I've owned nothing but synthetic stocked guns. Kimber, Tikka, Marlin, Remington, Savage - all synthetic and stainless or synthetic and coated. After hunting with my father in-laws wood and blued Weatherby from the 80's, I'm wanting a proper wood and blue hunting rifle for myself.
What wood and blue would you buy with $2000 to spend on the rifle? Sako? Kimber? Cooper? CZ?
Didn't think of the Winchester Super Grade. That is priced nicely - surprised to see that. The Sako wood/blue guns are higher. Any reason -good or bad?
Didn't think of the Winchester Super Grade. That is priced nicely - surprised to see that. The Sako wood/blue guns are higher. Any reason -good or bad?
You can still find high condition old Sakos for around $1000.00. Simply put, there isn't a better made gun for that money. When it comes to shooting them, there aren't many that will consistently outperform a Sako. They hold their value better than most as well, making them a top contender for a production rifle...
Didn't think of the Winchester Super Grade. That is priced nicely - surprised to see that. The Sako wood/blue guns are higher. Any reason -good or bad?
You can still find high condition old Sakos for around $1000.00. Simply put, there isn't a better made gun for that money. When it comes to shooting them, there aren't many that will consistently outperform a Sako. They hold their value better than most as well, making them a top contender for a production rifle...
^^^^^^^^
This.
One thing about the Sakos,when you handle and shoot one, you will instantly realize why you spent that much on it.
Very few products give you that feeling.
"...the left considers you vermin, and they'll kill you given the chance..." Bristoe
Supergrade if you have to have wood/blued. The stock ergos are great. Sold one unfired on here for $850.00 a year ago in 30-06. Use the rest of the budget for glass/ammo/hunting. Go kill schitt.(just be careful not to scratch it or get it wet!) Which is why I sold mine. I've hunted supergrade, colt sauers, gold medallion Brownings etc...my wood/blued days are over, except for sporting clays.
Winchester or Sako. I'm more of a Winchester fan, but either one, depending on your taste.
A good principle to guide me through life: “This is all I have come to expect, standard lackluster performance. Trust nothing, believe no one and realize it will only get worse…”
If you include used rifles, there are a bunch of really nice ones in that price range, including FNs, M70s, and the Sakos of course. The long actions will seem a bit heavy by modern standards, but the quality is unquestionable. All but the Sakos will be a bit long for the .308 family and feature blocked magazines for the shorter rounds.
If you're only interested in new rifles, consider the Montana Rifle Company and also the higher grade Kimbers, some of which have really nice wood. The Kimber Longmaster .308 I bought in 2005 had very nice, apparently French walnut, and was the most accurate centerfire I've ever owned and maybe that I ever shot. New ones may or may not be the same. Both Kimber and MRC use modern manufacturing methods such as investment casting and MIM for some parts if that's an issue for you. The Kimbers, even the long actions, are quite light. The last one I handled was a select grade stainless .30/06 and was a stunner.
Take your time and get your hands on a few of the finalists before you put your money down. Good luck.
geedubya, how many of those would you be willing to let go for $2K?
I typically try to buy rifles used at a value. Only two rifles of all that I posted did I pay more than $1,500 for. The Sako Bavarian Carbine and the Steyr Classic Mannlicher. All the others I paid between $850 and $1,500. I'm not particularly in a selling mood but.............
You can still find high condition old Sakos for around $1000.00. Simply put, there isn't a better made gun for that money. When it comes to shooting them, there aren't many that will consistently outperform a Sako. They hold their value better than most as well, making them a top contender for a production rifle...
+1 on that.
I don't think my Steyrs will have the demand/popularity or resale value of the Sakos, but I'm finding that my Steyr's will shoot with the Sakos.........
100yds.
3 shot group from my Steyr Mountain Rifle, 308 Win, 150 gr. Nosler A/B. (This group was shot by my nephew who had never shot a centerfire rifle till this outing.)
and two more groups I fired with my 376 Steyr Pro Hunter......
probably a fluke.........
200 yds.
as the best I could do at 100 was this 3 shot group......
Originally Posted by Steelhead
I'd go for a M70 before a Sucko and I hate M70's.
Just fer schitz n' giggles,
here are two groups that were shot off the bench at 100 yds by my nephew a couple weeks ago. He had the chance to go hunting with his boss and needed a rifle. I piled 7 or 8 rifles in the ol' fliver and met him at the range. Mind you now, he has never shot a center-fire rifle..........
Yeah those Sauers are really nice, Blazers are awesomely different.
Ya'
but I've yet to find a Blazer R93 or R8 much less a K95 for under $2,000. I've got $2,250 in the one pictured above. Not found another near that price.
I presume you're talking about the newer Sakos. I've never played with one of those, but the older ones, even the dreaded Garcia era ones I've messed with, have been fine, trouble free rifles. Whenever I start itching all over for another rifle, I always check for good deals on '60s vintage Foresters and Vixens, right after the FNs and Browning Low Walls.
Whenever I start itching all over for another rifle, I always check for good deals on '60s vintage Foresters and Vixens, right after the FNs and Browning Low Walls.
Winchester, Kimber with Sako 3rd. I like the CRF on the M70 and Kimbers. Both my Sako 75 and 85 were heavy and didnt do it for me as much as a Winchester or Kimber. All shot equally well.
I presume you're talking about the newer Sakos. I've never played with one of those, but the older ones, even the dreaded Garcia era ones I've messed with, have been fine, trouble free rifles. Whenever I start itching all over for another rifle, I always check for good deals on '60s vintage Foresters and Vixens, right after the FNs and Browning Low Walls.
There ain't many rifles that will not out shoot them.
If I were shopping for a new wood/blued rifle today, it would say Sako on it. I would also consider a Ruger m77mk2, but Sakos are nicer in every measurable category that I can think of.
I presume you're talking about the newer Sakos. I've never played with one of those, but the older ones, even the dreaded Garcia era ones I've messed with, have been fine, trouble free rifles. Whenever I start itching all over for another rifle, I always check for good deals on '60s vintage Foresters and Vixens, right after the FNs and Browning Low Walls.
Actually the Garcia guns are still as good as they get. The 72, however, was not the same gun as the Sakos before and after 72...
Lots of Sako love here and after purchasing and shooting my first not so long ago, I can see why.
If I were to get a M70, I'd look for nice high comb std Pre-64. The featherweights are nice but balance poorly. The early low comb models are wonderfully made but dont scope well.
Kimber- wont go there, been there twice.
CZ- nice option for w working blue/wood rifle, but for 2K I'd look real hard at a Brno. You should be able to score one at that price, doubt you could do any better.
Stuck in airports, Terrorized Sent to meetings, Hypnotized Over-exposed, Commercialized Handle me with Care... -Traveling Wilbury's
I used to have a friend that had a a few Sauers and Blazers. I was privelged too reload for them and shoot them. To me they were some of the best made and accurate rifles I have seen.
The one Saur that I liked the best was a 308. The one blazer that I liked was in 300 win mag, although it kicked really bad.
He also liked, and his go to rifle was a Weatherby Accu-mark in 300 bee.
Yeah he liked his high end rifles. Yeah, to bad he died by a gunshot. Those were good times.
For a 'custom' rifle I like the ones I bought right now all finished. The ones I ordered came out good also but my favorite is on a all ready made mauser with a fine stock and a octagon barrel.
I've killed an number of critters with it, but this was one of my favorite outings..........
Snuck up on a sounder of javelina and picked out one that appeared to be larger than the rest. Popped him. Later that evening at dark-thirty I got the hoglet. It don't always work that way but I luv it when a plan comes together.
For a 'custom' rifle I like the ones I bought right now all finished. The ones I ordered came out good also but my favorite is on a all ready made mauser with a fine stock and a octagon barrel.
10/4 on that. Kinda like letting someone else take the depreciation.
Here is an ol' custom Mauser 98 I happened on one day.
I rarely go to gunshows, but a bud of mine had a booth and I told him I'd drop by. I think I had $10 or $20 bucks in my pocket so I could get in but not buy anything. I was walking down the aisle to my bud's booth when I spied this jewel. The guy that had smithed it had a shop down the street from where I worked in the late 70's. He was a custom smith of some renown in the Houston area by the name of Wayne Barnett. Fast forward to 2008 and here was one of his rifles. I told the seller that if he would hold my DL until I got back in an hour, I'd pay his asking price. My bud vouched for me and I picked up some cash and got back lickity-split.
My money, you won't find a better rifle than the New Haven Model 70 Classic Featherweight.
You can likely find prettier wood. Lighter weight. Pick your feature. But the Classic Featherweight is the finest rifle package ever produced in walnut and blued steel...
I was given a pre Garcia Sako Forester Deluxe in 308 by an uncle of mine when I first started deer hunting years ago. He purchased it when he was stationed in Germany, told me he went hunting once, shot a deer, and put it away, till he pulled it out of his closet and gave it to me. If I knew then what I know now, I never would have purchased another gun, it still shoots right where you point it and prolly fits me better than most other rifles. If you can find one, you won't be disappointed. My oldest son has already called dibs on it, and he is 6.
I'd find myself a nice 1950's Savage 99F in 308 for about $800, and put the other $1200 towards a nice hunt.
Or to get a bit different, find myself a good condition Savage 99T or 1930's 99R/99RS in 300 Savage, add on a Lightfoot mount and modern scope and again have myself a nice hunt on top of it.
There's something about hunting with an 80 year old classic lever gun.
1930's 99RS:
1930's 99T:
“The Savage 99 Pocket Reference”. All models and variations of 1895’s, 1899’s and 99’s covered. Also dates, checkering, engraving.. Find at www.savagelevers.com
There's something about hunting with an 80 year old classic lever gun.
Back at ya'..........
Something I ran into a while back and couldn't pass up. An old Savage 99. According to the serial number it was new in 1900. Chambered in 303 Savage, 26" octagonal barrel, with original tang site. Excellent condition for its age. GWB
I hadn't considered levers even though I have dozens of them. Either chambering in a Sako Finnwolf will bring you years of satisfaction and no other levers will shoot with them...
Not in the same class with the Sako, but the original Marlin Guide gun in 45-70 and ported barrel was a sweetheart........
I bought one of the original guide guns, blue/walnut with 18.5" ported barrel My go to load (supposedly Elmer Keiths load) was with 53 gr. IMR 3031 and 400 gr speers. Avg velocity around 1700 fps.
Here is a typical target shot at 100 yds. This was shot off the bench at the Pearland shooters club on 12/23/07. I planned to shoot it when I hunted between Christmas and New Year. I wanted to check zero. The first two shot were to check for group. The third shot was after I had made adjustments down and to the right. Not to shabby for a dead stock lever gun with untouched trigger.
Checking for zero. Shots 1& 2 are for group. Shot 3 is for zero. 100 yds, off the bench.
Anyway, it flat works. Kills stuff DRT, and you can eat right up to the bullet hole
Beautiful rifle. Forgive my lever-action ignorance...what gun is that?
I'm not Tex, but that is Ruger #1B single shot. Lovely rifles, but can be finicky and they are a beeotch to put a scope on with comfortable eye relief.
Thanks NH. Probably not the gun for my purpose. I'll be shooting from elevated box blinds and tripods 90% of the time. The other 10% are field positions, shooting sticks, prone and the occasional truck window
That's a lot of good guns and pictures.. but nobody mentioned Cooper. At the top of your budget, but they always shoot, the customer service is without peer and their wood stocked rifles are good looking. If you can find a used one, you can be in it for around 1500.
Beautiful rifle. Forgive my lever-action ignorance...what gun is that?
I'm not Tex, but that is Ruger #1B single shot. Lovely rifles, but can be finicky and they are a beeotch to put a scope on with comfortable eye relief.
I have worked with a bunch of them, as I collect them - but I also shoot all mine The 1B's and 1V's IME are the least fussy. Get either a low serial number under 130-005000 (Douglas barrel) or a black pad rifle (Ruger made hammer forged barrel) and you will likely find they aren't that fussy.
That said, I've never seen a 1B I would call inaccurate. The group shown was the 2nd load I tried in the rifle. And it is not a slow load, either.
I prefer the Ruger made offset rings, as shown. The scope is a VX-3 3.5-10x40.
I'm not Tex, but that is Ruger #1B single shot. Lovely rifles, but can be finicky and they are a beeotch to put a scope on with comfortable eye relief.
How many do you own?
I have come here to chew bubblegum and kick ass. And I'm all out of bubblegum.
Originally Posted by safariman
I do tend to fit in well wherever I go in person.
Originally Posted by Fireball2
The campfire is the most outside exposure I get. No TV, no newspaper.
I'm not Tex, but that is Ruger #1B single shot. Lovely rifles, but can be finicky and they are a beeotch to put a scope on with comfortable eye relief.
How many do you own?
Oh crap, did I hurt your feelings again? I was trying to be careful, but I guess you are more sensitive than I figured. Sorry again!
To answer your question I have owned and or loaded for/hunted about 10 #1s and #3s. Most were 1A's, a couple 1S's ( i seem to recall the .45-70s were S's), an RSI, and a 9.3x74R that was in a tropical. The 1B's never appealed to me being a 8-8.5 lb single shot, but to each their own. Its amazing what you get to play with when you grow up and live down the street from the factory where these things are built!
GeeDub,is there a rifle you don't own,but would like to own?
ya'
I'm old, but not that old. LOL
There are a few that I've sold due to financial embarrassment or foolishness I would not mind re-acquiring.
I sold a Cooper Classic in 17 HeBee, a Cooper Montana Varminter with fluted stainless barrel in 6.5 x 284, A Sako Vixen Varmint in 222 Rem, a Browning High Wall in 454 Casull. Those I would not mind having back.
There are quite a few others that I can think of.
A sweet Merkel or Sauer drilling in say a 6.5 x 16 ga. x 16 ga.
A Blazer K95 in 7 x 57
A Beretta Silver Pigeon gr 3 or gr 5 in a 20/28 ga. combo
Stuff like that.
The greatest impediment to owning the ones I desire is that it is hard to find them at the price I want to pay.
All the input has been great. "Window shopping" on the internet has been fun, and of course opened my eyes to the beauty of such things as the Cooper Custom Classic with a checkered bolt knob, beautiful shadow line cheek piece and inletted sling studs.
Out of budget, but not out of mind. One can dream, right?
All the input has been great. "Window shopping" on the internet has been fun, and of course opened my eyes to the beauty of such things as the Cooper Custom Classic with a checkered bolt knob, beautiful shadow line cheek piece and inletted sling studs.
Out of budget, but not out of mind. One can dream, right?
Your darn skippy!!!!
Back before the Cooper repeaters got so popular, I ran into a trust fund baby that had this Cooper 52 Jackson Game rifle. He was on his way to Briley's to by a high dollar shotgun. He'd got the Cooper as a graduation payment and did not want it. I got it and 5 boxes of premium ammo for $1,250.
Dream and be patient. It took me 10 years to find the Cooper in 20 Vartarg at the price I wanted. Three years after I started looking to get my first Merkel.
Plan your work and work your plan and make your dreams come true.
My first rifle was a Sako and I still have it over 45 years later. It's a great rifle, but I wouldn't buy a new Sako 85. Read this thread then do a google search on "Sako ejection problem" and decide for yourself.
I have a buddy who bought a new Sako 85 finnlight in 7 Mag. and he has the ejection problem. The worst thing is Beretta/Sako won't do anything to help.
I'm not Tex, but that is Ruger #1B single shot. Lovely rifles, but can be finicky and they are a beeotch to put a scope on with comfortable eye relief.
How many do you own?
Oh crap, did I hurt your feelings again? I was trying to be careful, but I guess you are more sensitive than I figured. Sorry again!
To answer your question I have owned and or loaded for/hunted about 10 #1s and #3s. Most were 1A's, a couple 1S's ( i seem to recall the .45-70s were S's), an RSI, and a 9.3x74R that was in a tropical. The 1B's never appealed to me being a 8-8.5 lb single shot, but to each their own. Its amazing what you get to play with when you grow up and live down the street from the factory where these things are built!
Have a nice day!
That's fairly impressive, considering you were just 14 when you started posting here and were asking your dad for permission to buy a muzzleloader just a few years ago. In fact, I'm quite surprised you haven't been sharing all of your Ruger single shot knowledge with the single shot forum. However, I noticed your answer is somewhat vague, since the number cited was "about 10" and combined with other things you've posted, I think only one digit in that number is correct. You should post the actual number of Number 1s you own for the people you're trying to advise. It places a true value on that advice.
I have come here to chew bubblegum and kick ass. And I'm all out of bubblegum.
Originally Posted by safariman
I do tend to fit in well wherever I go in person.
Originally Posted by Fireball2
The campfire is the most outside exposure I get. No TV, no newspaper.
GeeDub,is there a rifle you don't own,but would like to own?
ya'
I'm old, but not that old. LOL
There are a few that I've sold due to financial embarrassment or foolishness I would not mind re-acquiring.
I sold a Cooper Classic in 17 HeBee, a Cooper Montana Varminter with fluted stainless barrel in 6.5 x 284, A Sako Vixen Varmint in 222 Rem, a Browning High Wall in 454 Casull. Those I would not mind having back.
There are quite a few others that I can think of.
A sweet Merkel or Sauer drilling in say a 6.5 x 16 ga. x 16 ga.
A Blazer K95 in 7 x 57
A Beretta Silver Pigeon gr 3 or gr 5 in a 20/28 ga. combo
Stuff like that.
The greatest impediment to owning the ones I desire is that it is hard to find them at the price I want to pay.
Just sayin'
GWB
Thanks for the answer GeeDub.
Yup,the price is almost always a little too much.
Life Member SCI Life Member DSC Member New Mexico Shooting Sports Association
Take your responsibilities seriously, never yourself-Ken Howell
I own a couple of dozed rifles and admit I cull the ones I M not really entranced with. Maybe my favorite of all is a Super Grade Model 70 with 22 inch barrel. That was a shot show special. I never saw a Super Grade Model 70 that wasn't a fantastic value! Of all of my rifles the ones with great wood stocks and great bluing are the preferred ones. I own synthetic stocks and stainless barrels and actions, some are really remarkable. If they aren't real accurate I part company quick. For more than three shots though.........it better be a Super Grade Model 70. Real lightweight barrel profiles start drifting shots after those first three.
Kaboku's suggestion of a Winchester Model 70 Jack O'Connor is great!
Only problem I have no idea where you could still buy one! The last single one I know of for sale departed! It was the highest quality rifle for the price I have ever seen! His photo shows the Custom Tribute rifle with features that easily made it a $6,000 rifle at $2,500!!! That Winchester grand slam may never happen again! I own one. You could try to see if someone has a JOC tribute they are selling, but I sincerely doubt it! That exceeds your budget by a slim amount. I have had offers for mine all from gun dealers well above the Winchester sale price. I have followed high end commerative rifles from the early 60s. Not once have I ever seen the equal of that rifle. I knew Jack O'Connor, the great Outdoor Sports Writer, he would have been very proud of that rifle.
I'd be tempted to find a used Kimber Select with nice wood and have it rebarreled with top-end SS, cerakoted, and properly bedded. Should be possible for around $2k.
Consider a Ruger #1. This one is one of the Boddington series, the Kudu, in 300 H&H; a #1S. I like the feel of the #1S the best, as the somewhat longer barrel balances best for me. It's been boring accurate right out of the box, with an excellent trigger.
If a single shot is your thing; as GW mentioned some of the Brownings have some beautiful wood under the acrylic finish. The stock was touched up on this B-78 with a Shilen barrel in .257 Wby.
It shoots VERY well,the 4th shot is a few clicks left and 10 down that would have put it in the top group.
I think at this point, I'll keep my eyes open as I try to save away some cash for a Cooper Custom Classic. The Super Grade Winnies look really great, and I wouldn't be opposed to the right one in the right cal.
A few mins of searching and reading have scared me away from the new Sakos. I have no need to inherit an ejection problem.
Heck, I forgot I have a project gun that needs to be finished up. For quite a bit less than $2000 I'll have this 32-40 made in 1903 all set for hunting. Can't get much more proper for wood and blue than turn of the 20th century factory engraved...
“The Savage 99 Pocket Reference”. All models and variations of 1895’s, 1899’s and 99’s covered. Also dates, checkering, engraving.. Find at www.savagelevers.com
I won't be selling my M70 JOC Tribute. It's a tack driver and the halo rifle of my collection. The value of this rifle is going up fast.
Originally Posted by DaveyJ
Kaboku's suggestion of a Winchester Model 70 Jack O'Connor is great!
Only problem I have no idea where you could still buy one! The last single one I know of for sale departed! It was the highest quality rifle for the price I have ever seen! His photo shows the Custom Tribute rifle with features that easily made it a $6,000 rifle at $2,500!!! That Winchester grand slam may never happen again! I own one. You could try to see if someone has a JOC tribute they are selling, but I sincerely doubt it! That exceeds your budget by a slim amount. I have had offers for mine all from gun dealers well above the Winchester sale price. I have followed high end commerative rifles from the early 60s. Not once have I ever seen the equal of that rifle. I knew Jack O'Connor, the great Outdoor Sports Writer, he would have been very proud of that rifle.
I don't have room on the Campfire to post all the pictures of dead animals that I have shot with a Sako. I am not interested in the latest Sako offerings and stand by my earlier post on Pre-Garcia and Garcia era rifles that have a track record matched by few. They are still found in excellent shape around the $1000.00 price and will still outperform Cooper rifles at several hundred $ more. Don't let that group they send with the rifle fool you, they are 50 yard targets...
I don't have room on the Campfire to post all the pictures of dead animals that I have shot with a Sako. I am not interested in the latest Sako offerings and stand by my earlier post on Pre-Garcia and Garcia era rifles that have a track record matched by few. They are still found in excellent shape around the $1000.00 price and will still outperform Cooper rifles at several hundred $ more. Don't let that group they send with the rifle fool you, they are 50 yard targets...
Yea, not ammo sensitive and the JOC seems to be the most accurate rifle I have ever owned. The gun shoots better than my skill level and I am able to get 1' groups at 200 yards and even 300 yards with factory ammo when I am on my game. I only shoot mine at the range now and won't take it hunting because the stock can not ever be replace from Winchester from what they tell me. It's certainly a "blue chip" rifle from Winchester and will only appreciate in value. I have many other fine M70's that I hunt with.
2p-
Originally Posted by Mule Deer
mystro,
Every one of the Jack O'Connor tribute rifles I've heard about is a real shooter, including mine.
I would agree with Schrapnel, GW and others that you can't go wrong with the older Sako's. I have a few from a 1956 L46 Varmint to a 1999 M75 Hunter Stainless and they are all nice. This Pre-Garcia L61R Deluxe in 300H&H would be the favorite; but $2k would not buy it, especially since it has my initial in Sterling Silver:
So here's a follow up question, and I'm sure this will be personal preference as well...
What quality level of gun would you say is "too fancy" or "too nice" to make a week in, week out hunting rifle? Not a workhorse gun by any means, I have synthetic stocked guns for that. But I plan to hunt this rifle. It will take on a ding or two or three I'm sure. When is it "too nice" to hunt without stressing over it?
I'll tell you what. I looked at a M70 SuperGrade yesterday and it was a beautiful piece! It was a .300WSM, bolt was smooth as glass like M70's usually are, and it fit me like a glove!
These 2 rifles are 30-06 and 300 WBY deluxes, between them many hunts and over 30 elk. They aren't unmarked, but they still look great. Life is too short to hunt with an ugly gun...
It would certainlay be foolish to take a pristine, collectable rifle out to get banged around, especially if it was a big investment in your eyes. The rifles pictured here though are meant to be used, shot, hunted, and given reasonable care afterward. I'm careful with all my guns in the field, not just the pretty ones, but they get rained and snowed on and bang into my binoculars occasionally. It's inevitable that they're going to pick up a few dings. Don't sweat it, they're tools.
That is a tricky question. Collectors or limited edition rifles are too nice to be used on a hard hunt for me. I feel more comfortable shooting those rifles on the range in a controlled environment. I don't want to be constantly babying a pristine collectors rifle while trying to beat my way through the woods. I've tried that before and it's frustrating as hell. A standard or deluxe model 70 in a featherweight is what I would want to hunt with. When the weather turns nasty you can't beat a fine SS rifle like a Kimber Montana or the like. If the weather isn't sloppy I'm more inclined to carry a traditional model 70 featherweight that is nice looking but replaceable. That way any little ding or scratch becomes a cherished memory of that hunt.
This is what I feel comfortably hunting with as opposed to my JOC tribute gun for my 270 rifle.
Originally Posted by OutdoorAg
So here's a follow up question, and I'm sure this will be personal preference as well...
What quality level of gun would you say is "too fancy" or "too nice" to make a week in, week out hunting rifle? Not a workhorse gun by any means, I have synthetic stocked guns for that. But I plan to hunt this rifle. It will take on a ding or two or three I'm sure. When is it "too nice" to hunt without stressing over it?
So here's a follow up question, and I'm sure this will be personal preference as well...
What quality level of gun would you say is "too fancy" or "too nice" to make a week in, week out hunting rifle? Not a workhorse gun by any means, I have synthetic stocked guns for that. But I plan to hunt this rifle. It will take on a ding or two or three I'm sure. When is it "too nice" to hunt without stressing over it?
Get something with an oil finish rather than an acrylic.
Here's a push feed Winchester 70 in 270 Win($350), a Mauser 98 in 7 x 57($500) with a hand carved mesquite stock, and a Sako l61R varmint in 7mag($850). I 've owned all three between 20 and 25 years. The 7mag was the first Sako I ever bought and it's my favorite out of the two dozen or so I've owned.
They all have nicks, scratches, bumps and dents from carrying in the field. Good thing mesquite is dense cause I dropped the Mauser from 15' onto a pile of rocks, crawling into a tri-pod
However the nice thing about oil finish is you can touch it up or strip it down and refinish. Here is a Sako AV in 375 H&H. I picked it up around 1999 for $500. Here it is after a new recoil pad was installed and it was sanded down and a half dozen coats of tru-oil
I like the classic style stocks with a matte finish. To me the Tikka Hunter wood stock looks real good. But I also like the CZ American 550 Classic wood stock with a single set trigger, if you can find one. These would be my first two choices.
If you would really like something very nice take a look at the Steyr Mannlicher Classic Half Stock. Or Sako Classics.
You mentioned hunting with Weatherby's wood stock, if you're looking for a shiney stock, there are lots of used Weatherby Mark V's to choose from. Another real good shiney rifle is a Colt-Sauer.
If I wanted a wood stock I would just go ahead and hunt with it. Walnut is a pretty tough wood and the nicks and scratches from brush usually don't go very deep.
I see yours is the Tribute also! I could not bring myself to deal with the .270 with a steel butt plate! They are probably the best deal I ever saw in firearms!
I think it's funny how most people today think wood stocked, blued steel rifles are fragile or they will rust away in no time even though there are many examples of guns hundreds of years old that are still beautiful and functional. All they need is a little care to prevent damage. The little dings and dents add character.
But nobody apparently wants to care for their equipment anymore. I don't even want to think about what an old used and abused stainless synthetic rifle would look like in fifty years other then plain ugly.
Last edited by Cougarz; 12/04/15.
Diplomacy is the art of saying "Nice doggie" until you can find a rock. Will Rogers
A high quality rifle that will last a lifetime and when you hand it down it should last another lifetime. It's chambered in one of the most useful cartridges of all time.
One nice thing about my upcoming trip to Kittery Maine is that I will get to see some used rifles, some new Kimber 84s, as well as Winchester M70 which is probably what I will buy. Might even sell a brand spanking new Winchester 94 Sporter 30-30 as I will get a fairly decent trade in offer. That 94 is a fairly good example of how I have traded around rifles in the last few years. After selling each one I will admit I shouldn't have but the farming business is NOT the business to be in around tax time!
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