Virginia Gun Owners Forum - VGOF

I am looking for a new bolt action rifle, my first bolt action. I have been looking into it and trying to find something in the $300 to $400 range. I am thinking .308 since I want to use this for Hog, Deer and maybe Bear some day. Any advice would be great.

Any insight on Ruger Savage or Mosberg?

Thanks

GregVa wrote: Any insight on Ruger Savage or Mosberg?

The popular hunting cartridges are perennially 30-06, 308, 7mm mag, 270 win. Go to any sporting goods store and you'll (under normal times) always find some on the shelf.

In the price range you are looking at the Ruger American would be my first choice. If you want to put a scope on it, figure another $200-300 for the scope, rings and mount.

Ruger Gunsite Scout and Mossberg MVP, both in 308, would be the next step above the Ruger American ($1000 and $700 Respectively). Those are the higher end of the scale but hold more rounds. Mossberg 4x4 could be a little less. Other end of the spectrum are the Savages, I know people who stand by them, an Axis could be within your budget, maybe less than the Ruger. Ruger may be the best "quality" of the three, even on their cheaper items and I have had excellent customer service (in one case a free part for a gun they no longer produce). Mossberg and Savage is far from junk, however. Mossberg is a little loose when it comes to tolerances, at least with their 500's, in an AK kind of way.

My mom's Axis in .223 will group 1" at 225yds... I'd love to try one in .308 and and put the Ruger up against it...

That would make for a fun afternoon's shooting!

I have been hunting the past 3 years with a Savage Axis in .308 and it is a great rifle. Nice tight groups and smooth bolt action. Price is in your range and for a little more you can probably get the scoped package.

Oh by the way I have put 6 nice doe's and 1 8 pointer in the freezer in the past 3 years with it.

You're looking for a Ruger American in .308 for under $300. I own a Remington inexpensive 770 for under $300. Bought it as a future "truck gun". It's okay, but I'm not fond of the stock, or the lack of aftermarket parts.

Thanks for the feedback guys. I am reading into this more and trying to decide in the next couple months. How old is your 770? Its either this or a cross bow but that's a whole different subject.

GregVa wrote:Thanks for the feedback guys. I am reading into this more and trying to decide in the next couple months. How old is your 770? Its either this or a cross bow but that's a whole different subject.

Hey did you ever make your mind up and if so what did you get???

Truth be told, all modern hunting rifles are pretty darned good. I like my Savage rimfires; my wife has the Savage Lady Hunter (made especially for women's ergonomics, and no pink or purple on it anywhere); I have a Weatherby (action made by Howa) in .30-06. You may also want to look at Tikka. For some reason, often overlooked and they are very nice rifles.

FWIW I have a Ruger American in .308, Nice Rifle, Accurate far more so than I'm capable of. (2) things I don't like is Spare Magazines cost like $30 for a hunk of cheap plastic and I hate the modern trend of No iron sights, But those are just my own personal pet peeves.

I'm surprised no one is mentioning the Remington 700?

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given the trouble with the rem's triggers, and the general reduction in fit/finish in recent years, as much as I'm a remington man, I have a harder time recommending them these days.

I own two Savages, .223 and .308. Both were about dead on out of the box. Nice tight groups, smooth bolt action and the Accu-trigger is sweet!!