New Rifle

D

David13

New member
I want to get a new rifle. Probably new, not used.
I want a .308. I would like a wood stock and I think a scope package. That is, a scope that comes with the rifle, rather than buying the scope separate.
I want it for target shooting and then deer hunting.
I think what I'm most interested in is a Savage Trophy Hunter XP package. The msrp on it is $745.
I like the Winchester 70 but with scope that is about $1400. And for nearly double the price, tho' it is much nicer, does it really do anything the Savage won't do?
Any suggestions or recommendations would be appreciated.
Thanks
dc
 
A model 70 should be about $720-$750. You can get all the scope you'll ever need for $300. The street price on the Savage will be considerably less as well

Most of the scopes that come on package guns are not worth having.

The Winchester is certainly worth the small difference in price over a Savage to me, but Savage builds a decent gun.

I'd figure out how much I wanted to spend and start looking at real prices and see what is within your budget.

I'd also seriously consider buying used. I've owned several hundred guns in my life, more than 80% were bought used and I've had more issues with new guns than used. Most are just broken in and you can usually buy a top end gun used for about what a cheap budget gun sells for new.
 
I had a guy lend me his Howa 1500 with the Nikon 3-9 40mm scope today.
It's a Remington style gun, and I believe it comes with the Hogue style stock; some of the older ones didn't and didn't have the nice synthetic like this one.
He thought he paid about $400 4 years ago, without the scope.
Anyway, it's an excellent gun and I really liked it.
But I think, if I can find one, which I may have done, I will go with the Savage Trophy Hunter XP with the same scope.
I like the idea of a wood stock.
dc
 
If you want a quality walnut stocked rifle, for the least money look at the Ruger Hawkeye. http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/...ts_id/72374/Ruger+77+Hawkeye+7mm-08+SatinBlue

For around $650 you get a USA made rifle made with all blue steel and walnut. No plastic, no quality shortcuts. They come with scope mounts included which will save you at least $50. They are as rugged and dependable as anything made.

You can find many budget guns with plastic stocks that will shoot and work just fine for under $500, sometimes under $400. But if having a quality, classic walnut/blue rifle is a priority this is you best buy on a new rifle.

There are also lots of used guns at good prices as well.
 
Obviously, you've done your homework,

I think your choice of the Savage Trophy Hunter XP is an excellent one. I think you can pay more money for the Winchester, but I doubt you'll get a more accurate rifle.

I have a Savage 10 FCP-K and absolutely love it. The accutrigger is outstanding. Good luck
 
jmr
That Ruger sure does look nice. The msrp is $899. So that's not a bad price.
But I am 100% sold on Win .308.
And oddly enough, or weird, they don't offer the Hawkeye in Win .308. 7mm 08 Remington may be hard to find. I have been led to believe Win .308 is generally most available.
I'm looking online at a Savage American Classic in stainless. That looks very good, and should be found for about the same price.
At this time I'm thinking I may want more than a 3 9 scope. Maybe 4 12 or 16 or 18. So maybe I should get the scope separate.
On the 3rd Sunday this month there is another get together at Burro Canyon with the private range, and another guy has promised to bring his .308. So I have more trial to do. And maybe others can bring a .308. Oddly enough it seems that .308s are common as dirt around here, and everyone has one.
So I'm still researching.
dc
 
The Hawkeye is offered in 308, I've owned 1.

http://ruger.com/products/m77HawkeyeStandard/models.html

The link in the previous post was to Buds Gunshop and I just picked the 1st Hawkeye I saw to show a photo and price. Buds shows them at $650. That is about what they sell for locally.

You can pick up some of the cheaper Savage budget package guns for good prices, but once you get to the Classics with walnut stocks you are in the Winchester price range. A SS Savage is more expensive than a SS Ruger.

If you are spending that much money, do yourself a favor and move up to the Winchester. Street price is under $750 for a Winchester FW.

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/...ster+Blue+Walnut+5+++1+308+Win.+Featherweight
 
I see now I just didn't scroll down the the end of the list.
I'm going to ride around to some of the local shops known to still have rifles on the shelf and see what is available.
I did look at a nice Winchester with a scope for I think $1400 or so. So, depending on the quality of the scope, that may be close to the $750 for the gun. I'll have to start looking more closely at the models and features.
Thanks for the thoughts.
dc
 
I bought a 30-06 T/C Venture at Bass Pro and had them mount a Nikon Monarch 2.5 X 10 50 mm scope on it. Paid less than $900.00 for the whole package (including sling and nice Red Head case). I got a $100.00 gift card and they discounted the purchase by 10% for taking out a credit card (which I promptly paid off) bringing the price down even more.
Love the gun and scope! It does have a polymer stock though, which is fine with me.
 
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