Need help choosing rifle

[heiner39]

I'm a newbie to the world of rifles and deer hunting. I've hunted birds for years and now I want to step it up a bit and try my hand at deer first then possibly migrate to larger game. Here's my dilema...

I don't have a big budget when it comes to spending on a rifle (thanks to my wife Here are the two that I'm looking at and I'd love to hear some feedback from everyone who's tried them or I'm open to suggestions on other "entry level" rifles. I'm considering a Remington 770 (.308) or a Savage 111FCXP3 (30-06). Both come as a package which includes a scope.

Please help a newbie out here fellas.

[wtnhunt]

Welcome to the forums.

The scope in the package guns will be functional at best. Will be a $40 bushnell or simmons.

I bought the wife a savage model 10 package rifle and that scope is now somewhere in the bottom of my cabinet. While I have not shot the rem 770, I dont think it will be a 700, but will more likely be closer to a 710. I have shot the savage model 10 which is what will be in that savage package deal, and the savage is quite a shooter. The wifes gun later got topped with a buckmaster scope, and got a trigger job, and that rifle is a tack driver.

Of those two, the savage hands down, but why not buy a remington model 700 adl?

[Strut10]

Another option may be to shop around for a good used combo. You may be able to get into a little higher-end rifle for about the same money as buying the two you mentioned new. As has already been mentioned.......the scopes that come on the package deals are probably best left at the store.

As far as chamberings go.............both the 308 and the 30-06 are good ones for deer, black bear, elk and moose. I would be remiss without mentioning that the 300 Win Mag would be a better choice for game larger than deer (and usually costs within a few dollars of athe same rifle chambered in a non-magnum caliber). Factory ammo, however, will run you 50% - 100% more than the 308 or '06.

There's a Remington 700 ADL 300 Win Mag with a factory mounted scope (all brand new in the box) on Gun Broker right now for $399.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...?Item=81094604

[mule659]

I would say the svavge of the two but as someone else on here said the 700ADL would be a nice choice.

[tped]

I would agree with Strut, Look around your local gun shops and you should be able to find something of higher quality for similar money. As for new - I don't know much about the 770 but the 700's are tried and true and the 700 SPS series are super quality guns at an affordable price - under $500 for blue and low $500's for stainless. By a low end Nikon< leupold or even the deals available to the Burris Fullfield and you will have a quality gun for a lifetime. The package scopes are crap and barely functional at best.

[heiner39]

Thanks for all your help guys. The unfortunate thing is the gun shops in the city I live in (in Canada) seem to be very high priced. I've been looking online trying to find some quality used guns in Canada but the prices all seem close to new!

I guess I'll just have to keep my eyes open and hopefully I can bump into something good. The problem being budget for the most part. I have been cleared for $500 and that's all so it might take me a bit to find the deal. I'm not sure how difficult it is to purchase a gun across the border.

[Leo]

IMO, if you have to choose between one of the two the Savage is better than the Remington 770 option. The 770 is just a updated version of the 710. Those rifles had some issues if you research it you'll find out.

You would be better to get a used Rem 700 if you can find one in your price constraints.

If you're willing to buy the gun first by itself and then wait until you can put a good scope on it. Even better

[WaCoyote]

I'm gonna agree with those who said stay away from the 770. The 710 was junk and time will tell if the 770 is more of the same. I bought my wife a savage .308 package and it is an absolute tac driver. I have had one problem, the sling stud stripped and fell out of the stock but it was an easy fix. In fact my gunsmith fixed it for free and it took about 5 minutes.

The scope was junk but it held zero and I've had no problems with it. It's just a cheap 3x9 simmons but it's fine for the limited use it gets. You can always replace the scope later anyways.

My vote goes for savage. Good luck.

[heiner39]

Thanks for the advice guys. I'm gonna take a look at the Savages this week and ya the more I read about the 710/770 the more I'm shying away from it. Who knows...maybe I can find a decent rifle without a scope and then next year step up for some good glass and have a great rifle.

Thanks again guys...I've really been enjoying this site!

Stay safe and good luck!

[wtnhunt]

Too bad you are not here. Wal mart here has three new but last years model 700 adl's marked down to $300 now. One is a .270, one a 30-06, and the other a 7mm mag, all have sights on the barrels too.

[heiner39]

Please don't tell me about the great prices on the 700's...that 30-06 is pretty much exactly what I need and a great price to boot. Our Walmarts really need to get on the ball and start selling firearms!!!

[trackerman64]

of the 2 i would say definitely go with the savage, they are very accurate guns and generally last forever. the remington 770 is simply a glorified 710, basically the same action with a different stock,,though as others have said the scope in the package is very basic at best, you would do much better saving the few bucks by just purchasing the rifle and investing in a different scope,, the bushnell trophy is a pretty good scope for the money, around $100 bucks, not the greatest but much better than those on the packages and will last for many years,, another good thing would be to look for a used remington 700, can probably pick one up for not much more than the savage and have a better quality gun all the way around

[antlerhead]

sounds like you have got some good advice, my advice is that you should get a caliber thats going to handle the larger game you mention. that way you can hunt all game with 1 rifle. by the way the remington 700 is a fine choice. ive got a 700 bdl in 300 win mag. that does the job on all big game aqs will a 30-06. well good luck findin a rifle. antler

[OJR]

Go with the Savage over the 770! If you can get a Savage with the short action in the 308, I would go that route! I had one and it shot great after I put a Pentax scope on it! I did not buy a package, it was just the rifle!

Savage rifles shoot great! They are UGLY, but they are SHOOTERS!

[Hoosierbuck]

Re-read OJR's post. I totally agree.
HB