First Time Rifle Buyer

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bfhcards

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So about three years ago my buddy took me hunting and I love it now. I have gone with his father each year since as my friend has been out of the country during deer season each year since.

I have always borrowed weapons from his father but this year I have gone out a lot, still I am empty handed but I like being in the woods and moutains so much I dont mind, a little frustrated but not a huge deal for me.

So I am looking at buying two guns, a semi-auto shotgun and a good deer rifle. Since this is the rifle section I seek some help and input about the later.

I have decided I like the .308 and after some searching I like the all black synthetic look and the durability they offer. I dont want to break the bank on the first rifle I buy as I know it wont be the last. So this brings me to the gun I am about to purchase. A Remington 700 sps .308. I like the look and feel.

My questions are, and I know there are remington and non-remington camps here, what do you experts think of this for a starter rifle for deer?

I am also considering a nikon or a leupold scope. I would spend about 250-300 on the scope. but I dont know much about them yet.

Any help or pointers would be greatly appreciated.
 
I have 2 Savages and a Remmy 700bdl. I target shoot with the savages (one in .223 the other in .270) but hunting duty goes to the Rem 700 (it's in .30-06).

Before getting into a Savage vs. Rem war (like you mentioned) that happens too often here. I'll just add that your Rem. should fit the bill nicely as any of them in .270, .30-06, .308, etc. should. The Rem is much more refined and mine is a little lighter than either of the Savages so it's a no brainer for me as to which would get hunting duty for deer.

As far as optics, I think you wouldn't go wrong with any of the nice brands (Lup, Nikon, Burris, etc..... the list goes on) in any of the regular 3x9 powers (or more if preferred).
 
I believe that weapon will serve you just fine. Remember it is the man that makes the rifle.

What I suggest: go take a class, does not have to be Gunsite or Thunder Ranch--your local gun club, a traveling instructor, a fixed facility school. You need to train gun handling as well as marksmanship as most hunting "accidents" are weapons handling errors.

Take a class and see what works and what does not. Many here have preferences and that's fine as in the gun culture the subjective is objective. Once you are equipped with knowledge you can allow your software to select your hardware.

My suggestion: get a solid rifle platform (your Remington is fine), clean the trigger up, get a solid scope with the target turrets, get iron sights that you like, get a good loop sling and learn to use it, and get hours and hours of dry practice. Learn to become one with the weapon. Wear it around at home (take the bolt out at first). Read Art of the Rifle by Jeff Cooper.

Remember, a man likes a good gun, but software trumps hardware.:)
 
I've only got a Savage, which I really like. The Remington trigger feels better, except for the weight and break, if that makes any sense. It feels more solid, like a better made machine, but it can't match the accutrigger for light pull and crisp break. From what I hear, a good trigger job will fix that.
 
I just suggest that for the scope you put the zoom on the back burner and get the best scope you can afford. Even if its only a fixed 2x or 4x. Quality over quantity. So if you can afford $250-300 for the scope, stick to something in that general area. A lot of people under estimate the importance of the scope.

I have had a good experience with both Leupolds I own. Never used Nikon, but I hear good things about them too.

Leupold FX-II 4x would be my choice for deer.
 
rem 700 v savage.

As so man times people on here get divided.. I feel the real break down is: Savage yeilds the best bang for the buck, whereas the Remmington yeilds the best bang. Period.

As a friend showed me the best way is to hold, shoot, and fondel several of each in your price range. You will be drawn to one over them all. For your first rifle you probably won't be able to tell a good trigger from a stiff one, but which ever you like will determine your tastes and side for the rest of the savage v Remmington wars.

I chose a Remmington 700 mountain package for hunting...it's much lighter in the stock which makes me happy 1 mile into the woods...
 
Weatherby Vanguard/Howa Lightening are in the same price range as the Rem/Savage. Take a look at them as well. In the end it boils down to the one that fits you best.
Personally I like the Savages but have nothing disparaging to say about any of them. Plus I don't want to contribute to a Ford/Chevy type argument.
 
Cannot offer any opinion on the rifle, but I will say that after buying a Leupold, I'll never buy another scope. I am completely sold on the light gathering ability of my VX I. I'd love to see a VX III side by side at dusk in the woods.
 
I have a Win Model 70

Its a Feather Weight in 30-06 that I'm very happy with. Remington makes a great rifle. You might also want to check out the Weatherby Vangard line. Good solid rifles at a nice price, and I think that they guarentee an inch and a half group (3 shot) at 100 yards with factory ammo.
 
As you say ther are many "camps" out there and unfortuneately it is somewhat of a learn by doing thing. That being said when you poll a big bunch of folks I believe a real big % will tell you for a good solid first hunting rifle either a savage or a remy in .308 . That would tell me you can't go wrong with either rifle.
Just to mix things up I will tell you I have heard really wonderfull reports fron several guys who have a ton of gun knowledge about the Tiki (Tika?). For the record they are both solid remington guys who both hunt and shoot competition.
It is great of your friends to get you into hunting and loan you guns but there is a lot to be said for haveing your own so you can practise by yourself and get your scope set up to best fit .
I myself like the Leoupold scopes,they have some for far more than your budget will allow and some that will fit . Can't say that I agree with the other gentlemans advise to put target knobs on a hunting gun,I would only do that with a bench or target gun.Avoid going too crazy with the higher power. The present trend is to go with a variable power but lots of guys have done just fine over the years with a fixed power. I would take a good clear fixed power scope over a lesser quality higher power variable that might cost more.
 
Welcome bfhcards

I have gone with his father each year since as my friend has been out of the country during deer season each year since.

I have always borrowed weapons from his father but this year I have gone out a lot,
Click to expand...

Plenty of good advice has come your way regarding shooting irons but here is some more....I hope you have gotten and/or will get the Dad something nice for Christmas. I wouldn't take his gift of the wild places and wild things for granted.

Priceless as they say.

Best
S-
 
Thanks So much but dont let me stop the info from rolling

I wanted to address each of your comments with out addding 10 posts to t his thread.

Erict:
Thanks and the 3x9 is exactlly what I am looking for in way of a scope

El Tejon:
You addressed a very important issue. I am comfortable shooting I do not have the weapon vocaublary or all the knowledge I should. I have looked into certified local NRA trainers and will pick one soon I hope. I do feel comfortable shooting. I have been to a range and both my friend and his father have helped me learn. I do need to take the next steps to teach myself more andlearn from outside interests and experts. Thanks for brining that up though

Carnaby:

I understand what you are saying i did try an acutrigger by savage and i think its a great idea. I tend to like a heavy trigger. I am kinda a strong dumb type :)


outlaws:
I did not even think of that to be honest. It seems like all the scopes I see in the stores these days are not fixed power. I willl look into it thanks, thats the kinda thing I was hoping to get out of this, along with the other comments

Yoder:

I know what you mean. My avg hike this year was 2 miles one way into the moutains of western MD. The hike I loved, the dragging of someone elses deer I could have done without.

MDIG:
I alwasy thought the weatherby guns were out of my range. I shall look into it on my trip to cabelas this week.

ScottsGT
I know a few guys that only use Leupold seems to be kinda a high-end standard and i like the look through it and at it. I have R4 leica and I know good glass from that camera, Leupold is def good glass

Dogbonz
Thanks and I sure will be looking into them

Nhsport:

I have seen the Tika on gun broker. They do look nice just have not seem them in any retail form really. I will look again. I think 250 to 300 i can get a decent 3x9 or fixed not sure which now I will need to do more research.


Selfdfenz:
You bring up a great point. They are a terrific family and his father and he dont always see eye to eye but I really look up to his dad. I didnt really grow up with my own father around so find myself gravitating towards those types that were. Last year I got him the best bottle of burbon I could find. Not sure what I will get him this year. I really consider him a friend and enjoy hunting, spending time and talking with him when he is available. We need to really think about those who teach us this wonderful sport/art. Good points
 
You got a lot of good advice above. I'm a Remington man myself, and I'd say that SPS in .308 would be a fine rifle and last a lifetime if you take care of it.

About the glass, you may want to look into Burris as well as Nikon and Leupold. I looked at all three and ended up with with a Burris Fullfield II in 3-9x40 on my Remington ADL .270, and it is superb. Pick up some Talley Lightweight mounts to go with it, and you would be set.
 
If you decide on Remington, wait until next year - details are sketchy, but they have announced a new trigger that promises to be better than the current ones. I should say that I'm a big fan of Big Green. Of course, some very qualified folks feel differently.

Also, everyone has favorites in scopes, but for big game I like a fixed 4x or 6x, myself. I see a lot of moonscopes out there, but I've been shooting a long time, and if the animal is too far away for me to shoot with one of those powers, it's too far away period. Of course, maybe I'm a terrible shot, and just don't know it!
 
Also, everyone has favorites in scopes, but for big game I like a fixed 4x or 6x, myself. I see a lot of moonscopes out there, but I've been shooting a long time, and if the animal is too far away for me to shoot with one of those powers, it's too far away period. Of course, maybe I'm a terrible shot, and just don't know it!
Click to expand...

Doesn't sound like it. Sounds like you know your limits. IMO, if someone can't hit a deer with a 6x at 300 yards, they need more range time.
 
i have not shot that perticular rem. but going by what i do have and their reputation it should be fine, some say that you want to avoid the mod. 788.
i too vote for a Leupold scope.
you should love the .308 as much as i do, great round.:)
 
As was mentioned before-these are great posts. You mentioned the hills of MD. As I was reading through the posts this is what I was looking for. Your type of hunting. I can give you an insight into my 45 years of lugging deer rifles around the adirondacks of NYState where shooting distances is from 20 feet to 150 yards, average about 70 yards. With this type of hunting I prefer a variable scope. My current Rem model 7 in 7mm08 carries a leupold 13/4 x 6, My Rem 35 Whalen carries an old weaver 2 X 7, and my Mod 721 Rem 270 carries at 2x10 weaver and finally my two 742 Rem carbines in 308 carry 2x7 leupolds. If you prefer to walk all day after morning watch and before night watch you want a rifle that you can carry with no sling--because you can’t shoot a deer with the rifle on your shoulder!! This means a light rifle, light scope. Several guys in our camp hunt with 3x9, too much for the big and thick woods. As for triggers, I only have experience with the Remington’s and they are adjustable. As a 30 year NRA High Power Rifle Competitor I want a trigger that can handle gloved fingers but not be too heavy. The most important thing is that you can shoot your rifle accurately from watch and while still hunting. Practice, practice, practice.
 
Welcome to the forum bfhcards

Good advice as usual, but if you get a Rem, do a search on how to adjust the trigger yourself, it’s easy.

Leupold all the way. American made, lifetime guarantee.

At first you probably won’t like us:what: , but give it a while, then you’ll know for sure - - - you really can’t stand us. :neener: :)

For correct terminology
http://www.snipercountry.com/Comp.htm

Best wishes.
 
I like the remmy very much, no creep to the trigger, and remmy is about the only reasonably price folks that still put on fully adjustable rear site. that being said, do not decide until you pick up a Savage, and do a pull on the Accutrigger.
 
A Tikka t3 synthetic with a Nikon Monarch 3-9x40 scope. One piece scope tube lifetime no fault warr. The tikkas have an incredible trigger, silky smooth action, come with a good set of scope rings, and are GAURANTEED to shoot 1" or better groups with FACTORY ammo. That is all you need my friend. Mine has served me well. :D
 
UPDATE

A trip to cabelas did it. I purchased the 700 sps in 30-06 and VII leupold 3x9 50 scope. Just wanted to say thanks to everyone. I got a great case as well. They laser sighted the gun and put the scope on free of charge. I will probablysight the gun at a range in the next week or so. We onlyhave two more days of long barrel hunting in MD so I will be ready.

I will be posting about some recommendations on ammo and regarding the shotgun I am thinking of purchasing. I highly anticipated more very useful replies.

Thanks again
 
the remmy is just fine, plus the fully adjustable rear site, is nce. Mate that up to that nikon, and you will be very squared away.
 
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