Bolt action rifle recommendations? - Page 2

Combat Diver · 03-08-2018, 23:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by LarryW

Agree with the utility of the lever gun, sir. I have a Winchester Trapper Carbine in .357, but found the 1mm difference in cartridge length created some challenges with cycling the .38. Maybe not an issue with something other than Winchester.

I'm assuming your Trapper is a Win 94 action which was designed for longer rifle cartridges. Get a action designed specifically for pistol rounds such as the Win 93 or Marlin 1894.

CD

bblhead672 · 03-09-2018, 08:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Box

Just a thought - but if the next purchase is tied to threats of congress to take away everyone's semi-automatic death machines, you might also want to consider a lever gun as your next purchase. Lever guns were the "assault rifles" of the late 1800's. "a rifle that you could load on Sunday and shoot all week long.”

If the intent for the next rifle is, target shooting, hunting, and pest control then a good lever gun is a great place to start.
A decent 30-30 will give you 6 rounds with ballistics similar to an AK-47. It will also let you shoot just about anything in North America with the right bullet selection and shot placement.
...and it will handle zombies and revenuers quite nicely if society really does go over the cliff

If you get a lever gun chambered for .357 it will still do a good job or deer, boar, and most mid-small sized game. It also gives you a 10 round tube for those days when the zombies and revenuers just wont stop coming at you.
...and don't ever let someone tell you that 357 magnum carbine isn't enough to kill bigger game. People take down mule deer, elk, and bears with archery equipment. Decent ammunition and good shot placement from a good .357 magnum carbine will work just fine in a pinch. As a bonus, if you are shooting a 357 lever action carbine, you can stuff it full of .38 special bullets when you are just trying to improve your marksmanship skills on a budget.

Just sayin'

Thanks Box. More food for thought.

bblhead672 · 03-09-2018, 08:16

Thanks to everyone for responding in this thread or via PM. Your experience and recommendations are greatly appreciated.

LarryW · 03-20-2018, 03:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Combat Diver

I'm assuming your Trapper is a Win 94 action which was designed for longer rifle cartridges. Get a action designed specifically for pistol rounds such as the Win 93 or Marlin 1894.

CD

Thanks, sir, for the advice. Having the same long gun cartridge as a handgun simplifies packing. If a beefier long gun cartridge is preferred for longer ranges or heavier game then my 1903 will serve fine unless I want to eat an elephant.

Besides, I've been wanting a Marlin 1894 for a long time. The Trapper has been a disappointment for several reasons.

mark46th · 03-20-2018, 08:57

I have a Howa in .308, a Remington 700 in .308 and a Model 70 in .270 Win. All three killed a pig this weekend. Roguish Lawyer's son used the Howa to take a pig. I used the .270 to take a hog at 350 yards. All these are dependable and accurate.

FWIW, all three have Nikon Buckmaster scopes on them. For a $200 scope, they are hard to beat. My son has had one on a Model 70 in .300 WinMag for ten years, it has never failed him...

bblhead672 · 03-20-2018, 10:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by mark46th

I have a Howa in .308, a Remington 700 in .308 and a Model 70 in .270 Win. All three killed a pig this weekend. Roguish Lawyer's son used the Howa to take a pig. I used the .270 to take a hog at 350 yards. All these are dependable and accurate.

FWIW, all three have Nikon Buckmaster scopes on them. For a $200 scope, they are hard to beat. My son has had one on a Model 70 in .300 WinMag for ten years, it has never failed him...

Thank you. Great info.

pcfixer · 03-20-2018, 15:33

Personally for a adding a budget level bolt rifle is the Ruger American Standard in 30-06. Can be purchased at great deals, I bought mine on sale at Walmart for $199.00

For ammo is Hornady American Whitetail 30-06 150 gr Interlock #8108 muzzle fps is 2910 with 400 yds -23.5 below line of sight.

Mine shoots under well under 2 inch groups at 200 yds. At 71 my eye sight fails due to cataract surgery.
With a zero at 250 you'll be 42 inches low at 500.

abc_123 · 03-20-2018, 19:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by pcfixer

Personally for a adding a budget level bolt rifle is the Ruger American Standard in 30-06. Can be purchased at great deals, I bought mine on sale at Walmart for $199.00

For ammo is Hornady American Whitetail 30-06 150 gr Interlock #8108 muzzle fps is 2910 with 400 yds -23.5 below line of sight.

Mine shoots under well under 2 inch groups at 200 yds. At 71 my eye sight fails due to cataract surgery.
With a zero at 250 you'll be 42 inches low at 500.

A man with a .30-06 rifle is never undergunned in North America, other than for Kodiak bear. Upload or download bullets accordingly. There is no other rifle NEEDED (emphasis intended). WANT, is a different thing all together.

bblhead672 · 03-21-2018, 08:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by pcfixer

Personally for a adding a budget level bolt rifle is the Ruger American Standard in 30-06. Can be purchased at great deals, I bought mine on sale at Walmart for $199.00

For ammo is Hornady American Whitetail 30-06 150 gr Interlock #8108 muzzle fps is 2910 with 400 yds -23.5 below line of sight.

Mine shoots under well under 2 inch groups at 200 yds. At 71 my eye sight fails due to cataract surgery.
With a zero at 250 you'll be 42 inches low at 500.

My LGS has this Ruger American 30.06 with Vortex Crossfire II for $467. Looks like it could be a good option to get started.
https://grabagun.com/ruger-54.html

JJ_BPK · 03-21-2018, 08:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by bblhead672

My LGS has this Ruger American 30.06 with Vortex Crossfire II for $467. Looks like it could be a good option to get started.
https://grabagun.com/ruger-54.html

Learn to separate deals..

pcfixer found the rifle for 199,

Is the vortex scope worth 267?

https://www.amazon.com/Vortex-Optics...x+crossfire+ii

Jumping on a DEAL is not always advisable..

bblhead672 · 03-21-2018, 09:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by JJ_BPK

Learn to separate deals..

pcfixer found the rifle for 199,

Is the vortex scope worth 267?

https://www.amazon.com/Vortex-Optics...x+crossfire+ii

Jumping on a DEAL is not always advisable..

You're right. Cheapest I've found the rifle online so far is $289. Will have to go onsite to check Walmart to see if in stock at local stores.

**Roguish Lawyer** · 03-22-2018, 00:22

My Remington 700 had a serious trigger problem (rifle discharged once when I took off the safety). Not sure if they have fixed it or not, but I would replace the trigger if you get one and it has a factory trigger. I got a Timney 2.5 lb installed and it's awesome.

mark46th · 03-22-2018, 06:58

Roguish- Yup, I put Timney's on all my Remington 700's...

pcfixer · 03-22-2018, 15:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by JJ_BPK

Learn to separate deals..

pcfixer found the rifle for 199,

Is the vortex scope worth 267?

https://www.amazon.com/Vortex-Optics...x+crossfire+ii

Jumping on a DEAL is not always advisable..

Sir, You are correct about jumping on a deal.
Think to scope rings on mounts could be another $30 to $50 plus for install.
Some can do yourself. One LGS installs and bore sights for 0. Just to keep customers coming back.

bblhead672 · 07-12-2018, 15:22

Update: after long searches, deliberations and discussions I purchased a Savage 110 LE in .308 with 20" threaded barrel. Added a Nikon Black X1000 I found at a local gun store that was a "demo model" without a scratch on it and well below list price. Some good rings, a scope leveling kit and time carefully spent mounting the scope has left me with just a trip to the range to sight it in.
Thanks for all the advice offered, it definitely educated me and kept me from making bad choices by jumping on various deals I saw.

Looking at quality .308 ammo prices definitely has convinced me that reloading is the way to go.