Good starting rifle

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A novice glass bedding and free floating a rifle while on a budget? Thats just a recipe for disaster. Heck, to be honest I don't even know what glass bedding is, much less how to do it. lol. And even if I knew I bet you I would still screw it up :)

I would have a gunsmith do it for me but then the budget would be bust.
 
I have a Savage 12FV in .223 that will touch holes all day long at 100 yards. I think they are fairly inexpensive these days.

The rifle hasn't had any work done on it, but I prefer a stock pack on it, as the standard stock is somewhat thin at the cheek weld.
 
Ok I finally figured out what I need at ask.

With a budget of $400, what is the most accurate rifle I can afford, minus the scope?

[Why yes.....that is a cheap budget]
 
Accurate, but on a budget. Sounds like used Savage 110 or used Howa 1500 territory to me. You can get them new if you can bump up your range by about $100. A used Remington 700 or 70 might come in around $400 if you are lucky. A couple years ago I was looking for something similar and ended up with a new Remington 700 SPS Varmint in .223 for a bit over $500 (they run a bit more now).

When I was looking I was convinced I wanted a bigger caliber for longer distances. I was convinced by other posters here that .223 was the way to go. It is accurate to at least 600 yards with the right loads. It is a lot cheaper to shoot than even the cheapest of the bigger calibers and by the time you need a more powerful caliber for the distance you would have saved enough money in ammo to buy a second rifle. The only advantage of the more powerful calibers as a beginner really is hunting, and it doesn't sound like that is what you plan to do. The caliber will make a bigger difference to your budget than initial price anyway, assuming you actually shoot it, so I would highly suggest going with the .223.
 
A Savage 12fv New is $520. You should be able to hunt around and find a used one in your price range.

And I'm going to reiterate my suggestion of a .223. :)
 
I think I am going to go with a venture for 4 reasons:

1. The Sub-MOA guarantee [Yes, I know that it probably means I have to use bullet made of chopped lion whiskers and gold]
2. Its just a tad above my price range, I found a good deal at http://www.midwesthuntersoutlet.com/item.aspx?PID=180279&w=PQ+JDyOLrQE= . So that means I would get the venture and rings for $439.00. And a Nikon prostaff or Barska Benchmark for about $200. So a grand total of $639.00
3. 5R rifling
4. It looks "saaaxy"


But I probably won't buy it right away. I need to save just a few more dollars and then I will grab it.

[BTW, is the site I am planning on buying from a safe place to buy from? I am always weary of online shopping]


If any of you happen to see a TC venture in DFW send a heads up my way
 
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TC uses regular Federal Power Shock ammo to test their rifles, my 308 was tested using 150 gr SP Power Shock ammo, with my hadloads sometimes it shoots 0.25" and ridiculous one hole but those are rare...
 
celtic said:
Maybe I should look into a Tikka? I am sorry guys for these silly questions but I am fresh of the boat to rifles.

And actually TechBrute brings up a good question, what caliber rifle should I get? I am partial to .308 for the amount of choices available.


That Savage 10FP and 10FCP-K really "turn me on" lol
Click to expand...

Everything I've ever heard about the Tikka rifles has been excellent, and they guarantee that their rifles will fire a 1" three-shot group at 100 yards. I've actually been thinking about picking up a .30-06 Tikka T3 Lite as an elk rifle. I know a few guys who have Tikkas, and one of them swears that he can consistently shoot around .5 MOA with his handloads (I haven't witnessed this yet, but he offered to take me to the range and show me).

The .308 is a great cartridge, and a very easy one to find in stores. You won't have trouble finding factory match ammo for the .308, and I'd bet it almost certainly accounts for better than 90% of the law enforcement sniper rifles that are currently in service in this country.
 
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Celtic, By the time you pay shipping and transfer fee, you will much closer to $500. Whatever your selection, I would try to locate it at one of the local gun shows. Dallas has what I believe to be some of the best selection of shows in the country. We have a show almost every weekend that is better than what most states have on a yearly basis.

Do you already have the Aubrey Turner link?
 
Aye, I was tired when I found that "deal" so I didn't account for shipping.

Now I am probably going to sound stupid when I ask but, what is an Aubrey Turner link?


EDIT: I found out :)
 
It's not bad. The problem with the Big Town show isn't the show, it's the venue. Lots of cars have been broken into in the past, and the Mesquite PD has been nonchalant about dealing with it. When a rep from the MPD spoke to my group that volunteers with the Grand Prairie PD, he made some comment about the gun show "causing crime," and when I asked why they never have one of their MULTIPLE skyboxes out there, he just talked about how they wished it would go away. There have been members from this board that have had the gas siphoned out of their vehicle, too.

The show itself is decent, if a little on the small side. It's probably 1/3 the size (or less) of the Market Hall show. I was there a few months ago and there were actually multiple police cars sitting on the far end of the parking lot. In the past, there was only one parked up against the building with the cop inside in the AC. Hopefully, this represents a change in the PD's attitude/commitment.

If I were you, I'd prep to go to multiple shows and be ready for that one good deal you'll come across. There are some real deals to be had for the patient...
 
Celtic, I was in the same boat you were in looking for a good first centerfire rifle and had pretty much decided on getting a t/c venture and a nikon pro-staff (probably 4-12x40 with mildot reticle) until I was seduced by the M1 Garand :). All around I think you have settled on a pretty good combo. As for where get a Venture I would keep an eye on the Cabela's sales, they have had ventures on sale for $419 last year and $429 this year.
 
Well I got my list ready so I know what to jump on if I find a good deal.

How common are Ventures and Savage 10fp's? I know it would depend completely on the vendors there but are they really hard to find?



Don't think I am stuck to those two guns. So far I think that they are the best deal for my $$. But that could all change, depending what the vendors bring to the gun show.
 
my local dicks sell both and they have Tikka as well, by the way you can ask them to special order you one, or try any descent gun dealer in your area. Walmart even can be used to order rifles not sure if they deal with Tikka or TC, or drive to closest cabelas store they always got something on sale, plus have good selection of used guns...
Closest Cabelas is by Austin I think...

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/t...e=2UG&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat604685
 
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Okay, this might be a baaad idea to some...but it just came to me as I was reading the posts here. Being that you would have to stretch it to purchase the rifle you, sort of, want; maybe think of an alternative way to go...temporarily.

Okay...everyone grab your seats. NEF single shot! I have one in .243 that came with a Bushnell 3x9 scope for $219. My friend bought one in .223 without a scope and he paid $189. Now this is 5 or 6 years ago but they haven't gone up that much. That way you can get out and shoot now AND have some money left over (for ammo, shooting accessories, etc.) while saving for the rifle you really want.

My .243 shoots at 1" @ 100 and my friend's shoots at .75" (when he shoots it, not me...lol). You would get a lot of years of fun with it and you can change barrels/calibers for $85. Then you'd make a new rifle selection when you were ready.

Anyway...it's just a thought that popped into my head. Thought I'd throw it out there.

Best of luck to you.
 
Marlin xs7 in 243 (about $325 or <$400 with cheaper scope pkg) or Weatherby Vanguard in 223 or 243 (about $400) depending on where you buy it.

Maybe add FFL transfer fee, registration fees, tax.

Rings ($30-$50), scope (Nikon Team Primos 3-9x, $200, or others around $200).
 
DIM said:
my local dicks sell both and they have Tikka as well, by the way you can ask them to special order you one, or try any descent gun dealer in your area. Walmart even can be used to order rifles not sure if they deal with Tikka or TC, or drive to closest cabelas store they always got something on sale, plus have good selection of used guns...
Closest Cabelas is by Austin I think...

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/t...e=2UG&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat604685
Click to expand...


I have one right next to me :)
 
You have Cabelas or Dicks or it doesn't matter, what's important both can sell you what you need... By the way got back from the range today it was windy gusting 10 - 15 mph I was shooting my TC Icon on 300 and 500 yards, the 300 yards were easy shots 1.6 - 2.0" 5 shot groups the 500 I had 5- 5.16" 5 shot groups last year I was shooting tighter groups...
 
IMO one of the best deals out there is the Savage Model 10 or 110 depending on the caliber that they sell at Walmart as a package deal. It's got the accu trigger which is great and is a very accurate rifle. They sell for $400 with a cheap Simmons scope and sling. You will probably want to upgrade the Simmons scope and rings, but it's a great rifle for a great price.
 
I can't find any wally worlds that sell guns. At least around me.


How accurate is a 110 or 111 is one of those package deals
 
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