Irrational rifle decision

[steve_twice]

Trying to decide on a rifle and let me be right upfront in saying this will not be an entirely rational decision. I want something practical for Texas whitetails and small hogs but also a little different than your standard A-bolt or 700. I’ll be shooting this rifle for a while and eventually handing it down to my son as his first rifle.

I really like the look of stainless on wood and two that have caught my eye are the Weatherby Vanguard Sporter Stainless in .308 or .257, and the Remington 700 Mountain Rifle LSS in 7mm-08. Given that it’ll be my son’s first rifle I should probably look at the A-Bolt Micro in 7mm-08 but I just don’t find it very interesting. Like I said, logic is only part of the equation here.

In that $500-$700 price range what would you buy? I have looked at the Tikka’s and know they are fine rifles but they just don’t do it for me.

 

[roo_ster]

Hokay, you have, from my perspective, the following requirements:
1. Funky look. You mentioned stainless+wood
2. Whitetail & hog-worthy
3. Eventually be the first gun for a small shooter

Given the above requirements, have you investigated the Ruger line? Ruger makes some striking-looking rifles:
M77® Mark II · Target Grey® Frontier Rifle

Stainless & "black" laminate, yes, but still kind of an arresting look, IMO.

Also, you might want to consider their line of compact rifles, since it is to be a "first rifle" for somebody: 16 1/2" bbl, 6lbs, .308, 7mm-08, .260rem, .243win, .223

I'd think that the .260, 7mm-08, & .308 would be fine for hogs...the .260 being the best recoil-to-effectiveness choice.

Caliber:	.308 Win
Capacity:	4 Rounds
Finish:	Stainless
Stock:	Black Laminate
Barrel Length:	16 1/2"
Groove:	6
Twist:	1:10" RH
Overall Length:	35 1/2"
Weight:	6 lbs
California Approved:	N/A
Massachusetts Approved:	N/A
Front Sight(s):	None
Rear Sight(s):	None
Other Features:	Three-Position Manual Safety
Suggested Retail Price:	$773.00
Miscellaneous:	Compact

Good luck.

 

[ArmedBear]

I like my Vanguard Sporter in .30-06 (blue, I don't think they made stainless when I bought it).

The Ruger Frontier Rifle is awfully nice, though. You probably won't let your son have it once you've bought it.

 

[trstafford]

Go for the Mountain Rifle in 7mm-08. Light and small enough for young men or women. Recoil is managable especially with light weight bullets. Will work for deer or boars

 

[wdlsguy]

For a young shooter, I'd go with a .243 Winchester, shooting 100 gr Nosler Partitions. Federal sells them as load number P243E. Plenty of oomph for hogs and deer.

 

[rbernie]

And now, for something completely different......

T/C Encore stainless with walnut stock in 308, with a 223 or 243 barrel added to the stable when you're ready to pass it along.

 

[Eightball]

If you can afford it, get the Weatherby. I've not heard anyone complain about 'em.

 

[db_tanker]

ALMOST in the same boat as rbernie...can I give a + .5?

Go with a Contender...same guys that make the Encore...and just a tad lighter...the Rynite stock in rifle form is almost perfect for a kid...


You have the choice of a 223, 22 Hornet, 30 WCF, 375 Winchester, 375 JDJ, 45-70, 44 Mag, 7-30 Waters...a few of these I have and the rest are on my "someday" list.

I can speak for the 30 WCF, 223, 44 Mag, 7-30 and 45-70...a TC makes for one heckuva nice tool-box.

Plus you can wean your kids on it with a nice rimfire barrel...I suggest the 17 HMR.

D

 

[LAK]

The Weatherby Vanguard is one of only two current production rifles that spark any interest in me. I think it would be a sound choice and should be readily found in the lower band of your price range.

--------------------------------------------

http://ussliberty.org
http://ssunitedstates.org

 

[Dale Taylor]

I gave son Vanguard 18+ years ago in 30-06. Has held up well. Start with 260 OR 7MM for less recoil for youth. He used BLR in 243 to start, but didn't stop hogs well. They sell in this area at Walmart for ~$400.[email protected]

 

[rbernie]

The Weatherby Vanguard is one of only two current production rifles that spark any interest in me.

I just acquired a blued Vanguard SubMOA in 308 (my second Vanguard purchase), and am super pleased with it. I went with the SubMOA because I liked the FiberLite stock, and it was no more expensive to get the SubMOA than to buy the basic Vanguard and upgrade the stock down the road. Finding a stainless Vanguard is a hard thing to do, however.

But if you want adaptable and unique and useful, the Encore is still a weiner.

 

[WYO]

You have no way of knowing if it will fit your son down the road, so you may as well get what you like. Also, if you anticipate your rifle serving double duty as a youth gun and then an adult gun, you may need to consider a spare stock. Takeoff stocks are pretty easy to find for 700's. I don't know about the Weatherbys.

 

[Mike Sr.]

Marlin XLR'S.

 

[America_without_liberals]

Why would you want to use stainless for a hunting situation?

I'm pretty sure that in TX you can hunt with anything you want, right? SKS - cheap, kick isn't anything like an 06 and will take down both animals you mentioned. I'm not from TX so someone else would have to tell you if this would follow the game laws.

 

[ArmedBear]

It's matte stainless. The Ruger is gray matte stainless. Neither gun should be a problem when hunting, unless, perhaps, you're hunting in the open against a very dark background or something.

 

[Gewehr98]

One word.

Howa.

 

[ArmedBear]

Howa.

They make the Weatherby actions. Good guns, either way.

Weatherby's barrels are typically a tad longer, and I like their stocks better. My Sporter's stock is really nice. Prices are comparable.

 

[rbernie]

Good point - the Howa and Vanguard use the same action but a different stock. I do not myself care for the Howa stock; the Vanguard fits me much better. But if the Howa fits you, it's a wee bit cheaper than the Vanguard...

 

[ArmedBear]

Currently on sale at a California chain:

Weatherby Vanguard package (blue/synthetic, not quite as nice as what steve wants, but useful for comparison):

$499 with hard case, sling, mounted Bushnell Banner 3-9x40, in caliber of your choice.

Howa 1500 w/ scope

$419 with mounted Nikko 3-9x40, caliber of your choice, no case or sling


All told, the price difference is a wash. I'd go with stock fit and barrel length preference, before worrying about a few bucks.

 

[Bullet Bob]

CZ 527 Carbine in 7.62x39. Your son can thank me later.

 

[CZguy]

You have no way of knowing if it will fit your son down the road, so you may as well get what you like. Also, if you anticipate your rifle serving double duty as a youth gun and then an adult gun, you may need to consider a spare stock. Takeoff stocks are pretty easy to find for 700's. I don't know about the Weatherbys.

+1, good logical advice.

 

[redneck2]

I'd suggest the Ruger. The shop I used to work in had a few of those. Light, kinda small. Good calibers. Mauser made in America.

Anything listed would do. Matter of personal preference. The only reason I'd shy away from the single shot is "hogs" in the first post.

 

[ArmedBear]

Weatherby sells a youth/compact Vanguard with a 20" barrel and a short action.

It's not pretty like the Sporter, or rust-resistant like stainless.

But it comes with two stocks, so it will serve as a youth gun now, and a lightweight gun later.

Not a bad deal, really, and it won't bum you out if your son trashes the youth stock.

 

[lionking]

I must say that the Ruger pictured looks interesting.Just wish more firearm companies would offer a wider selection for left hand,though even being left handed Ive adapted well to using a right handed bolt.

 

[FotoTomas]

Well I am happy with my WWII surplus Enfield #4 Mk1. My son will get that one and .303 british will handle both animals well. Can not get the cartridges at Wal-Mart though.

If I were to get a modern sporter then that Ruger with the forward mount really says something to me. I am thinking of one in .308 myself.