My buddy has money burning a hole in his pocket (about $1400). He's looking for something nicer than a typical Remington, Winchester.. etc

His first try was a Kimber 85 Select in '06, the light weight one with the French walnut stock. Bad move. It went to Kimber with feeding problems then went back to the seller. He paid the "restocking" fee.

Are there any other Steel and Wood rifles out there in that price range... that work?

I think there are a ton of options out there in that price range. Older Ruger #1's; Browning 1885's, custom guns, etc.

Winchester Poor just picked up a beautiful FN-270 off AR...

I'd tell him to keep watching the forum and something to his liking will eventually pop up.

I'm thinking he wants a new rifle.

Many of these older rifles are NIB condition.

For better grade rifles within the means of his budget, I would recommend looking at some of the better (but less common) European makes and models....

For instance

-the Shultz and Larsen sporters from the mid-60s, such as the M65DL. They did come in common US chamberings, not just the 7x61 S&H which is most often seen.

- the ZKK 600 & ZKK 601 series from Brno, which came in a broad array of both NA and European chamberings. The ones from the mid '60s,/early 70's had a pop-up fully adjustable peep sight which was part of the rear receiver ring. It did not require any scope bases, as those were part of the receiver both fore and aft. And they were basically Mauser CRF design sporters which were very nicely made and very clean to look at and handle...at least until the '70s.

- Musgrave sporters (from South Africa)...which came in all sort of American chamberings as well as standard European ones...some had new Mauser actions (Man'f'd by Musgrave, or European makers on contract) and others had Musgrave very recent Sako-style push-feed actions. All are immaculately made.

- Any Steyr model of hunting rifle made commercially as a sporter (not a converted military one).

There are lots of others which used to available for a song, but with the current fad of anything European or British being supposedly fabulous, today's prices are pretty much out of his range on those.

He should attend a bunch of gun shows, look at, examine, and shoulder anything he likes the looks of. Then he'll get a better idea of how to get the best personal bang for his bucks.

[He needn't buy at the gun show(s), just learn what he wants to look for, wherever he buys.]

If he wants something better then a typical Winchester or Remington etc, then he should purchase a new Weatherby Vanguard S2 and with the money he's saving buy a european scope.

That was Mr. Fuller's opinion, not a God-given fact.

There is a very nice example of a Brno in 8x57 with double-set triggers and a Mannlicher stock in today's AR classifieds for $200 less than his budgeted max. That would definitely be an upgrade over ANY current Weatherby, IMHO.

How about a nice used Sauer 202...with patience you can get one for that price.

Sauer 202? interesting. He asked me about a Colt Sauer.

The Sauer 202 and its predecessor the Sauer 200 are both very nice rifles. Both of them are "switch-barrel" guns where he can easily change the barrel from say 7mm Mauser, to .270 or .30-06, .35 Whelan, 9.3x62, or any other cartridge of similar case head size and length. They also have accuracy to spare for almost any conceivable hunting situation. And if a person wants to make them into a magnum, he can easily switch the bolt faces, magazines and barrels himself without the need of a gunsmith.

That was a good suggestion and it is a definite upgrade.

start accumulating the pieces and parts and build one.

An old model 70 too used to be a collectible, with a refinish and new fancy wood is always a good bet.

Or an FN Commercial Mauser action/rifle and restock it.

If a really nice Sauer 202/200 can be found for $1400, then that's the ticket. Slickest action ever, sub MOA always. Very European however, and not control feed. But in the calibers he's looking at, there's nothing better.

The Winchester M-70 Super Grade is considerably upgraded from the run-of-the-mill M-70 and a very nice rifle in the price range you're asking about.

A friend of mine in roughly the same situation just picked up a nice Sako 85 Finnbear in 270 with very nice wood from Cabelas. New and elegant are more important to him than me - I've moved to a more utilitarian view of rifles as tools - but some rifles do make you glad you spent the extra years later.

quote:

Originally posted by Idaho Sharpshooter:
start accumulating the pieces and parts and build one.

...Or an FN Commercial Mauser action/rifle and restock it.

quote:

Originally posted by Sagebrush Burns
The Winchester M-70 Super Grade is considerably upgraded from the run-of-the-mill M-70 and a very nice rifle in the price range you're asking about.

Those two choices have my vote.

I always opt for a nice custom Mauser or a pre 64 mod. 70 action custom rifle. they don't have to cost you an arm and a leg either.

The best of the factory new rifles are the Ruger African, wood and blue. The mod 70 fwt is a nice gun..

I have no problem with the older Kimbers and you can find them in new or as new condition.

Be a pal and spot your buddy $600.



http://www.gunbroker.com/Aucti....aspx?Item=384439679

Another game of "Kimber roulette". Not surprising. If he were my buddy, I'd tell him to just get a Cooper in his favorite flavor. Might have to add a few more shekels but so what?
Bear in Fairbanks

Tell him to pick up a Savage Model 14 Classic. He'll take it home.

I'm bringing my 14 to the club for him to look at. I'm wonder if all of them have nice wood.

The Sauer 202 would be a great choice. If you could find a Mauser M03 at a reasonable price that would be an excellent choice!