So I've Got $800-$1000 for a Deer Rifle setup and I Need Your Help

[KP Texan]

By setup, I mean rifle and scope. I've pretty much settled on the .308 chambering so that difficult decision is out of the way. For the rifle, I was at first sold on the Tikka T3 and then I changed my mind over to the Thompson Center Icon w/ rebate. Now that I can't find much info on here about the Icon, I'm kind of worried about buying one. I also saw a few threads on here about issues with the Icon but T/C seems to have been top notch with their CS. For the scope, I was first set on the Leupold VX-II and then I switched over to the 3-9x40 Zeiss Conquest, but now I'm wondering if I should just get the Bushnell Elite 4200 since so many people love theirs and the price seems great (although it has a slight disadvantage for eye relief). The most economical option would be the Tikka T3 Lite and the Bushnell 4200; should be somewhere around $835. At the higher end of the spectrum, the Icon with Zeiss would be about $1050 (after $150 rebate on the Icon). I only hunt about once or twice a year, but I want a setup that will last for quite a few years and that I may eventually be able to pass down. That's what kind of bothers me about the Tikka; it has plastic parts and I'm only 28 right now so I don't see myself passing it down to my unborn son. I currently hunt with an old Remington 700 BDL in .243 and I want something different, so no 700s! I've been racking my brain with this decision so any input you guys could offer would be appreciated. :banghead:

Thanks so much,

Wes

 

[shooter_from_show-me]

Have you checked out the Savage line of rifles. Quality rifle, plus real accurate too!

 

[Justin Holder]

The Savage or Tikka are both good choices for a push feed rifle.

The Savage is your typical high quality American made rifle, but the Tikka's action is buttery smooth. Its a toss up.

Don't worry about durability, I don't know if its possible to wear out a modern bolt action.

 

[KP Texan]

I've looked at pricing but have yet to shoulder a Savage. How is their customer service? For some reason, I much prefer the wood stocked Savages. What about one of these two?:

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/manufacturers_id/73/products_id/14444

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/manufacturers_id/73/products_id/14461

I like the 2nd one better but that puts me above the price of the Icon even!

Thanks,

Wes

 

[jpwilly]

Winchester 70 7mm-08 (or 308 if you must) for $665 shipped would be an awesome deer getter!

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/36_61/products_id/57512

 

[Steve H]

I'm probably to the point in life where I will not buy another deer/elk rifle, the 8 I have are plenty. BUT if I were to go out and want to get another I would think real hard about the Savage you are looking at. I have heard A LOT OF GOOD about it.

 

[KP Texan]

Is that particular Model 70 Featherweight one of the ones being made at the new factory? I've always loved Model 70s (used to get the Winchester catalog every year as a kid) but I can't quite figure out where Winchester is going right now. I was disappointed to see that their New haven plant shut down but I've heard a few good things about their newer rifles too (I think they're made in Columbia, SC?).

 

[IBEWBULL]

My wife and I picked up a Savage Mod.14 Classic in .308 about a year ago.
Mounted an old scope we had on hand on it Bushnell 4-12
just got it zeroed last month and have not been shooting any long shots, just 100 yards out back.
The fit and finish is great to say the least.
There was a time where Savage had cheap hardwood stocks and I am happy to say they have changed their ways somewhat. The wood is really nice on this one.
I also have an older 99 Savage ein .300 Savage reblued and scoped by someone in the past. I like the fit of the 99 and did some really great running shots with my iron sighted one, but need the scope to be more efficient at longer range and in the shadows.
I has a nice Ruger light weight in .308 but sold it a while back.
I like the .308 because of the availability of ammo and it is a great round for deer.
The .300 Savage Is all I need here for deer but takes a bit of looking for so I have plenty on hand.
I hope you do not forget the 30-06 whan looking for the heirloom to pass on.
The 06 will never let you down and it's ammo is always on a shelf somewhere.
The "new" short magnums are another flash in the pan as far as I am concerned.
Look at some of the failed gimmicks in the past, 307 Winchester comes to mind 6MM
.222 Rem. Just my opinion and we all have our priorities.wants and needs.
I lean heavily on buying American, we need to keep the engine of our republic running.

 

[Geno]

M70 Featherweight and a Leupold Vari-X II in 2-7 or 3-9.

Weatherby Vanguard and a Leupold Vari-X II in 2-7 or 3-9.

Geno

 

[bpl]

I would get the new M70 Featherweight in 308 if I were you. As an aside, I bought a new M70 Featherweight in 243 a couple of months ago for $599 at Gander Mountain. They had them in 308 for the same price at the time. CDNN has them for a bit more, but still a good price. The new Model 70's are the nicest rifles in that price range hands down, IMO. I have an M70 Extreme Weather SS in 30-06 as well. Great rifles!

 

[nelsonal]

I'm planning a Valdada-IOR scope on a Savage for next hunting season, shooting for a pricepoint similar to yours (it's a fixed power scope) if your considering different glass.

 

[Lloyd Smale]

Id go with a model 7 rem and a 2x7 3200. Ive got a stainless one with a 2x7 redfeild. Love the gun not so much the scope. Its shoots about everything under an inch at a 100 yards and is light and handy.

 

[VAhuntr]

KP Texan,

I recently purchased a T/C Icon Weathershield in 308. I had problems with the first rifle extracting fired cases. Long story short, T/C replaced the rifle for free, paid for shipping the rifle, and threw in a free magazine. The new Icon has performed flawlessly and seems to be every bit as accurate as T/C claims.

I think if you look around you could find the Icon cheaper than you think. Mine was $549 before the rebate. Just got the $150 rebate check last week, so I have $399 in the rifle now. Throw in a $399 Zeiss Conquest 3-9x40 and some $30 Warne rings....$830 plus tax.

I can put you in contact with a dealer in Virginia that has Weathershield Icons in 308 Win with the black or camo stock for $599. Not sure what shipping would be or if they would be willing to ship. PM me if you want the number.

 

[unwise11]

Howa M-1500 .308 Winchester.
cost into the pictured setup. $630.00 Plus another bipod that was 80. came with the scope. a Nikko Stirling Gameking 3.5-10x44 IR scope. the rings I put on are Warne brand steel rings. to replace the cheapo ones that it comes with.
also comes with an EGW picatinni 20 MOA riser. I think. Might be 0 MOA.
good buy. check em out.

[/IMG]

Hornady superformance 150 grain SST. 100 yds.

[/IMG]

Wolf 150 grain FMJ. 100 yards.

[/IMG]

 

[KP Texan]

Wow, you guys have really got me thinking about that M70 featherweight.... and the 7mm-08. I thought I was done selecting my caliber but after looking into the 7mm-08 it seems like a real solid chambering; most sources are saying it's every bit as capable as the .308 but with lighter recoil and flatter trajectory to boot! My only concerns are: ammunition cost/availability and is it here to stay? I would say that it's here to stay because it seems like a fairly popular cartridge and from what I can tell has been around for 30 years. What I don't know is how much the ammunition costs and if it is readily available. To be honest, I've never paid much attention to it! Also, I thought the Featherweight would be too light but it's actually heavier than the T3 Lite.

I'm thinking about this package: M70 Featherweight in 7mm-08 and Bushnell Elite 4200 3-9x40. This is well within my price range and should be a pretty good combo.

Thanks so much,

Wes

 

[Skylerbone]

KP, whatever you choose, make it one you love. I've had my 700 for 20 years next month and I'd say when my oldest is ready it will be his and none the worse for wear (excepting perhaps a new barrel). At your age .308 recoil shouldn't be much of a concern but you may want to budget for a good aftermarket pad and any extras you can think of.

While my father has an amazing collection to hand down some day (and only one son, your's truly) the only one I'm smitten with is an old Iver Johnson Champion .410 single-shot. It's the least valuable, oldest and most worn of the bunch but it speaks to me like no coated in plastic or stainless steel firearm ever could.

I agree that M70 combo sounds like a dead ringer for an heirloom piece to be proud of just take care that Remington doesn't get lost in the safe. One oops moment for me and the missus netted us baby number 3 and boy number 2. I guess they'll have to fight over my collection some day.

PS, I'd fire form some good factory brass and reload after spending that kind of coin. You'll have the rifle and glass potential for accuracy, why not wring out the rest with your own load?

 

[sgtcauthon]

KP,
I have been in the Marines for ten years, I also work part time at the gun counter at Dicks Sporting Goods. While I agree that 7mm-08 is a great round and very similar, in ballistics, to the .270 it is very hard to find. I haven't seen it in our store, or anywhere else for that matter. However .308 is a great round. Think about it like this. The hardest game on earth to hunt is a terrorist. Our snipers use M40A3 rifles in .308. The M40A3 is just a tricked out Remington 700. It won't cost you an arm and a leg, and you get a good rifle. Plus you could do some work on it with what you save. I also highly recomend the Ruger M77 Hawkeye. I have one in 25-06 and it it an awesome rifle and round. Hope it helps.

 

[KP Texan]

Thanks for all the input. Like I said earlier, I was all set on the .308 but now I'm seriously second guessing myself. Reason being is that 90% of my hunting will be deer and the other 10% something else. I have some in-laws who like to Elk hunt, and there is a decent probability that I may be invited. I don't have the funds to simply drop another $1000 on a rifle if I do happen get invited on an Elk hunt. I know this may sound cheap to some, but that's just the way it is. In all of my research on the .308 and the 7mm-08, there are very few who say they are a "good Elk cartridge". Some say they work fine, others say they work okay but then qualify that with a certain set of conditions, and then some outright say it's a bad idea. Those aren't really confidence instilling comments to me. Another thing that worries me about the 7mm-08 is ammunition availability; I want to be able to go into a gas station in a small Texas deer hunting town and find the ammunition on the shelf (this will probably never be needed since I always bring enough ammo, but you catch my drift). I've always loved the 30-06 but I think it is a bit much for Texas Whitetail. Taking all of this into consideration, I think the ideal chambering for my purpose is the .270 Winchester!!! Legendary, flat shooting, caliber, that is ideal for deer and is also considered a good Elk round within reasonable ranges. I know many guys who hunt deer with this round and have yet to hear anything bad about it. My Dad does not own a .270, but I always remember him saying "that .270 is a darn good caliber".

I think I should go with this rifle: http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/manufacturers_id/23/products_id/57529

-Wes

 

[Skylerbone]

KP, Hornady provides their "HITS Calculator" that may be of help. You input the desired cartridge caliber, bullet weight and velocity (easily found in reloading tables or at Hornady's site for factory loaded ammo) and the chart gives you a score. You can then match that score or HITS number with game it is suitable for. You'll have a reasonable guideline on how much gun you'll need to bring.

Best of luck and stay safe.

 

[Robert Wilson]

If I was starting out from zero and had $1000 to spend, I'd find a used bolt action rifle for $200, mount a Leupold 4X on it for $300, and spend $500 on a good binocular.

 

[bpl]

A new M70 in 270 is a most excellent choice for your needs!

 

[GMHAYESUSN]

Might wanna take a look at some of the CZ series rifles

 

[Roastbeef]

.308 is the best caliber to hunt all game. .270 is a good round but it limits you hunting in the mountains and larger game. If it's just deer, .270 is great but .308 is much better for large game and it's knockdown power. I own a Tikka t3 Lite in 308 with Stainless barrel and a Nikon Monarch 4-12x50 rangefinder scope. If you are hunting elk with 308, it's nice to know that if you come across a brown bear or grizzly, then you have a caliber that can take that bear down. Keep in mind, elk is hunted by the bear also. I have seen plenty of .308 caliber ammo here in Texas at reasonable prices.

 

[sleepyone]

I hate to stir the pot, but I believe a .270 will take anything a .308 will take with just as much authority. There just is not much difference in the two. While .270 is a great elk cartridge according to many people who take elk with theirs every year, being in Texas, I would want something a little bigger if I had paid big bucks for an elk hunt that might be my only one I would ever take.

Many people who hunt bear will also disagree that .308 is a good bear cartridge. It will do it, but with not near the authority of a .300 or .338 win mag or larger. Shot placement is always critical but even more so when shooting dangerous game with a border line caliber. IMHO

 

[wankerjake]

I hate to stir the pot, but I believe a .270 will take anything a .308 will take with just as much authority.

Agreed. Either one will do fine, and ammo is relatively cheap and plentiful. I'm all about Winchester model 70s, but the Tikkas are nice too. I just put a Nikon Monarch on my Model 70 .243 and I like it so far. Deer season is in two weeks and it will prove it's a worthy scope (hopefully).