Newbie looking for a hunting rifle

[jeepmor]

All,

I grew up around hunting, moved to the city, and dropped out of hunting for the past 20 years. I now tire of cholesterol laden beef and want to pick up hunting again. I am looking to purchase a rifle in the budget range to get started. I intend on hunting deer and elk, and whatever other tags they will grant me....

A licensed FFL friend said that the military mausers are a good bargain and very accurate. He mentioned the 8mm Mauser, specifically a Swedish model. I prefer to sporterize the rifle and mount a scope on it. So I don't want to buy anyone's collectors item then ruin the value. I missed the hunting season window this year and have plenty of time to make my selection and find the "right" rifle for my needs. I see the mausers can be had quite reasonably, but I would appreciate some help differentiating which is the best model.

I live in the Portland, OR area and plan on getting over to Eastern Oregon to do my hunting. So I guess my typical quarry will be mule deer. And of course, I want to be able to go varmint hunting with it too. Cause the world has too many coyotes and ground hogs that wont' be missed.

Regards, jeepmor

 

[dakotasin]

if you are going to sporterize a military gun, you won't save much over an economy model commercial sporting gun. i sported a military mauser earlier this year, and after tallying everything up, i came in at $325-ish, and still had the issue-stock and barrel (albeit much shorter). by the time you add on a decent stock - even a cheap one, you are easily into the low $400's.

my reccomendation is to look into a commercial sporter that fills your needs. peruse the used rifle racks for a remington 700 adl or savage 10/110 if you want to stay inexpensive. look to the 308 to handle your basic, 1-gun needs.

good luck.

 

[db_tanker]

+1 on the 308....even if you don't reload, the ammo is available to do just about anything with it.

Don't bother with a surplus mauser...go with a good Savage or even a Ruger MK II compact...they are a bit more...almost 500 but it looks like it would make a good little "mountain rifle". Savage Weather Warrior 16FSS would be a nice rifle as well...the savage weighs 6.5lbs and the MKII weighs 5.75...both without glass....since it would be a multi-use rifle, go with a nice 3-9x40...if you just plan on going mulie and elk hunting , then go with a good fixed 4x scope...try not to save money on glass...cheapest I would go with would be a Simmons Aetec or a Nikon. I would prefer a Leupold.

MTCW
D

 

[Rupestris]

For deer, the .308 in a bolt-action is about perfect. The Savage package (10 or 110) go for around $340 here.

That said, Don't overlook a Winchester 94 or Marlin 336 in .30-30. I own two 94's and paid under $200 for each, used but in great condition. The newer of the two was like new with only 20 rounds through it. Picked it up for $175 with Weaver scope rings attached.

Dunhams (sporting goods store) sells a Mosin Nagant 44 for $79 when you can catch 'em on sale. They also sell a synthetic sporter stock for it cheap. You'd be looking at rooughly $160 out the door with ammo. If there isn't a Dunhams out your way, some of the other stores might be comperable (Sports Authority, Big 5, Dicks, etc.).

Best of luck to ya.

 

[ruger270man]

ditto on a savage

 

[Werewolf]

+3 on the .308...

Take a look at the CZ line of centerfire rifles. They come in a wide variety of configurations and calibers. A standard hunting rifle can be had for street price of between $460 and $500 depending on where you are.

I've got a CZ-550 American in .308 with a Nikon 3-9X scope. Very handy, very accurate and is my favorite bolt gun.

The Savage package guns (This is the one I've got) are also a really good deal and for out of the box accuracy the Savage bolt guns just can't be beat IMO and most of them can be had for less than $500 with scope (Walmart is even cheaper - seen 'em for less than $400 on occasion). The Simmons scopes they come with will do the job though some disagree (mine works just fine) and the flimsy stock thing many complain about is not something I've experienced either - though to be honest I'm not a 1 MOA shooter even on a good day and I suspect one would have to be a really good shot to notice the flimsy stock complaint.

Lots'a choices out there in a hunting rifle - many NIB for a good price.

 

[sumpnz]

The Swedish Mausers were, AFIAK, all 6.5mm. The German, Turk, Yugo, Czech, etc Mausers were 8mm.

If you're on a budget for a hunting gun, I'd agree on the used Rem/Savage advise. Unless you happen into an already sporterized military Mauser, or someone gives you a non-sportered gun, you'll likely spend more money than on a decent used commercial gun.

 

[Red Tornado]

The 2 budget rifles I've been hearing the most good stuff about are the Stevens 200 and the Mossberg ATR. Both are available under $300 (I saw a Mossy ATR for $249, Stevens I'm not sure) and the reviews are good regarding accuracy and quality.

Add another +1 on the .308 for either rifle and you're good to go. However, someone needs to say 30-06, so I'll go that way.

Or, just check the THR rifle and shotgun sale board, there are some great deals there from time to time and get whatever is the best deal.

However, any caliber for Mule deer will be a bit much for groundhogs, although it will "kill 'em a lot".
RT

 

[jefnvk]

Savage/Remington/Mossberg/Winchester from Wal-Mart, in .308 or .30-06 or .270.

Much better suited for deer hunting than most sporterized guns, at not much more.

 

[MachIVshooter]

I'm going to give the same advise I issue to most budget-minded folks getting into hunting:

Ruger M77 Mk II .30-06 or 7mm Rem. Mag. and Nikon 3-9x. 'Round here, the Ruger's are $450-$500 new and come with scope rings. The Nikon Pro-staff 3-9x is ~$150 and is a good scope (unless you plan on shooting 600 yards)

 

[Cueball]

+3 on the .308...

...The Savage package guns (This is the one I've got) are also a really good deal and for out of the box accuracy the Savage bolt guns just can't be beat IMO and most of them can be had for less than $500 with scope (Walmart is even cheaper - seen 'em for less than $400 on occasion). The Simmons scopes they come with will do the job though some disagree (mine works just fine) and the flimsy stock thing many complain about is not something I've experienced either - though to be honest I'm not a 1 MOA shooter even on a good day and I suspect one would have to be a really good shot to notice the flimsy stock complaint.

Lots'a choices out there in a hunting rifle - many NIB for a good price.

+1 for the Savage. I got a package gun (Model 12FVXP) and it had a 4-12X40 AO scope on it and it works great. The whole package was under $450 and it shot great out of the box.