Which gun to buy
 

So I was going to buy a Stevens 200 30-06 with a camo stock and Bushnell scope for $399 well they are sold out of the 30-06 I had cabela's look at different stores and they found one a hour and a half from my house at another store in a .308 that I called and put on hold.

but I was doing some thinking because cabela's also had a Remington 700 in a 30-06 with a cabela's brand scope for $559.

money is a issue but does any one think its worth the extra money

I prefer 30-06 over .308 they seam to be completely the same until you get to a higher grain for bear and moose (highly unlikely I will hunt either but I like to know I can).

the cabela's scope was much clearer than the Bushnell scope.

this will be my deer riffle and I don't plan on doing a lot of shooting with it maybe 20 shots a year. But its a investment and plan to have it for many years

p.s. this will be my first riffle so I don't know much.

keep in mind its a extra $20 in gas to buy the Stevens 200

I have been doing research on that hole .308 vs 30-06 debate but if you think the .308 is better or have something to add then add away.

any other thoughts are appreciated

Thank you for your time

i think either gun will suit you well performance wise, but which gun fit you the best? Personally i believe either mfg puts out guns capable of hitting the mark better than a human can do while in the field shooting at game.

as far as caliber, you are not undergunned with a 308. I personally own a few 30.06 but if they were 308's i would still be able to accomplish the job. You say your unlikely to hunt large bears, well, if you were i wouldn't use a 30.06 or 308 so you see my point. Neither one is what i call suitable for that kind of game. But for deer hunting etc... either works just fine.

what i would be most concerned about is ammo availability. 30.06 is available everywhere.. so is 270 and 243 (at least here in wisc) you can find it at a gas station during hunting season. 308 is pretty available too but you may want to look at where you shop and make sure. I usually pick up ammo at walmart if i see it, and 308 hasn't really been a staple in my neck of the woods. Same with some of the other box stores. I am not saying you will have a hard time finding it, but ammo availability is a big deal this year. But as far as performance, either caliber does the trick. Whatever game a 30.06 will take so will a 308 assuming its deer sized. You do get better choices with bullet weight in the 30.06. But again, use the right tool for the job. I don't know many people who hunt coyotes with a 30.06 using 100 gr bullets.

as far as the scopes go, i don't know much about either but i would ask the question, is one scope worth the $160 upcharge? or are you better getting a Nikon or something with the money you save for the same price.

i just got a Marlin xl7 in 30.06 with new rings, Nikon prostaff scope that is quite the shooter for $450. It shoots better than my Win M70 consistently and my M70 was over $550.

ya I'm not going to worry about bigger game I will probably buy a bigger gun any way I don't see it in my near future. right now I will stick to deer.

right now I'm leaning on the Stevens 200 (but I keep changing my mind). If I don't like the scope maybe it will be good enough for a 22 later down the road.

Its just getting close to November 7th. so Im kinda looking for something that ready to hunt out of the box (other than sighting in) and all the local stores seam to be selling deer riffles like crazy so supply is starting to narrow down.

I guess im just starting to worry I may not get a gun in time

Personally the optics will be the only difference in the guns.. I bought a Stevens in 243 for my nephew and it shoots just fine.. I would say if you can find the stevens in the caliber you want without a scope buy it and put on a Nikon Prostaff.. You will still be under the cost of the Remington and have a better optic. Caliber wise I would go with the 308.. I just like the short action better.

I'll take a Remington 700 over any savage made rifle anyday!

I too would pick the Remington over the Stevens. The Remingtons look better IMO, have less pieces to their bolts, have smaller and trimmer receivers so they are lighter and scopes fit much better with out having to resort to extended bases or rings

The difference between a 308 and 30-06 inside of 300 yards is nothing and you being new to rifle shooting I highly doubt that you are going to be taking shots over 300 yards. Either is perfectly capable of taking anything from coyotes to moose with out a hitch.

If you don't want the 308 and still lean towards the Stevens ask if they have a .270 Winchester. The .270 is, IMO, one of the absolute best deer cartridges ever thought up and just like the .308 and 30-06 will work from everything from coyotes to moose.

have you considered a weatherby vanguard? 399.00. since you WANT a 30-06, just have some patience and you'll find that chambering in the rifle you want. don't get in a hurry for either the rifle or the caliber - you'll regret it all too soon. i too would prefer a remington to your other choice.

The stevens 200 is basically the same as a savage 110/111. I have the 111 in 7mm Rem Mag. Never shot factory ammo through it, but it'll hold them inside an inch pretty easy off a benchrest with my handloads. Don't slack on the chambering you want. Guns can be ordered to the store. My longest deer kill was with a 308. Dropped him with an old Remington 600 (yes, 600) at around 400 yards off of a perfect prone rest carved into the landscape. Had 150gr cheap factory ammunition, the 308 is no joke. Thought he was a doe cause he was too far to make out the antlers in the little time I had to make the shot.

Thanks to every one who replied I bought the Rem 700 30-06 I have not shot it yet but I am very happy so far

My vote for the Stevens. I know a few people that have them and have been very accurate.

Im just not a fan of Remington.