Deer Rifle Suggestions

[joebogey]

I have a Remington 742, a Marlin lever action 30/30, and a NEF 308 that I use to hunt deer.
I find myself using the 308 much more than either of the other two. But, I'm getting a hankering for something other than the single shot, something in a bolt action in 308 caliber.
Now guys, I'm not talkin a $600 to $700 gun here. I'm talkin about a 3 to $400 rifle. Doesn't have to be pretty, but does need to be functional and reliable. Must be capable of carrying a scope, and as I stated, I prefer 308 caliber.
Any suggestions as to what I should look at, or shy away from?
Thanks

 

[MrMurphy]

The Savage 110 "Package guns" come with a scope already (not a great one, but it works) and the rifle itself is a good, solid shooter.

A used Remington 700 ADL should be able to found for your price too, often with a scope attached. Both are bolt guns and available in .308.

 

[rbernie]

The Savage's pretty much define the 'cheap but still good' end of the bolt-action market. Tikka is also spoken of well, although I've not owned one myself.

Why not sell the 742 to help finance the new rifle? It'd help pay for a decent scope...

 

[Brian Williams]

If you can wait till Post season look for some of those "inaccurate" guns that caused the missed Deer. or get a savage

 

[joebogey]

rbernie

Why not sell the 742 to help finance the new rifle? It'd help pay for a decent scope...

That's my biggest problem. I never want to get rid of anything. LOL
I've owned the 742 for several years, and still on occasion, I'll hunt with it.
Same with the Marlin. It's the first deer rifle I ever owned and I just couldn't bring myself to part with it.

I actually enjoy hunting with the NEF single shot, maybe cause I know that one shot is all I'm probably gonna get. But the dang thing won't shoot milsurp ammo which would make it much cheaper to shoot in the off season.
I have some nice looking ammo, and can't use it cause the NEF won't eject it. I have to punch the casings out.
I've discussed with several different ones, and the only thing we can figure is that the surplus casings are thicker and don't contract the way factory ammo does. I've even had the chamber polished hoping it would give just enough tolerance to release the casings. But so far, no such luck.

Brian Williams

If you can wait till Post season look for some of those "inaccurate" guns that caused the missed Deer.

That would be my 742. LOL
I missed a nice 8 pointer on opening day. Had to be the gun. Ain't no way I would have misjudged the distance of that downhill shot.

 

[mustanger98]

Well, I'll tell you what I'm looking at, which is a Savage Model 11G (Hunter series). I'm looking at the left-handed version. This rifle wholesales in the Jerry's catalog for $349 and a few cents and comes with a hardwood stock and sights on the barrel. There's only a couple of dollars difference between Jerry's and Henry's. Don't know about Ellet. My dealer here tacks on $15/profit, $12/shipping, and sales tax. It comes in .243, 300WSM, .308, and three or four other chamberings.

 

[Art Eatman]

Back during the years when I actively had a table at local gunshows, I commonly tested the various trade-in rifles and pistols that came my way.

I really don't recall any used rifle that didn't group plenty tight enough to be a good hunting rifle. I've never had any guilt feelings about suggesting looking for a clean, used critter at a gunshow...

As long as the bore's clean and you can see that the throat doesn't show burning, any other flaws are just bargaining points.

$0.02, Art