Inexpensive bolt action rifles

I’d agree with a sporterized Swedish mauser in 6.5x55 scoped with something decent. Add QR rings and a good scope, make sure to zero the irons as well, and you’ve got yourself a solid gun that will hold up to as much rattling around as you like. If you want something slightly more refined you could find a husqvarna commercial mauser for less than an Axis. You’d be limited a bit in caliber, but it’s not going to be overkill on an animal that can approach 85 plus pounds on the regular.
 
meatsticks said:
I’d agree with a sporterized Swedish mauser in 6.5x55 scoped with something decent. Add QR rings and a good scope, make sure to zero the irons as well, and you’ve got yourself a solid gun that will hold up to as much rattling around as you like. If you want something slightly more refined you could find a husqvarna commercial mauser for less than an Axis. You’d be limited a bit in caliber, but it’s not going to be overkill on an animal that can approach 85 plus pounds on the regular.
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If it shoots it well, I used to load a 100gr bullet with about 41 grains of N150 in my 6.5x55 and it was a flat shooting, light kicking mofo.
 
Thanks for the feedback all.

One of my Montanas is a 257 Roberts, which could certainly do double duty. It’s a bit potent for our Eastern Ontario wolves/coyotes (much smaller than their northern timber wolf cousins).

Maybe I need one of the rare 22-250 / 223 Montanas … There goes my budget!
 
If he’s got a 257 Roberts it makes a lot less sense. Basically the same diameter and case with more light weight bullets available.
 
I lean toward a Ruger American Compact in .243 for what the OP might like. Ammo and reloading components ain't hard to get and performance on critters of all
sizes in our country is well proven using bullets best suited fer the job. The buggers can shoot damn tight after a wee "clean-n-tweek" out of the box.
 
In regards to new rifles the Savage axis package complete with a economy scope will provide good value. They work great for the money. I am fond of wood stocks and the old Husqvarna's that Intersurplus sells are pretty neat. I expect that the selection of these old rifles wont remain long term and prices will go up on them eventually. From what I understand most of these come used from Sweden.
 
I would use that Montana of yours in 257 Roberts. One of my main hunting rifles is a Montana. It has bounced on a quad (cased of course) for many miles and has been carried through bush and over tough terrain for hundreds and hundreds of miles. Rain, blizzards, -30 to plus 30, it has never failed me. I have carried it so much I've worn through the outer layer of the stock around the wrist and smoothed out some of the texture in a lot of other places.

Use a good scope, good mounts and a good case and it will be fine.
 
jbmauser said:
I would use that Montana of yours in 257 Roberts. One of my main hunting rifles is a Montana. It has bounced on a quad (cased of course) for many miles and has been carried through bush and over tough terrain for hundreds and hundreds of miles. Rain, blizzards, -30 to plus 30, it has never failed me. I have carried it so much I've worn through the outer layer of the stock around the wrist and smoothed out some of the texture in a lot of other places.

Use a good scope, good mounts and a good case and it will be fine.
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Trust me, not shy to use my Montanas. They see a lot of bushwhacking in hand in all types of weather each year.

And I do love carrying/shooting them so using the 257 might be the best choice.

I will check out some of the budget rifles mentioned and having a 223/22-250 would be useful for general practice as well.

As usual, more rifles is the solution!
 
Bought an original axis in 223 when they first showed up in Canada. The package with the Bushnell scope. I tightened down the bases a re-mounted the scope. Used mostly as a gopher/farm gun. Bounced around on quads, sleds and tractors. Everything is original and bit beat up but it still shoots 3/4 or better moa even with the crappie trigger. Never had to re-sight in and has 3500 plus rounds fired. Darn good for a $300 dollar gun.
 
250 sav said:
Bought an original axis in 223 when they first showed up in Canada. The package with the Bushnell scope. I tightened down the bases a re-mounted the scope. Used mostly as a gopher/farm gun. Bounced around on quads, sleds and tractors. Everything is original and bit beat up but it still shoots 3/4 or better moa even with the crappie trigger. Never had to re-sight in and has 3500 plus rounds fired. Darn good for a $300 dollar gun.
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I have about 1,000 less rounds than yours - and - she still shoots great
 
Instead of buying a cheap new rifle, consider a Husqvarna, Gustav, Parker Hale or similar commercial Mauser in good condition. For 5 or 6 hundred bucks you’ll get a WAY better rifle than the cheap crap they sell at cabelas in that price range now.

Just my 2 cents.
 
buckchaser said:
Trust me, not shy to use my Montanas. They see a lot of bushwhacking in hand in all types of weather each year.

And I do love carrying/shooting them so using the 257 might be the best choice.

I will check out some of the budget rifles mentioned and having a 223/22-250 would be useful for general practice as well.

As usual, more rifles is the solution!
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Hunted a lot of wolves in years past. There really isn’t a chambering I’d say is superior to a .257 Roberts with the V-Max for that job.
 
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