doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com OT (sorta) Classic Rifle advice

I have always been a shotgun guy. But, I have a boy approaching 13 who is quite good with a .22 and shotgun and he REALLY wants to move up in rifles. I want one then primarily for me but with him in mind. (When he is truly old enough, he can pick his own.)

My only big game rifle is a Rem. pump .270. I have some very nice rifle wood and would like to get a "classic" rifle that recoils little and shoots very accurately and hits hard enough for deer and smaller. I will probably have it restocked so trashed wood is ok (and could have it reblued if necessary.) I am thinking a .243 caliber but could use advice on the gun. (Or caliber for that matter.) But I want the caliber to be very common with lots of factory loads available.) My thought was a pre-64 model 70 or something along those lines. I also like lever action guns but don't know them to be real accurate.

I know we are a "classic" gun group here and I certainly would consider some kind of single shot or other "classic" but truth is I know little about them. Would prefer American made. Again, accuracy and a trim gun are important to me. I can be patient but I need to know what to look for. Suggestions?

I can recommend the Ruger #1 in .243. The model with the Alexander Henry forearm is especially nice looking and light and quick to point for anyone, especially a youngster or woman. Light recoil and easy to reload for just about any kind of game short of elk and bear. You'll learn to make the first shot count too.

Remi 700 limited edition 'Classic'. The following are good vintage years: 1981, 1982, 1994, 2001, 2003.

If money is no object, a pre 64 Model 70 in .257 is an ideal "Classic" rifle!

Jim

0.257 Roberts is a true Classic but .30 WCF or .30/30 would be my first choice in a medium power accurate rifle because it has been used extensively and ammo is always just around the corner.

Kind Regards,

Raimey
rse

Pre64 M70 in 30-06, 270, 243 or 257. A Ruger #1 in any of those + 7mm Mauser (I think they made some it that cal.). For a lever gun, I'd go for a 50's or 60's vintage Savage 99 in 300Savage or maybe 250Savage. Very common, very nice and accurate too. Ammo not all that uncommon. Easy on the shoulder, easy to 'scope. Buying, restocking, blueing, etc a Win70 will put the budget up into a bracket where you could probably be buying a decent Mauser or Mannlicher sporter, my first pick. But the ammo situation probably wouldn't fit the criteria.

You did say 'Classic".


http://www.griffinhowe.com/usedgun-rf.cfm

Griffin & Howe-Mauser
Regular Price $5,250.00, Now $4,250.00
.257 Roberts, Weight 9 lbs,4 ozs, Barrel length 24 ", bolt

Its pretty hard to beat a 6mm for an all around deer round. The .243 is the classic survivor of the American 6's, it has even been adopted in Europe. A 270 Winchester may be the better all around round, but recoil becomes an issue w/heavier bullets/lighter rifles. However, since you already own one, that might simplify the cartridge availability issue/concern some.

In an American bolt action, as to brand it is hard to beat a Remington 700 for accuracy & readily available accessories, the Winchester pre-64 model 70's are as classic American as one is likely to find or utilize as an action base and the Ruger 77 flat bolts are known to have been very good more modern American rifles w/later iterations also performing very well.
If you want a small production bolt action classic, look for a Remington C grade from their custom shop. Those rifles had it all, hand fit & finish, custom stock, etc. Winchester had their Super Grades, but today you should expect to pay more, sometimes much more, for one of them.
For inexpensive & accurate, the Remington model 788's all shot very well and had super triggers & bbls right out of the box. Prices have gone up, but not rediculously so.

For scopes, a fixed 4X is plenty for deer hunting, I don't care what anyone says to the contrary. Have and use a good pair of glasses for glassing. I find a heavy 'post' to be a very useful reticle, but a standard cross wire works well also. Modern 'duplex' reticles are simply heavy posts with fine wires in the center, but they are cluttered compared to the single post type.

I will cast a vote for an older Marlin 336 with the Ballard rifling as being the better American classic lever action and as Ramiey says the 30-30 is a great choice in cartridges .. keep it inside 150 yards because of trajectory, but a good lever can put five shots inside 1.5" at 100 yards off a bench w/decent iron sights. The Marlins do not need extra holes drilled & tapped to mount a good receiver sight.

My suggeston is to bring your son in on it now; let him tell you his pref in rifle type and provide him with enough written info from other sources to make an informed decision on the cartridge choice. Tons of literature exists, much of it based on real feild information & observations too. His second choice when he becomes a bit older/bigger/wiser will be even closer to the mark of what he likes, but this first run will have significant value beyond mere action & caliber choices. He may even get a rifle that serves all his needs for a lifetime of deer sized and under use.

The Ruger #1's are fine single shot rifles, but they tend to be a bit heavy. Many of the older ones had spectacular wood. If you go that way, a 7x57 while a non-American round makes for a good all round cartridge choice.

Idle thots, post Thanksgiving dinner ... & nap :-)

edit: If you wish him exposed to 'Classic', buy a copy of Michael's book and let him learn some of what Michael has gleaned in a lifetime of pursuit.

Who wants 9lb4oz .257 Roberts with "Mickey Mouse" <1" tubed scope? My .375H&H with sling, 4 cartridges, and Kahles 3-9x42 scope weighs only couple ounces more!
It's too much for young one, but that .35 cal Dakota 76 would make a dandy Elk und up North American big game rifle. The price also seems fair (not that ole' Kimber would not do just as well and for < half of that tag). I don't see anything else interesting und affordable there.

My call for a 13 yr. old would be a single shot in .243. The Ruger 1 with the stalking rifle fore-end is classic (in fact, that's what I use, in .270), but a New England Firearms break-open single is kind of classic too. The NEF would get my call for safety because of the hammer and the gizmo it has that prevents a misfire if the hammer slips. That could be important in small and excited hands...Geo