if you go with an 1911 look at Para Ordanace...I've got one for a cac gun they've have the best night sights IMO. Your not ganna get one for $400 but a great gun to have.

A 1911 pistol or rifle in 308. You can get plenty of surplus 308 ammo cheap.

I actually am leaning toward a .308 rifle. I've been doing a lot of research on the new Marlin XS7's. Both those, and their long-action counterparts, the XL7's, have been getting great reviews since the XL7 was introduced last year. They are a basic bolt-action rifle that "borrows" heavily from other rifle-maker's designs. The bolt is all Weatherby, bolt handle and safety is Remington 700. It has a fully adjustable trigger that looks an awful lot like Savage's Accu-Trigger, though it functions differently, and it uses Savages "barrel-nut" method of attaching the barrel and dialing in head-space. The stocks are pillar-bedded and each rifle includes a one-piece scope mount base.

I've handled the XL7 several times and it is a trim, light-weight and easy handling little rifle. It shoulders nicely and the bolt operates very smooth without any hint of binding or grittiness. It's nothing pretty to look at, but nearly review I've read on it, and the XS7, have claimed right around 1" groups @ 100 yards with many shooting tighter than that.

Not bad for a rifle selling for $299.00!

Only problem is I can't seem to find a XS7 anywhere and the gun store's suppliers are out of them as well. I put myself on the list at the store. Until I get that phone call, guess I'll just have to wait.:w2:
http://www.marlinfirearms.com/images/zoom_xs7.jpg
http://www.unionsportsmen.org/images.../m1_400_01.jpg
http://www.outdoorlife.com/files/ima...new_marlin.jpg
http://i611.photobucket.com/albums/t...-7target10.jpg

Very nice choice!:tu: Have a little cash left to put into a scope too!:choochoo:

A friend of mine just bought one of those this year for deer in 7mm-08 with a slightly used VX-II Leupold 3x9x40 on it and for under $500 has a tack driver.


If I was you, I'd put that entire $400 on .300 Weatherby ammo. Guns are only good if you can feed them. (hint hint)

They only issue with it is the rem style safety... Does it have a three position safety? Kind of a pet peeve of mine.

For an inexpensive, accurate (though somewhat ugly) rife it's hard to beat a savage.

I bought a savage BVSS in 22-250 a few years ago and I have fallen in love with it. It's a heavy stock, bull barrel very accurate varmint style rifle and it comes in a .308 chamber.

Take a look around and get a feel for what is out there.

Congrats on winning the raffle.:tu:

id say ammo and lots of it, maybe a couple extra mags if needed.

The 2-position safety really isn't an issue with me. I've owned both 2-position and 3-position rifles and don't really have a preference. So long as it's quiet when I move it and the gun doesn't go "BANG" with it on.

I already have a couple 3-9x40 scopes laying around here and I'm sure I can dig up some rings if I look long enough. I also have a set of .308 RCBS loading dies from back when I had my M1A National Match rifle and a boat-load of .30 caliber re-loading bullets. That's the reason I'm leaning toward a .308. I already have most of the goodies, plus wifey will be able to shoot it if the need/want ever arises. She's watched me shoot the .300 Weatherby and wants no part of it. :ouch:

A couple extra mags for the other gun safe occupants isn't a bad idea and I can always use some more ammo, though I already have about a thousand rounds of various re-loading I need to get done!:scare2: The ol' Rock Chucker just can't seem to keep pace with my trigger finger!:tttt:

Since June I have bought....

RIA "Colt" Commander .45 ACP
.32 Kel-Tech
1865 Army .44 black powder
Buntline .44 black powder
CVA Pro Hunter .50 Blackpowder
.30.30 Marlin
Baretta .22 target pistol
H&R Handi-Rifle .500 Smith & Wesson
Hi-Point 9mm Carbine Rifle
Saiga 12 Semiauto clip fed shotgun
.22 Pistol (sold to neighbor)
.22/.410 interchangable barrel single shot (sold to neighbor)

I got a Taurus Judge on order right now.......Just awaiting delivery.......

I am looking for a 500 Mossberg or 870 Mag Remington 12 gauge to build a "riot" gun out of.....

My christmas gift to myself will most likely be a .50 sniper rifle......

I have had to do a lot of thinking on this. I would spend it all on ammo that did not have serial number on them that I had guns for.