[Karl.Luhr]

You are at the right Club for suggestions...

First off your idea of cartridge choices are great.

For what you are looking at 7mm-08, 308 Win, 270 Win, 30-06 will all work great. Basically there is not alot of difference on Deer for any of these choices. All makers chamber rifles in these because they are the most popular.

To keep under you limit of 500.xx and it be new not a used rifle you are going to be at the entry level models. You should plan on spending about 150.xx of your 500.xx on a quality scope. You will not miss a shot at a fantastic Deer because of your entry level rifle, but a crappy/cheap scope could cost you an animal. Some entry level rifle packages include a scope with the rifle for a slight increase in price. These package scopes are junk.

I really like the Marlin XS7/XL7 rifles. They are an entry level that doesn't feel or shoot like one. I like the Marlin because they have a good trigger, barrel, and the action is nice and tight. Ruger is bringing out a new entry level rifle that is worth asking to see. Ruger makes the really nice M77 Hawkeye bolt action, and this new one is an offering at the entry level pricepoint.

Take a trip to a large store with a big selection and ask to see their bolt actions at the 350.xx pricepoint. You will be supprised at the large selection they will have. Ask their opinions, but go with what fits you best.

Karl

 

[Karl.Luhr]

Sorry I didn't know what the price was for the Ruger

I didn't know that they were pricing the Ruger at 450.xx. That's placing them in competition with the Remington M700 SPS which is around that pricepoint. I am not a fan of rechambering old war horses to current cartridges. I don't doubt that the 1912 is safe, but something like a Marlin XL7 in 30-06 is going to be much stronger/safer. I also like the one piece scope base on the Marlin with multiple ring spacing options. I suggested two people buy these and both are very happy with the outcome. I did get to zero both rifles when they first were shot and they are alot for the money. Both were bought for 299.xx plus tax. One is mounting a Nikon Prostaff 3x9, the other is mounting a Redfield 2x7. Both are in 30-06. I didn't fire alot of ammo from either, just 4 rounds from each. At 25 yards I just fired two rounds then adjusted to center into the bull, and fired two to verify the adjustments. Both rifles and scopes put bullets into the same holes at that range. I watched the owners then had serious fun playing with them at 50 yards. They were new shooters and didn't need the challenges of moving back to 100 yards. Others in this group have recommended other entry level choices before.

Two I don't recommend are the Remington 710/770 and the entry level Savage Axis. That Remington design is a bad one, and the Savage Axis felt like they cut to many corners away from their standard quality rifles.


Karl

 

[Karl.Luhr]

All rifles are not equal...

I noticed that you placed the Remington 710/770 in the same boat as their Remington M700. The rifles only share the same name of the Company that made them. Remington M700 and M7 rifles are some of the best in the World. The standard Army and Marine sniper rifles are M700 in 308 Win. I wouldn't recommend a Remington 710/770 to be used as a tent stake. Savage bolt actions are some of the most accurate available, I just personally think they deleted to many steps in their Axis model. Rifles are made to a pricepoint, the Remington M700 SPS is a M700 without expensive polishing and finish work. It also has a cheaper floor plate design. But it is still a Remington M700, and that counts. Another poster has a Savage 111, this is a quality rifle. Getting a package rifle is an option if you can't go over 500.xx dollars, and you want the next step up in rifles from entry level. Just decide up front that you are going to replace the cheap optics as soon as possible. A cheap scope will work and is probibly better than most scopes sold 50 years ago. It is just that scopes are a lot improved from 50 years ago. I haven't handled the Ruger American yet, it might be worth taking a chance with. You won't be able to spend much on a scope after getting one, but you could upgrade next year to a better one. Ruger couldn't take away from the M77 and get it down to the 450.xx pricepoint so they redesigned the entire rifle to hit the lower pricepoint. The Ruger American will be quality for a lot of American shooters and that is what they were targetting it for. Not everyone can spring for over 1000.xx after a good scope is placed on it. My Son is looking at buying a M77 in 30-06 himself, he is looking at it as a lifetime purchess. I am also considering picking one up myself, also in 30-06. I love the 30-06 and my Sons have the same passion for it that I do. All my current Deer rifles are in 30-06. Others might be better for some animals or uses but the old cartridge just plain works. The last suggestion is take you time deciding, whatever you buy will last multiple lifetimes.

Karl

 

[Karl.Luhr]

Hunting Man is right, can you say gunshow......

I don't know if you have any big gun shows in your area, but bargains can be found there. Some rifles will look like they were used as a canoe paddle, others you swear were never fired. Personally I would consider used if they looked like the second group. A couple of minor scratches in the wood or blueing can be overlooked but the rifle must be as tight as a bank vault with a perfect looking bore. A used rifle can be like a used car, a three year old car can be like new and the first owner takes the bath on depreciation. Another thing is a nice clean used rifle will often have a quality scope on it. Used scopes are not worth much so they don't raise the value much on a clean used rifle. Please keep us in the loop on your purchess.

Karl

 

[Karl.Luhr]

Look at the Vanguard by Weatherby

The Vanguard is a push feed bolt action made in Japan. This is a mid level rifle that I just saw in an add for 369.xx. It has a dropping floorplate something deleted from the Marlin xl7 as a cost saving. Is that required no, is it handy yes. The only two negitives I remember handling one is first they are heavy compared to most competitors and Weatherby choose to place a 24 inch barrel on them. One of the reasons that they are heavy is that there is a lot of milled steel used in their action. The longer barrel also contributes to them being a little heavier. A person could always have the barrel shortened to the more common 22 inches, that would reduce some weight and make it feel a little quicker in handling.

Karl