Author Topic: 308 Survivor or 30-06 stainless handi, help choosing??? (Read 1288 times)

smittty · « **on:** August 19, 2007, 09:26:14 AM »

I'm thinking about getting one of these rifles and could use your advice. I just gave my brother his rifle back so I'm without rifle. I'm already buying a revolver this month, so I'm on a very very tight budget.

I have two scopes that I could use on this rifle, one is a 10x Super Sniper and the other is a Weaver V3, both scopes have quick-detach Leupold rings to fit Weaver style bases. I would like to use both of these scopes for one rifle. Small scope for hunting and big scope for target and long range hunting.

Looking at the pictures of both rifles, the survivor looks like the butt stock needs to have a higher comb to align my eye with the center of the scope. The Stainless Handi rifle looks like it has the proper butt stock for a scoped rifle. I like both calibers equally so that's not an issue.

Does the hammer interfere with various scope installations? That would stink if my rings were too low as this purchase is based on being able to use my existing scopes and rings.

Your advice is appreciated,
Smittty

quickdtoo · « **Reply #1 on:** August 19, 2007, 09:35:13 AM »

Welcome aboard Smitty!

Yes, you'll likely have hammer interference with most scopes using low rings, even medium, depending on the size of the ocular bell and/or power ring, but you can modifiy the hammer to allow the use of low or even extra low rings, again depending on the scope. Check out the FAQs and you'll find most of the answers to your questions including hammer mods.

Tim

goodwrench6710 · « **Reply #2 on:** August 19, 2007, 11:13:02 AM »

Stainless! It looks better & easier to care for.

smittty · « **Reply #3 on:** August 19, 2007, 07:14:41 PM »

I checked the FAQ and only the first 9 questions have answers, scope mount question is near the bottom and isn't answered, at least not that I can see.

What do you guys do about the section of scope base that is "cantelevered" out the front end? This would be my only complaint as I think it looks like the scope base was an after thought. They don't look like they were originally designed for scope mounting but I see lots of them with scopes so it must work.

Thanks for the advice and please keep it coming.

Smittty

quickdtoo · « **Reply #4 on:** August 19, 2007, 07:29:46 PM »

ALL rifle barrels come drilled and tapped for a scope rail and not a lot come with sights, most are scope only. Don't worry about the front of the scope base, it works just fine, just as it does on the TC Encore which is unsupported the same way on the front ~1".

Some folks feel the need to epoxy bed it including the unsupported end, but I've never done it or felt it needed to be be bedded or supported. The Ultra rail has a set screw in it, but it's not designed to touch the barrel, just provide support in case the a large scope mounted on the front of the rail is bumped, how to adjust it is mentioned in the FAQs also.

How your scope fits in relationship to the hammer depends on the scope, there are a myriad of scopes and designs, positioning and the size of the power ring/ocular bell will determine ring height, you won't know until you try to mount it.

Take a look at the link titled "Let's See some Handis" in the FAQs, lots of scope mounted H&Rs to look at.

Tim

smittty · « **Reply #5 on:** August 19, 2007, 08:56:10 PM »

Found the faq thread and the photos thread. Thanks, it is helpful to see the scopes installed.

I checked both my scopes & rings, and it looks like I would need the hammer to not extend above the top of the base. With your hammer modification is this possible?

Both scopes have medium height Leupold QRW rings.

The Weaver V3 scope may allow the hammer to extend above the top of the base if I position it to work but I'm just guessing based on what I saw in the photos.

My SS10x42 scope has a straight eye-piece ( www.supersniper.com/SuperSniperSpecs.htm )that would need the hammer to not extend above the tope of the base. Eyeballing the bottom of the scope and rings, I can see this. If I can't get this scope and rings to work I'd have to abandon the idea of getting one of these rifles. I love this scope!

Can you tell me how high the "stock" hammer extends above the top of the scope base. This website http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=78591876 shows a close-up and it looks like it extends just a little above the top of the base.

I appreciate your help.

Thanks
Smittty

PartsMan · « **Reply #6 on:** August 20, 2007, 04:03:53 AM »

The survivor is a better deal $$$,
but I want a stainless so bad that I painted my barrel.

Good luck deciding. We won't be much help.
Just buy both.

smittty · « **Reply #7 on:** August 20, 2007, 01:37:42 PM »

I checked a local dealer and they price the stainless 30-06 for $325 and with tax and registration works out to $375. Does that sound too expensive?

Smittty

poncaguy · « **Reply #8 on:** August 20, 2007, 01:54:22 PM »

I got the 308 Survivor and put the Choate Varmit stock and forend on it, made a very nice setup and very accurate, hardly any recoil.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #9 on:** August 20, 2007, 02:01:49 PM »

The hammer spur is about .080" above the top of the scope rail. The pic below is a 2-7x32 Bushnell Legend mounted in low Leupold PRW rings on my .444 Marlin Ultra, the hammer spur is unadulterated.

The lower pics is my V3 mounted in medium Burris Zee rings which are .255" from the top of the base to the bottom of the scope tube, medium QRWs are .230", same as the low PRW. It won't take much grinding with a dremel to remove the very tip of the hammer spur to make them work, just enough to remove the portion that sticks above the extension should be all it takes.

Tim

quickdtoo · « **Reply #10 on:** August 20, 2007, 02:03:46 PM »

Quote from: smittty on August 20, 2007, 01:37:42 PM

I checked a local dealer and they price the stainless 30-06 for $325 and with tax and registration works out to $375. Does that sound too expensive?

Smittty

Definitely!!

http://rrarms.com/catalog.php?prod=GSB23S6

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=3138442

Foggy · « **Reply #11 on:** August 20, 2007, 02:09:09 PM »

My RMEF handi has a set screw in the unsupported part of the scope rail
Foggy

quickdtoo · « **Reply #12 on:** August 20, 2007, 02:20:47 PM »

Quote from: Foggy on August 20, 2007, 02:09:09 PM

My RMEF handi has a set screw in the unsupported part of the scope rail
Foggy

All Ultra rails do, see the FAQs on how to adjust it according to the factory.

Tim

smittty · « **Reply #13 on:** August 20, 2007, 02:47:51 PM »

I have another shop pricing it for me. I don't have a Walmart or other discount sporting goods store near me that sells guns. I live California!

That same dealer that quoted the $325 for the handi has the Savage Stevens bolt action rifle for $318. That would be a much better value. I never considered it before but maybe I should look at it?

Thanks for your help,
Smittty

quickdtoo · « **Reply #14 on:** August 20, 2007, 02:54:45 PM »

Living in California can definitely put a crimp in your gun buying budget, just ask Handirifle, our resident Kalifornian.

Tim

smittty · « **Reply #15 on:** August 20, 2007, 08:20:01 PM »

Up until just last spring we had a discount store called Big5 that sold the lower priced rifles and they suddenly stopped selling guns. Abut a year ago one of the three private shops lost their license so now we are down to two gun shops and prices are higher.

Thinking about it, the Stevens is a much better value for even less money. I'm curious to see what price the other dealer gives me.

Smittty

goodwrench6710 · « **Reply #16 on:** August 21, 2007, 01:03:54 PM »

I paid $268 + tax for my stainless 22-250 in March of this year. Sounds high to me. With only 2 shops in the area, they have you guys over the barrel.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #17 on:** August 21, 2007, 01:28:00 PM »

I paid $200 for my SS 30-06 slightly used in a ftf transaction with a member here, he had it for just a few months and was headed to school, so he made me a great deal. I've made a few "upgrades", gray lam stock set, polished steel trigger guard and forend spacer, nickel plated hammer, extension and trigger to match, 3-9x40 Nikon Buckmasters scope in medium Signature Zees.

Tim

smittty · « **Reply #18 on:** August 21, 2007, 05:58:56 PM »

The first store priced it at $325 and the other at $330. I won't pay that much. Oh well. I guess I'm on to other options.

I like the Stevens 200 but I just won't be happy with it. Now that I've tried the accutrigger, I'll have to save up and get one of the new Savages.

Thanks for all your advice,
Smittty

quickdtoo · « **Reply #19 on:** August 21, 2007, 06:38:04 PM »

Even I have an itch to try one of those accutrigger guns, I've got one on order, but it's 60 days out on backorder.

Tim

http://www.thegunsource.com/store/item.aspx?PID=45787

Mac11700 · « **Reply #20 on:** August 22, 2007, 05:49:38 AM »

Quote from: quickdtoo on August 21, 2007, 06:38:04 PM

Even I have an itch to try one of those accutrigger guns, I've got one on order, but it's 60 days out on backorder.

Tim

http://www.thegunsource.com/store/item.aspx?PID=45787

Well...I had that same itch too...and scratched it...Then it went away and it doesn't itch any more because I have some good bolt gun medicine to keep it from coming back

Would I take a low end Savage over a well tuned Handi...nope...personal preference on this of course...nor would I buy a survivor stocked Handi...unless I was changing the stocks out on it...been there...done that...Do your self a favor...find a 26" 25-06 or 280 Ultra and shoulder it...then pick up that Savage and do the same...I'll wager the Handi will come home with you...While the Savages may shoot good...they just don't feel good to me...even the nicer stocked BVSS models...The balance of the 26" Handi's are just about ideal...

Mac