Need help deciding new rifle

[Scott.K]

Hi, my Dad apparently wants to add another rifle to our collection and while I love these carbon fiber low-power modern rifles, my area of preference is from 1900- Vietnam era guns, so I wouldn't know exactly which rifle I should help him get. Our price range is between $1200- $3000. Oh, and it must have a good MOA right outa the box.

[ManiacJoe]

1. What is the plan for the rifle?

What target? What range? Is there an ammo preference?

Get the right tool for the job....

[Scott.K]

2. maniac

Target is would be attackers (hopefully not), plinking and when I go hunting, I usually bring an AR, so any modern rifle should be able to take down anything 130 lbs or up. Range: While I have taken down a deer with a rifle from 824 yards, I want one in the intermediate range, so between 200- 500 yards maximum. caliber is not an issue so long as I can rechamber it.

[SeattleVet]

3. Hard to go wrong with a decent 1903 Springfield.

Many in very good condition available in your price range, or, probably for even less, you can get one of the ones that was 'sporterized' in the late '50's-early '60s'. I inherited my father's sporterized version, and it shoots great.

Chambered in .30-06, and the only problem I have is a slightly bad extractor (easy to get a new one, just haven't had the inclination, as it's not that bad a problem - probably fails to grab 1 out of 10 rounds, and I usually just have to cycle the bolt again).

[Scott.K]

4. good.

I was considering a 1903, but then I remembered reading some where that the Garand is just as acurate, same powerful -06 round, is semi-auto, but because of the clip loading, the ones that can be equiped with scopes are rather akward because the scopes sit to one side. Considering this do you still suppose taking a 1903? Im asking because I have only hunted with AR, AK and Remington based platforms.

[OffWithTheirHeads]

6. It sounds to me like you want to do two things with the same gun.

If you want to shoot long range, a Remington 700 in match grade 308 seems like the ticket to me and fits your price range. If you want home defense, a Les Baer 1911 or a Remington 870 with a folding stock and a short barrel seems more to the point. The Remington ain't worth a shit for Dove hunting but if they are coming in the front door... Personally, the match grade Les Baer on my nightstand is the easiest to get to, already loaded and very accurate, but I don't hunt with either of them. Different tools for different jobs.

[Eleanors38]

7. The platforms you mention might serve all 3 purposes...

I know Rem and others chamber in a number of calibers larger than .223, up to .308.

I use a meat & potato Remington w/ a Simmons 2-10X 44mm scope, in .270. I zero in at <220> yds. It gets 1" groups @ 100 yds. Nice walnut which doesn't muck with accuracy. The whole rig in VG+ cost me $300 used. I have taken 18 deer with it in the last 12 yrs. & 1 turkey w/out blowing up the bird.

For home, a .357 revolver.