PlatinumCore16
New member
So I grew up not really hunting until I was a little older (maybe 14?) but my grandfather had a .22 and a 16ga that I did put some use into prior to hunting. When I grageeated high school I got a Mosin 91/30 because it was a large caliber and cheap. Also a gun that I can run over and it will still keep kicking and ammo can be* cheap. I grew up in NY so when I was 21 got my pistol permit (my county did either concealed carry or nothing, so I got concealed carry) and a Taurus PT709 Slim, partially because I was worried about gun laws and the way things were headed and partially because I think that I would be more safe with a firearm on me. After graduating college and moving out west, I now own a 12ga for home defense and the lady is getting herself a Bersa 380.
*Bulk milsurp ammo is pretty friggin cheap as far as large caliber bullets go, but the majority of them use Berdan primers and yes they just take some extra cleaning to get out of the rifle, but if you REALLY want to avoid them, the cost of ammo comes back up.
Now I want my own gun that I'm not buying just because it "seems" like the right thing to do, or because it's all I can afford, or because it's what's available, or because I would like some extra insurance on my safety. I would like a gun that I can target shoot with or even hunt with, if I so chose, but my life would be no less/more affected if I didn't have it.
Enter the scout rifle. When I saw the Ruger GSR for the first time, I thought "That's the gun I want, just for me." Yes there are all the SHTF preppers and other folks that praise the Scout for being a utilitarian tool for every case scenario, but I liked it because it looked cool, it proved to be quite accurate on the range, and it was a large caliber rifle. I could hunt with it, drive tacks with it, or just hang it up in my hunting lodge to look good on the wall (only whilst I was there of course and not out using it in the field). Now that was back when I had no money at all and I hadn't even thought about a Mosin yet. I have my utilitarian rifle, I just want something for fun, but if I can accomplish multiple objectives with the same rifle, all the better for my wallet.
My brother got himself a Savage model 10 and he loves it. It's accurate, it was affordable, and it has been reliable for him. Personally I want a rifle that is also accurate, reliable, chambered for 30-06, synthetic or laminate stock, and stainless steel barrel. Magazine isn't really a factor and barrel length, while I realize a longer barrel will result in (usually) better accuracy/higher muzzle velocity, I don't too much care if it's 18 inches or 26. As long as it's between there, I'm good. The Savage 116 seems like the best fit. I've looked into the Ruger American, Rem 700, Mossberg Patriot, Ruger M77, Winchester 70, Weatherby Vanguard, and Tikka, and I think the Savage makes the most sense for me. However, Savage also makes their 11 Scout. Previous versions came with stainless steel barrels, but I like the newer sights and the adjustable cheek rest.
Edit: forgot to mention, the Scout comes in .308 only. Now I'm not against the .308, I just think that the 30-06 is more adjustable. The longer cartridge opens up higher velocities and, potentially, longer ranges. I'm not trying to make the mile-long-shot, but I think that anything the .308 can accomplish, the 30-06 can do, and then some.
As you see I'm at a bit of an impasse. Do I go with the Savage 116 or the Savage Scout? I'm hoping that Savage has plans to release a SS barreled scout this year, but I'm not exactly holding my breath. I contacted their customer service to see how much a SS bbl Scout would be, but I'm not optimistic. Forgot to mention that I am looking to keep the rifle under $700. Hopefully with a scope, too, but best case scenario is out of the gunshop under $1k for the rifle, scope, and all the accessories I'd like(stock bullet holder, sling, bipod, case, bullets).
Any help here would be appreciated and don't feel bad for offering other rifle options. I'm not completely dead set on Savage, but these two models seem to fit my price range and other parameters.
Thanks in advance,
Platinum
*Bulk milsurp ammo is pretty friggin cheap as far as large caliber bullets go, but the majority of them use Berdan primers and yes they just take some extra cleaning to get out of the rifle, but if you REALLY want to avoid them, the cost of ammo comes back up.
Now I want my own gun that I'm not buying just because it "seems" like the right thing to do, or because it's all I can afford, or because it's what's available, or because I would like some extra insurance on my safety. I would like a gun that I can target shoot with or even hunt with, if I so chose, but my life would be no less/more affected if I didn't have it.
Enter the scout rifle. When I saw the Ruger GSR for the first time, I thought "That's the gun I want, just for me." Yes there are all the SHTF preppers and other folks that praise the Scout for being a utilitarian tool for every case scenario, but I liked it because it looked cool, it proved to be quite accurate on the range, and it was a large caliber rifle. I could hunt with it, drive tacks with it, or just hang it up in my hunting lodge to look good on the wall (only whilst I was there of course and not out using it in the field). Now that was back when I had no money at all and I hadn't even thought about a Mosin yet. I have my utilitarian rifle, I just want something for fun, but if I can accomplish multiple objectives with the same rifle, all the better for my wallet.
My brother got himself a Savage model 10 and he loves it. It's accurate, it was affordable, and it has been reliable for him. Personally I want a rifle that is also accurate, reliable, chambered for 30-06, synthetic or laminate stock, and stainless steel barrel. Magazine isn't really a factor and barrel length, while I realize a longer barrel will result in (usually) better accuracy/higher muzzle velocity, I don't too much care if it's 18 inches or 26. As long as it's between there, I'm good. The Savage 116 seems like the best fit. I've looked into the Ruger American, Rem 700, Mossberg Patriot, Ruger M77, Winchester 70, Weatherby Vanguard, and Tikka, and I think the Savage makes the most sense for me. However, Savage also makes their 11 Scout. Previous versions came with stainless steel barrels, but I like the newer sights and the adjustable cheek rest.
Edit: forgot to mention, the Scout comes in .308 only. Now I'm not against the .308, I just think that the 30-06 is more adjustable. The longer cartridge opens up higher velocities and, potentially, longer ranges. I'm not trying to make the mile-long-shot, but I think that anything the .308 can accomplish, the 30-06 can do, and then some.
As you see I'm at a bit of an impasse. Do I go with the Savage 116 or the Savage Scout? I'm hoping that Savage has plans to release a SS barreled scout this year, but I'm not exactly holding my breath. I contacted their customer service to see how much a SS bbl Scout would be, but I'm not optimistic. Forgot to mention that I am looking to keep the rifle under $700. Hopefully with a scope, too, but best case scenario is out of the gunshop under $1k for the rifle, scope, and all the accessories I'd like(stock bullet holder, sling, bipod, case, bullets).
Any help here would be appreciated and don't feel bad for offering other rifle options. I'm not completely dead set on Savage, but these two models seem to fit my price range and other parameters.
Thanks in advance,
Platinum