What to buy?

[Guest abailey362]

I am thinking of getting a new rifle incase I ever get the chance to hunt, and for a longer range SHTF gun .

I don't want to spend a ton on it since it will mostly live in the safe nad have been looking at the Remington 770 (comes with a bore-sighted scope from factory) in either 30-06 or 7mm mag. Not sure which to go with, or if there is a better option in the price range (30-06 is $360 and 7mm is $450)

[gotigers]

What about .308? Slightly less range than 30-06, but .308 is more abundant, especially for SHTF. Better choices in .308 for match loads for killing paper. 7mm mag is overkill in the south IMHO. If you were going after mullies or elk, then 7mm mag.

[Guest JHatmaker]

What about a Savage Model 10 (.308)? Great rifle for the money.

[Guest Plainsman]

What about a Savage Model 10 (.308)? Great rifle for the money.

+1. I love mine! Of course I love my Rem 700 too! The Rem SPS package isn't to bad on the wallet, but there is no optic included.

[Almond27]

Another vote vote for Savage 10 in .308, but if your wanting to go cheaper than that I've heard alot of good stuff about the Marlin XS7 in .308 also.

[Guest .45]

this:

Springfield Armory

and looky, there's one for sale!!! (no, it's not mine...)

Springfield Armory Scout M1A Rifle NIB AL9126 : Semi-auto at GunBroker.com

.45

[Guest smileyguy]

Definately go with the Savage over the 770.

[Guest bkelm18]

If you want cheap, check out the Stevens line of rifles. They are made by Savage, they are kind of like the "economy" line. The actions are the same as on the more expensive Savages, but without all the bells and whistles. I had a Stevens in .308. It was a good solid gun for a good price.

[Smith]

No experience with the Remington's, but the Savage's I've had have been excellent out of the box.

[Guest TwoLaneBlackTop]

Best bolt gun for the money right now is the Remington 700 SPS Tactical in 0.308 WIN, prices on them typically run from $550 to $650. Only select Remington dealers carry them so the best route is buy one online from an out of state seller and have it shipped to your local FFL and do a transfer. This way you pay a reasonable price, and the shipping plus the transfer fee would still be less than the TN sales tax.

Here is a good review of the rifle.

remington 700 SPS Tactical

A few years ago before the SPS was made the only off the shelf tactical rifle from Remington was the Police model and at the time it sold for $850 and up, instead I bought a used Winchester Model 70 and built up a tactical bolt gun.

So, the approximate prices were.

Rifle $200

New Barrel and all associated gun-smithing $325

Stock $125 (got lucky here)

Refinishing $125

Cost $775, and this was a budget build.

[ShaunM]

Check out Marlins bolt guns. I have a friend who has one it shoots great. They are a great price to boot.

[nightrunner]

I think .308 would be a better all around gun. Just think about how many semi-auto rifles there are out there chambered in .308. I venture to say its the second largest used chambering in EBRs, 5.56nato being the first. plus .308/7.62nato is a NATO chambering.

my personal choice for a .308 bolt gun would be a rem 700.

[Warbird]

I guess if I wanted a medium or light/medium cartridge gun that would be useful in a number of categories including a SHTF rifle, I would go 308 or 30-06. There's no shortage of choices.

[molonlabetn]

Howabout a Romak III? (Dragunov clone)... 7.62x54R russian ammo is cheap and is in the .308/.30-06 power-range. Decent accuracy, and semi-auto.

[Guest FroggyOne2]

I would say go with the Savage, the beauty of the Savage is that you can have one rifle, but are not limited to one caliber! You can shoot .223, .308 or mag bolt face ammo.. just change out the bolt face and put the appropriate barrel on.. with the proper go gauge and your all set.

[Guest Schulzie]

I'm in this same decision area right now. I'm considering the Remington 700 SPS Tactical in 308 and two Savages, the Model 10 law enforcement with fluted barrel and muzzle brake and the weather warrier with the muzzle brake. It will be a multi purpose firearm, serving as a target gun and a hunting gun. The model 10 savage has a box mag, second swivel stud, matte finish and the great ( IMO) accutrigger and the accustock. The weather warrier is stainless, an advantage in wet weather but disadvantage due to glare and shine. The Remington has the Hogue stock which would be quieter in the woods. Leaning towards the model 10 law enforcement as of now.

[Guest abailey362]

While I would love to have a 700 or the leo savage, I just don't want that much tied up in a gun that will stay in the safe 99.99% of the time.

I had a Remington 700 VTR in .308 is one of the coolest bolt guns I have seen, but I couldn't just sit on that much on a safe queen, so it ended up at hero-gear in leau of a shiny new RRA. I'm trying to avoid the same situation again, hence the budget mentioned in my OP. I have probably narrowed it down to the 770 or the Savage 10 that walmart sells, and there is about $100 difference from what I've found in pricing.

Looking forward to mousegunner's range report for his .243