Best Hunting Package Under a Grand?

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Guyon

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10th anniversary coming up.

My gift? A hunting package that I hope will become my "go to" rifle for just about any North American hunting situation. I want it to be one that I could leave to my grandson.

So far, my sights have been modest. I was thinking Winchester Model 70 in .30-06 with Leupold bases, rings, and scope. I am pretty stuck on the caliber because I want to get into reloading in the near future.

Tell me what I should get instead.
 
I picked up a Savage 10GL in 30-06 for $270. Figure a $300 scope and some rings and I'll have what I need for North American hunting.

With the variety of loads offered now for the 06 it made it easy on me to decide.
 
i notice that as i get older, i tend to look more along the lines of what i may pass down, too... don't want any grandkids laughing at my choices in firearms! :D

but... for $1000, i think you'll do fine. start w/ the scope - it is easier to fit a rifle into a price bracket than it is a scope. i would highly reccomend a leupold vx-2 - $300.

next, i would look to talley lightweight mounts. they are a very slick, very light set-up. the ring is integral to the base - really gives a rifle smooth lines. anyway... $35.

sling of your choice - $20.

so, we are at $355... have $645 left... i would reccomend a remington 700 mountain rifle. for caliber, that is really a personal decision, but the 30-06 (while it does nothing for me) is a good cartridge.

anyway, that's the route i'd go. a lightweight, well balanced rifle that looks sharp, and has quality optics perched on top... can't see how it would go wrong.

option 2 would be a rem m7 in 7 shamu. this option doesn't have the classy good looks of the mountain rifle, but is a functional, quality rifle.
 
What would I do?

Well, I don't have descendents to pass down any firearms to, being the ripe old age of 22. However, if I wanted a cheap, reliable hunting rifle, that could take almost any game in North America, I think I'd honestly go with a Izhmash Saiga in .308. Semiauto, 5 and 8 round magazines available. You can get the rifle for like $300, and then a military-grade Russian scope for another $200.

It's not going to be as accurate as an American bolt gun, but it should do for hunting, and I have a preferance for the autoloader over the bolt action.

But that's just me. Hardly seems to be a very fitting heirloom, though.
 
I'd want a pair of Marlins, a 336 in 30/30 and an 1895 in 45/70, with decent scopes and see-through rings, or one good scope and Leupold see-through detachable rings. You'd be undergunned for Alaskan Brown Bear but no more so than you would with a 30-06. You'd have to choose your shots on an elk or bison but you'd have to do the same with a 30-06.
 
Unless you are really into somthing new I would shop around and locate an old pre 64 model 70.

I found one that was made in 1949 and picked it up for under $500. The thing is an absolute tack driver.

It is just a standard model but it looks nice and is well worth passing along.

I have found several pre 64 stocks at gun shows that come from the nicer versions but since mine sees field use I thought it would be a shame to scratch up a real fancy stock.

Since I have never got off an effective second shot you may also want to take a look at the Ruger No1's. They sure do look nice and the wood is usually pretty nice looking too.
 
Like Lennyjoe I'd go with a Savage. Only difference is I'd opt for the Model 16FSS. (Short Action Stainless Steel.) in .30-06. Top that with a Nikon or Leupold (X-II) in the $200 to $250 range and spend the rest on ammo. This package should set you back less than $800.
HTH
 
Danny----my thoughts EXACTLY.

Tikka T3----$500 to $550
Zeiss Conquest 3x9x40 $399 to $429

Even if you take the high side-- 550+429=979 you are still less than $1000

Just slap the scope on and go to the range---an unbeatable combo----at any price.
 
There is nothing wrong with your current selection.

However since you asked for opinions...:D

Savage series rifle chambered in .308 win with a short action and their new Accu-Trigger. I've tried them and they are super! The .308 can do just as much as the .30-06 in a shorter cartridge.

Above all....don't try to save too much money on the scope!

I've got a Leupold VXII 3-9x 40 that I purchased from SWFA for this years hunting season. It's definitely a purchase that was worth it. My dad also got a new scope, however his was a cheap brand (Note....I make a difference between cheap and inexpensive) and he flubbed his one and only shot at a deer this season. Given the light conditions, if he had a quality scope he would have been able to make the shot. I can't say enough about the Leupold.

Really want to leave something for your Grandson? Take the money you saved from the rifle purchase and buy a Romanian SAR1 AK. The time will come someday that only those who have them will be able to keep them.

Good Shooting
Red
 
Remington action in 30.06

Leupold would would be the lowest quality scope I'd consider.

Can easily be done in a variety of configurations for less than a grand. And your kids will enjoy it and not be embarassed by it. :D

Smoke
 
Keep the options coming. I have a few months to make the decision, and I'm just weighing different possibilities.

I really thought the Zeiss scopes would be out of my range. Are the Conquest scopes better than the Leupolds?

What are the tradeoffs in terms of pre 64 Model 70s and those currently produced? Don't the newer models have the same Mauser style extractor?

Redlg155: Have the SAR-1. About to buy a G2 fire assembly for it, in fact.
 
Also --

Browning A-Bolt
Remington 700 Mountain Rifle
Ruger M77
Tikka T3
(Going out on a limb -- Sporterized 1903 or 1917 Eddystone?)

Check them all out in person. See which feels the most natural to you operating the safety, bolt, etc.

Some will require that you disengage the safety to operate the bolt. I don't like that myself.

Also -- some will have detachable magazines -- which can be easier and safer to unload.

Leupold seems like an excellent scope choice. For the $200-$300 scope price range, you might want to also check out the Weaver Grand Slam.

The new Benelli R1 autoloader with the inertia action seems very cool, but not as versatile as a good bolt-action.
 
I would get a Winchester Sport LT in '06 with the stock designed by David Miller. No other stock has fit me as well and I know quite a number of people that love the shape and fit. Then I would top it off with a Leupold VX-II 2-7x or the VX-III 1.75-6x.
 
scope:Tasco Super Sniper 10x42 Matte Mil-Dot 30mm Side Parallax Adjustment : $399.95 : http://www.riflescopes.com/store/departments.asp?dept=264

New England Firearms Handi-Rifle 308win: $209.35 : http://www.thegunsource.com/shoppin...idproduct=6822&idmanufacturer=57&idcategory=5
Ultra Scope Rail with Hammer Extension $18.00

Badger Ordnance 30mm Rings: $139.95: http://www.riflescopes.com/store/departments.asp?dept=55&page=2

11 boxes (220 rounds) of Federal Classic Centerfire Rifle Cartridges, .308 Winchester, 180 Grains, Soft Point: $154 :http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/ctd/...gid=&mscssid=GHH2U9FE80SP8PLACQ2CELJCA5FGAG12

Use 9 boxes to practice and the last two to hunt with because if ya need more than one shot then you are doing it wrong.

+$75 for shipping and transfrers

399.95
209.35
18.00
139.95
154.00
75.00
total
997.00

this rig will get the job done

but this is my two bits,
 
so, we are at $355... have $645 left... i would reccomend a remington 700 mountain rifle. for caliber, that is really a personal decision, but the 30-06 (while it does nothing for me) is a good cartridge.
Click to expand...

This is almost EXACTLY my setup. Got a 700 Mountain in .30-06 with a Leupold VX-I scope (couldn't afford the VX-II...I figure I'll skip that market segment and get a $500 scope next time out). It's a handsome rifle, with probably the slimmest, lightest barrel I've ever seen on a .30-06, though quality control isn't what it used to be at Big Green. It handles like a dream, and carries easily - it's even lighter than my stamped metal SAR-1. Got a decent trigger that can be made better, and the 700 is a very popular action. That said, it's expensive - 600 bucks.

Zeiss is a better scope than Leupold, but good Lord, you pay for it :).

The Winchester M70 Featherweight is a fine choice for a hunting rifle. The Sporter LT is a bit bulky in my eyes; you usually carry around the average hunting rifle more than you shoot it. The Featherweight's a healthy 7 pounds - more than enough to tame the recoil of any smallbore cartridge.

The Ruger 77 has a similar extractor to the 70, and it's pretty accurate.
The A-Bolt gets good reviews, is accurate, and looks sharp.
The Tikka rifles are almost universally praised - only caveat is the magazine.
The Savage rifles are almost always a good value for the money (300 bucks vs. 450-550 like the other rifles).
 
If $1000 was my limit, I'd get a Tikka T-3 (personally I'd get the wood-stocked Hunter) and a Zeiss Conquest scope and never lose a moment of sleep about my choice.
 
Don't forget CZ. The 550 American is plenty fine, comes with rings, IIRC.
Spend some $ on optics; Zeiss, Leupold, Burris, Weaver Grand Slam are all nice.

JohnMc
 
Go to all the gun shops near you and look for the "BAD Hunter Special".

Typically consists of Some yutz who buys a brand new geewhizbang new rifle and a box of cartridges. He loads it up First day and takes 5 shots at each deer he sees and misses all of them. It must be the Gun, I'll take it back and get another next year.

There are also those "Spent too much on Christmas" Specials around to.
 
A Winchester M70C in .30-06 and which ever quality scope you prefer will do nicely.
 
Nevermind....



Hey, I'm not trying to steal your thunder here, but I started another thread, with a similar title...but a different purpose. Ya'll check it out.
 
Last edited:
My vote: M1 Garand from CMP

(... who needs optics anyway?!?!!)

Spend the other $500 on ammo and gun gear.

My two cents,

Rusty
 
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