Economy Rifle or Used Remington Enfield 1917 or others

[jmckinley]

I have been reading the post's on the cheap or economy rifles and finally decided they all look tire irons. For the same money $ 250.00 I picked up a fully custom 1917 in 30-06. Will be dropping a trophy 3x9-40 on top and still have a rifle that will shoot with any on the market that has real walnut, bedded action good trigger and still last another 50 years and not feel like a kids toy. I know the Mossberg and Savage are nice guns for the dollar spent yet I just think a better quality rifle can be had on the used market, for the same money spent on the econo grade rifle. What'd'ya think about that? Jess

[Shorty]

jmckinley,
I'm with you!  
Although I have a Rem 700, it has no soul.  :wink:
My Krag and 1917 sporters will do anything I'm capable of and cost less than the Remington combined.  While having mana (cool) too.

[lilabner]

I'm with you part way. Today's economy rifles aren't much to look at with their plastic stocks and trigger guards and their crappy blue jobs. You have to go back in time to find rifles with really good walnut, deep bluing etc. My first rifle was a 1917 sporterized by a gunsmith. It was good looking and I shot a lot of game with it. On the negative side, it was heavy as an anvil and though I fooled around with handloads quite a bit, I could never get it to shoot tighter than an inch and three quarters. That was plenty good enough for the hunting I was doing, though. I never could learn to love that cock on closing bolt. The modern economy rifles are more accurate and they are lightweights and easier to haul up the mountain. After years of being disgusted with their looks and cheap construction, I finally accepted them based on performance.

[poncaguy]

A great rifle I'm sure, but at my age, I need a light rifle, why I like my 2 Stevens and Handi rifles ( though some of them aren't too light)............

[jmckinley]

lilabner and poncaguy i will give you that that at "OUR" senior years lighter is better, but the feel of real wood and quality is good too. I am almost 56 and a few worn out body parts to boot but like like the weight for recoil control from football shoulders. me and a light weight 06 just don't mix. I will agree on the Handi though as my next rifle will be a Ultra in 25-06 and will be my all round goat and deer rifle. The winchester 1917 is my elk Gun and with my Knees I WALK AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE UNTIL I SPOT MY POSSSIBLE ELK STEAK and then I'll plan my stalk if needed so the weight doesn't worry me to much. at 6'4" 225# i thing i can handle and extra couple of pounds. I do agree if you walk and climb a light weight makes alot of sense. I just like real wood and not plastic that much. Jess

[greenjeans]

You will love the Handi Ultra in 25-06. It is certainly no lightweight. I have a Bushnell 3 x 9 x 50 on mine and it is a good combination. Felt recoil is negligible and it groups really well with Winchester 120 gr. PEP's. Going to use it a lot more this fall now that I have put the Bushnell on it. :grin: