Advice to a friend

[bannockburn]

I voted "Nicer rifle", as in a nice used rifle and have him get a decent scope for it, even if it means spending a little bit more to get better quality.

 

[tacxted]

How about a H&R handi rifle in 308 with a $300 piece of glass. I'm sure the handi rifle will satisfy any target shooting your friend would do and its a deer rifle so....

 

[Cee Zee]

I'm always shocked by how cheap firearms are in the US. A Tikka T3 Lite costs the equivalent of $1450 on special offer here in Denmark.

Any idea why they cost so much more there? That's quite a difference.

 

[Teachu2]

I have a good friend at work, he wants to pick up a rifle to start hunting deer with and maybe elk. he is looking at a 308 or 30-06. he is sort of set on a "starter rifle" and is looking at the savage axis or the ruger america series, he plans on putting a cheaper vortex 3-9 on top.

i am trying to convince him to buy once cry once, but he wants to be able to hunt for $600.

I would rather him spend $1000 and get a slightly nicer rifle and a $400 scope that will last a lifetime.

Buy him a $400 scope you think he should have for a lifetime and give it to him. Tell him to spend the $600 on the rifle slightly nicer rifle. He'll remember you every time he handles that rifle.

 

[Cee Zee]

Buy him a $400 scope you think he should have for a lifetime and give it to him. Tell him to spend the $600 on the rifle slightly nicer rifle. He'll remember you every time he handles that rifle.

A total stranger bought me a $400 scope once. And yes I think of him every time I use that scope. A Weaver T-36 is what he sent me along with a bunch of Eley Tenex and Match ammo.

 

[Doc7]

Does your friend currently shoot at all? Does he own any firearms?

If not, and the guy has said, "I want to buy a hunting rig for $600, with one of the entry guns on the market today" there is no reason to do anything but that. Either gun listed will shoot way better than he will, and he will be getting exactly what he wants, and they are both quality values at their price point, with solid companies behind them.

This isn't about what us gun guys want. It's about a new shooter getting something he wants. And his choices aren't bad, in fact they are rifles even experienced shooters are buying and liking.

Let's add a shooter/hunter to our ranks and get this guy what he WANTS.

 

[rcmodel]

TIKKA.

rc

 

[Arkansas Paul]

Any idea why they cost so much more there? That's quite a difference.

I don't know what Denmark's laws are regarding the purchase of firearms, but I would wager that they are quite a bit more restrictive than even our most restrictive states. Therefore, there wouldn't be a gun shop on every corner like there are in some places here. Less competition = higher prices.

Probably a lot of taxes on them as well.

Just a guess. I could be off.

 

[wlewisiii]

Look for something better. If his budget is tight, haunt pawn shops. I got a nice Remington 700 in 30-06 for $200 that way. $400 for a real scope after that.

Just make sure whatever he buys has proper iron sights and that he zeros them before mounting the scope.

He'll be much better off than with any of the cheap entry-level rifles.

 

[Cee Zee]

Just a guess. I could be off.

I guessed the same things but I wondered if there were specific laws that made the prices high.

 

[IdahoSkies]

If he is getting a .308 or .30-06 he wont need another caliber when he "gets out west." Either of those will do him fine out here. That said, there is something about having a great beater rifle when you are out hunting. You don't mind if it sits in the dirt, gets rained on or what. You just wipe it down and go one and your not worried your pretty stock is going to get mussed.

Between the American or the Axis. I'd get the Axis. Savages are really sweet shooters, even without the adjustable trigger (the axis doesn't come with the good trigger). He'll shoot it, not worry about it, and if he wants to buy another one, then he'll have one to lend out.

 

[JeeperCreeper]

I think you have a sickness called "spend-someone-else's-money"-itus!!!!

There is nothing wrong with the modern day budget guns. They are just as accuate as premium rifles of yesterday. If he just wants a tool, go budget. I know people wanting to get into the sport on the cheap, and I showed them the American. So far they are 3 for 3 with buying it, and it shoots just as well as my fancy grade Rem 700. I'm sure the Savage Axis, Ruger American, Rem 770/783, etc. all can fit this role.

Remember, not every hunter is a firearm enthusiast and not every enthusiast is a high roller. My uncle is the most successful hunter I know. He lives in Alaska and gets at least one moose and caribou every year. He uses an American because he hates shooting, but just loves the thrill of the hunt. I am not a big hunter, but love firearms. But I love budget things. I would rather have 5 $200 guns than 1 $1000 gun.

Let him get what he wants because it is his rifle and his money. Don't be that firearm friend that convinces him he always needs to spend just a little more... then next thing you know he has a Blaser R8. P.S. I vote .30-06

 

[Gtscotty]

If it was me, I'd try to get him onto something like this:

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=450290275

And then add a $200 scope, I'd go with something along the lines of a Nikon Prostaff, Burris FFII, Vortex Diamondback, Redfield Revolution, etc. I'd agree with the poster above who said it's probably best to just stay within his price range so as not to scare off another potential hunter with a bit bump in up front cost... Let him get good and addicted, then his rifle collection will start to grow by itself.

 

[C.R.]

Im thinking,if you could hold off on buying untill after deer hunting is over you would be ablt to find something new, on closeout, or a good used gun that is up for sale because the owner didnt gave a good time out hunting. would he be able to borrow something to get him through?

 

[OldMac]

Ruger to stay on budget and have the peace of mind that you have excellent customer care if anything goes wrong. The last time i contacted ruger for an issue, they paid shipping both ways and good communication throughout the process. I must admit that i have only contacted savage for one issue (Actually submitted their request form in the spring and again this month for the same problem). If they answer the request form on their website, i may need to revise my answer. For now, you will not go wrong with a ruger.

 

[2ndtimer]

I vote for a nicer rifle and can still stay in his budget. A Marlin X7 can be had in 30-06, though I chose a .270 Win. for mine. I also recommend a Nitrex TR-1 scope from Natchezss.com for $119.95, you can spend double that or more and not have a significantly better optic. Which leaves enough left over for a nice set of rings and a box or two of ammo. I would also suggest the .270 over the 30-06 for the slightly reduced recoil for a newer shooter, yet still have enough power and flat shooting capability for any reasonable big game and range.
http://www.natchezss.com/product.cf...17C982-DB91-5282-AB53-35715D8CB348&src=mbHome
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/...0-06+Springfield+22"+Blued+Barrel+&+Black+Syn

My Marlin X7 with Nitrex scope is a consistent MOA shooter off the bench and is lightweight with a good adjustable trigger. It shares a lot of features with savage rifles with the barrel nut and a trigger very similar to Savage's Accu-trigger. It also has a nicer synthetic stock than either the Ruger American or the Axxis. The T/C Venture would be another option to consider, but the Marlin is less expensive and more available.
I was able to pick up my Marlin on sale for just $239, so my total rifle/scope/rings package was under $400 and it stacks up very well to my Model 70 Ultimate Shadow in .270WSM with Zeiss Conquest 3-9X (which cost me almost 3 times as much.)