First Rifle Choice

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alxshml

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Looking at options for my first long gun. Right now all I have is a .22lr & a shotgun both of which are "hand down through the family" guns. And a muzzle loader I picked up last year.

I know I want a .223 Rem. This will be more than enough for shooting paper, bottles or the occasional ground hog out to about 300 yards. I originally was looking solely at Remington 700's, but during my research and talking to a local gun store it seems a lot of the Remington's price is the name. And Savage are more bang for your buck. I want the gun to stay under $550, so with the scope & other accessories I stays under $750.

Here are my top three choices. The prices are quoted from a local gun store.

Remington 700 SPS- $510.00 (Minus a $40 factory rebate)
Savage 11 FNS- $465.00 (Accu Trigger, No Accu Stock)
Savage 11 FHNS- $505.00 (Accu Trigger & Accu Stock)

I have yet to handle any of these models. Right now I'm just in my "internet research" stage.
Is the Accu Stock worth the extra money? I'm not looking for precision competition shooting. Just breaking into the rifle world.

Opinions, comments, suggestions... I'm all ears.
 
welcome to THR

You really can't go wrong with any of those for $500.

My advice would be the obvious: go handle them before you buy, as the biggest difference between the 3 is the stock. There are many good stocks out there, and often the difference boils down to personal preference and fit. (and aesthetics, if you care about that)
 
FMJMIKE,

Do you have experience personally with the AccuStock? I've watched the video on Savages site and it is convincing. However, as a good consumer, I realize that the intent of the video was to sell product. So I am a little skeptical. I'm not doubting your opinion, just trying to make sense of all the reading I have been doing.

Compared to the Remington Factory Stock is the AccuStock a step up?
 
I don't have any experience with the Remington, so I can't comment on that. Given your budget, the Savage 11 or the T/C Venture would both be great picks. I really like the Savage with accu-trigger, but I would pick the T/C Venture over the Savage. I like the trigger a little bit better and it's less money than the Savage.
 
Wow, I can't believe no one has recommended the all time great CZ 527! OP, if you have even the slightest chance to pick one up for closer scrutinization- then please do. The Savage, Weatherby, Howa, and Tikkas are serious firearms, but don't forget about the CZ with it's single-set trigger!
 
I appreciate the responses.

I would like to add a couple of things to my list of traits I want my new gun to have.

1) Internal magazine, I don't like the idea of the detachable mag. I don't think it is necessary and could be damaged easily or lost
2) American Made, call me old fashion but I would really like my new gun to be made in the good ol' USA

I think that would rule out the CZ (A bit expensive for me also), the T/C, the Vanguard, & the Tikka.

Side Note. I've been doing so much reading on the net I think it is taking away from ability to be a productive member of society.:)
 
Buy a Stevens....it's a savage without the accutrigger.Very accurate right out of the box and under $300.With the money you save you can get a very nice scope for it , or lots more ammo.
 
Another thought/question:

Since I do not plan on carrying the rifle vary far and shooting mostly target. Would the "Varmint" line of rifles be better over the hunting line? Most of the Varmint line have heavy barrels and are 26" compared to 22"-24".
 
Would the "Varmint" line of rifles be better over the hunting line?
Click to expand...

That would be something to consider, if you plan on using it on the range more frequently than hunting. Heavier, longer barrels give you an advantage for extended range time by reducing barrel heating and a bit higher velocity. I personally favor longer barrels for the velocity advantage that's produced in most rifles.

I really don't care what you buy, as all the rifles mentioned are generally fine shooters, but I encourage you to buy American. Keep the jobs here in the USA.



NCsmitty
 
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NCsmitty,

alxshml said:
I appreciate the responses.

I would like to add a couple of things to my list of traits I want my new gun to have.

1) Internal magazine, I don't like the idea of the detachable mag. I don't think it is necessary and could be damaged easily or lost
2) American Made, call me old fashion but I would really like my new gun to be made in the good ol' USA
Click to expand...
;)

I have been on this forum for less than a week and I can tell already the members here are great. Thanks everyone!!
 
Just got off the phone with the local Dick's Sporting Goods. They're running a sale until Saturday. $449.99 for the Varmint & cheapo 4-12x40 scope or 449.99 for a Stainless w/ no scope. Off that I get Remington's $40 mail in rebate & Dick's $20 gift card.

The Varmint has a camo stock. This is a complete turn-off for me. Other who bought the Dick's Varmint and posted online had a green stock which didn't bother me but camo is just plain ugly. I realize it is a cheap stock but, I don't plan on upgrading anytime soon

Could the stock be painted and still look good?

What would the advantages of the stainless model be ? The Dick's SS has a 24'' regular barrel. Does the stainless really have an advantage or is it mostly for looks?
 
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as much as you like america, Howa rifles are too good not to look at.
they are made in Japan, but imported to nevada, and distributed. as is the weatherby vanguard except distributed by weatherby. not legacy sports international, but the Howa is far superior to the weatherby.

mine shot a 7/8th inch group at 100 yards.
and .308 is great for killing about everything, not over powered or underpowered.
 
I second Howa. Excellent quality for the price.... on par with the American counterparts (in many cases exceeds). The Howa 1500 is every bit the rifle the Whetherby Vanguard is. My Howa Model 3000 shotguns (own two of them) is SUPERIOR to my 870.

Are you dead set on buying a brand new rifle? There are plenty safe queen rifles surfacing on the market due to the economy.

My overall recommendation for a solid starter rifle on a budget would be a Howa 1500. I would seek out a nice used example. This should leave you more wiggle room to mount a respectable optic. You may even find a solid scoped rifle right out the gate.

Nice Deal: http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=195070366
 
Tikka T3 or the previously mentioned CZ, protectionism didn't work during the depression, and won't work today. I'm not going to buy a product just because it is made in the US.
I'll bet there are some really nice used rifles on the market right now as well.
 
What would the advantages of the stainless model be ?
Click to expand...

A stainless barrel will last longer than a chrome-moly steel. Stainless is less prone to the effects of throat erosion.
Important when using a hi-intensity round like the WSM, and nice to have with any cartridge to make it's accuracy last longer.



NCsmitty
 
abel, i think the howa is better, because it has a better stock, and no "pressure point"
so it can be fired for longer before cooling. and typically a nicer barrel from what i've read.
remember, i did a bunch of research and found the Howa i bought to be better than the model 700's that are commonly offered for under 600 dollars.
right now im a little over 620 into my whole Howa setup.
because of the $80.00 of a bipod i got. it swivels.
im about to buy a little rail that goes on the front sling swivel that makes me able to mount a light, super useful for that 3am bump in the night. i will also be buying some nice frangible ammo, as im not overly confident in the 28" barrel'd shotgun next to my bed full of slugs. hard to manuever, but mom is afraid if i hit someone with the .308 it would dismember somthing, she's a liberal lol. so frangible will be my little lie.
and it comes with a good scope, thats right, i like my Nikko Stirling. get over it. it's good.
 
The Weatherby comes with a guarantee to shoot a 1.5" group at 100 yards. If it does that reliably, there is no way that your Howa is "far superior". That's just hyperbole. Maybe you could claim that the Howa is a smidge better in some regard.
 
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