Looking for a first rifle

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Hunter125

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Hey all,
I am looking for my first rifle bigger than .22lr and need some input.
I would like a somewhat all around gun that will handle varmints of the 4 and 2 legged variety if need be, but will mostly be a range/fun gun to be honest. I live in IL so the biggest game I can hunt with it is coyotes, but would like something big enough for longer range SD/HD. I would like a detachable box magazine if possible, I like the idea of having a spare mag at the ready, also of having the rifle ready for any coyotes brave enough to wander close enough to the house without leaving the gun loaded.

Caliber
I am not sold on a particular caliber yet, but thinking either 7.62x39, .233/5.56 NATO, .308/7.62 NATO, 7.62x54r
My biggest concern once I purchase a rifle is ammo availability/cost. I may get into reloading someday, but for now am stuck buying factory. I want something that I can get some surplus if I want, but also have the nice factory stuff for any long range fun I want to have.

Action
I am not dead set against a semi-auto for this gun, but was hoping to get a bolt first. I will probably have several semi-autos (AK,AR, etc) later, but I may not be able to buy another rifle for a while and I want to get a good bolt gun first.

Price
I'm flexible on price, it just might mean saving for a while longer. I would like something relatively cheap and will probably not spend more than $700, hopefully more like $400 or less.

Brand
I have no idea what brands are good or bad as far as rifles are concerned. I have heard a lot of good things about Savage, but no idea if Howa or Mossbergs are any good.

I know that's a lot of parameters and I don't know my way around rifles like I do pistols and shotguns. I know there are some cheap rifles like the Savage Axis and Mossberg ATR or 4X4.

I was seriously looking at the Mossberg MVP, love that it takes AR mags, but thought I'd check before I settle on that. Maybe my needs are best met with a good Mosin or other surplus rifle? What do you think?
Thanks!
 
Tikka T3 in .223 gets my vote. If you can find one, I favor the Interarms Mini Mark X in .223 rem. Either of these meets or exceeds your criterium. .223, it's everywhere, and while not the cheapest cal you listed, it's readily available.
 
This rifle will likely have a scope. Not super long ranges, just whatever I can't handle with my shotgun or pistols. I'm thinking between 50 and say 400 yrds. Nothing over 500 for sure. Not a benchrest, but good enough to throw some lead a a coyote a good distance.

I had considered a 30-30 as well as the Kel-Tec.
Does the Tikka have a detachable box magazine?
 
Hunter125 said:
This rifle will likely have a scope. Not super long ranges, just whatever I can't handle with my shotgun or pistols. I'm thinking between 50 and say 400 yrds. Nothing over 500 for sure. Not a benchrest, but good enough to throw some lead a a coyote a good distance.

I had considered a 30-30 as well as the Kel-Tec.
Does the Tikka have a detachable box magazine?
Click to expand...
The Tikka T3 lite stainless in .223 with detachable box mag sounds like your winner. If you're pushing the 400 yd envelope, they have it chambered in .243 as well as .22-250 for really reaching out to those coy dogs.
 
id ignore 7.62x54R, ammo is either poor in quality, or high in price and hard to find, about the only bolt youd get in that are mosin nagants which although inexpensive, and bolt action, their accuracy isnt nearly as good as a modern bolt action, an AR15 beats it out in accuracy...

surplus resources for 7.62x39 have nearly dried up, so the days of inexpensive ammo is gone and the cost of ammo is rising

the range and power of a .308 wont be neccessary for those ranges if youre just target shooting, and cost a lot more than .223 ammo

.223 is probably the best bet for cartridge, its the least expensive, easiest to shoot, very accuracte...

so for a first rifle you should probably ignore the other 3 for now
 
As far as cartrige goes, I'd say .243 is your best bet. It has more punch than a .223, more versitility than a 22-250 as far as varmint size goes(though that is a fantastic cartrige), and doesn't cross the line into large game rounds like the 270 or 30-06. Plus, any Walmart/mom an' pop store will carry the .243. If you're into a long action rifle, the 25-06 is about as good as it gets. Power...with just enough class to pull the whole thing together. Haha.
 
I would consider a .243, but have heard barrels don't last as long. Ammo cost is also a factor, how does .243 compare to .223 as far as cost?

I know absolutely zip about .25-06. I will have to do some research, although I was hoping to stick with a short action to cut down on OL and weight.

I'm leaning toward .223/5.56 NATO as of now, but I'd also like to be able to shoot 5.56 surplus ammo if I go that route. With the distances I'm looking at I wouldn't think accuracy would be too different between the two if it was a 5.56 chamber, or is that incorrect? That's why I was somewhat looking at a Mossberg MVP. Any input on the MVP? Any other bolt options in 5.56?
 
BTW thanks for all the input, I hadn't even considered some of the options you all have mentioned.
Very helpful people you all are.
 
NeuseRvrRat said:
an AR-15 would do what you want to do very well
Click to expand...
Not in the price range of near $400. At the high end of the OPs spectrum, the Sport is a fine, accurate AR. But it's no bolt action in terms of accuracy. Most aren't. Some can be, but then you are past the $700 range.
 
Hands down also and get tech sites for it. Best bang for the buck, not a boltie, but it fills all other needs
 
Can't go wrong with a 30-30... You can get a Lee hand loader and learn to load your 30-30 easily.
 
a savage axis in the .223. it will fit your needs perfectly because if the largest game you can take is a coyote, and you plan on mostly target shooting, then whats the sense in spending almost 75% more on ammunition? and btw a savage axis can be had with a decent bushnell/ nikon for right around $400 and do have a box magazine. they are a good no-nonsense rifle especially for a beginner such as yourself and are easy to use and will do what you need it to. and also the .223 is effective to 300 yards which will allow you to take the longrange hd shots that you described. just my 2 cents.
 
a savage axis in the .223. it will fit your needs perfectly because if the largest game you can take is a coyote, and you plan on mostly target shooting, then whats the sense in spending almost 75% more on ammunition for a larger caliber such as the .308? and btw a savage axis can be had with a decent bushnell/ nikon for right around $400 and they do have a box magazine. they are a good no-nonsense rifle especially for a beginner such as yourself and are easy to use and will do what you need it to. and also the .223 is effective to 300 yards which will allow you to take the longrange hd shots that you described and also they are easy and cheap to reload. just my 2 cents.:D
 
They all will recommend an AR-15 or a .223 of some fashion. There are huge deer in IL No one will let you hunt. hahaha
 
.308 because of availability, price, and variety of bullets and loads

Bolt action, because you won't find a decent semiauto in .308 in your price range

Remington 700 SPS Varmint, because the action has been around for 50 years and like 1911s and AR-15s there is a ton of aftermarket stuff

Varmint barrel because it sounds like the majority of your shooting time will be from a bench
 
teebiss said:
.308 because of availability, price, and variety of bullets and loads

Bolt action, because you won't find a decent semiauto in .308 in your price range

Remington 700 SPS Varmint, because the action has been around for 50 years and like 1911s and AR-15s there is a ton of aftermarket stuff

Varmint barrel because it sounds like the majority of your shooting time will be from a bench
Click to expand...

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