What 2nd rifle to buy?

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draxxus

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Hiya,

Awhile ago I bought a ruger .22 and have been loving it. I'm ready for something more powerful though. With a budget of around $400, I checked out the remington 710 and apparently you guys don't like it so much. .30-.06 was what caught my eye though.

What would you guys suggest? I live in California, and would rather not be spending loads of cash on bullets (I've been spoiled on these 500rd boxes of .22 for $8.99) I don't expect the new ammunition to be that cheap.

Thanks fellas.
 
I would highly suggest a package rifle/scope by savage in 308. may be the last bolt rifle you'll ever need. it will also be accurate, Savage makes a great bbl.
I think there are some savages in the for sale threads here!
 
I second rangerruck's suggestion. I doubt there a better rifle for the money, and you'd have to spend much, much, more money to get something better. My only other suggestion is a levergun in a handgun caliber like 45 LC, 44 Mag, or 357/38 if you already have a revolver so chambered.
 
It would really be hard to beat the Savages, they offer a lot of bang for the buck. Either 30-06/308/223 offer access to surplus (cheap) ammo.
 
With a $400 budget I would recommend a Stephens(Savage) rifle in .308. That way you also have enough money to get a decent scope.
 
Swiss K31! Very sweet rifles, they are.

Really it's hard to give you advice without you telling us what you want the rifle for or what you want it to do. Otherwise, we're just giving you our opinions of what strikes us at the moment.

Oh, and welcome to THR! ;)
 
How much more power do you need? If you are just target shooting, you can get a bolt action in .223 and shoot the heck out of it (low ammo cost). Its more powerful than the .22 LR, yet the ammo is common and affordable. The other choice, if you want a LOT more power, would probably be a .308-- you can find good prices on bulk ammo.
 
I wouldn't count on cheap surplus .308 forever. The supply seems to be drying up lately. And if the the UN small arms treaty ends up going through (even if we don't sign it) the days of cheap surplus rifles and surplus ammo will be over.
 
The Savage is a good choice. You might also look at a CZ 527 American in .223 Remington.

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image from CZ's website

You can probably find one locally (if they are legal in CA?) but they sell for $450-500 online (Whittaker Guns or Buds Gun Shop). You might be able to find a used one for less. If you don't have the money for a scope yet, they offer two versions with open sights (Lux and Carbine) that are still near your price range. If you could save up a little bit, that would be my suggestion. CZ makes very nice products, good value. I'm looking at a third in .223 myself.

jmm

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What do you want to use it for?
It sucks that you live behind enemy lines ruling out most of the fun guns :mad:
Are mini-14s still legal there?
 
It's for target shooting. A friend of mine is trying to get me into hunting though, so I'd like to keep my selection open for that. It'll be medium game (deer right?)

Thanks guys.

I'm checking out all your suggestions now.
 
Draxxus,

Take a look at a Stephens Model 200, they're the "economy" Savage. Bud's Gunshop has them $252.43, but I don't know what dealers there charge for a transfer. They're available in standard chamberings, including the .223, .308, and 30-06 for afforementioned mil-surp ammo use. If you're hunting deer anything from .223 up will work. If your medium game hunting includes hogs which are medium/borderline heavy you may want to go .260/6.5mm or heavier. A 308 or 30-06 will handle all meduim and most borderline heavier game very well.
 
Like any other tool, the first question has to be, "What are you going to use it for?" - And I see you did address that. To be duel purpose, that is to hunt and shoot targets, I would go larger than the .223. The .308 caliber has been offered up a lot here and I suppose that is a good choice. It is probably one of the cheaper calibers currently. Ammo prices, like gas, have a way of equalizing and eventually only going higher. Savage is an OK firearm but there is a world of EXCELLENT used bolt action rifles out there. Check here first. then try several other on line auctions or local gun stores. (I don't know how they are in CA these days) Unless abused or misused a gun doesn't go bad. I would much prefer a used model 70 Win., Tikka, or something else. But, that is just my own prejudice in brand name snobbery.
 
Not a 710

Not the 710!!! Stay away the trigger guards are a cheap plastic and if you bust it on a rock you are screwed. They were made to be budget guns for guys walking into the store and going goo-goo over the cheap price tag for a remington gun. I would however suggest a remington 700 chambered in a 270 win. Its been a great gun for me and wil continue to be for many generations to come. The savage however is another good one to look at. The acue trigger is very user friendly and you will love the feel of it. Its alot like pulling the trigger on a glock. Just stay away from the 710 no matter what the price tag does to you!!
- Gunslinger15
 
I agree with the others who say buy a Savage package rifle in 308. It will definetely serve in target shooting and hunting deer.
 
I have been eyeing the HOWA M1500, have heard lots of good things about them. I am getting one soon from a local shop for like 399$ before tax, and it comes with a semigood scope. . . just my take on it. Getting it in .223 however they make it in many cals.

-Dune
 
For a rifle that will be used for hunting I'd get something bigger than .223. .308 has a ton of loads available and is reasonably priced. Savages sound like good guns. I have a bias towards the Rem. model 700. You might have to look around to find one around $400 though. A quick search found some, here's one example: http://www.gunsamerica.com/guns/976593845.htm
I'd check your local gun shops first though. Shipping and FFL transfers will raise the price, plus they may cut you a deal on an optic and mounts if you buy everything at one place.
 
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