Help choosing a hunting rifle

[jarodml]

I need help choosing an entry level hunting rifle for my dad. I am hoping to get some good and some not so good experiences with different brands of rifles. I am looking at getting him a 7mm bolt action that comes with a scope as a package. It would be best to stay under the $400 range if possible. It will be used for deer and elk. Thanks for any feedback you can give.

[Colorado Osprey]

Hands down for new- Savage Axis XP $389MSRP
Used- Savage 110 Used value about $350 w/ scope.
$400 is tough for a Remington except the 710's/770's which are junk IMHO.
I also like the older/used tang safety Ruger M-77's but they have a light barrel that throws shots as they warm up when shot during target practice.
Weatherby Vanguards can also be had in that price range w/ scope used.

Good luck... let us know what you find

[Bootifus]

Howa has a combo set-up 7mm that is pretty nice for the price. I think it may be closer to $500, but good bang for the buck.

[soldier-of-the-apocalypse]

400 is pretty cheap you prbly couldnt get much more then a mosin nagant I bought a remington 700 7mm for 600 with a scope and weaver mounts with iron sights

[newracer]

Dicks has the Remington 700 Varmint for $450 this week, not sure what calibers though.

[Mtn.man]

Up here in Bailey, CO gun brokers has a new Savage 06, with scope 380.00, can't go wrong and just look at the view, + you can shoot it before ya buy.

[jarodml]

Thanks for the input guys. This gives me a great place to start. I will have to look into the ones you have mentioned.

[GrandJeep]

Used- Savage 110 Used value about $350 w/ scope....
Good luck... let us know what you find

In our group there are several 110s and they all shoot great. I just picked up a Marlin XL7 in a trade. I have not shot it but it also get good reviews.

Good luck.

[Gunner]

http://www.co-ar15.com/forums/showthread.php?t=46998

This

[hollohas]

I was in the same boat last year. My search came down to the Savage Edge (now the Axis) and the Thompson Center Venture which are both in your price range. The TC beat the Edge/Axis by a mile IMO for only a few more $$.

Reasons? The TC had a much smoother trigger, smoother bolt and was overall tighter. The Savage says "silky smooth bolt operation" but the ones I looked at were far from silky. The Savage seemed to wiggle and rattle all over the place and I didn't like that. The TC also has an adjustable trigger which the Edge/Axis does not. The TC has a MOA guarantee which I don't think the Axis does.

That said, I liked the stock on the Savage better.

As far as on the range the 30-06 TC Venture I got shoots better than MOA at 200 yards when I do my part. I haven't had the opportunity to reach out any further yet. I got it for about $350 (no scope) at Sports Authority on sale and after rebate.

I have heard great things about Savage rifles and liked the more expensive models I have handled but the Axis doesn't fall into that category IMO. The TC Venture should cost more than it does for what you get.

TC Venture (http://www.tcarms.com/firearms/venture.php)

Let us know what you get!

Edited to include a portion of a post I made about this rifle here...
http://www.co-ar15.com/forums/showthread.php?t=27358&page=2


TC Venture. 3-shot group size at 200-yards averaged about 1-3/4” from a sandbag rest at the bench. I am by no means a great marksman, so I am thrilled with that! Picture of my best 1-1/2” group below.

http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae191/sholloh/IMG00229-20100921-1231.jpg

[Stinky]

7mm what?...7x57, 7mm Express (.280, a darn fine choice), 7mm-08, 7mm Remington Magnum (what you probably meant, but what should be your last choice), 7 mm Remington Ultra Mag, and 2-3 other magnums.

The first 3 are excellent choices and the others are not. The last ones are not good choices for somebody that doesn't shoot alot, they are "expert" calibers in that they kick like a mule and will dot your eye in a heart-beat. Don't get me wrong, they can really fling a hunk of lead a long ways and are pretty darn accurate....BUT< BUT <BUT

For somebody that does a heap of shooting, they work just fine...but here is what will happen...you'll go to the range and he'll immediately notice that it kicks and after the things cuts his forehead he will never be able to shoot it accurately again...I guar-an-darn-T-it.

Get him a .270, 280, 7mm-08, 7x57 (7mm Mauser) or .260, 25-06, 30-06 .308 or even a .243 (the first four are my choices and the rest are not necessarily in order) get him to shoot so that he can hit a paper plate at 50, then 100, then 200 yards. Even though he is an adult, the "entry level" process is still the same.

I have a .270 and an '06 and those are both excellent choices in the bargain rifles, but my caliber choices are listed.

Please don't get him a magnum.

[Mtn.man]

magnums are for those that have penis envy.

[jackthewall81]

Go get the Remington 700 7mm for 500 in the firearms for sale section.

[pikes_peak]

7mm Rem mag

my Deer and Elk slayer

[publiusv]

agree w/ stinky

[jarodml]

Well I have a 30.06 that he has shot before. How do the various 7mm stack up against the that?

[chris42]

Well I have a 30.06 that he has shot before. How do the various 7mm stack up against the that?

The 7mm bullets in the same cartridge have more velocity, a little better ballistic coeficient (which means a little better drop at long range), and a little less kick. A little less umph at the end. I like 7mm bullets. Lot of good bullet choices in both 30 and .284 calibers.

The 7mm-08 is basically a 308 win necked down to a .284 (7mm) inch bullet.

The 7mm remington magnum is a necked down 300 win mag. and has a little more kick than your 30-06.

The 280 remington is a necked down 30-06.

Here is a general comparative list. Though, there is a lot of variation in each caliber (heavier bullets tend to have a little more kick than the lighter bullets in the caliber.) Or they could just be loaded light.

http://www.chuckhawks.com/rifle_killing_power_list.htm

[jarodml]

Thanx fora break down Chris42

[spyder]

I'll let you rent mine... POF in 308 at 200 yards in the modified offhand position. BIG scope though...
http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h403/asrspyder/1102111915.jpg

On GB there is a Remington 700 ADL in 7mm with a scope going for 290 currently... #257859521
http://pics.gunbroker.com/GB/257859000/257859521/pix405089582.jpg

There is also this on GB with a starting bid of $299 (no bids currently) ending in 12 hrs. It is also a buy it now for $450. #256990060
http://pics.gunbroker.com/GB/256990000/256990060/pix797942630.jpg