Help out a gun newbie
 

Alright guys, I just got my PAL (canadian firearms license) for restricted and non restricted firearms.

I want to buy a bolt action rifle with accuracy, reliability, and price in mind. Ideally I would like to buy a bolt action rifle that looks good, that I can strap a scope on and put together good groups at 200 yards, and that would be a decent all round rifle for hunting etc.

If you have any recommendations for a newbie it would be greatly appreciated!

Re: Help out a gun newbie
 

Just about any clean Mauser bolt-action would be best IMO.

What's your price range ?

Re: Help out a gun newbie
 

Hopefully under 1000 for the rifle itself.

Re: Help out a gun newbie
 

Savage has the best reputation for accuracy/price. Most bolt action rifles (including Savage) are not really designed for scopes and only have a couple tiny threaded holes on top of the receiver to fasten scope mounts as an afterthought. Ruger and Sako have a better mounting system, a dovetail machined into the receiver that the rings clamp to, no other mount needed.
When I buy bolt rifles I get them without the iron sights since I always mount a scope on them.

Re: Help out a gun newbie
 

Unsure of what you plan on hunting so that poses aome questions, obviously what is great for coyotes is going to be lousy on caribou. For hunting you aren't going to want to carry around a heavy "sniper" style rifle, instead medium to light weight barrel would be called for.

I would look into a Sako 75 or Browning X-Bolt in the caliber appropriate for what you want to hunt.

I shot a Winchester Model 70 African in .375 H&H for 5 years with just those tiny holes used to hold a Weaver base in place...never had a single mount problem...tho I did kill a Leupold scope with the recoil at about the 600 round mark.

Re: Help out a gun newbie
 

The M91/30 Sniper rifle (Mosin Nagant) is going for $450 at Classic Arms.

http://www.classicarms.us/ (down near the bottom)

If you bought two of them they are $425 each. That's less than the amount you were wanting to spend.

Plus the 7.62x54R is an excellent round. Fairly cheap right now. 440 rounds for $100 in sealed spam cans.

Not sure if the Mosin Nagant can be purchased in Canada though.

Attachment 78614

Re: Help out a gun newbie
 

Browning XBolt with a wood stock. Its a good looking rifle that will hold a good group and its value.

There are cheaper and more accurate rifles however The long distance stuff isn't what your after. You will like the Brownings actions and they are accurate enough for hunting.

My older brother shot a running Elk at 350yds with his A Bolt (Basically the same)http://www.browning.com/products/cat...es/035208m.jpg

E-A

Re: Help out a gun newbie
 

If you look long and hard enough you can find excellent Sako, FN, and Husquvarna manufactored mauser type bolt action guns that were sold under the Sears, Western Field, Wards, etc. house names in the USA and Canada mostly in the 1950s and 1960s when the dollar was worth more. These are a bargain if you can find one.

My personal hunting rifle is a Brazilian Mauser made in 1936 that I bought for $65 a couple decades ago. I had the original shot-out 30-06 millitary barrel replaced by a gunsmith with a take-off Husquvarna 23 1/2" "pencil" barrel also in 30-06. Shaved down the stock, put on a rubber butt pad, glass bedded the tight chambered action, put on a 6X Bushnell Scopechief; and have a 8 pound rifle for under $250 that will shoot 1/2" groups with my handloads. Note: I recently heard a story that these receivers were machined in Brazil out of chunks of railroad rail, huuuummmmmm

Re: Help out a gun newbie
 

The tiny holes are usually enough for shooting, it's those clumsy moments hunting on steep snow covered terrain I'm thinking about. Personally I think a scope mount should be at least as rugged as a scope.

Your shoulder must be stouter than mine.....600 rounds of 375 H&H...ouch.

Re: Help out a gun newbie
 

I shot a Savage .308 and I found it easy to use/understand, between good and excellant accuracy, and made of quality materials.

Really the only disadvantage I could find is the small magazine (4 rnds.) and the relatively heavier weight.

Re: Help out a gun newbie
 

Remington 700

Re: Help out a gun newbie
 

I'll also vote Remington but go ahead and get the 700 PSS. That should put you under 1K. There are so many options for the Remington.

Here's my PSS in .308 with a few mods...

http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/PSS.JPG


:s1:

Re: Help out a gun newbie
 

Remington 700 series

Tikka T3 Lite

Re: Help out a gun newbie
 

I have a Rem 700 PSS in .308 Win......very similar set-up to the one above. Great rifle platform to long range work...but it is heavy. There are lighter weight Rem 700 to be had.

I'ma big fan of 30.06 or .308.....have the widest range of ammunition for various activities......from varmit to moose/big bear...everything in between.

Best bang for the buck = Savage with accu-trigger....these are not low cost low quality....but moderate cost high quality rifles. I may even prefer the Savage to the Remington 700.

Get a light-weight Savage in .308 or 30.06.....perhaps black synthetic stock, stainless action and barrel....great for bad weather or ill care. Scope in 2X-7X (my preference.....I typically do not hunt with much optic power...unless it is a really long shot), or 3X-9X Can't go wrong.

Re: Help out a gun newbie
 

a7mm savage i think the price is around 550 .00

Re: Help out a gun newbie
 

This is where the Remington vs. Savage bickering usually starts. In an effort to keep it short and sweet both are great rifles.

Hell even A.D.'s Mauser recommendation sits well with me after I picked up my bench - sporter - monster - Mauser in 30.06. I see it as a valid player at the range.


:biggrin:

Re: Help out a gun newbie
 

has my vote , hands down. That beefy barrel worth the little bit of extra weight. High quality.:bear_thumb:

Re: Help out a gun newbie
 

Your budget would be most helpful.

Re: Help out a gun newbie
 

Sorry missed that.

Your options are pretty good for a $1K rifle. Good suggestions in the thread.

I do have a Browning A bolt in 30.06 with a Simmons ProHunter scope that is like a laser beam out to a good distance. Bought it used back in the late 90's, as is, for $500.00. Of course, it would be more now.

Re: Help out a gun newbie
 

The HOWA is an unknown to most. It's made on the same line as the Weatherby in Japan.

Here's one in .308 - $512 - that leaves you about $450 for a really nice scope.

http://v4.beta.gunbroker.com/Auction...Item=139926648

Re: Help out a gun newbie
 

.308 seems a little robust for varmiting.

JDK, I'm sure you can find what you're looking for off this list.

Pretty good selection of used rifles here
Dirt cheap, but how good ??? here

Or ... there's always Marstar importing chinese and other .... stuff.

Re: Help out a gun newbie
 

You can get 100 grain or less bullets in 308/30.06 perfect for smaller than small deer = varmit.

You can even get sabor accelerator with sub 60 grain weights....

You can kill everything from racoon to polar bear with a 308/30.06