Author Topic: Thinking New Rifle. Opinions (Read 1605 times)

mcwoodduck · « **on:** February 24, 2010, 02:09:56 PM »

I am thinking of a new bolt action rifle.
Right now I want a Stainless Steel with synthetic stock.
I want 308 Win! (Bunch of reasons, But mostly easy to find lead free ammo for CA)
Short action!
I want it to be standard weight 7-7.5 pounds with out the scope. hunting rifle and I sometimes have to lug it a ways.
I want to keep the rifle under $1,100 out the door.
I am thinking of one of the Ruger Hawk eye rifles.
Talk me into my pick or out of it and into your choice. (I own most of the makers is out there so I am not a brand man but looking for features)

Dixie Dude · « **Reply #1 on:** February 24, 2010, 02:19:10 PM »

I have a stainless Ruger .308 with synthetic stock. Accurate, light, scope stays on every year I've checked it. It is my go to deer rifle. Have a 3x9 scope on it.

diggler1833 · « **Reply #2 on:** February 24, 2010, 02:39:47 PM »

45-70.gov · « **Reply #3 on:** February 24, 2010, 02:48:22 PM »

i have a 308 stainless howa with a 3x9 leupold

kind of a waste because with it i really feel sillly buying all those other rifles

this is all i really need.....i really can't ask a rifle to do more than it does

drdougrx · « **Reply #4 on:** February 24, 2010, 03:09:32 PM »

I keep buying ruger ultra lites though I havent checked if they come in stainless....or a remi m7OO or a tikka T3 would be my choices...though I'd lean toward the Rem. I'm trying to convince myself NOT to buy a CDL in 35Whalen.....

wareagleguy · « **Reply #5 on:** February 24, 2010, 03:11:30 PM »

While not a "short" action I would suggest a Tikka. I very fine rifle that is light and very accurate. If you can do without the Stainless then a Remington VTR is also very accurate. If I had the choose between the two I would give the Tikka the edge because the Tikka is cheaper, lighter and smoother action.

SteveHawaii · « **Reply #6 on:** February 24, 2010, 03:17:03 PM »

I just picked a Weatherby Vanguard (same action as the Howa), synthetic stock in .243. All calibers weigh 7.4 lbs. They go for $400 and it shoots sub MOA. You might find something like this fun to tinker with. At least you're starting with a solid foundation.

Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #7 on:** February 24, 2010, 05:15:42 PM »

mcwoodduck –

The Ruger is an excellent choice. All of mine shoot great. Got my first one in 1982 and hunted with it for 20+ years – and still do, but now I have more options. Never had any trouble with it – zip, zilch, nada. No Hawkeyes in my safe yet, but that day will come.

Marry it up to a Burris Fullfield II with a Ballistic Plex reticle, which you can buy on eBay at “Buy it now” prices for $159 or so, and you’ll be plinking clay pigeons at 400 yards and beyond..

skarke · « **Reply #8 on:** February 24, 2010, 05:27:39 PM »

Man, there are so many excellent choices in your price range that I'm a little envious of your soon to happen shopping experience. For me, triggers are important.

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #9 on:** February 25, 2010, 07:22:23 AM »

Thanks for the opinions.
I will look at the Tikka and Howa (Vanguard) guns
I want a knock around rifle that I will not worry about.
On my Javilina Hunt Last weekend (pictures are being developed) I had to carry the thing over my shoulders and there was blood and mud.
I am not worried about me or my clothes but the rifle. The idea of hosing off the gun and not having to worry about the stock.
All but my Black powder rifle (go figure) are wood stocked and blued. OH, one a Rem 700 SPS has the Kevlar stock.
My first rifle was a Ruger M77 in 308 Win and had sights mounted on it. Think I got it in '82 also and at 14 killed my first deer with it and it has shot a lot of deer since. Still use and like the rifle, also have a Rem 700 V in 308 and like it too but kind of heavy for CA pig hunts that can go over hill and dale in spot and stalk.
As for glass I was thinking about a Leupold Var X II 3-9X40 Long Range Dueplex but will look at the Burris. I am a Weaver Scope fan and wish they would come out with a multiple plex version of the V9.

SteveHawaii · « **Reply #10 on:** February 25, 2010, 03:38:24 PM »

You might try some of this camouflage tape I just saw reviewed on Sinclair at:

http://blog.sinclairintl.com/2010/02/19/product-review-camo-form-camouflage-wrap/

It would help protect a rifle you don't want to get all beat up. I've never tried it personally but am thinking about getting some to tinker with.

Dixie Dude · « **Reply #11 on:** February 25, 2010, 05:47:17 PM »

I use camo tape made for guns. I use it on my stainless guns and it comes right off after hunting season.

Oldshooter · « **Reply #12 on:** February 25, 2010, 06:42:09 PM »

Man I dunno.

I prolly wont help you much, but here is where I'm coming from. There may be better a gun than a Rem 700 but if there is I dont deserve it! My old Rem 700 in 6mm is a sweetie! Its a wood stocked BDL, and has taken all the abuse I could dish out for 40 years and still is the last rifle I would get rid of, and one of my best shooters. I would like one in 308 though, with a synthetic stock and stainless barrel!........ So many guns, so little time!

Yea, that camo tape is great for Stainless barrels.

tangob5 · « **Reply #13 on:** February 26, 2010, 12:46:16 PM »

Look into the Sako A7. .308 is a short action and comes in stainless with a composite stock weighing in about 6.5 pounds. By the way they shoot great. Only drawback is I want another one.

Here's a review: http://www.biggamehunt.net/sections/Hunting_Gear_and_Products/Sako-A7-Review-09090804.html

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #14 on:** February 26, 2010, 01:47:32 PM »

Thanks,
Now I want another Sako. Have two. One Deluxe in 308 from the 60's and a standard AIII from the late 70's early 80's in 375H&H.

charles p · « **Reply #15 on:** February 27, 2010, 01:36:33 PM »

Model 700 or Model Seven Remingon.

vabowhntr · « **Reply #16 on:** March 02, 2010, 06:07:30 AM »

I would buy a howa barrelled action and then get whatever stock I wanted. Nice ss 308 with a houge stock would be nice.

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #17 on:** March 02, 2010, 06:23:11 AM »

I am almost at the putting the four rigs in a hat and drawing.
Each has good points.
Right now I am still leaning to the Ruger, the Sako is neat, the Howa is a good strong rifle, and the Remington is well made.
I think I am leaning to the Ruger as it is American made. I know the Remington is too. and I may end up flipping a coin or seeing what is available in the shop or supplier. I also like the Ruger rings, as they match the rifle and are easy to install.

hesco · « **Reply #18 on:** March 08, 2010, 02:56:07 PM »

Have a ruger .308 stainless with the boat paddle stock lightweight, accurate with anything i stuff in it from the 110s to 175 also have a remington 700, shoots well also, the ruger just seems to fit better, hard to beat a 3-9 fullfied burris, or pentax pioneer 3-9 which is the same as the burris, you can get a better deal on the pentax.

Swampman · « **Reply #19 on:** March 08, 2010, 03:25:48 PM »

If you are interested in accuracy the Remington 700 SPS Stainless would be the way to go.

mjbgalt · « **Reply #20 on:** March 08, 2010, 04:40:51 PM »

...but you would have to let swampy shoot it. he's the only one that gets accuracy out of a remington.

*laughing*

gotta give you some crap now and then right?

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #21 on:** March 08, 2010, 05:50:39 PM »

Quote from: Swampman on March 08, 2010, 03:25:48 PM

If you are interested in accuracy the Remington 700 SPS Stainless would be the way to go.

All the guns mentioned will shoot minute of Pig or deer at 200 yards. I have rifles that will take a ground hog at 200 yards with out working up a sweat.
I have a Remington 700 V and think I want something else. Other wise I will end up changing out the plastic stock for a heavy bedded target stock like the 700 XCR CTR and that is not what I want the gun to be. I have two remington 700's (the V in 308 win and a SPS in the Kevlar Varmint stock in 223) and both tip the scales a little over 9.5 pounds unloaded and when I was shooting almost every weekend an off hand shot out to 200 yars was do able with the heavy gun I am not shooting like I want to and think I would rush the shot. Besides he Ruger is a few $ cheaper and that means more ammo for the same budget and more ammo means more trigger time. Yes I know I just made an arguement for the Howa.
And the XCR CTR is still no light weight. and draging a pig a couple hundred yards up hill to a road after walking a few miles to spot and stalk one, a couple pounds matters. 200 yards does not look like a long shot from the top of a hill. But looking from the bottom of that hill back up a 30 degree slope to the road or truck sucks with a 150 to 200 pound pig. On my first pig hunt with my 9 pound 338 and trying to get up a hill quickly to get around the pigs had me offering to sell the Winchester 70 pre 64 action super grade for $100 bucks while my heart felt like it was pumping pudding.
Since then my pack has gone through a sliming down and I no longer carry 15- 25 pounds of crap in my day pack. arring everthing I could ever want to a stand in the Wodds on the farm was one thing but this Western hunting of moving to glass huge hill sides and bottoms for pigs and covering a lot of groud has me looking at everything as in why do I have that?

rugerfan.64 · « **Reply #22 on:** March 09, 2010, 05:24:16 PM »

Cant help but mention those browning A Bolts,butter smooth action,stainless or CM,have yet to see a Browning A Bolt that wouldnt go under an inch easily. If I was rifle shopping,I'd go for another A Bolt. I'm kinda MAD at Ruger right now. Got a LEMON of a Hawkeye. GRRRR. Good luck.