What good ole' (used, affordable) bolt gun should I get?

[Kirk_Ferentz]

I thought that I would go with a new Savage 116FCSS for a more modern rifle for my medium/big game bolt gun. But I have been thinking about picking up a quality used bolt gun instead, and saving a few bucks.

My specs are that I want it in 30-06 and I want it to be "pretty" accurate up to say 500 yards. I do not need sub MOA accuracy at 1,000 yards -- I am not a sniper. I just want to know that I can take moderately long shots at medium/big game if I practice enough, and I will know where the bullet will go. I also want it to be able to take a scope with a standard ring set up that is stable and will allow me to mount the scope as low as possible. Last, I want it to be tough and something that I can trust.

I started looking at some of the less-sought-after Winchester Model 70s. I also have an old sporterized enfield rifle in the family that might work (I'm not sure how good they are, and I'm not sure how much work and $ has to go into getting a scope on one). But I'd like suggestions as to what you think are good deals that meet my specs in terms of tried and true old bolt guns.

 

[ironworkerwill]

Id find a used savage every one I've ever owned were great shooters. If you want a quality gun, Ruger makes purdy ones.

 

[Steel Horse Rider]

I prefer many of the military surplus rifles over the commercially made versions but I you want exclusively a 30-06 then you are pretty well limited to a 1903 Springfield version for mil-surp. If you mean "similar to" the 30-06 then the field widens to the Mauser family, the Mosin (which will start a huge argument about accuracy!!), and the 7.7 Arisaka any of which would fulfill your needs in stock or rebarreled form. Well, I probably wouldn't rebarrel a Mosin.......

 

[Kirk_Ferentz]

Actually, it seems like there are a lot of old military guns in 30-06. As I said, I have an old (American) Enfield rifle in the family ... that is in '06. It looks like there are a lot of mausers (at least FNs) chambered in 30-06, and I saw some other various old military bolt guns in that caliber, such as a manlicher I think.

What do you prefer about the military guns vs. a nice civilian hunting rifle?

Any idea how much it usually costs to have them drilled for scope mounts?

 

[C-grunt]

Any of the big manufacturers are going to produce a rifle that is accurate enough for your needs. I recently picked up a nice Remington 700 270 for a good price.

 

[gamestalker]

I've seen bottom of the line Savages produce 1/2" MOA right out of the box. As for used one's, though they might not have been kept clean, most haven't been fired enough to be considered broken in yet. The average hunter doesn't run more than 8 or 10 boxes of rounds through them before deciding to sell them. Having worked in a firearm retail store this seemed to be a rather common senario.
Although a used Rem 700 is also a good rifle, and can be found quite affordable too.
GS

 

[Screamin'Eagle]

Just search for preowned quality guns. If you want a new budget gun, I like my Axis.

 

[jmr40]

I started looking at some of the less-sought-after Winchester Model 70s. I

The 1st thought is usually the best. The older pushfeed Winchesters can be found pretty cheap and are one of the best bargains in used rifles. You should be able to find one for about the same price or less than the current crop of disposable rifles all the current manufacturers are producing. You'll have a much better gun for less money.

 

[Steel Horse Rider]

I like the old military weapons due to the solid feel of the actions. Most military rifles were manufactured under much higher standards than most of the modern mass produced rifles available today in the low to medium price range, in my opinion. I have a Savage Model 10, and it is nice but the action cannot compare to my Husquavarna 6.5 x 55 Swiss Mauser, the Swiss K-31, my 1903A3, my Czech Mauser, or even my trio of Arisaka's in 7.7 and 6.5. a while I love shooting my Remington 788's they are not as solid or smooth as the military versions. I recently picked up a K-31 with a scope that wqas able to shoot 3 shot touching groups at 100 yds with me on the other end, and I don't claim to be a marksman at all.

 

[I6turbo]

I like the old military weapons due to the solid feel of the actions. Most military rifles were manufactured under much higher standards than most of the modern mass produced rifles available today in the low to medium price range, in my opinion. I have a Savage Model 10, and it is nice but the action cannot compare to my Husquavarna 6.5 x 55 Swiss Mauser, the Swiss K-31, my 1903A3, my Czech Mauser, or even my trio of Arisaka's in 7.7 and 6.5. a while I love shooting my Remington 788's they are not as solid or smooth as the military versions. I recently picked up a K-31 with a scope that wqas able to shoot 3 shot touching groups at 100 yds with me on the other end, and I don't claim to be a marksman at all.

I'm glad whenever I run across others who see military rifles and modern rifles the same way I do. I love the feel of a good WWII era Mauser. The closest thing I've found to the war-era Mausers (within pricing reason for me) is the CZ 550 platform. I bought it in the FS version, partly because I think it feels more like the old school mausers in that configuration. LOL I like to compare my M24/47 (a <$300 gun which feels new, and happens to be one of the best Mauser actions I've ever cycled), and compare it to the 550. They aren't the same, but you can definitely feel the close similarities. This 24/47 is an awesome bolt gun, action and feel wise. The CZ has almost the same feel of solid quality to the action, but with an awesome single set trigger, outstanding accuracy, and grooved for scoping.

 

[Kirk_Ferentz]

The M1917 enfield that is in the family is a very nice gun really, although it is not made to look nice. The bluing is obviously made to last, and yes, the action feels very solid. For all I know, it is a shooter too -- it would be worth a try to get a scope on it and see if it works out.

I just worry about the cost and pain of getting a scope on it...

 

[Steel Horse Rider]

My Enfields are great shooters but the one that came with a scope was soon put back to the original #4 peep sights.

 

[mudriver]

Win mod 70

I love the Model 70. They seemed to out shoot Savages and Remmys in my experience. Got a used 243 model 70, a basic version, and my 14 year old shoots consistent 3" groups at 500 yds with it.

 

[tahoe2]

older Savages, Winchesters, Rugers, & Remingtons can be had for a good deal if you shop around, Savage 110 pre accu-trigger and Rem 721's, or Ruger 77 tang safety, can all be real sleepers in the used market.

 

[mr.t7024]

I would buy a used Savage! Cliff

 

[CB900F]

Kirk;

There are so many guns on the used racks around the country that you've got a wide-open field to play in. There are some stellar guns out there at very decent prices simply because they are relatively unknown.

For instance, a hypothetical conversation here:
Buddy "What's that?"
Pal "I dunno, let's look at it."
Buddy "Husqvarna! What da hell?"
Pal "Yeah, I thought that's a chainsaw company. I don't want no gun made by somebody that doesn't know what they're doin'!"

And there it sits on the used rack for another year. Tell ya what, if I found a good clean Husky ought-6 for cheap, I'd probably walk out the door with it. So the point I'm trying to make is that just because it's not an 'everybody knows' gun, does not mean that it might not be a screaming bargain. So look at the Tikka's, Husqvarna's, CZ's, Zastava's, Whitworth's, and BSA's, you just might find one of them "speaking" to you.

900F

 

[W.E.G.]

Many of the triggers on those old guns leave quite a bit to be desired compared to the modern Savage trigger.

If you want optimum accuracy, a good trigger, already-installed, is worth quite a bit.

 

[lefteyedom]

Many of the triggers on those old guns leave quite a bit to be desired compared to the modern Savage trigger.

Timney Triggers can solve almost any trigger problem.

I love my Savages, The Accu trigger is nice, but the older Savage triggers are not difficult to adjust.

 

[Kirk_Ferentz]

I do love the Savage accu-trigger. It was the deciding factor when I bought one last year. But I have to think that I could learn to live with a more standard trigger. It's just a cost-benefit thing.

 

[brnmw]

Actually, it seems like there are a lot of old military guns in 30-06. As I said, I have an old (American) Enfield rifle in the family ... that is in '06. It looks like there are a lot of mausers (at least FNs) chambered in 30-06, and I saw some other various old military bolt guns in that caliber, such as a manlicher I think.

What do you prefer about the military guns vs. a nice civilian hunting rifle?

Any idea how much it usually costs to have them drilled for scope mounts?

I love both, however for what you would pay in some cases to get an old military rifle... drill and tap... mount & everything you would be better served to just go look for a Win. M70 or Rem M700 already done.

A buddy of mine did a MN M91/30 "mod" synth stock, trigger job, mounts, rings, scope, etc... etc.. ran him around $600 that includes the gun itself. just saying.... (Awesome gun though. )

 

[joed]

There are lots of used guns sitting on the racks in stores. If I were in the market for a used rifle I'd go for a Winchester model 70 or a Remington 700. But first choice is a Winchester.

I've owned Savage rifles, 2 so far. They aren't in the safe anymore although I do miss the model 10 fp. I would buy another Savage if I ran across one but it wouldn't be my first choice.

 

[redneck2]

I just got a pristine Savage 99 in .300 Savage for $499. Got a very low round count Savage bolt (model 10 maybe) in .308 just a few months before that. At least around here, if it isn't tactical it doesn't seem to sell.

There are good deals on center fires right now. If you keep your eyes open, you'll likely find a private sale where the seller needs quick cash.

 

[wgaynor]

Ruger m77 hawkeye

 

[cooldude14]

Find a used Remington 700, Savage, or Ruger. If you do get the Enfield please dont ruin it with a scope.

 

[splattergun]

Howa 1500 or Savage. Both have great actions with adjustable triggers. Add a decent scope and your cost/accuracy/quality needs are met handily.