Debating on What New Rifle to Buy

scott2000d

scott2000d

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I am looking for advice on what rifle/caliber to buy. I am looking for a good solid LEFT-HANDED rifle in the $4-600 range to use for hunting deer and moose, as well as taking to the range to have some fun. I plan on joining a gun club and spending a bit of time there on the range. As much as I'd like to buy 2 guns it just isn't in the budget right now. I have been looking at the Remingtom 700 SPS mostly, however the Savage 11/111 package looks very appealing as well since it comes with a scope already.

My Next Dillema is what caliber to choose. I have been looking mostly at 270/30-06, and leaning more toward the 270 for its flat shooting both on the range, as well as off. I am also considering a 308 since it is excellent for the range, and ammo is available for quite cheap. The key thing is that I want something to be able to use for moose season as well. I plan to get into reloading sometime after this purchase so that will help with the cost of ammo.

So what are your opinions on rifle? Remington 700 SPS, Savage 11/111, or other that comparitive in price and quality
And opinions on caliber? 270, 30-06, 308, or other that will meet my needs
 
Generally speaking, scopes that come with "packages" are crap.
You will be upgrading soon if you buy such.

Other than that, the SPS or the Savage are great starter rifles.

Any of the chamberings you are contemplating will be fine for deer or moose, should you hunt the bigger cervids.

Personally, I would choose the 30-06, but in factory loadings, the 308 gives up very little to the 30-06
in bullet weights under 180 grains.
Once you begin reloading, the 30-06 becomes the more powerful round.

The 270 is a flatter shooting chambering, but not by a whole lot.
With any decent bullet from 130 grains up, it will do fine on moose. [I do prefer 140's or 150's for moose, myself.]

It is true that cheap ammo is available for the 308, but some of the brass is not reloadable, so it becomes a moot point, IMHO.

Regards, Eagleye.
 
If you are going to spend a lot of time at the range then I would select a 308. Cheaper to buy bulk ammo, cheaper to reload, and most importantly less recoil so you will enjoy shooting it off the bench. All three of your choices will be fine for deer and moose.

As far as rifles go there are lots of good rifles to choose from, everyone has an opinion on why one is better or worse than the rest. Realistically they will all shoot fine and function properly. It's all a matter of what fits you and what looks nice in your eyes. I prefer the savage 11/111 over the 700 SPS personally. Not because the action is inferior but I hate the grip pads on the SPS stock. I picked up a brand new savage 111 LH bolt in 30-06 a few months back for $275 at an auction. It was so cheap I had to buy it even though i'm not left handed. It had a wood stock and was very nicely made. If I still had it I'd sell it to you, but I already sold it.
 
Take from another leftie. Alot of options out there. The savage trophy are not bad deals for us lefties. In price range that is a great starter rifle. If can spend more the tikka t3 or savage weather warrior are great guns.
 
scott2000d said:
I am looking for advice on what rifle/caliber to buy. I am looking for a good solid LEFT-HANDED rifle in the $4-600 range to use for hunting deer and moose, as well as taking to the range to have some fun. I plan on joining a gun club and spending a bit of time there on the range. As much as I'd like to buy 2 guns it just isn't in the budget right now. I have been looking at the Remingtom 700 SPS mostly, however the Savage 11/111 package looks very appealing as well since it comes with a scope already.

My Next Dillema is what caliber to choose. I have been looking mostly at 270/30-06, and leaning more toward the 270 for its flat shooting both on the range, as well as off. I am also considering a 308 since it is excellent for the range, and ammo is available for quite cheap. The key thing is that I want something to be able to use for moose season as well. I plan to get into reloading sometime after this purchase so that will help with the cost of ammo.

So what are your opinions on rifle? Remington 700 SPS, Savage 11/111, or other that comparitive in price and quality
And opinions on caliber? 270, 30-06, 308, or other that will meet my needs
Click to expand...
In my opinion i would get a 3006.wider range of bullets.and also i would get a weatherby vanguard.I've had one for 7 yrs and love it.:ang3
 
Good point with the crap scopes coming with the packages. Maybe a rifle in that same price range without a scope would make more sence. I have looked at the T3 and Weather warrior, but they are a little above the price range I'm looking for. Maybe I'll try to find a Savage 11/111 not in a package for a good price, or stick with the slightly more expensive Remington 700. Then try to find a good deal on a scope over the winter.
 
Savage Axis. Epps has a bunch in lefty. Go to their site and put "axis" in the search. $350-400 depending on blued or stainless.
If you are considering a 700 then a tikka lite blued is right there in that price range. $720 for the tikka. The action is like BUTTA.
 
Maybe i'll check the price of the Tikka locally. I have to get it from a certain store since I won $500 in gift certificates from the place and wouldn't be looking to buy new otherwise. His initial quote for a Remington 700 SPS was around $830, which is completely out to lunch since I can go down the road to Canadian Tire and pick up the same one for $599, or other local places for $550 or so.
 
$830 for an SPS!?!?! If all his prices are that high then I wouldn't give him the satisfaction of giving him any money. If he is unwilling to price match then buy your gun elsewhere, new or used and use the $500 gift certificates for a scope and some ammo from his shop.
 
He didnt have any 700 SPS in stock and that is the price he got when he looked it up. He did have LH Savage Axis in 270 and 30-06 for $495. I may either try to get him to price match the 700 or go for the Axis. Or try to sell the gift cards for $450 or so and still come out on top... lol
 
Savage trophy is alot better gun with accutrigger and a weaver scope for 519 at cabelas than the axis package you are looking at. Check al faherty they had them in 30 06 for 450.
 
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