Advice for rifle choice

Red_Chili

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Remember when you find no elk and the deer elude you... there is always Wyoming antelope. You will thank me you will be able to reach them.
 

wesintl

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I'm a fan of the .06 if you're only going to have 1 rifle or your first. The recoil is manageable and the brass and availability is the greatest. close seconds are .308 and .270. All of them will kill elk, deer, antelope, pigs, etc. Your familiarity with and shooting it will provide the greatest accuracy. After having one and finding out what you like you might personalize one for a certain species of find something you like better.

It's like buying 40. later you decide a 60 is nice for exp trips since it hauls more. Then you buy a hilux for chores around the house your doing, then 80 or 100 for the wife and kids. Do you need all those, no. You can make the 40 work for everything. Other things may do better for specific things but in the long run it's tough to beat a 40 and it's always reliable. same with an .06 You may eventually decide on something else like a 300mag, 338, 7mm or something you just happen to like but it's always good to have that solid base to make/base your decisions on.
 

MDH33

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Thanks for the insight and advice, good stuff!

I like the looks, weight and reviews of the Savage 11 Lightweight hunter in 30-06. Prices on Gunbroker look like it's in the $800 range which will leave me some budget for a scope. Now if I could find one locally to check out. Any recommendations for a good local shop?
 

wesintl

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pre 64 winchester model 70.. u have plenty of time to locate a nice one...
 

Uncle Ben

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pre 64 winchester model 70.. u have plenty of time to locate a nice one...

Actually, probably one of the best forest gub ever made was the Winchester 94 in 30-30 or
.32 Winchester. My fil's 32 has taken more game than anything in his gub cabinet!
 

Jenny Cruiser

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There are two guns I love to shoot. Lever action rifles and black powder revolvers. I don't know what it is, but they're great. The Savage is a great rifle, you can't go wrong with something like that, or anything previously mentioned. However, since you're not going gun crazy why not get something different. How about a Browning BLR Lightweight Takedown in 30-06? It's a lever action you can do anything with it. This isn't my pic, it's one I pulled off the web of a moose taken with a BLR '06.
 

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MDH33

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I really like lever actions but haven't considered one since it didn't seem like there were many options for an elk/deer gun as far as calibers go, 30-30 and 45-70 but is there anything between that will do both? .32 win spcl, .35 rem, how easy is it find (rifle/ammo), and is it enough for elk? I hadn't looked closely at the BLR's but those could work. Looks like the prices for used are pretty fair too.

I like the Model 70 too, but seems like finding a lightweight in good shape that's within my budget might be hard, and I have no experience purchasing older firearms and would be concerned about buying something with issues.

I think my biggest criteria is still that it needs to be easy to carry, which makes that Savage lightweight appealing since it's 6Lbs and a 20" barrel. Biggest problem seems to be that every manufacturer is back ordered on new stuff.
 
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Corbet

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A savage should not be too hard to find. All the gub shops down here have them on the rack now. I have not bothered to check closely what calibers though. I'd just call around. No one is in fear of the government taking away hunting rifles at this time.

I like lever actions too but the recoil of a 45-70 is stout. And a 30-30 is on the light side IMO for Elk. It will do the job but you have to be that much better with your bullet placement. There is not really anything between. Plus due to the rifle's magazine design your limited with bullet design for safety reason.
 
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.270 and 30-06 are still fully stocked on most of the ammo shelves I've visited recently. This would be my choice. I've also fondled a Howa (Japanese) bolt rifle recently. I have to say it was pretty smooth, inexpensive, and has a fine accuracy reputation. Same barreled action as the weatherby vanguard and comes with the houge over mold stock that felt great, and would be fine for hunting duty. $530 or so with a starter optic (nikkor stirling, gets good reviews on the aussie forums, but not really sold here in the US) that could at least let you shoot while you wait for a killer Nikon or Leupold deal...

Good luck, have fun!
M.

Edit: That being said, can't go wrong with a Savage!
 

AxleIke

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Also keep in mind the lighter the gun the more recoil you will receive. Not an issue in the field. You notice that at the range. A limb saver butt pad is a good investment. I can shoot my 06 all day now.

IMO, for a hunting rifle, lighter is a very big plus. Sure, sighting it in is a PITA, but when you spend a week tromping through the woods, the extra ounces make a world of difference.
 

AxleIke

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pre 64 winchester model 70.. u have plenty of time to locate a nice one...

My old man has a couple of those, and yes, they are a very good choice. They are hard to find in good shape however. His are all from his father, and were well treated.
 

Jenny Cruiser

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I really like lever actions but haven't considered one since it didn't seem like there were many options for an elk/deer gun as far as calibers go, 30-30 and 45-70 but is there anything between that will do both? .32 win spcl, .35 rem, how easy is it find (rifle/ammo), and is it enough for elk? I hadn't looked closely at the BLR's but those could work. Looks like the prices for used are pretty fair too.

I think my biggest criteria is still that it needs to be easy to carry, which makes that Savage lightweight appealing since it's 6Lbs and a 20" barrel. Biggest problem seems to be that every manufacturer is back ordered on new stuff.

I've got a .450 BLR you're welcome to shoot. There's 15 calibers to choose from if you go BLR. Weight will only help you be more accurate. You're only talking about a difference of about 1lb or so. People argue about old vs. new, but it doesn't really matter. The new ones have an aluminum (lightweight) receiver whereas the old ones were steel. The old ones look better IMO. They all shoot the same. Something like a .300 WSM is great, but a 30-06 is all you'll ever need. Most people who aren't gun freaks are happiest with whatever is the best deal. Something like this: http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=329890073

Everything I've ever taken big game wise has either been with an old Colt .243 or Parker Hale 7mm Rem Mag. The rest just sit there looking pretty.
 

wesintl

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My old man has a couple of those, and yes, they are a very good choice. They are hard to find in good shape however. His are all from his father, and were well treated.

Let me know if any are for sale :p:

There are always some on cabelas gun lib.
http://www.cabelas.com/product/Winc...rchTypeByFilter=GunLibrary&x=0&y=0&Ntt=pre+64

I can see martin toting around a pre 64 before anything new like a fancy savage lightweight :hill:

This is your huckleberry. pre64 odd-6 featherweight
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=329974820#PIC
 

MDH33

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Anyone familiar with Green Mountain Guns? I'm going to head down there this week and see what they have in consignment. Good stuff on Gunbroker too, thanks for the links. I might go that route after I've had a chance to handle a few different models. Any other suggestions for local shops that have a decent selection of rifles?
 

Jenny Cruiser

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You could look up a gun show or two. Be prepared for crowds though. :(
 

Uncle Ben

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What do you guys think of the Ruger No.1? Here's a 30-06 with a leupold scope within my budget on gunbroker:

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=330406677

And another full stock version:

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=329438163

Great guns but if you are willing to consider single shot break actions then you should seriously look at TC Encore's! Then you can have one receiver and different barrels! I have had several Encores and Contenders over the years and they are great gubs! My newest custom Carbine began life as a Encore Pro-Hunter. It is my favorite gub of all time....till I get something different. :rolleyes: I'm not home or I would post a picture...
 

MDH33

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Great guns but if you are willing to consider single shot break actions then you should seriously look at TC Encore's! Then you can have one receiver and different barrels! I have had several Encores and Contenders over the years and they are great gubs! My newest custom Carbine began life as a Encore Pro-Hunter. It is my favorite gub of all time....till I get something different. :rolleyes: I'm not home or I would post a picture...

Those look really interesting. looks like there's even muzzleloader barrels available.

Thanks for all the great suggestions everyone. I wish I could shoot some rounds and figure out what I like, but with the info, I feel like if I make a purchase right now, it will do what I need and I can always add to the collection in the future. :thumb:
 
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