ARE YOU READY TO RUMBLE???

[ozstriker22]

It's crunch time, fellows. It's down to a battle between 2 guns, and every opinion counts!!! Pigs are just waiting to die.

In this corner, weighing in at 7lbs 6oz, we have a used, excellent condition Browning BAR chambered in 30-06 equiped with a Leupold 3-9x32 Rifleman. Retail price of $889... at the local gunshop for $695 (I'd offer them $650 cash). (Picture and Specs)

And in the other corner, the challenger, weighing in at 7lbs no oz, we have a brand new, Savage Arms Ultra 114U with the New accutriger design and choice of 30-06 or .270! I already have a great scope I can move over to this rifle. Retail price of $569... at the local gunshop for $509. (Picture and Specs)

Okay, Ladies and gentlemen... place your bets, and LETS GET READY TO RRRRUUUUUUUUMMMMMMMMMMMMBBBBBBBBBLLLLLLLLLLLEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!

Which rifle will it be? Your advice makes all the difference!

Thanks, Jesse

 

[prohunter]

styer!

 

[vandal968]

The BAR is ugly, but it's cool.

BAR.

c

 

[Hook]

My pick would be the BAR. First because of quicker followup shots and Second, It's a Browning....

 

[Mnfshrman]

I own a BAR in the .270 and wouldn't trade it in for anything.....I love the brownings.

David

 

[Rancho Loco]

Which one feels best to you in your hands?

 

[hicntry]

The only way I would own a BAR is if it was given to me. I sighted one in for a friend and it was like shooting a piece of machinery. For free I would take it but I wouldn't spend good money on it.

 

[Freedivr2]

I'm with Rancho Loco...pick the one that gives you a chill down your spine when you throw it up to your shoulder and look down the barrel. That's the one...........

Make sure it's in 30-06............ya never want to be undergunned when that big 500 lb. hog presents itself to you someday.

 

[One Track]

Personally, I think the BAR is ugly. Safari hunters would disagree.

As for looks, the Savage is better. Then, so is the Rem 700, Weatherby, Ruger, Browning A-Bolt, Howa, Tikka.....

As for performance, I don't think you can go wrong. Put a good scope on either, and you will have a serious pig and deer killer. Go with 30-06.

 

[m57jager]

Savage 270,

It's a 30/06 necked down. Jack O'Connors favorite caliber, and he's killed cape buffalo with it. The Browning is nice but heavy and they tend to jam in cold not cool but cold weather. Don't have to worry about that with a bolt. You don't need a follow up if you hit him with first shot.

Don't listen to what everyone else prefers. Pick the one that feels the best in your hands. An awkward feel will blow your confidence and that will limit your ability.

 

[hicntry]

Jesse, I was hoping this subject wouldn't deteriorate to the point of good sound advice but since it has I have to tell you. A hunting rifle is who you are when you are out being a little more primitive than normal. Not only does the BAR feel like an artillery piece....it just plain has city slicker written all over it. I just think you should know that while you are getting all this logical advice from everyone.

 

[raidernation]

I would go with the Bolt over a SA anyday

However as most have stated..........What feels better on your shoulder?

 

[ozstriker22]

I probably won't be able to decide which feels better...

I have never held the Savage ultra. Out of 6 gunshops I went to, none of them actually carried the savage. Most offered to order one only if I was going to buy it. I looked at some lower model savages and they don't seem too "solid." I think mostly since they all had the cheap-o synthetic stocks they seemed to ballance out front as opposed to right in the middle. However, I am assuming that the Savage ultra with the good bluing and good walnut stock would ballance differently, and look a lot sharper than a matt finnish on a cheap stock. The trigger pull on the new Accutrigger is very nice, probably the main selling point for me!!!

The BAR has a good, wide, stabe, well checkered fore-end that seems very non-slip and just feels solid. I like holding an artilary peice (I've got a 1903-a3 right now). The stock fits nicely to my shoulder. The gun feels well built. I am, however, concerned about hunting with a semi... there's always an off chance that a round will miss-feed or that the action will attract some sand or dirt and maybe wont cycle the one time I really need a second shot.

I want a gun that, with care and oil, will last for as long as I'll be alive to shoot it. But also I don't want to give the appearance of being a yahoo or city slicker (even though most of us are!)... If it helps at all, I brew my own booze in my garage... so I'm a redneck at heart!

Jesse

 

[prohunter]

Bolt action is the most accurate!

 

[hicntry]

Couldn't help myself Jesse. First day off in three weeks and I was trying to relax and take today totally off and I was bored to death . Needed a laugh or two.

You know if you decide on the BAR that you will have to go full camo...boots, hat....the whole works. Nice pair of Bauch and Lomb sunglasses(highway patrol style) and carry a can of wax to keep that stock polished up. Could get expensive. Makin my head hurt now.LOL If you want to get a rush, go throw that BAR up to your shoulder and swing it like you are tracking a deer. POW, POW,POW,POW. Can't empty a Savage that fast.LOL

 

[Speckmisser]

Jesse,

My immediate choice is the Savage.

I own both a Savage (a 110, not the 114U) and a BAR in .308. I'm no fan of semi-autos for hunting (personal preference), but that BAR is one sweet-shooting piece of "artillery". It's also easily as accurate as my Savage. But it's still a semi-auto and prone to all the problems that a semi-auto offers. Gotta keep it relatively clean, gotta use the right ammo (handloads are possible but seldom recommended), and if you ever have to break it down in the field...

Bolt action equals simplicity, reliability, and accuracy. Hard to argue with.

Bottom line, get the one you like and you'll probably never be sorry.

 

[SDHNTR]

Oz, those are both good choices and I'm sure you cant go wrong. So far in your quest to find the perfect hunting arm you have left out THE rifleman's rifle. The Winchester model 70. This gun seems to fall within your price range. You would NEVER have to question if you have the right rifle. I do think you are better off with a bolt gun for reliability and accuracy sake. But if I was going to buy a semi, it would be a BAR.

Here would be my choices in order of preference. The are bolt guns that I own or have personal experience with.

Winchester M70
Weatherby Mark V
Browning A Bolt
Ruger M77
Howa 1500
Remington 700
Savage 110 (old trigger style)

 

[Boaring]

As a guide I have seen almost every gun out there. I would stay away from any semi-auto rifle. I have seen every model jam. Every BAR that I've seen has jammed during the hunt at one time or another, except for one BAR which functioned properly.

Buy a bolt action Remington and call it good. My out of the box Remington -06 can shoot 3 shot -1" groups at 100 yards regularly.

Dwayne

 

[hicntry]

SDHNTR knows a rifle. When I am glassing across a canyon or large open expance, the rifle sitting on the crosssticks is a Winchester M70 Classic Stainless in 300win mag with a 26"brl. and a synthetic stock About 500yds is about as far as I have pushed it but it was a one shot kill. Piece of advice when shooting across steep canyons and draws......Make sure there is a road somewhere on the other side.

 

[F350]

Oz,
I've hunted with and fired both.

Savage in 30-06: Lighter weight, far more accurate.
The only bennefit in a semi-auto is follow-up and trust me, if you hunt hard....you'll feel the difference in weight.
"Nuff Said"