Looking for a new woods gun.

[~Abstract~]

I'm looking for a new bolt-action hunting rifle.

Only interested in .308...trying to keep the caliber footprint small.

Camo Synthetic stock
Stainless Steel barrel and receiver

...and the kicker...

around $400.


What can you recommend?

 

[Abel]

The Tikka T3 costs a little more, but othwise it's what you want.

http://www.tikka.fi/t3models.php?camoss

I think a Savage Axis in camo is cheaper, but not stainless. The stainless Axis is black.

http://www.savagearms.com/firearms/model/axiscamo

 

[The_Armed_Therapist]

Well, the Remington 770 is the only one that comes to mind that comes in both a camo synthetic stock and a stainless barrel. However, not many here are going to recommend the 770. You can probably find one for a tad over $300, though.

The Mossberg 100ATR comes in RealTree camo, but not in stainless that I know of. Similarly with the Savage Axis... can come in camo, but I don't think in stainless.

I don't think the other "Sub-$400" options offer either. However, that isn't spekaing of used rifles no longer in production, or even more expensive rifles selling used for sub-$400.

 

[allaroundhunter]

Possibly a used Remington 700 SPS Buckmasters.....

Nevermind, just checked on it and it has a matte black barrel and action.

 

[hardluk1]

Think used.

 

[NeuseRvrRat]

camo stock and a shiny SS barrel, eh?

i'd just find a pawn shop synthetic stock and matte barrel rifle, tape off the muzzle and action, and rattle can that bad boy with some leaves and pinestraw and stuff.

 

[Texaszach]

I have seen camo/stainless savage axis rifles at dicks sporting goods.

 

[jmr40]

You ain't gonna find everything you want, at that price. I'd buy the best quality gun I could get for the money with an eye toward modifying it later as funds improve. I know you want find a factory camo stock, and the cheapest SS gun is going to be over your $400 budget. I've seen a few Remington SS ADL's for around $469 or so.

Sometimes used stainless Rugers pop up close to that price. It won't be a camo stock, but that is the 1st requirement I'd learn to live without. Or buy a few cans of Krylon. I'd also 2nd the Tikka suggestion if you can find one used.

Of the cheaper new guns I'm most impressed with the TC Venture. Amazing triggers, and I've yet to find anyone who has bought one that wasn't a tackdriver. Not stainless or camo, but a good gun. If on a budget I'd find a way to get $450 for this gun and forget SS and camo.

For a woods gun mount a low powered scope on it, either a 1-4 or 2-7. You might even consider having the barrel chopped to around 19-20" to maneuver a little easier.

 

[Armored farmer]

H&R Survivor??

 

[Hunterdad]

I think you might get close to what you want if you look at the Marlin X series of rifles.

 

[sammyspizza]

get a ishapore 2a1 enfield jungle carbine in 308. it's my woods gun. very fast action, and 10rd mags

 

[~Abstract~]

Thanks for the replies!

Bought a Savage Axis Stainless XP

Found it for $300 out the door...no camo, but a few bucks on spray paint and I should be good to go.


Anyone have any links on how to do that "properly"?

 

[NeuseRvrRat]

just use some mineral spirits or something to remove any oils off the stock. spray it with some rattle cans however you want. it'll probably get scratches, but you can just touch it up if you need to. i wouldn't put much time or money in a rattle can paint job on that cheap tupperware stock.

 

[~Abstract~]

Should I sand the stock?

What do I need to tape off as far as the action goes? Just the muzzle and the hole the spent shells come out thru?

 

[~Abstract~]

Should I remove the action and barrel from the stock?

I'd like to paint everything...including the scope.

 

[HorseSoldier]

It's a pretty cut and dried process. If you google painting rifles you can find assorted directions, but all boil down to taping off anything you don't want to get paint on and then going to town. I usually do a mixed base coat of dark brown and olive green, and then use some grass, leaves or whatever (to go really high end buy some raffia at Walmart for $2.00 or so) with tan paint to reverse stencil foliage patterns on. This gives a good, blending pattern for woodlands -- mileage may vary with your environment.

 

[NeuseRvrRat]

you can leave it in the stock or pull it out. won't make a difference.

tape off the ejection port, the muzzle, the magnification settings on your scope, the scope lenses. i'd tape off the red dot that indicates safety position or paint it back red after i was done. i wouldn't bother sanding.

may i ask why you paid the premium for the SS bbl just to paint over it?

 

[~Abstract~]

I've got a 700SPS that flashed a bunch of rust last year from just taking it inside after a particularly cold morning.

I'm gonna be in the woods for about 3 days minimum this year...and no telling what the weather will be like. I'm just wanting the most stable metal I can find. I won't be painting the bore so SS seems like the best option.



tl;dr...I just wanted a cheap gun for knocking around...one I don't need to worry about...ever.

 

[NeuseRvrRat]

skip proper maintenance on that stainless bore and it will rust too