I hаνе thе option between a used Remington wіth a scope fοr around $350 οr I саn save up tο $500 аnd gеt a used Remington 700 .30-06 without a scope. I сουld аlѕο gеt a used Mossberg ATR 100 .30-06 fοr $250 οr I саn gеt a nеw one fοr $350 (Both hаνе scopes). Whаt wουld bе thе best сhοісе fοr mе? Thіѕ wіll bе mу first year deer hunting аnd target shooting.
Depends on where you will be hunting. I would use the . 30-06 if the area is wide open, suggesting a long shot. Using a . 30-06 in a wooded area, to me, is overkill.
I’d pop for the used Remington. . . shoot it this season. If you dont like it sell it — it should bring at least what you gave for it.
The older 700’s are excellent rifles.
Get a rifle with a scope, at least 3x-9x, wide aperture. . Bushnell, Leopold are great scopes.
Remingtons are very nice rifles and well balanced.
I would avoid a Mossberg if you have Remington as an option.
For target shooting, you don’t really need much more than a . 243 or . 270. If you do a lot of deer hunting, then a 30. 06 would be OK.
Not much can go wrong with a Remington 700 so buying a used one would be no problem. I bought my 700 used. Check the rifle over, check the rifling, check the action making sure it works easily and doesn’t bind when working.
Scopes, well try your best to check and make sure the cross hairs are in tack and not broken. You can’t do more than that on a scope. If it has issues with fogging (gas has leaked out) you won’t be able to tell that until you have it out in inclement weather conditions.
If it were me buy the used 700 and use the money you save to buy ammo.
Well it will help you out if you get the Remington 700. I have a remington 700 police in 308 and it is the best rifle i have. 30-06 is a good accurate round, but i like 308 better for hunting and target shooting. My first gun was a 223 though lol! If it was only between thoughs guns i would go with the remington 700 30-06, but if it is only 500 $ then it prolly dont have a very good scope. But if it is your first then it should be good for you for a wile. After you get better you will want to get better scope and try shooting longer ranges!
PS-If you want you could save up tell you have money to get a remington 700 police, they are great rifles and very accurate!
The Remington is much better built rifle than the Mossberg,no matter what the price I would have a hard time buying a Mossberg. Savage makes an entry level Stevens Model for $300-$325 most tapped for scopes,some with iron sights. Getting a Remington 770 isn’t a good option either;they are a rifle targeted to sell at WalMart and similar stores,they are the Remington version of an Edsel or Microsoft ME.
I’ve seen Cabela’s sell Model 700 ADLs for $400, sometimes in specific calibers,but even a 270 or 7mm Mag are great deer cartridges if 30-06 isn’t available. If you buy cheap you are going to have to buy something better later,so buying twice isn’t a good thing. Save up and get the 700 as a new rifle and budget $200 to get a Nikon Pro Staff scope with Leupold bases and rings.
New Mossberg ATRs are $259 at WalMarts that sell guns,and they have Savage rifles with scopes for $377-$450,Some Remington 700s are $450-$477 there as well–not saying to buy at WalMart,but at least price check.
Sight in your 30-06 to be 2 inches high at 100 yards,will be ZEROed at 200, and 300 yards has an approx. 7 inch drop. I’ve had a 30-06 out hunting since 1973,still my favorite cartridge.
There are a lot of other rifle choices other than Remington as you move up the price scale–if you are spending more than $550-$600 then you need to explore options like CZ,Tikka T3s,Rugers. Howa 1500/Weatherby Vanguard models are normally $425-$450 and to me represent a solid value. I compare to my Browning A-Bolts (Stainless Stalker and Hunter models) and CZs (built like bank vaults).
The Remington 700, as long as it’s not abused, is always a good used option. Do not buy a Remington 710 or 770, they are junk.
I don’t think much of the Mossberg rifles. They aren’t horrible, I just feel they are cheap and the Savage is a much better cheap rifle.
Scopes: You mention scopes as though “a scope is a scope”. . . . the truth is the scope is just as important as your rifle and your ammo. A cheap or poor quality scope will ruin a good rifle and a good hunt. In some ways the scope, and the shooter’s ability to zero it and use it, is more important than a super accurate rifle.
A used Tasco scope for example is worthless, but if there’s a nice Weaver, Leupold, Nikon, etc. on that used rifle, it’s a big plus. You need to ID those scopes for us for some good feedback, make and model and power if possible.
. 30-06 is an outstanding caliber and a perfect choice for a first deer rifle.
If you can get an older 700 you are in luck. I would grab it. No offense, but the Mossberg is a good utilitarian rifle, but that’s where it stops. They are the “cheapie” rifle. Sure, they’ll last several lifetimes, but they don’t feel/handle/shoot as well as the Remington. I would stay away from the new Remmy 700 though. It’s kind of plastic-y feeling.
Kaden, I disagree with that statement. My “ol” M1903 (orig. springfield armory) has taken the smug owners of . 308 chambered, heavily customized Remington 700 rifles in all incarnations down a peg. Out of the right rifle, the . 30-06 is just as accurate.
Always go with the best , Rem. 700 has the best out-of-box accuracy . The 30-06 has been and will be one of the most widely used cal. around. Don’t worry about over kill dead is dead. With a wide choice of bullets and loads it is very important to chose the right load for the game you are hunting. For whitetail deer I have had best results with 150gr. bullets. My best is Federal. Good luck— but practice makes perfect.
Go for the new rifle, it wouldn’t make a bit of sense to get a used rifle for more than a new rifle no matter if it’s Remington 700 or 7,000. Take the extra money and buy ammo, especially if you plan on target shooting.