Geddy

Okay, this will be my first year deer hunting in over 20 years. Just before enlisting in the AirForce in 1987 I killed my first and only deer (a spike) with a Marlin 30-30 at about 150 yards. I have fond memories of that rifle - especailly after shooting the little pee shooter M-16, but I'm thinking now about something with a little more power. Walmart has Savage Combos (with scope being the combo) in .270, 30-06, 7mm, and 300 WM for the same price - about $340. I'm sure that the scopes on these rifles aren't that good, but are they at least funcitonal? Half way decent?
When shopping around you expect to see price dirrerences between stores and brands, but the Walmart prices seem almost insane! Is there something that I'm missing?
Win. Rem. are a LOT more expensive in every cal. Granted, they usually come in nice wood finishes and the Savages of which I speak are synthetic, but good crap, the price differnces are 2 or 3 times the price.
Also, I live in the Seattle area - pretty dense foliage, so I'm wondering what cal. I really need. I would really like to get the 300WM for its long range and smack down, but are there any draw backs to this weapon? I remember the Marlin was a pretty nice brush gun - being able to carry it in one hand down by my side, but it had a limited range.

Any thoughts?

Rebel Hog

I would go with the 7mm Mag if you want more poweranddistance. I
don't think you need the 300 Mag unless you plan to hunt larger game.
Heck, go with a .270 or .280! I'm quessing all you want to hunt is
Black Tail. The two rifles you mentioned are good, if it is a matter of
cost for you, go for the Savage Combo.

timbercruiser

I would go for the combo in .270, .308, 7mm or in that range if you have a budget. Then in a couple of years you can upgrade to a nice scope.

onemred

My uncle manages a walmart sporting goods section and got me a good deal on the 7 mm mag savage. I had a muzzle break put on mine and some trigger work . The triggerwas a little scratchy feeling and it cost about 75$ but now it's nice and smooth.It came with a 3x9 simmons scope. I put a 3x9 Leupold on it and the gun is finished and no deer has ever ran 10 yards after being hit.

Hunter06FlKy

i would go with a 30-06. you can't go wrong with that in my opinion. if you want to hunt something bigger than blacktails you'll be ready.

Rebel Hog

Hey Hunter, both on the same day with .270,
33.9% is rifle, 33.9% is ammo and 33.9% is shooter!

Geddy

I could see maybe sometime hunting elk in the future. So, keeping that in mind, would you guys change your opinion? Noone suggested the 300WM, is there something wrong with this cal, or is it just too big for most purposes? And if that is the case, what circumstances would it be appropriate?

A the P

I shoot a Savage combo too--a GLXP3 110 in 30-06. It came with a 3-9x40mm scope and ran me, total,about $400. That's the only scope I've ever shot from, so I can't compare it to anything else. I will say, however, that it is quite serviceable for my needs. You cansee deer100 yards in dim light pretty easily, and you can barely make out the holes in the target at 100 yards with the scope. Hope that helps some.

DoctorDeath

I SHOOT A LITTLE OLE THOMPSON ENCORE 7mm08 .... DOES THE JOB ON 300lb DEER ....

ROLL TIDE
DD

Rebel Hog

Hey Doc, where you hunting in Canada?