Next Purchase

[mooner]

I saw a used Savage 110 in 270 win the other day for $250. It was a pre accutrigger and didn't look like it had been fired much. Also had a walnut stock with a few dings in it, nothing major. Would clean up nice. The most surprising thing is it was at a Gander Mountain! They never have any deals!

 

[brnmuenchow]

Depending on your budget I would suggest either a Mosin Nagant M91/30 PU Sniper for a scoped target/ hunting rifle or an SKS also scoped for 200+ yd shots. for the price of the scoped guns you will save a small fortune in ammo (Even using the commercial SP's for 7.62X54R & 7.62X39mm is still cheaper than buying premium ammo.)

 

[The_Armed_Therapist]

Yeah, I'm really interested in the K31 now, too. I'm still cautious of the ammo cost, but am very curious about the straight pull bolt action. I'll try to hit up some gun stores this weekend and see if I can track one down.

 

[The_Armed_Therapist]

I purposely exaggerated my budget a bit because I wanted to stay objective as far as the debate between the older military rifles and the newer, low-end, hunting rifles. I've seen Savage 10s/110s for $350-$400 (it's awesome that they've been listed for even less!) and I'm still considering that route. But for now, I want to sort out in my mind what the best option would be based upon the criteria I listed here, then compare it to the Savage 10. I've also seen Remington 700s for sub-$400, which I'm guessing is a comparable to the Savage 10. Basically, I'm not trying to pinch pennies, but look as closely as I can at quality from ground, up, and deciding where my cut-off is going to be. I hope this makes sense... I'm in a hurry at the moment and fear it might not. HAHA

 

[meanmrmustard]

Something else. Lover Savages but the Axis has a super flimsy stock, and heavy trigger. The Rem 770 should be avoided at ALL COSTS. The Mosin is fun but heavy, bulky and not up to par in the accuracy department, the Mausers are great but by time you get a good one and restore/retrofit it you are deep in the $$$$.
On a tight budget your best bet is a T3 or Savage 110, both are top notch and are easy on the wallet. If you are on a super tight budget and have to be less then $350 scope and all I would go with the Mossberg ATR though I have never regretted spending the extra $30 on my Savage 110.

I dont know about $700 being easy on the wallet!

 

[Kachok]

$700!!! Heck no, I have never paid nearly that much for a rifle, not even close, I bought NIB Rem 700 CDL for $363, Tikka T3 Stainless for $408, and my Savage 11 was my record $450. My other rifles were between $125 and $380

 

[meanmrmustard]

$700!!! Heck no, I have never paid nearly that much for a rifle, not even close, the most I have ever paid for any NIB rifle was $450. I look for bargins or nagotiate on higher end rifles.

Smart man. They're that much new round these parts, idk about pre owned. May have to look into that.
Personally, I'm digging a Mauser.

 

[Kachok]

I am a salesman by trade, I am good at finding bargins and nagotiation, I cannot ever recall paying retail for any big ticket item. You would hate me if I told you what I pay for my vehicles

 

[almherdfan]

I recently purchased a Savage Axis .223. Love this thing.

 

[meanmrmustard]

I am a salesman by trade, I am good at finding bargins and nagotiation, I cannot ever recall paying retail for any big ticket item. You would hate me if I told you what I pay for my vehicles

Most likely. But, then again, my ride is a 96 S10 4x4 with 190,000 miles. I envy everyone!

 

[Kachok]

Most likely. But, then again, my ride is a 96 S10 4x4 with 190,000 miles. I envy everyone!

Oh that is nothing, my car had 340,000 miles when I finnaly sold it, and my truck has 207,000 and I don't envy anyone's ride because mine are paid for before I ever leave the dealership

 

[meanmrmustard]

Oh that is nothing, my car had 340,000 miles when I finnaly sold it, and my truck has 207,000 and I don't envy anyone's ride because mine are paid for before I ever leave the dealership

You are a man of the world, Kachok.

Forgive me not using the search, but is the T3 s trigger adjustable?

 

[Kachok]

You are a man of the world, Kachok.

Forgive me not using the search, but is the T3 s trigger adjustable?

Yes it can be turned down to 2lbs and still break crisp. IMHO it is the best factory trigger out there, I like it even more then the accutrigger.

 

[snakeman]

Howa m1500 or weatherby vanguard s2

 

[Ar180shooter]

Savage 111 XP or Stevens Model 200.

 

[Kachok]

Lots of good choices listed here, most of which I completlty agree with, just remember to shoulder whichever rifle you like before ordering one. I absolulty love the Weatherby/Howa reputation but when I actualy shoulderd the rifle it was just too big and bulky for me. The best shooting rifle is going to be the one that you are comfortable shooting.

 

[The_Armed_Therapist]

I actually kinda prefer bigger, bulkier, and heavier. Looking at the modern, cheaper rifles, I'm naturally inclined to lean towards the Mossberg 4x4 because it is a 24" barrel compared to the 22" barrels of the others. It's also a little heavier, of course. I owned a Mosin for a while and liked it for the same reason. Garand, too. The three that I already currently have are all smaller and lighter.

 

[Kachok]

Heavy rifles are great in a treestand, but for stalk hunts I'll take my 6lbs Tikka over the heavy/bulky guns without a doubt.

 

[Buck Kramer]

Everyone needs a mosin, a close second would be a k31 (even though I don't have one yet)

 

[Ignition Override]

FreedomFreak:
Even a pretty small gun show (all of ours are small) often has at least one K-31.

About a year ago, an Italian guy who has buddies in Switzerland stated that the Swiss government has vast amounts of GP-11 ammo.
Maybe they will continue exporting it to the US.

 

[longrange308]

I have three 1895 Chilean Mausers chambered in 7X57 (not for sale), I think you should look for one of these as they are great rifles, especially for hunting. 7X57 Mauser is a great caliber.

 

[Bobson]

Something else. Lover Savages but the Axis has a super flimsy stock, and heavy trigger. The Rem 770 should be avoided at ALL COSTS.

I agree the stock feels pretty low quality (feels hollow), but it actually is an acceptably durable stock, IMHO. The Savage Axis trigger feels just fine to me.

Honestly, I find the Savage Axis rifles to be an exceptional value for the price, given their durability and accuracy. I'll continue to recommend them to anyone and everyone searching for a quality budget rifle.

I fully agree with your opinion of the Remington 770.

 

[35 Whelen]

Take a look at the K31.

^^^^
This.

Yeah, I'm really interested in the K31 now, too. I'm still cautious of the ammo cost, but am very curious about the straight pull bolt action. I'll try to hit up some gun stores this weekend and see if I can track one down.

The workmanship of the metal on the rifles is unbelieveable, much like a well made commercial rifle. GP-11 is by all rights match grade ammo (that coming from a 30+ year handloader) and sells for about 50¢ per round. Prvi, which is pretty good ammunition itself, sells for about $14 a box last I checked.

35W

 

[Bushpilot]

Milsurp bolt guns are great but if you have any idea of putting a scope on it just skip the milsurp and buy an inexpensive sporter. There are many models out there to chose from in the $200-500 range, both used and new, and most of them are going to be as or more accurate than most milsurps and chambered for cartridges that are likely to have a better hunting bullet selection and availability in most cases.