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

With me, Jakeroo, there's a lot of sentiment going with the Savage 250 which fell out of favour with manufacturers 30-odd years ago, came back with some new rifles in that calibre, and now is fading again with ammunition in short supply. I reload.

I got hooked on the calibre many years ago from watching older hunters, all superb marksmen with lever Savage 99s or bolt actions; either design was eye-opening accurate. I read somewhere recently that the 250 had an edge-- with heavier bullets? I'll look again.

Handloading, no problem getting 2500-2600fps with a 120-grain bullet. I'll use either the 250 or 7mm if a caribou hunt shapes up in Labrador next month. It would be the same toss-up for me between the 250 and 243---except for the sentiment.

One caveat: the .25s are finicky, performing significantly better with some cartridges (or loads) than others. The 257 Roberts was really fussy. But I never saw or heard of a 250 Savage that wasn't accurate, given half a chance.

I purchased a Remington Model 7 in 7mm-08 for my wife.

It has become MY favorite rifle!
No recoil, lightweight.

Gooser

For a starter rifle, you could do worse than a Remington Model 7 in either .243, .260 Rem or 7mm08. The Model 7 even came in a youth model, if I recall correctly. When he outgrows the youth stock, you can find all kinds of aftermarket stocks (mostly glass, not wood, but wood is available).

If you're going to go something other than bolt action, I'd stay away from the single shots. I think you'll find them more of a specialty item than a youth rifle. My recommendation would be either the Savage Model 99 in .300 Savage, .243, .308 or .250 Savage or the Winchester Model 88 in either .243 or .308.

FWIW, I started all three of my boys on a used Savage Model 340 bolt action .30-30. They weren't pretty, but they were functional, had a detachable magazine and were light enough that the kids could carry them. The .30-30 is an effective deer killer out to at least 150 yards and most kids shouldn't be shooting even that far except off a bench. The rifles use a side mount for a scope, but they are easy to find. The older ones weren't drilled and tapped so look on the left side of the receiver or find one already having a scope mounted.

Jakeroo, I looked in the Hornady, Hodgdon and Sierra reloading manuals for Savage 250 and 243 loads. None listed over 105-grain bullets for the 243.

The Hornady book says" Much of the original acclaim about the all-around capabilities of the 243 can be credited to the late Warren Page."

The Sierra book says "One reason for the successful reception of the 243 is the greater sectional density of the lighter bullets which means you have better remaining velocities for long range targets."

I'm making no claims for the 250 over the 243, only replying to your question why some may prefer the Savage 250.

Guys, Tell me about this gun. A pre-64 Model 88 in .243. One significant bid.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=85017020

and

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=85754062

Jake

Ruger #1 in 7x57

This topic is a big can of worms, just like what is the best classic shotgun. But, if you are looking for a rifle that doesn't have too much recoil, but enough bullet to hunt any deer in North America (from the 200 pound + bruisers up north to the 100 pound desert bucks), I'd recommend something bigger than 243/6mm. The heaviest bullet typically loaded is 100 grains. Go one step up to 257 Roberts or 25-06 and you get 120 grain bullets. Great first gun calibers with low recoil, great accuracy and plenty of good factory loads (sounds like you don't handload) are 6.5x55 Swedish Mauser, 7mm-08, and 7x57 Mauser.

Not that you can't kill deer well with a 6mm/243, one of my nicest bucks was shot in TX with a 22-250.

For a classic rifle that you will restock, MidwayUSA sells Remington 798 barreled actions (imported Yugoslav m98 Mausers) in most of the good calibers. Remington 700s and the Mauser clones all have good availability for restocking. Can't go wrong with the Ruger bolt actions or No. 1s., either.

Sky is the limit for prices. Montana 1999 makes barreled actions based on the pre-64 Winchester action. They sell them for about a grand and it is a good price for what they make.

What you are willing to pay will cut down the choices you'll need to make. Best of luck.


http://www.midwayusa.com/esearch.exe/sea...or=all_products

I rifle hunt the woods and cedar thickets, so the "classic rifle" for me would be a lever gun, I've two Winchester '92s.
Shots are taken to 50yards, so no scope needed, it's an up-close affair.

If I had a kid .243 or 7mm-08 Kimber 84M 'Classic' would be my numero uno choice.

Jake, if you want a 78 you will have to find one at a gun show as i don't think they've been made for quite some time. There's been lots of great suggestions and while everyone has their favorite gun/action and calibre, the problem here, as I see it, is defining "classic".

BTW, my son shot his first big game critter (an elk) with my browning 78 in .270 gibbs when he was 14. He had no trouble with the weight or recoil.