Reliable, durable and precise is how the maker sums up the Mauser M18, and the Savanna version adds a black and tan synthetic stock. It is new, chambered in .30-06 Springfield, with a 22 inch barrel, a threaded muzzle and a five round magazine.

The M18 is a budget-friendly modern hunting rifle that uses a simple, strong action. It is not a copy of the military 98 but is built to be used in the field. A synthetic stock shrugs off rain, and a 22 inch barrel is easy to carry and handle in a stand or blind.

The .30-06 is the all-rounder: light bullets for coyotes and deer, heavy bullets for elk, and factory loads in every store that sells ammunition. For a first big-game rifle it is hard to improve on, and the recoil is manageable for most adults.

The threaded muzzle lets an owner fit a brake or a thread protector. Check the thread pitch in the manual before buying accessories. Mount a scope you trust and shoot it before the season.

The rifle ships to a licensed dealer you choose, and the background check is completed there.