New to rifle shooting...

I bought sons first gun a Howa 6.5x55 with a cheap scope but looks like they have went up over the years.

Any are good choices. For caliber 223 cheapest. 7.62x39 may be a decent option and for a little more a 308 may he the best option.

I am honestly not up on current ammo costs.
 
For the money and purpose, I think what you’ve suggested will work great. I would stick with 223 for this first centerfire rifle. Once he's developed good trigger pulling habits and gets bitten by the bug (target or hunting), he can get something with more range/umph if he wants it.

I’d tell him to take the money he saves on the rifle and put it into the scope. I would recommend he at least spring for a Leupold vx-freedom or Vortex diamondback quality level of scope. Anything less than that is not worth the trouble, in my opinion. My brother in law has a diamondback tactical (on a Ruger American no less) he really likes, and that scope might be a good fit for your friend’s purposes. If he can afford better glass, then by all means get better glass, though I would consider a better stock (or rifle with a better stock) before spending anywhere close to a grand on glass.
 
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A word of caution to calibrate the recommendations to buy a 243win instead of 223rem if hunting may be on the table. 223rem in a cut rifled barrel will retain nearly ideal precision for 4000-5000 rounds. A 243win will only do so for 750-1000 rounds. If more horsepower is needed, then 6.5 Creedmoor or 7-08 are better options. More, but only moderately more recoil than 243win and better BC’s on bullets more appropriately weighted for caliber, but far, far more barrel life, and still exceptionally high availability of ammo and components on the market. The 6 GT will also be a better option than 243win for a new shooter, less recoil, better barrel life, better ballistic coefficients than 243win, but ammo and brass availability and costs are higher than for 6.5 creed and 7-08. The same applies for 6 ARC, better in many ways which matter most, just harder to find.
 
What about Howa?

Varminterror said:
Either a Savage or Ruger will be fine - but I will encourage purchasing either a model with an upgraded stock, better than the standard factory polymer stock, or a standard model as well as an aftermarket stock to be transplanted. Pillar blocking and glass bedding are typically the best energy investments into these actions to get the most out of them.

223rem is a good option.
Click to expand...

I agree. When you look at the stocks that come on some of these budget rifles, you can see where the corners are cut to arrive at the discount prices.

The stocks are typically flimsy and require more effort to shoot well.
 
MarshallDodge said:
What about Howa?



I agree. When you look at the stocks that come on some of these budget rifles, you can see where the corners are cut to arrive at the discount prices.

The stocks are typically flimsy and require more effort to shoot well.
Click to expand...
As far as I know, Howa makes a fine rifle. I`m a bit curious as to what might constitute a " budget rifle " in this context. My 110, provided I don`t screw up the shot (happens more frequently than I like!! ) , I don`t think requires " more effort " in order to put three inside a 1" target dot at 100 yards. Can`t really speak to the Axis line since I`ve never shot one, but I`ve watched others do so. They didn`t seem to be having to expend " more effort " to shoot well. By the way, this is NOT intended as trying to start an argument, just curious. Thanks.
 
Turkeytider said:
As far as I know, Howa makes a fine rifle. I`m a bit curious as to what might constitute a " budget rifle " in this context. My 110, provided I don`t screw up the shot (happens more frequently than I like!! ) , I don`t think requires " more effort " in order to put three inside a 1" target dot at 100 yards. Can`t really speak to the Axis line since I`ve never shot one, but I`ve watched others do so. They didn`t seem to be having to expend " more effort " to shoot well. By the way, this is NOT intended as trying to start an argument, just curious. Thanks.
Click to expand...
The original post said that this rifle will be used more for target shooting than hunting. Take a look at a target rifle and a hunting rifle. Notice the difference in stock design and materials? They don't make them that way for looks :)
 
T/C Compass would be my choice in budget rifles. I own the T/C, several Rugers, a Remington, and a Savage in the budget category and the Thompson outshoots them all with the best trigger of the bunch. Factory priced at $334 with 3-9 x 40mm scope it also comes in considerably cheaper which leaves money for ammo or better glass.
 
Anyone know off hand the difference between
Savage Arms Axis XP and
Savage Arms Axis II ? Sportsman's has them on sale Under $430.00 W/ Weaver scope .

If the young fellow is gonna Hunt also ,I'd opt for .308 ; Ammo is plentifully available ,granted not as inexpensive as .223 but much more capable ,especially hunting wise . Strictly range paper or varmint punching , No brain'r .223 .

I'd opt for a Savage or Tikka for accuracy .
 
CapnMac said:
Dunno. The Predator is a fine rifle, but OP is speaking about getting a cash-strapped newbie into the fold.
SO, introducing the giant variable of AR mags into the equation may not be the best idea. maybe. Perhaps, YMMV.

Now, as a second rifle . . .
Click to expand...

Skipper, why do you say the "giant variable of AR mags..." etc. may not be the best idea? o_O
 
Hesitant to post this, perhaps too strong a word as I do so frequently, but with the price of rimfire rifles and ammo, a guy can learn much for little while deciding what’s to like about shooting. Glass is transferable and what I’ve found to be true on a personal level is that my spending habits tend to align with my interests, somehow finding room for what I enjoy.

Consider the idea, and, if he’s a good enough friend to have over on range day, bring a loaner CF rifle for him to plink with or do as I do and gift him a rimfire.
 
This is my Stainless, fluted, Remington .223 that I was fortunate to find in a "used" rack at a sporting-goods store in Kittery, Maine. It's been a really great varmint rifle, but if it were in .243, would be a fantastic all-around rifle for most smaller game and deer. Where I live in Maine, .223 is considered too light for deer, especially larger ones, but I once had a .22-250 that was a bit more capable with heavier bullets and was fantastic on larger varmints, as well.
P4230223 - Copy.JPG
 
I'm in agreement with all that recommended .223!

"Slightly" biased as I own 7 of them, 2 Bolts and 5 AR15s. I'd no matter what get a 1:8 twist IOT stabilize at least 77s.

I've got my own range and reload for multiple rifles, but the .223 is positively the caliber I shoot the most. I've set up my bolt rifles as "trainers", one for a standard hunting sporter, the other as a precision-ish rig. I really like practicing with .223s due to cost, lack of recoil, and the challenge reading conditions at 300-600 yds. Practicing feild conditions/rests:

VXKIPf0l.jpg

lplnIF2l.jpg

The other thing I'd recommend is a quality .22LR. Simple shots from 100-200 with a .223 or larger become way more challenging with a .22LR.

As the others also said, IF hunting is on the menu, I'd "up-gun" to either the 6.5C or 7-08, even .308Win. I've gone through a couple .243 barrels, it's a great deer hunting cartridge, but not a great round for extensive practice/shooting unless you're willing to put a new tube on periodically.
 
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Chuck R. said:
I'm in agreement with all that recommended .223!

"Slightly" biased as I own 7 of them, 2 Bolts and 5 AR15s. I'd no matter what get a 1:8 twist IOT stabilize at least 77s.

I've got my own range and reload for multiple rifles, but the .223 is positively the caliber I shoot the most. I've set up my bolt rifles as "trainers", one for a standard hunting sporter, the other as a precision-ish rig. I really like practicing with .223s due to cost, lack of recoil, and the challenge reading conditions at 300-600 yds. Practicing feild conditions/rests:

View attachment 1137541

View attachment 1137542

The other thing I'd recommend is a quality .22LR. Simple shots from 100-200 with a .223 or larger become way more challenging with a .22LR.

As the others also said, IF hunting is on the menu, I'd "up-gun" to either the 6.5C or 7-08, even .308Win. I've gone through a couple .243 barrels, it's a great deer hunting cartridge, but not a great round for extensive practice/shooting unless you're willing to put a new tube on periodically.
Click to expand...

I'm in agreement as I also own several as well as near every other caliber I want anyway . Hunting isn't legal with them in every state for Deer sized game and up ,never read anything contrary pertaining to varmint hunting . Personally can attest to Yotes Chucks a dogtown critters going down .
One Rifle isn't a Good choice in MY book but that wasn't the question and it's Not My call . The young Man in question has some serious contemplating to do ,as only He will know WHAT HE LIKES for whatever reason . Bol is all I can say
 
I suggest a 300 Rem Ultra Mag.......



......not really I just like to get you guys worked into a lather-
The .223 is a fantastic starting cartridge-
 
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