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Looking for Suggestions

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MrGiggles

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Nov 25, 2011
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I've been considering a new hunting rifle for the past couple years, but I just got a new credit card that will give me a 150.00 credit if I spend 500 bucks.. So I figure what better way to spend it than on a new rifle. I'd like to keep the rifle around the 350-400 mark, and the total with optics around 5-600.

I've pretty much decided on .308 Winchester as a caliber. I only hunt whitetail, and never further than 200 yards. I have been using .30-06, and love the knock down power. I've only ever had to track one deer. .308 should be similar, with ammo being a little cheaper. I'm not dead set on .308 though, if I found the right gun in .30-06 or .270, I'd be fine with that.

Here are my criteria.

A stainless bolt action. Can be synthetic or wood. Savage Axis XP looks nice, but they don't have a rebate going right now. Can I even get a decent stainless rifle for 400 bucks, or is that a pie in the sky?

OR

A semi-auto .308 that is fun to shoot and reasonably accurate. Don't really care what it looks like.
 
I don't know what the SS versions street prices are, but probably not much over $400. The blue versions shoot great and I consider them the best buy right now. a decent scope can be had for $200, so a budget of $600 is very doable in blue. Maybe not SS. I own SS rifles, they require a little less care, but it isn't a huge deal.

http://ruger.com/products/americanRifle/overview.html

I own and shoot some "nice" rifles costing much more, but my $400 Predator shoots just as well.

010_zpszs4a9y2s.jpg
 
either the ruger or the savage axis with a Nikon prostaff scope and good to go.
 
Maybe a Ruger Hawkeye All-weather from CDNN Investments in 7-08 at $499.

I picked up a 308 while they were still in stock. Feels good but have not fired it.
 
I own several Savage rifles both pre and Accutrigger models. IMHO for a production rifle in the under $600 range the Savage with Accutrigger is hard to beat out of the box. Get good glass on it and you will have a winner. I have both a 270 and a 300 WSM in SS and they are both tack drivers at 150 YDS.
 
Thank you for the suggestions.

I have a plain Savage Axis in .223. It's a great shooter, but I have an Smith and Wesson MP15 now, so the Axis will get sold.

If Savage had a rebate on the Stainless XP models right now there would be no question.

I'm also looking at a Mossberg Patriot in Marinecote with a laminated stock.. Beautiful rifle, good trigger too.

3-0140647_1.jpg
 
Given what is out there I would be looking long and hard at the Savage rifles. Really, for what you want and your expectations a Savage in .308 Winchester makes for a nice combination. Put some good optics on it and you are good for years of good accurate shooting. The price verse quality is hard to beat.

Ron
 
If you have a Cabelas store within driving distance they often have some pretty good sale prices. I know their regular prices are high but I have picked up some good deals when they run sales.
 
Well, I won a Gunbroker auction on a Mossberg Patriot, just like the picture I posted earlier. Laminated stock, Marinecote nickel finish, and fluted barrel.

It's in 270, which I'm okay with. I got it for 400 and change after tax. That quite a bit lower than most I've found.

I played with a blued version at a LGS last week and the trigger was 100x better than a Savage, as was the knurling and finish of the bolt.
 
Your criteria may be keeping you from having a lot of fun.

It sounds like you already have rifles that meet your criteria...why not try something totally different? Like a single-shot Thompson-Center or a reproduction Winchester Hi-Wall or a Sharps carbine? Or if you must have a repeater, maybe a classic Savage Model 99 --they come in .308. Or for a real challenge, a black powder muzzleloader?

Buying a new gun that looks like your old ones just because you have a discount certificate sounds kinda boring to me.
 
I should reiterate, I do not have a rifle bigger than my AR that's capable of taking big game efficiently.

In the past I have used my dad's Model 70 in 30-06. He no longer shoots it because of the recoil, and I used it in my teens and had confidence in it. It being a pre-64 and very valuable makes me a little apprehensive to continue hunting with it, and I want something of my own.
 
When I bought my deer rifle I also had a $600 budget for rifle and optics. I ended up spending $655.

I got a Weatherby Vanguard .30-06 and a Leupold Rifleman 3-9x40 in Weaver mounts.
Of course, mine is blued and you're wanting stainless, but it shouldn't be hard to find something in that range.

Also most gun shops/pawn shops take credit cards so don't rule out a used rifle. Most used rifles aren't shot all that much and good deals are to be had.
Though I am happy with my rifle, I would likely go the used route if I had it to do over. You can get more bang for the buck that way.
 
Brought her home today.

Trigger is fantastic and the fit and finish is good too. Optic will be in tomorrow, so I'll be able to see if it shoots as good as it looks.
IMG_20160727_205110765_zpszpqeghv7.jpg
 
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