive on this so dont quote me and correct me if im wrong but Ive been told that once you shoot out a 710 barrel it cant be replaced. The gun is junk after that? Id go with the savage or a used 700 if u can find one, but thats just my 2 cents.

 

[ArmedBear]

Gun Tests just did a comparison of the 710 and the 111FCXP3 (non accu-trigger) package guns last month. If you sign up for a free trial, you can get the article. It is well worth a few bucks, anyway, especially for two people contemplating purchases in the hundreds of dollars.

http://www.gun-tests.com/

And do consider a Howa or Weatherby package. A non-cheapened gun with an adjustable trigger for the same price range.

For package guns, I'd say it's a race between Howa/Weatherby and Savage. The cool thing is that any of those guns are rifles you can keep forever or pass on to a young hunter one day. They're not junk.

I, personally, have had bad BSA experiences and won't buy another. But IMHO Simmons makes a damn good hunting scope for cheap.

 

[Ford]

Even if I am not on a budget I chose a Savage for a hunting rifle. For the money they cant be beat.

 

[Lonestar.45]

I'm a huge Remington fan. That said, I would skip the 710, sadly. Get the Savage with the Accutrigger, you won't be sorry.

 

[hoghunting]

Seems everyone agrees

I also agree: Skip the 710
Accu-trigger is worth the $50
For an inexpensive scope, Simmons isn't bad.
Checking gun shops for used rifles is also a good idea.

 

[greg531mi]

The Remington 710 is not made at the regular Remington plant in Iion, it is made in Kentucky with new machinist, and designed with shortcuts, and cost savings.....get the Savage or check out the Marlin.
Another choice is to go the Surplus route, a lot of deals on Russian guns out there, also Enfield's and Yugo 48's....You can get one for under $100, and add the scope later if they want....