OK, I did some looking today and ran across three rifles that piqued my interest:
Rem 721 .30-06
Ruger 77 MkII .260 Rem
Marlin XS7 7-08
All three have something of interest to me but the only one I have experience with is the 721 (well, not exactly but close enough) and the prices can probably be haggled somewhat. Here's a description of the rifles along with what I see as the pros and cons starting with the least expensive.
Marlin XS7 7-08 - Looks practically new, stock has been replaced with a Boyds nutmeg laminate, scope mounts included, $330
Pros:
7-08 intrigues me, not a budget buster, seems to have pretty good reviews online, looks like it uses the Savage barrel system so barrels can be changed, readily available brass (if .308 brass is used), large selection of 7mm bullets
Cons:
No experience with Marlin bolt actions
Ruger 77 MkII .260 Rem - has seen use, includes scope rings, side safety model, $525
Pros:
Another caliber of interest to me, basically a short action 6.5x55, probably the best looking overall of the three
Cons:
No experience with Ruger bolt actions, top end of budget (maybe over the budget)
Rem 721 .30-06 - Mannlicher stock, Weaver K4 60-B German Post Reticle, no irons (unsure if bbl has been replaced, the sights removed and the holes filled or the sights removed and the bbl turned to remove mounts), $525
Pros:
The looks of this one REALLY grab me, 06 can be found at any sporting goods store, I already stock 06 ammo, love the scope, the stock appears to have been well executed
Cons:
Again it's top end of the budget, I already have two other 06, heavy but with no sling swivels that I recall and I'd hate to modify the stock for them, doesn't add anything "different" to the accumulation (other than the stock and scope), not much in the way of aftermarket items if I need to change/replace something
EDIT:
I just remembered a dark horse candidate: A Czech Mauser (E lion 23 acceptance mark) sporterized and chambered in .280 Rem. Don't recall the price and didn't have much interest until I got home and started reading up on the .280. Interesting...
There's still no guarantee I'll be able to get any of them but I'm hoping for good news. What I'd like is feedback on what I see as the pros and cons (I may be overlooking something or looking at it the wrong way), which might be the best value for the money and fair prices (hard to do without better descriptions or pics, I know).
Thanks!
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