--1st bolt action centerfire--?

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the Black Spot

the Black Spot

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Well folks, i am crowding 49 yrs now and i figure its about time for a bolt action rifle. Looking to spend under $400 and in a .243 cal.
Have my eye on a slightly used marlin x7 with nikon scope.
I have checked out these rifles:
Savage axis and axis 2
Mossberg patriot
Ruger american
Remmington 783

Use for this one rifle would be for predators and for the younger kids to hunt deer with.

Any suggestions welcome.

Right now that axis 2 with the weaver scope and wood stock is catching my eye more and more. The marlin isn't too shabby either.
 
Ruger American, Predator version if you can swing a little extra cash. They have a mid-weight target barrel and come with a rail for scope mounting. I have the Predator in 308 and a compact in 223. My brother has the Predator in 6.5 Creedmoor and a Ranch in 5.56. All 4 of them shoot tiny little groups. They are the best buy in a budget rifle.
 
the rug American predator in 243 is exactly what I just purchased. it shoots good. I also like the weatherby versions of the howa action guns. a little more traditional wood and steel construction but cheaper than a m70 or 700.
 
That Marlin is a good rifle, but my vote goes to the Ruger as well. It's a fine little rifle for the money. The Axis, while not a bad rifle, isn't as nice as either IMO.
 
I like my ruger americans alot, great shooters. The TC Compass is worth a look, best barrel in class.
 
I'd probably go with the American as well. Tho the Xl7 i handled a few years ago was a pretty nice gun for the 329 they were asking at the time, not sur what it is now.

One thing im finding with the ruger is i dont like the way the stock feels. The Axis feels the same to me, but i havent handled the wood stock version.

Personally Id add the Howa 1500 lightening to your list they can be had for sub 400 and the fit and finish is better than any of the other budget guns ive used.
I like the one i have well enough it got restocked with an older but nice s&w 1500 stock.
 
Bought the wife a Savage Axis in 243. Very accurate and fun to shoot. Comes with a scope for about $400.00.
 
Howa is often overlooked, probably because they don't have the name or advertising budget that other rifles do. I looked at the current crop of low end rifles and bought a Howa. It's a serious no frills rifle with an excellent trigger. Any of these rifles are going to have less than desirable stocks, that's what makes them cheap. Just make sure whatever you buy has a free floating barrel. My Howa has one from the factory. If it doesn't have a FFB you will buying another stock sooner than you might anticipate. My Ruger just got restocked. What a piece of garbage poly stock.:( I restocked it because I like everything else about it.
 
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I've kind of migrated towards buying fewer, but nicer rifles than I used to, so I don't actually own any of the rifles being discussed ( although I've played with all of them). That said, the specs on the new TC Compass seem really nice for the money, 5R rifling, threaded barrel, decent rotary magazine 3 lug, full diameter bolt and a 3 position safety. I haven't held a Compass, do I couldn't vouch for the stock, but the feature list seems promising. A used Tikka might also be a viable option.

Edit: as CoalTrain49 said, Howas are another good option and are usually available at Whittaker's in the $330 range.
 
Should be a zillion 243's out in the used racks ... I'd go for that Marlin if it fits and feels good. They shot (shoot) well :)

This is one of the calibers you can find about everywhere if you look. It's a good one, but seems to have lost some of its luster to newer stuff ... Oh well, I'll take a quality older rifle with a decent scope any day over a new one I have to build up :D

Of course you'll field strip it and clean it and lube it and reset the screws on the scope mounts with some blue lock-tite ... Check the action screws and all. But once back together, it'll be bangin plates/gongs with the best of them :D
 
Don't have any experience with the a Marlin. I've read they are excellent rifles though.

My first choice would be Howa then Mossberg Patriot. Don't own a Howa but there are four Vanguards in the family.

My choice of the Patriot is based on they feel much more solid than a RAR, Axis, 783, etc.

Don't have any experience with T/C.
 
All of the less expensive guns by the major brands seem to have a pretty good reputation for accuracy and function. Talking to people ,that I trust, at more than one gunshot tends to confirm this. They just don't get a lot of complaints about rifles such as the American, Axis, etc. Find the one you like and go for it.

If you go used inspect the throat carefully. 243 can be tough on barrels. I would say that about 1/2 of the ones I have looked at have a fair amount of erosion ahead of the chamber. My guess is due to low recoil and generally good accuracy a 243 gets shot a lot more than a 300 Mag! Not shooting long strings can mitigate barrel wear a lot. My 30/06 has around 3000 through it and still shoots well with only minor throat erosion.
 
The extra $50,00 would be worth it to me for the wood stock. IMO the Axis synthetic stock is flimsy. Why a youth model? Are you of small stature?
 
I am average build. Was going to double duty this rifle for predator hunting and the kids deer hunting.


There is a guy here locally, that is selling the axis youth combo and he might take 280 for it. It is brand-new. Should I drop my search and just pick up this axis youth rifle?
 
Thats a pretty good price, Id probably grab it. If you dont like it put it back up for 300.

you can always get a full length stock off ebay for cheap, then youll have both.
 
Sounds like a good deal. If you decide you don't care for it, you can sell it again and get pretty much what you paid for it.

Edit: LoonWulf posted while I was typing. Yeah. What he said.
 
the Black Spot said:
So far i am leaning toward the axis 2 youth model for around 340$, but i also like the wood stocked axis 2 with weaver scope for 390
Click to expand...

the Black Spot said:
Well the guy selling the axis will only take 300.
That still worth it?
Thanks
Click to expand...

Not a bad idea. Bed the stock and make sure it's free floating if you het the wood stock.

Now I'm not quite sure how their quality is anymore but the Boyd's Lightweight Thumbhole stock should keep the weight in check should you grab the synthetic stock.
 
stringnut said:
My guess is due to low recoil and generally good accuracy a 243 gets shot a lot more than a 300 Mag!
Click to expand...
In matches when shot once or twice a minute 20 times or more, 308 Win got 3000 rounds of barrel life, 243 Win got 1500, 300 Win Mag got 1100.

308's powder charges are at bore capacity. 243's and 300's are way over bore capacity.
 
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