new to hunting need help
 

i am getting into deer hunting and hunting in generalthis year. i have been reading up on differnt guns and what people use. i would like to keep the gun under or around +/-700$ sense it will be my first gun. looking for something that will be accurateand durable and reliable right out of the box.i noticed alot of talk about the remington 700 series and how its a great gun and accurate but i have also read alot of problems with it. I have seen alot about the savage guns and really havent heard about any mechanical problems with it just that the bolt is a little rough andit isnt the prettiest gun out there wich doesnt really bother me. any help with recomendations on what would be good would be great?

RE: new to hunting need help
 

my father owns a model 700 30-06. a very good gun. the only problem he had was when he bought (used) the handle on the bolt was broken. the previous owner dropped it. my father found out there was a lifetime warranty on it. cost $30 to ship it to get it fixed. that was over 7 yrs ago. not a problem since. i've never owned one but i have heard really good things about savage rifles. accurate and fairly cheap.

RE: new to hunting need help
 

I don't own one, but I hear the savage's are the best guns for the price. If you buy the savage kit, you dont have to buy anything else. I think it comes with the strap, scope, and maybe something else too.

RE: new to hunting need help
 

my first rifle and i still use it is a 30-06 winchester its very good i blew a baseball sized hole in a deer with a grazing shot that broke his front right leg

RE: new to hunting need help
 

This is my first year hunting also and I traded a handgun for a nearly new Tikka T3 Lite in .270 WSM. I love it, other than the cost of ammo. If I could do it over again i'd find the same gun but in 30-06.

RE: new to hunting need help
 

and also i forgot to ad i will be hunting in NH and maine so mainly in the woods and probubly every once in a while a long shot here and there

RE: new to hunting need help
 

I second the savage package Idea I bought 7mm rem mag about five years ago It came with the scope. I also purchased a shoulder strap and a case and a box of ammo all for $425. I am sold on the savages not the prettiest weapon ever made but I bought it to hunt with not to hang on my wall and point at when friends come over.

RE: new to hunting need help
 

I'm a fan of the model 99 savage supersporters. Pretty And acurate. I have a 30.30 it was my grandfathers and haskilled lots of deer. My uncles have the same gun but 30.06. Check the gun shops or ask around. It's my vote.
http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh77/brushbuck28/Hunting/20008pt.jpg

RE: new to hunting need help
 

this is my first hunting year and i use a 10 year old muzzle loader LOL. but its a fantastic gun, and a whole lot of fun. i am looking at getting a H&R rifle. i have heard good things about them and they are well in your price range. and im also a big remington fan, IMOi dont think you could go wrong with a remington.

just be sure you are comfortable with the gun you pick. dont let anyone talk you into buying something your not sure of.

good luck and i hope to see some pics of your monster bucks:D

RE: new to hunting need help
 

I have a savage 243,i like it alot,this my first year hunting,The gun shoot real good.i bought it for 300 dollars,have not got to shoot a deer yet but that alright.i learning the ropes,i seen three other day,this i my first gun.

RE: new to hunting need help
 

some people also recamended shot guns sense this is my first time and they said the great thing with a shot gun is that u can change the chokes on them like on a mossbergto get longer range for shouting deer and you can change them out if u want to shoot duck or turkey would this be a good idea as well or should i bight the bullet and by 1 for each

RE: new to hunting need help
 

Most people will probably knock me for suggesting this one, but if you are gonna put a $700 price cap (that will buy a great gun), I would recommend that you buy the TC Encore with the muzzleloader barrel as your initial gun (you have to decide on whether you want to upgrade to the ProHunter, I would not thought). That firearm is everything you require, accurate, reliable and built buy a sound reputable company. The 209X50 will allow you to start hunting your firearm season and will allow you to hunt the special muzzleloader seasons (1 gun = 2 seasons) right away. Buying anyother firearm, be it a rifle or shotgun, will only allow you to hunt one season. The TC Encore will cost about $550 to $600. You will also need some muzzleloading accessories (and I recomend a scope) that you can get for another $150-$200 if you frugal on scope choice (I recommend spending at least $100 or more on a quality scope).

Now comes the nice part about the Encore. YOu can buy a wide range of additional barrels for the frame. The barrels cost about $300 and are as accurate as anything else you can buy. I am not sure of all the calibers, but I know you can get the 7mag, 12ga, 12 turkey, .243 win, 30.06, .308 and alot more check out TC website. Buying any one of those barrels in a seperate rifle will cost at least another $500 as opposed to the $300 it will cost to expand your Encore.

One caveat, the TC Encore is a single shot rifle. But I take pride in 1 shot, 1 kill. The Encore should be the envy of all hunters in my opinion.

RE: new to hunting need help
 

with rem 700sps is that the same as the regular model 700 with just a cheeper stock or is it completely different? i know i have heard a fue people talk about the problems with the 700 but is that caused from adjusting them or is just the gun and poor design?

RE: new to hunting need help
 

i too willsecond the savage package plus most ofthe savage packages have the accutrigger which is one of the best factory triggers out there. also you could get a stevens 200 for three hundred bucks and put a nikon prostaff on it that is my current set up in 300 wm. but in the same token i own a remington 700 in 308 and it is also very good buta little more expensive than a savage.

RE: new to hunting need help
 

A Tikka t3 lite in .243 a great deer combination.

RE: new to hunting need help
 

The 700 SPS has a synthetic stock, not a wooden one. Everything else is the same. I have one chambered for .270 Win and took a nice 9-point this year. The problems you heard of were probably the 710. Stay away from that one.

RE: new to hunting need help
 

I see that you also hunt N.H. &Me. I would go to the Kittery Trading Post (if you live close enough)and check out what fits you best. I like a short action (.308,7mm08 etc)with a short barreled rifle. I have owned two savage rifles and never had a problem with either.
Bill

RE: new to hunting need help
 

The remington 700 is arguably the BEST designed bolt gun on market. Most custom rifle makers, not to mention US military snipers, use the 700 action as the platform for their rifles.

If you hear alot about 700 "problems" its because more people own them than others brands. Even sakos, kimbers, and brownings have lemons.

RE: new to hunting need help
 

If you want most bang for the buck, go with a Savage package. For about $400 you get the whole deal... Scope, sling and rifle. And it's accurate out of the box. At least mine was. It's my favorite gun. i got the 110 in 7mm-08. Can't think of a better package deal. I will be topping mine with a new scope soon and getting rid of the one it came with (although its served me well).