Author Topic: First Deer Rifle (Read 895 times)

squirrel_hunter6 · « **on:** July 14, 2004, 07:55:09 AM »

I am looking to buy my first deer rifle. :grin: I have decided that I want in 25-06. I have looked and held several different brands of rifles and the one that I like the best is Steyr Safeback. It is currently on sale at a local gun shop for $550.

Can someone please give me some feedback on this rifle. Thanks.

Zachary · « **Reply #1 on:** July 14, 2004, 08:11:17 AM »

I am familiar with Steyrs - the Prohunters, but I have never heard of "Safebacks." What are those?

Styers are now imported by RWS. Is this a new rifle?

Have you looked at Tikka? They have models in the .25-06, and they are excellent rifles.

Have you also looked at the Remingtons? I like the BDL SS models they have, and own several. I don't know if the Mountain LSS is available in .25-06, but check it out.

There are just so many other makes and models available with which I am familiar and can thus recommend, that I honestly can't comment on the Steyr.

Zachary

Zachary

squirrel_hunter6 · « **Reply #2 on:** July 14, 2004, 09:14:16 AM »

Hi Zachary,

First off, I don't know a whole lot about guns. I have tried holding the Remington BDL and ADL, Winchester 70, and the Ruger M77. I liked the way the Remingtons looked and felt when I held them. I was planning on buying a Remington BDL from Wal-Mart for $525.

But, I decided to go to a local gun store to see what they had and to find out how their prices compared to Wal-Mart. (I am on a graduate student budget). They had a Steyr in stock that was in the 25-06 size. On the reciever it said "Steyr Safeback." This morning was the first time I had ever heard of Steyr. I liked the way it felt when I held it and the guy was only asking $25 more for this gun than for the Remington BDL at Wal-Mart.

In general, what do you think of the Steyr brand?

Zachary · « **Reply #3 on:** July 14, 2004, 10:11:55 AM »

In General, Steyrs are good guns. I wouldn't necessarily say they are better than Remingtons, although they might. Still, we are not talking about Steyrs in general here, as you are talking about a "Safeback." I have never even heard of it, and thus would stay clear of it. I hate buying things without knowing anything about them.

Zachary

Blaine · « **Reply #4 on:** July 14, 2004, 03:01:19 PM »

Hi S-H6 ,

It sounds like you've made up your mind....but in case you haven't....take a look at the Weatherby Vanguards. The SS models are under $500 and come with a guarenteed 1 MOA. They come in a lot of calibers, too. I just bought a 300 Win Mag that is a tack driver. Less than $650 (scope included). I splurged for another $ 80 and installed a Timney trigger and I couldn't be happier with it.....just my :money: worth

Blaine....Jesus is my life too :grin:

Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #5 on:** July 14, 2004, 06:50:59 PM »

squirrel_hunter6 --

You should be able to pick up a Ruger in .25-06 for around $440, maybe less. And when it comes time to scope it you won't have to shell out any more money because rings come with the Rugers.

The only drawback to the Rugers, in my opinion, is the trigger pull weight, which is easily fixed. I did my two Ruger M77's myself, but I understand that gunsmiths will charge about $35. I also free-floated the barrels, using a Magic Marker and some sandpaper.

I freely admit to being an unabashed Ruger fan, but that's due to 20+ years of shooting them, owning 3, and having worked with several others belonging to my hunting buddy and brother. All are excellent shooters, but there are other reasons I like them, too - including the following:

[list=1]

Built-in bases for the rings. This is the strongest system I know of and I busted two ribs proving just how strong it is. (I had help from a mule and a big log.)
One-piece bolt. Proven strength, and it isn't going to come apart. Most two-piece bolts don't either, but every now and then you hear about a bolt handle coming off.
Mauser claw-type extractor for controlled-round feed and strength. If you can break it, I'll buy dinner.
Fixed blade ejector. I can easily shuck those empties many feet or drop them into my hand. And when unloading soft-pointed bullets like Partitions, I don't have to two-hand it to avoid damaging the tip.
Ruger service. Never had to have a rifle worked on, but my hunting buddy and I both bought used Ruger revolvers that needed work. Ruger did the work and returned the revolvers at no charge. (We were both willing to pay.)
3-position safety.
Floorplate for unloading.
Iron sights on some models (like my 7mm Rem Mag).
Looks. When it comes down to it, IMHO, the Ruger's just have a classic, distinctive look. As an engineer, I appreciate it when form follows function, and the Rugers don't have any unnecessary and non-functional ornamentation such as fore-end caps of a different material or color on the stock.

Ron T. · « **Reply #6 on:** July 15, 2004, 04:50:53 PM »

Squirrel Hunter

Im sure not going to knock a Steyr they make fine rifles, but they are rare here in the States. Do they have a national service center? Check with your local gunsmith and ask if they repair the Steyr and how easy are parts to obtain before you make the leap into such a rifle. You could ask the gun dealer who is selling it where they send Steyrs for repair and how often they need repair.

However, if I were buying a rifle today, Id look real hard at two rifles the Remington 700 BDL and CDL (their newest model) and the Tikka Deluxe Hunter with the roll-over cheek piece.

Ive got several friends who own Remington 700s and every one of them is a shooter (a very accurate rifle). My best hunting buddy claims (and he doesnt lie) that his Remington 700 BDL in .30/06 shot a 5 shot group off a bench-rest at 200 yards which measured LESS than 2 inches an excellent showing for a sport-weight barrel on ANY brand or make of center-fire hunting rifle.

I recommended and my Godson purchased a Tikka Deluxe Hunter in .30/06 last year, buttttttttt Im not sure if it comes in .25/06 which is, incidentally, an excellent long range deer and antelope cartridge. His Tikka is one of the most beautiful rifles Ive ever seen and I understand the barrels for the Tikka are taken out of the same container as the barrels used in the famous Sako rifle, a high quality rifle that is internationally known for its excellent accuracy.

Sorry I cant be of more help you probably couldnt go wrong with ANY recommendation youre gotten on this forum including your own (the Steyr).

Strength & Honor

Ron T.

squirrel_hunter6 · « **Reply #7 on:** July 16, 2004, 05:40:49 AM »

Hi Guys,

Thanks for all the input.

I was wrong when I said the model was a Safeback. It is a Steyr Safebolt Prohunter. I did some research on the internet and found that most people thought that it was a good gun. So, I went ahead and bought it yesterday evening. I also bought a Nikon Prostaff 3x9x40 scope for it.

Quote

Check with your local gunsmith and ask if they repair the Steyr and how easy are parts to obtain before you make the leap into such a rifle. You could ask the gun dealer who is selling it where they send Steyrs for repair and how often they need repair.

I didn't even think about that but, I did ask what kind of warranty the gun had. It has a limited lifetime warranty and for 5 years Steyr will replace any broken parts.

I've got one more question. What grain size bullet should I use?

Tbaus · « **Reply #8 on:** July 18, 2004, 04:07:00 AM »

Congratulations on your new rifle! While I have never had the pleasure of owning a Steyr, the ones I have seen are fine examples of weaponry. Sometimes it is fun to go the road less traveled. Someone else will have to recommend what bullet weight to try. Whatever it is, take it to the range and compare different loads if you reload or different manufacturers loaded rounds with that bullet weight if you don't reload. Different makes will shoot differently. Pick the round to hunt with that your rifle "likes", and then sight your rifle in with THAT round. Good shootin'...

Zachary · « **Reply #9 on:** July 18, 2004, 06:44:27 AM »

Quote from: squirrel_hunter6

I've got one more question. What grain size bullet should I use?

For deer, my favorite factory load is the Hornady 117 Interlock.
Other great loads are the Federal 115 Partitions, and the new Federal 100 Barnes TSX looks pretty good too.

For varmints, it depends on which critter you're after, and whether you want to keep the pelt. Generally speaking, though, you should find bullets in the 70 to 90 grain weight.

Zachary

sgtt · « **Reply #10 on:** July 18, 2004, 06:23:38 PM »

Can't dispute Zachary's choice. Hornady makes great bullets. I would, however, try some different brands to see what my gun liked the best. I do not personally believe that the "premium" bullets aren't worth the difference in price. I like the idea of "the road less traveled". When your Remington owning buddies ask why you bought that........just smile. They will think you know something they don't.

sgtt · « **Reply #11 on:** July 18, 2004, 06:26:30 PM »

oops! Double negative in there. I do not think the premium bullets are necessary for deer sized game.