• You are using the old Black Responsive theme. We have installed a new dark theme for you, called UI.X. This will work better with the new upgrade of our software. You can select it at the bottom of any page.

Hard to find a handy open sight bolt rifle?

Status
Not open for further replies.
In the big picture I am leaning towards something in the .308 parent case family, so the 338 Federal is an option. 7mm-08 is an option as well- I've seen what it can do to Elk if you keep your ranges reasonable. (bang / flop with 140gr TSX) I load all my own ammo so that's not a big deal.

My father in law has a pre-64 Winchester lever action 308 that has taken a lot of Elk. :D It is really nice, but to be honest, I tend towards buying newer things..
 
I would seriously look into the ruger then; I know they make a few rifles in the 338 federal/ ruger type class, and would be a elk blast. not sure if their round is proprietary, and if it is based on the 308 case or not, though.
but if it comes in 338 federal, then it is deff a 308 case.
 
Plenty of good older rifles out there in traditional calibers and configuration. My used-but-like-new Ruger M77 .270cal came with iron sights and a Leupold variX-II scope for $400. If I didn't want it I could probably get $200 for the scope.
 
14EuroClass.jpg


Savage Euro Classic
 
Savage Scout is pretty handy.

Comes with a basic peep sight, and has a forward mounted rail for a Scout scope or red dot. Big bolt knob and detachable mag too.
Click to expand...
But the mag only holds four rounds ... and we all know that high-capacity magazines are necessary! :rolleyes:
 
It would be nicer if Savage, and the other makers would put a stripper guide (for those high cap 5 round strippers) on them, but that seems to be a lost art these days for many of the internet experts, so the detachable mag makes for a doable second. Things like good, usable iron sights, stripper guides, etc, are all lost on many shooters these days, and really arent necessary for a bench shooter anyways. All you need are those silly over power scopes, a bunch of sandbags or better yet, a shooting vice, and your all set to be an expert. ;)

The mag does make it nice to easily load and unload the gun without working the bolt more than necessary though.
 
My old favorite was my Spanish FR-8 in .308. I sold it early this year but that rifle was almost as handy as a mini-14, was dead reliable, and had a rotating peep sight with two peep sizes and an open notch that was neat.

Here's one in a quick GB search. The price is higher than the $345. I sold for, but mine didn't have a bayonet and if I were wanting another one I'd have no problem paying if the bore was good.

Loud little sucker, but as solid as a rock. http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=137040835

Mine had a turned down bolt and it's my understanding that some were turned down but most are straight like the linked version.
 
BTW I know you said "bolt rifle" but have you considered a BLR?

It shoots boltie cartridges, has a detachable magazine. It's handy, light, includes iron sights, and it's available in a takedown configuration as well.

http://www.browning.com/products/catalog/family.asp?webflag_=003B&catalog_=B

The Remington 7600 is a pump option, though I just don't like it all that much. But a synthetic in .35 Whelen would be a great contingency gun for elk. It also comes with irons, nice ones even.
 
FR8's are a great utility type rifle. They were a much better deal back when they were more available. I paid $100-140 for the bunch I bought. The kids each got one as their center fire rifle.

Sights are basically CETME/HK type sights, and work pretty much the same. Its best to leave the bolt handle straight, as it make the rifle a lot easier to work and use. It uses standard Mauser 8mm strippers.

I paid $100 for this one.....

ry%3D400.jpg
 
All you need are those silly over power scopes, a bunch of sandbags or better yet, a shooting vice, and your all set to be an expert.
Click to expand...
Oh yeah. At least a bipod, anyway! ;)

What's the tube under the barrel for?
Click to expand...
To store cleaning equipment (it's hollow). It also serves as a bayonet lug.
 
As has been suggested, I'd go with a sporterized military bolt-action rifle or something like a Mosin-Nagant M38 that would do just fine as is, though I would prefer an aperture rear sight to open sights. Your local gun shop or any number of online auction and sales sites would provide lots of inexpensive options, and military peep sights are generally better than anything you can get on an inexpensive new rifle anyway. Barring that, I'd say get yourself a Savage Stevens in your favorite caliber, have the barrel shortened and crowned and get fixed sights installed.
 
Oh yeah. At least a bipod, anyway!
Click to expand...
Well, maybe. :)

Some bipods are less "tactical" and more useful than others. Especially if your uber tactical ruck is at the cleaners.

To store cleaning equipment (it's hollow). It also serves as a bayonet lug.
Click to expand...
Yup, thats it. I have yet to see one come with the kit installed though.

The rifle takes the FR8/CETME bayonet, if you might feel the need to poke something. It will also use those Mauser 20 round "trench" mags, if you feel the need for that high cap feeling.

I'll stick with the 5 round strippers and my pocket knife. :)
 
AK- What's the tube under the barrel for?
Click to expand...

i bought the one I had from one of the import places for just under $100. and it came with two weird and moldy cigarettes in that tube. It was pretty gross and no telling how long they'd been there. :) Gave me a chuckle at the time.
 
You can get a Yugo 24/47 for $150 at JGSales.

Mosins are also great rifles. I really like mine. $100.

Don't discount the Remington 7600 as an interesting option, either. A pump action rifle is often overlooked, and the 7600 has irons.
 
Options:

1. Mosin M38, M44 or T53 - Ammo is dirt cheap and so are the rifles. You can reload for accuracy but if this is what you're looking for, a Finn is a better option though its not a "truck gun".
2. Steyr M95 - Not worth shooting commercial ammo but you can reload. Requires en bloc clips but you can't argue with a handy carbine firing a 205gr. SP. As an added bonus, since the cartridge is obsolete, most bores you find will be sharp as they haven't fired corrosive ammo in decades.

Mojo is currently working on a sight for the M95. A decent peep on this will make it very accurate. My T53, which the previous owner already cut down, is my winter project. Who knows what my evil mind will come up with.
 
Remington 788 carbine in .308. Barrel is 18.5" long and they handle great. Shouldn't cost much either as they were an economy gun. I've got one in a plastic stock and, with a scope, it's sub-MOA with ammo it likes. My buddy bought one on my advice and his is even better. It's not picky about the ammo, yet shoots just as tight. Before he bought the 788 he was always bragging up his Sako Varminter. After he got the 788, you seldom heard about the Sako.

They came with fairly good open sights, but I'd prefer a peep sight if staying with irons. Unfortunately, a smith would probably have to drill & tap the receiver for a good Williams peep.
Bob
 
Have you considered a pump gun? Remington 760/Six/7600 can be had up to .35 Whelen. The carbine versions are nice in the brush. They're easy to find in either .30-06 or .308. Some are good shooters. I had one that wasn't very good at all. I inherited another ('06) that shoots as well as my varmit rifles.
 
The correct answer is the Remington Model Seven. 20" bbl. Iron sights (on some of them). Caliber of your choice (a short maggie if you like - .270 WSM or 7mm WSM for starters). Great rifle.

Edit: Nevermind. It would appear that all new Model Sevens are "clean" - no sights. Well, there's a lot of used ones out there, however.
 
You know, I actually really like what I've seen of the Savage Euro Classics, but once again, I've yet to seen one in person. Anyone have one or used one?
 
Here's one for you...spend a Sunday afternoon cleaning and oiling the mechanism, refinishing the stock, maybe cold blueing some of more worn parts. Then you'd have a great gun in a hard-hitting caliber with good sights that you didn't spend an arm and a leg on.

ENFIELD No.5 MKI Jungle Carbine
170508EN

Enfield Jungle Carbine. Serial number Q3726. {303 British}. Made by Fazakirley, 1945. Wood in G+ (Hi G+) condition. Metal finish 50%, oxidized. Metal may have areas of minor surface corrosion/pitting. Stock band not snug, so neither is handguard. Barrel band has some pitting. #0 bolthead. Bore has VG lands, grooves have shine/haze. $250​

170508EN-001-web.jpg
 
I'm gonna go with the folks that suggested the remington model 7. I have two, an older one with the 18" barrel and walnut stock and a 20" laminated stock. The walnut gun weighs about 6.5lbs and the lam is around 7lbs without scopes. They both have open sights if needed. Mine are both in 7-08.

Also the remington pump is a good idea. I had a 270 made in 1954 that would shoot 1" groups with an old weaver 4x and factory loads. I have a 7615 in 223 now and both of those guns point very well. I love shooting the 7615 with open sights. I shoots like a laser.
 
Backups

Mosin Naganst and use Winchester 7.62x54r for hunting.
My front line is a Model 7 Remington, but here's my back ups.

attachment.php


As previous posters have pointed out Ammo is dirt cheap. I practice with the 9130 and routinely place shots in a circle the size of a coffee cup.

The M44 is only good to 50 or 60 yards but that's cuz my eyes are 65+ years.
Same age as the carbine.


KKKKFL
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

X
  • Locked
Suggestions for a handy bolt rifle
2
Replies
32
Views
1K
sourdough44
sourdough44
M
  • Locked
Handi-rifle scout mount
Replies
2
Views
746
Meadhall
M
B
  • Locked
rifles with open sights
Replies
8
Views
565
nathan
N
W
  • Locked
To open sight or not to open sight, that is the question
Replies
11
Views
693
WoodchuckAssassin
W
L
  • Locked
Open sights for a Savage 110 (with no existing sights)?
Replies
4
Views
2K
Loach
L
Back
Top