Client loaner rifles

Ardent

Ardent

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Location
Northern BC, Coastal BC, or Africa. Depends on the
For the sake of kick it back and forth argument fun, here's my chin scratcher.

I need affordable, extremely durable, stainless synthetic rifles in 7mm Rem for my outfitting operation. I'm getting more hunters requesting a loaner rifle, the 7mm mag is a no brainer here as guides need to be able to grab ammo at home hardware on my behalf in a sleepy town. Need as flat of shooter as possible for a long zero on mountain goats and reasonable recoil, with the ability to hunt Grizzly without much concern. 7mm Mag's the end of that story so it's all about the rifles.

Right now, I've used a Kimber Adirondack .308 for the purpose, but it's too light on cartridge and trajectory. Also would like to have two of these loaner rigs and keep them the same. Weight, and cost are the primary concerns, but they can't be a Savage or the like. You just can't put one of those into the hands of a guy paying for an experience. I'm going to use one as a work gun plenty no doubt too as they'll already be there and iron sights would be a big bonus.

Considering, all in stainless,

-Ruger 77s (they also extend an outfitter discount, but likely buying used anyhow)
-Zastava Mausers
-Winchester 70's (likely it)

What would you pick? What am I neglecting to look at? No Rem 700s don't want that safety behind me, one thing in a guy like Douglas' hands but when I don't know the fellow I'd rather a good three position I trust.
 
Easy one, and you already know it..........

Durable, dependable, accurate and still Classy enough for the client.

M70 EW
 
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cody c said:
Ruger stainless laminate was my first thought. I guess an X-bolt would shoot as well.
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Laminate is way too heavy and still isn't up to the drenching rifles here get, has to be synthetic.

kamlooky said:
I've got an 89 Vanguard with their synthetic stock.
Adjustable trigger and decently light for weight.
Deep rich blue which should stand up well in the wet environment
if lubed appropriately.
Just 'bout dang accurate too.
Floor plate, so no mag to go in the hiding mode.
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Absolutely, positively has to be stainless. I understand how good those rifles are but the only thing I can give the proper care and attention to, my double, I didn't even bring last grizzly hunt. It will be salt sprayed, no cases to cut weight and bulk, and really just can't justify a gun that needs special care when it's a client loaner. Hoyt took this pic, we get weeks of this crap.
 
Did I say weeks, meant months! Only stainless synthetic for the below, somewhat soul sucking reasons. And this below counts as sunshine in October.

20160909_113559_zpsp6eptkz5.jpg
 
carverk said:
How about Brownie BLR it's a classic ,fast and dependable
The only problem mite be the safety for your purpose
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Do they offer them in synthetic? Haven't seen any that weren't aftermarket. Need to be really clear on that I need maintenance free, headache free ready to go guns that don't need customising or coating, oiling, etc. They just won't get it.
 
What about a Vanguard S2 stainless or Backcountry? The reviews seem to indicate they're workhorse rifles.

I do like M77 Hawkeye stainless rifles, i actually like the Ruger safety better than the M70.
 
crazy_davey said:
Laugh2

Agreed, thanks for the laugh. Wont be long and the Salvage Axis suggestion will be along shortly... :)
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I tried to be explicit to nip that in the bud without being too insulting on the Savage etc note... Would be a bit like buying a new one ton and getting in to find a milk crate for the seat. "It works, as strong as any other seat, never wears out, bang for your buck. The machine chatter marks are a friction reducing feature. Lighter than competiting seats, no snobs use them. Sits as hard as any seat on the market."
 
GMC403 said:
What about a Vanguard S2 stainless or Backcountry? The reviews seem to indicate they're workhorse rifles.

I do like M77 Hawkeye stainless rifles, i actually like the Ruger safety better than the M70.
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Definitely worth consideration, I haven't delved into these yet besides bumping into the odd one at the range. Guys here who know more than I really like them.
 
Ardent said:
Do they offer them in synthetic? Haven't seen any that weren't aftermarket. Need to be really clear on that I need maintenance free, headache free ready to go guns that don't need customising or coating, oiling, etc. They just won't get it.
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I had one in 450Marlen SS with a synthetic stock shood have never sold that one
It was One of my favorites but impossible to get ammo up north as you already know Ardent
 
Kimber montana. No one is going to be upset with a Kimber rifle. SS and synthetic. Also the cost isn't too bad for a decent rifle. I would stick with this model or above due to the stock material. There are composites and then there are injection molded plastic garbage.

Also I agree that the Weatherby Vanguard S2 RC 7mm-08 Rem 24" would be a serious consideration. The price is right for a decent all around SS and composite stock. I guess it depends on the budget and how much these people are paying for these trips. The Kimber name is well known as fairly high end. The Vanguard is known as good but also as the "budget" weatherby rifle. When they go back bragging to their friends/family and the rifle they were using comes up, you want it to be associated with high end.
 
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How about the new Kimber Hunter ?

- synthetic
- stainless
- 3 position safety
- 7mm-08
- cheaper than the high-end line
- light but not stupid light
 
I would pick either ruger or Winchester as they have the 3 way safety or even a kimber m model then zastava are two way safety are they not or an Tc encore. Hehe
 
Just because noone has spoken on them. Nothing at all wrong with a Zastava. I would imagine that they would be the lowest price point, plus there, for a rifle to be treated so brutally. Problem is, it seems the ugly cheap choice when you hand it to someone paying serious coin for the experience.

Of the three the Win 70 would be the nicest, but it isnt a beauty contest.

A stainless synthetic MkII M77, probably sits between the other two. Price, refinement, toughness. All things being equal i would choose this of your three. Especially since you could probably buy 4 of these used for the price of two M70's. Doubt you will find many M70 EW on sale used.
 
I have a zastava, it's really nice and I like it, I also have the dreaded savage and its as nice and cycle better, I get the savage hate if it's for snobbish reasons, same reason for say someone would buy a jaguar instead of a honda accord or something else. It's not that it's better, its just that it's more exclusive! For that I say right on stay away from the savage, rem, ruger america etc. But if it's base on price and performance then sometimes, especially for loaners, more expensive is not alway equal better guns.

There is also the tikka that seem yet affordable and yet "cool enough "
 
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