Author Topic: Riflle for Christmas - Any suggestions? (Read 3014 times)

RaySendero · « **on:** November 12, 2006, 03:35:26 PM »

My son is growing up. He's away at college now with one of my deer rifles. Wife suggested we get him his own rifle for Christmas. I was elated by this suggestion - I'll have fun finding and put one together. He's never shown much interest in reloading - He'll help me when I ask him but I figure he'd prefer to buy. Also he's never shown interest in hunting with all the old sporterized military bolt action rifle I love. He really enjoys target shooting, so accuracy off the bench is a big plus. We have a hunt planned right after Christmas so I'll need to get it scoped and sighted-in before wrapping.

Caliber: must be 270, 308 or 30/06 due to ammo availability

Scope: I have an extra 4x16x50 AO in matt finish. Could use it if it goes with the rifle. If not I'll need to pick up another - Don't really have any preference here.

Rifle: Most likely will be a Remington (but am somewhat open).
So far here's what I've seen and like:

Rem 700 CDL in 270 (has 24" barrel that I prefer for a 270)
Rem 798 in 30/06 (pretty rifle - great all around caliber and action)
Rem 700P LTR in 308 (20" flutted bull barrel - Seems handy and accurate)

Anyone own one of the above, If so how do you like it?
Also, how about some suggestions on other rifles/scopes for deer, hogs and targets?

beemanbeme · « **Reply #1 on:** November 12, 2006, 03:49:34 PM »

Well, since it's the 30-06's birthday, why not a CDL in 30-06. Plenty of store bought ammo available. If you're wanting it to be an all around rifle, I'd dump that scope and get a 3x9x40 or a 2x7x38. An AO isn't needed on a hunting rifle (except a varmint rifle). Just another whistle or bell to go wrong.

jvs · « **Reply #2 on:** November 12, 2006, 09:48:25 PM »

Ray,

Why don't you look into a Remington 673 Guide Gun in .308. While the .308 doesn't have as many ammo choices available as the -06, it will serve the purposes you outlined. It all depends on whether your son will be more comfortable with a short action or a long action.

Those 673's are a little different than most offerings from Remington and one rifle your son might look back on in years to come as the 'pretty' one he got from his Pop for Christmas.

P.S. Right now those 673's are selling at a very-very reasonable price on the Auction Sites.

one eye joe · « **Reply #3 on:** November 13, 2006, 06:30:46 AM »

Remingtons can be very accurate, and have a ton of aftermarket goodies to spend money on. For something a little different that is generally very accurate out of the box you might look at the CZ 550. For something a little more different, get the full stock model.

hardertr · « **Reply #4 on:** November 13, 2006, 08:51:33 AM »

My (current) favorite rifle is the new Savage 10 package. My buddy bought one in 30-06, and I got mine in 243. His 30-06 will shoot nice glover leaves at 100 yards (straight out of the box I might add) all day long!

The adjustable accu-trigger gives it a nice "bench rifle" feel with everything you could ever ask for in a hunting gun.

I'm planning on picking another one up in either 30-06 or 270...kind of a "Merry Christmas to me" kinda deal.

Gregory · « **Reply #5 on:** November 13, 2006, 01:44:51 PM »

I'm partial to Browning rifles. Take a look at the Micro Hunter or Hunter Models. I own two Browning A Bolt left hand rifles and am considering adding a third one.

hunt127588 · « **Reply #6 on:** November 15, 2006, 05:15:28 AM »

Wouldn't trade my LTR for anything:

It likes 44.5 gr of Varget with a Sierra 168 HPBT @ 100 yards (3 shots):

nasem · « **Reply #7 on:** November 15, 2006, 07:36:06 AM »

accuracy off the bench ? best accuracy out of the box ?
the 2 that come to mind are Savage (or stevens 200) and Tikka.

Thier accuracy is unbeaten. As far as caliber goes, get him a 308, he can buy alot of good surplus 147 gr FMJ ammo that is NATO spec and accurate as heck. He'll have fun with it and cost of ammo will be like 16 cents a pop.

As far as scope goes, what maker is that 4-16 scope ?

RaySendero · « **Reply #8 on:** November 15, 2006, 12:28:55 PM »

Thanks jvs - I like it!

PS: Like that LTR too. Thx hunt.

jvs · « **Reply #9 on:** November 17, 2006, 10:25:57 PM »

Ray,

I brought my new 6.5 Mag home last night. I hope you look into these as a gift for your son. As a close-out, they are reasonably priced at this time. They came out in 6.5 mag, .308, .300SAUM, and .350 mag. With some Special Runs in .243. As a short action rifle, they are hard to beat. The .308 would be by far the cheapest to shoot.

You may want to check the shape of the grip first. Some people don't like that sweeping grip.

daddywpb · « **Reply #10 on:** November 18, 2006, 12:25:48 AM »

I've never been a Big Green fan, but I would love to have a 673 in 350 Rem Mag. I have a Ruger M77 in .350 and also in 30/06. Both shoot under MOA. If you don't reload, stay away from the .350. Ammo prices are thru the roof.

corbanzo · « **Reply #11 on:** November 18, 2006, 05:54:43 AM »

I have to second the cdl in .30-06, good all around rifle and good accuracy. That 4-16 would compliment it well. That was the first medium bore rifle I ever shot years and years ago, always has a place with me.

Eagle Eye · « **Reply #12 on:** November 18, 2006, 05:39:30 PM »

I secound the 700 CDL in 270 or 30-06 for a great all around hunting rig. I have one in 25-06 and it is a very very nice rifle. Great balance, great feel and good looks. Shoots darn well too!

The 4x16x50 would be overkill....I think a good quaility 3-9 or a fixed 6x would be my choice. I don't care for 50mm objectives either, no matter the power.....too big/bulky and keeps my cheek up too high for snugging the rifle in tight. But each to their own..if it works for you, go for it.

Don Fischer · « **Reply #13 on:** November 19, 2006, 08:10:10 AM »

Quote from: jvs on November 17, 2006, 10:25:57 PM

Ray,

I brought my new 6.5 Mag home last night. I hope you look into these as a gift for your son. As a close-out, they are reasonably priced at this time. They came out in 6.5 mag, .308, .300SAUM, and .350 mag. With some Special Runs in .243. As a short action rifle, they are hard to beat. The .308 would be by far the cheapest to shoot.

You may want to check the shape of the grip first. Some people don't like that sweeping grip.

That 673 Guide rifle look's for all the world like a 660 Magnum. One thought, does it have an action long enough to handle the 6.5 Rem Mag with heavy bullet's seated out?

RaySendero · « **Reply #14 on:** November 19, 2006, 08:25:21 AM »

Quote from: Don Fischer on November 19, 2006, 08:10:10 AM

That 673 Guide rifle look's for all the world like a 660 Magnum. One thought, does it have an action long enough to handle the 6.5 Rem Mag with heavy bullet's seated out?

Don,
Rems web site doesn't say exactly how long the action is - Says its based on a model 7 action and comes in only = 6.5mm Rem Mag, 308 Win, 300 Rem SA Ultra Mag, & 350 Rem Mag. What can you figure from this info?

jvs · « **Reply #15 on:** November 19, 2006, 11:34:51 AM »

Quote from: Don Fischer on November 19, 2006, 08:10:10 AM

That 673 Guide rifle look's for all the world like a 660 Magnum. One thought, does it have an action long enough to handle the 6.5 Rem Mag with heavy bullet's seated out?

The Model 673 is a basic copy the 600/660, with the exception of a 22 inch barrel, which may be better suited for the mag calibers. The vented rib of the 673 is steel as compared to Nylon on the earlier models. The 673 Laminated has many more slices of wood compared to the 600/660.

All calibers in the 673 are Short Action calibers. 129 gr Spire Point bullets are about as heavy as I will be shooting in the 6.5, so I don't know the answer to your question about seating heavy bullets out more. I think 140 gr is about as heavy as you can go and the cannulure will play an important part in reloading. The .308 would be much less expensive to shoot as the dies and components for the other calibers are quite pricey.

The 673 Action is supposed to be a Model 7 Action, the 600/660 series action was based on the Model 40 Action, according to some website sqribblers.

Don Fischer · « **Reply #16 on:** November 19, 2006, 02:34:42 PM »

Quote from: RaySendero on November 19, 2006, 08:25:21 AM

Quote from: Don Fischer on November 19, 2006, 08:10:10 AM
That 673 Guide rifle look's for all the world like a 660 Magnum. One thought, does it have an action long enough to handle the 6.5 Rem Mag with heavy bullet's seated out?

Don,
Rems web site doesn't say exactly how long the action is - Says its based on a model 7 action and comes in only = 6.5mm Rem Mag, 308 Win, 300 Rem SA Ultra Mag, & 350 Rem Mag. What can you figure from this info?

That would do it for me, 308! It will work very well in that short action with bullet weight to 180gr. The case the 6.5 mag is on is just a shade to long. The 308 will allow the use of the best hunting bullet's and target bullet's for that cartridge. Should at some point he decide to start reloading, the rifle will be right. I don't know about the 300 mag but the 350Rem is a hunting cartridge. I doubt he'd enjoy shooting it off a bench for long. I just looked up the 300 RSA mag. Same case length as the 308. But it's not as much fun to target shoot with! Be a whole lot easier to find ammo and I'd think cheaper also with the 308.

brasskeeper · « **Reply #17 on:** November 21, 2006, 01:28:47 PM »

For deer hunting I would pick a Remington model seven in 7mm-08. Light weight low recoil flat shooting. I bought mine used its stainless/synthetic. My son (14) used it this year to take his first deer, a doe, in October and I took a 8 pointer this past friday with the same rilfe.

Grubbs · « **Reply #18 on:** November 22, 2006, 11:24:46 AM »

Tikka 7-08. Fantastic rifle

butterman · « **Reply #19 on:** November 22, 2006, 08:42:04 PM »

He is going to love that LTR if he likes shooting paper !!!

jvs · « **Reply #20 on:** November 24, 2006, 08:03:31 PM »

It's almost crunch time.

Which one did you choose Ray?

RaySendero · « **Reply #21 on:** November 25, 2006, 09:33:05 AM »

Quote from: jvs on November 24, 2006, 08:03:31 PM

It's almost crunch time.

Which one did you choose Ray?

LOL - Lots of good advice - Maybe I should add a poll!?

dpastordan · « **Reply #22 on:** November 30, 2006, 03:15:58 AM »

Not an owner of a Remington. I would go with a Weatherby Vanguard Compact model. It comes with a second, adult sized stock that can be swiched when your son gets older. Guaranteed to shoot 1 1/2" groups at 100 yards. Has a 20" barrel. Scope it with a Leopold 2x7 Rifleman scope or a Leopold M8 4x.

kyote · « **Reply #23 on:** November 30, 2006, 03:59:52 PM »

http://www.gunsamerica.com/search.cgi

lot of nice remington M-600 and M660s here in calibers of interest to you.I kinda like their short barrels.git in and out of the hunt vechicle easy with them.

SneakyPete · « **Reply #24 on:** December 10, 2006, 06:25:02 AM »

I bought a CDL in .270 last year and love it. It shoots great and I've had a lot of complements on it's looks.

akpls · « **Reply #25 on:** December 10, 2006, 01:43:34 PM »

I just picked my son up a Weatherby Vanguard in 7mm-08. It was a package deal that comes with both a youth-sized and an adult-sized stock. Almost like 2 guns for the price of one.

Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #26 on:** December 10, 2006, 02:14:06 PM »

1906-2006, .30-06

jwinva · « **Reply #27 on:** December 11, 2006, 02:29:05 PM »

Quote from: beemanbeme on November 12, 2006, 03:49:34 PM

Well, since it's the 30-06's birthday, why not a CDL in 30-06. Plenty of store bought ammo available. If you're wanting it to be an all around rifle, I'd dump that scope and get a 3x9x40 or a 2x7x38. An AO isn't needed on a hunting rifle (except a varmint rifle). Just another whistle or bell to go wrong.

I just bought one each for my two grandsons who were born this year.W on't get them until they are old enough to be responsible with them( next year)ha

jvs · « **Reply #28 on:** December 12, 2006, 09:44:52 PM »

The suspense is killing me Ray.

I gotta know...... NOW !

RaySendero · « **Reply #29 on:** December 13, 2006, 01:32:14 PM »

Quote from: jvs on December 12, 2006, 09:44:52 PM

The suspense is killing me Ray.

I gotta know...... NOW !

Be patient!

I got'er yesterday, got'er scoped today and am taking it to the range tomorrow. Will post a target when I get back.

Poll

OK, Here's a poll. Please read topic and posts before voting. Vote for the rifle you think I should get for my son for Christmas.

Author Topic: Riflle for Christmas - Any suggestions? (Read 3014 times)