Gonna buy a new any suggestions?

[jnyman]

I had a remington model 7600 ( the pump) 30.06. Sold and im now loookin for a new gun for deer hunting. I want a 30.06 or 308 not sure on brand would like semi auto i wanna spend around 800 including the scope any ideas or good places to go? What models would u reccomend or stores.

[beeker]

I think if I had 800 to spend I would pick up a used rifle for about 300-400 and stick the rest in a good new scope and then shoot the snot out of it until I could shoot it in my sleep. I wouldn't recommend any one store, shop em all and then shop all the online dealers, and then when you think you know what you want shop the brand in the chat rooms to see what everyone is saying.  that's the only way you will ever be sure your not getting taken.  pump and semi rifles have never been MY thing. so I would suggest checking out a bolt in a tikka (I don't own a tikka but kinda like em).  just allow yourself enough time pre-shoot it before deer season, so your good and comfortable with it

[BiggA]

I have a remington 7400 semi auto. It is chambered in 308 and I like it. Never had problems with it and it was reletively inexpensive. Under 500 if I remember right that was a few years ago now. My uncle owns the same model in 30-06 and his tends to jam when ejecting the shell, from what i understand the casing on the 06 is longer and has to eject at tn angle which causes it to get stuck ocasionaly where the 308 is a shorter casing and ejects straight out. There are many different options so look around asking other people can be a little like asking ford or chevy.

[jnyman]

Intresting ideas im gonna go look at gander mountain tomorrow

[mnnate]

I have an older 742 in .308 that is a pretty darn good shooter and last winter I sold my 760 in 30.06 to move into a bolt gun. My thinking behind this is take one shot and make it count! But to each his own.I loved the pump gun and the semi auto is good as well. If you want to stick with a semi auto I would stick with Remington or if you can find a good used Browning. If you decide on a bolt gun take a good look at Savage and Tikka and even Howa. All great guns at great prices. You will do yourself a favor by spending say $400-500 on a good rifle and at least $200 on a good scope. As far as caliber either the 308 or 30.06 are great choices. Oh and keep shopping around prices are coming down around here a little.

[jnyman]

See thats what i've been tossing around in my head. Bolt or semi auto? Bolt like you say one shot and make it count, but semi is appealing for say i shoot and im not sure i hit i may be able to get a second shot off, or shoot at a 2nd deer we party hunt. My aunt has a remingtin 7400 semi auto in the 30.06 and she has had a few jams. Im hearing in this particular gun the .308 is a better caliber less lily to jam with the smaller casing. Remingtons current model is a 7500 im gonna go to gander mountain and take a peak at what they got. I shoot left handed even though im right handed. Ive been using right handed guns but would like to check out a left handed especially for semi auto.

[beeker]

in all my years of deer hunting with a bolt I have yet to want for a faster second shot (I have a 7mm so if I hit, it almost always goes down, but is a big caliber for whitetail), and have never had to deal with jam or misfire.  if your shooting lefty all the more reason to go bolt as your limited in semi's (I'm a lefty myself). I know a few guys shooting 270's now I think if I was looking I would check into the 270 as it seems to have alot of fans out there. but again... shop around and when you think you know what you want shop some more. 

[jnyman]

Went to Gander Mountain today and man there is not a selection for lefty's. I feel bad for them and myself now cause im very limited in what gun I can purchase if I want it to cater to me. Im thinkin the remington model 700 sps in the left handed version. Now to find a scope and figure out what caliber I want. .300 win mag 7mm rem mag or 30.06,   

[Go Big Red!]

Went to Gander Mountain today and man there is not a selection for lefty's. I feel bad for them and myself now cause im very limited in what gun I can purchase if I want it to cater to me. Im thinkin the remington model 700 sps in the left handed version. Now to find a scope and figure out what caliber I want. .300 win mag 7mm rem mag or 30.06,   

The 30.06 is a great all around caliber from most big game.  Very popular, lots of ammo to select from and very easy to change bullet weights depending on what you're hunting for.  I use a bolt action with 165 grain ammo.  I have shot 150 for long wide open hunting areas and 180 for shorter shots say in thicker woods.  You can even get up into the 220 grain sizes for elk, beer, and possibly a moose I would image, but I don't hunt those species.

My brother had shot a 270 for years and was very successful, but he did upgrade to either a semi-auto .308 or .338 and loves it just as much.

Good luck.  In fact, I have been looking a getting another 30.06, a Tikka T3 stainless, bolt action if the stars align properly.

[sochr000]

As far as a lefty rifle, look for a Savage, they also sell them as packages sometimes for the $600 or so range with a scope.  I have a Savage in 7mm WSM, and although it's a little big for whitetail, I have never had a deer go more than 10yds with a decent shot.  The rifle is a great rifle too, the "accu-trigger" is pretty nice too.

[kenhuntin]

If you want to pay more than you need to then buy at Gander. 30.06 is really not the best ballistically. check out Reeds sporting goods. and the gun stop in Hopkins. Reeds has always had a good selection of leftys. Don't limit yourself to a semi auto a bolt action is more reliable. If you had a 7600 you know what I am saying. The rifle must feel good to you as an individual I am just saying do not limit yourself. Handle of variety of guns in different types of action you would be surprised how much better one brand feels in your hands compared to the next.