New deer rifle???s

[bartsitarski]

I decided to buy a new deer rifle for next season as my only gun purchase for the year. I want to spend less than $600 and I want a 30.06 or .308. Don't really care if it is new or used. Here is where I struggle and want your feedback. Up until now, I have been shooting my military Mauser 98s. My hunting rifle was a 1926 Polish K98 made into a sporter back in the 50's or 60's. I love the 98 action, but, not sure what else is out there... I went to Cabelas to look and talked to the sales clerk and he recommended the Remington 700 in different varieties as well as the Savage 110(?). He told me to stay away from the Remington 798 and flat out said that he would not sell it to me unless I specifically asked for it. Also, and feedback on Barska scopes?

 

[mio]

marlin bolt action i havent shot one bat have heard nothing but good things about them $325 new leaves you money for good glass

 

[rugerman]

I'd go with the savage, good gun, good out of the box accuracy and the accu-trigger is real nice and the price is right.

 

[NCsmitty]

I'm wondering why the salesman warned you away from the 798 Rem as it is a Zastava model 98 and is as reliable as any 98 can be? I favor the Rem 700 and should be available used at reasonable prices, especially after hunting season ends. The Savage is priced a little cheaper and has the advantage of caliber changes with just a barrel installation in most cases.
Another good one is the reasonably priced Weatherby Vangard and is worth taking a look at too.


NCsmitty

 

[Shawnee]

Here Ya go...

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=116941812


I am not associated with the gun or seller. Just happened to see it and remember it when I read your post. I would buy it myself in a half of a heartbeat if it were in a caliber I want.

By the way... thumbs down on Barska, bigtime.

Good Luck !

 

[06]

Used an '03 Springfield for 15 yrs in '06 and still have it. Have replaced it with a Ruger Md 77 in '06 with fiber stock. It is absolutely accurate and fires well-love it. I have several 51s in various "denominations" and you will not discern any difference in ballistics till out past deer hunting ranges. The drop difference is way less than an inch out to about 400 yds then the '06 does better. Use 308s if you want to use an inferior round-LOL. Seriously, both are fine rounds and will do better than most shooters. wc

 

[TCB in TN]

I would try to find a good used Browning BLR in .308. You can usually find them in your price range and they are both very good shooters, as well as handy, and beautiful rifles.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

Well, the general answer to your question is this:

We live in the golden age of turnbolt rifles - there are a veritable plethora of quality, affordable turnbolts, so that's the good news - your choices are many, and the value factor extremely high. The bad news is that your choices are many, making it tough to decide. Sticking with a turnbolt is a very good call, IMO. Current production includes:

1. Remington 700, in its many many varieties (submodels)
2. Remington Model Seven
3. Remington Spartan (Zastava) 798
4. Winchester 70 in several varieties
5. Browning A-bolt & X-bolt in many varieties
6. Tikka (Beretta) T3
7. Sako (Beretta) 75 & 85
8. Steyr Pro-Hunter & other models
9. Weatherby Mark V
10. Weatherby Vanguard
11. Howa 1500 (same as Weatherby Vanguard)
12. T/C Icon
13. Savage 10, 11, 12, 14, 110, 111, 112, 114, in its many varieties
14. S&W I-Bolt
15. Izhmash bolt rifles (Sobol, etc.)
16. FN Herstal (.308 only, I believe)
17. Marlin XL-7
18. Mossberg 4x4 & ATR
19. CZ 550
20. Remington 710 / 715 / 770 / Whitetail Hunter
21. Kimber 84
22. Custom & semi-custom jobs like Cooper & Others....

In the "Less than $600 category", if buying new, not used, you're best off, IMO, looking at a CZ 550, Tikka T3, Howa 1500, Weatherby Vanguard, Remington 700 SPS, or one of the Savage models. PM me for details on why. Maybe a Zastava/Spartan 798, but it wouldn't be my first choice. CZ 550 may come in *just* under that price, or just a tad over that price, but it's probably the best rifle in this general category. Neither it nor the Tikka T3 would make the "under $550" category as the others would. Nor would high-end Vanguards.

If buying USED in the under $600 category, then I'd look at a Browning A-bolt, Remington 700 BDL or CDL, Remington Seven, or T/C Icon as my first choices (note: this does not include the Rem 710/715/770). Better yet, if you can find a Sako or Steyr in your price range, that'd be the way to go. There are probably precious few T/C Icons available used at this point, but if you can find one, it's a heck of a rifle, with the 60 deg bolt throw, like the Browning A-Bolt.

 

[mgregg85]

Savage rifles tend to be the most accurate for the best price. The accutrigger works very well.

 

[bartsitarski]

Thanks for the advice everyone!

 

[bpl]

Are you sure it wasn't the Rem 770 he was warning you away from?

 

[trlcavscout]

Definitley Savage or even stevens, I have a stevens 223 and its awsome, my coyote hunting buddy has a stevens 308 and its never let him down. Savage is probably my favorite.

 

[bartsitarski]

Yeah, I am sure that it wasn't the 770. His reasoning for going away from the 798 was because of the gritty action.... That is a mauser trait. Some are better than others, but, all Mauser actions that I have handled had gritty actions unless they were really worked in or cost $10,000. I really appreciate PremiumSauces's response... Talk about detail!!! Thanks again!!!

 

[oregonhunter]

nothing better then a mauser action.

 

[bartsitarski]

nothing better then a mauser action.

I know, that's why it threw me off. Maybe if the gun shot all over the place out of the box, or, if the quality of the gun was poor, I could see him telling me to stay away. His reason was because the action is gritty.

 

[Bear70]

I have worked the action of the 798 and it too made me give it back to the salesman and say "no thanks". It is just a mindset thing. After handling my 721 made in 1950 and 700BDL made in 1978 the actions have been worked so much they are smooth as silk. The 798 feels like the action of a surplus K98. It probably is just fine though.
Anyway, to answer your question I would highly recommend an older Rem 700. If you want new and are wanting to find a mauser action get a CZ.