If you are a big game hunter and more so, a northern Maine big game hunter, you have been afield in some pretty nasty weather. I’m referring to those days when the forecast calls for gusty winds and rain, or perhaps the new climate buzzword known as the wintry mix. You know the days I’m talking about. More than once as I was drinking my first cup of coffee at 4 A.M. and peering through the kitchen window, rain or sleet pelting the glass and wind whipping through the eaves, the thought of pulling one of my finer hunting rifles from its warm and cozy slot in the cabinet and exposing it to the best (or worst) weather Maine has to offer made me cringe. Enter the rainy day rifle. I spoke with my close friend Harley, long-time hunter partner and all around gun guru about his thoughts as a former gun shop owner and FFL dealer. Here are his top three recommendations for an affordable new rainy day rifle.
Browning AB3
You may be surprised to a Browning rifle on this list; they are known for high quality, precision rifles. However, with the introduction of the AB3, Browning has entered the budget rifle market by streamlining manufacturing while drawing features from both of their most popular rifles: the A-bolt and X-bolt. In fact, X-bolt fans will be glad to see the same barrel quality in the AB3 – constructed from cold-rolled steel, free-floated and featuring button-rifling for precision. The 60 degree bolt-throw is another feature you don’t see often in budget class guns. This enables quick cycling of the action without interference from a scope. The matte blue barrel and action offer high resistance to corrosion and minimal reflection. Add the matte black composite stock with textured gripping areas and you have a serious foul weather gun. Expect to pay between $450 – $550 at retail.
Howa GAMEPRO 2.0
Howa is well known by insiders for making great rifles. You may have even owned one and didn’t realize it; Howa has been a behind the scenes manufacturer for a few more well-known firearm brands over the years. The GAMEPRO 2.0 scoped package offering may seem a little salty pricewise at first, but a closer look at the rifle makes this gun a great value. Partnering with Hogue, this Howa rifle features a pillar-bedded Overmolded stock and recoil pad – perfect for slippery hands, comfort and precision. This rifle boasts both a cold hammer-forged threaded barrel and a two lug, forged one piece bolt. The two stage trigger is adjustable from three to five pounds and a Nikko Stirling Gamepro 4-12X40 Scope sits atop the gun. This rifle package is retailing around $630 and is ready to hunt bad weather out of the box.
Ruger American
I’ve handled a lot of rifles similar to the Ruger American in price point and features. Some felt clunky, didn’t shoulder well or just felt plain cheap. The first time I shouldered the American, I let my hand slide along the synthetic forearm and brush the detachable box magazine – I was pleasantly surprised. There was no rattle from an ill-fitting magazine common in budget guns; a huge pet peeve of mine in a hunting rifle. From the free-floated barrel, an integral bedding block system, adjustable trigger and cold hammer-forged barrel, Ruger nailed it with this gun. The 70 degree bolt throw is a little more than I would like but Ruger’s decision to equip the rifle with a factory-installed, one-piece Picatinny scope base makes up for it. I love the tang safety and the three lug bolt locks in tight. For a rifle in the $400 – $460 retail price range and the features it boasts, it is a hard inclement weather gun to beat. It’s also the one, chambered in .30-06, that hangs on the rack as my personal rainy day rifle.