Looking for a fun bolt-action rifle

[avalys]

I'm thinking about buying a bolt-action rifle. Primary use would be target shooting, and plinking in the National Forest. I've never owned a rifle, just a few handguns, and I've been thinking it'd be fun to own one while I still live in Colorado and can shoot pretty much wherever I want. I'm looking to spend no more than $1,000 for the rifle and scope, and less than that if I can help it.

I've looked at the Winchester 70, Remington 700, Ruger M77, and various things Savage makes.

I'm trying to decide what caliber I might want, and what specific model, but since I really don't know much about rifles, general advice is appreciated as well.

Obviously, I can probably buy just about any cheap piece of crap for this kind of casual use, but I like owning nice, well-made, high-precision things and that's part of the purpose of this purchase. They hold their value better anyway. Part of what I enjoy about guns is the fact they are one of the few things you can buy these days that are still solid, weighty and well-made.

I want something that will fire a reasonably powerful round. I got a chance to shoot a friend's AR-15 once and it might as well have been a BB gun. Since this is a bolt-action rifle, I want each shot to be an event. On the other hand, I don't want to beat my shoulder up for no reason. Wikipedia says .30-06 is the upper end of what is tolerable recoil for most people. Any reason I should not go with that?

I went to my local gun shop and looked at a few models from each manufacturer. One of them had a very loose and sloppy bolt which I didn't like the feel of at all, but of course I forgot which one.

Any thoughts on which model has the highest-quality "feel" to it?

 

[TurtlePhish]

How about one of the higher-end Model 70s in .308 with a nice Nikon Monarch or similar on it?

 

[Centurian22]

Sloppy bolt was probably a Rem 770 lol. I have a savage axis xp in .308 that came with a bushnell 3-9x40 scope for $329 total on sale at cabelas and have been very happy with it. There is a lot of versatility available for the .308, good for both paper and hunting. Recoil is very reasonable but still an 'event' as you say. $600+ left over buys a lot of practice ammo or a reloading setup if you don't already 'roll your own' but want to start. If you really want to step up from entry level you wouldn't go wrong with any of savages major production line bolt guns (model 10, 11 etc.) and a scope of your choice. I plan to upgrade my scope to a centerpoint 4-16x40 mil-dot reticle for $70 in the near future.

Good luck.

 

[rcmodel]

I plan to upgrade my scope to a centerpoint 4-16x40 mil-dot reticle for $70 in the near future.

That would not be an upgrade.
No matter what cheap scope you aready have on the rifle.

rc

 

[BCRider]

I find that .30-06 is more than I like to shoot if I'm going to send out more than around half a dozen rounds. The only time I've shot a couple of rounds I was pretty sure that by a dozen rounds over an afternoon that my shoulder would be quivery mush. A .308 rifle with a decent shoulder pad, such as a Limbsaver, let's me shoot an easy 20 rounds over an afternoon and still grin at the last round touched off.

 

[2ndtimer]

Any thoughts on which model has the highest-quality "feel" to it?

Given your budget, a new Winchester Model 70, Remington 700, or Ruger Model 77 Hawkeye, along with a good quality scope and mounts, might be a little over your budget. You might want to take a look at the Weatherby Vanguard S2 model, maybe in .308 Winchester. They have a little less recoil than the 30-06, and yet perform very well. Also very good ammo can be found for reasonable cost, or at least it could before the current Obama inspired panic buying started a few weeks ago. Weatherby even offers a package deal which includes the rifle, hard case, sling, Redfield Revenge 3-9X scope (I have no experience with the Revenge model, but my Redfield Revolutions perform well) mounted and boresighted on the rifle for MSRP just under your limit. I would presume the "street price" would be under by a decent amount. Comparing the bargain rifles, the Marlin X7, Savage Trophy XL package (also a very good buy, but not IMO, as smooth and well built as the Vanguard), Ruger American, or Savage Axis rifles, the Weatherby Vanguard seems to have a smoother action, and more solid feel for just a little more cost. Just my opinion. If you didn't want to go the package deal, you should be able to pick up a Vanguard alone for around $500 and a decent scope, Burris Fullfield II, Nikon Buckmasters, Leupold VX-1 or even nicer, VX-2 for around $200 to $300 and rings and bases for around $50 or so and still be within your budget. Make sure it is the S2 newer model Vanguard. It has a much better trigger and synthetic stock than the previous Weatherby Vanguard.

 

[raindog]

There's little that 30-06 can do that 308 can't. 308 is also more accurate.

http://www.snipercountry.com/Articles/AccuracyFacts.asp

That said, 30-06 is certainly a fine cartridge. I suspect most of the cheap 308 surplus is gone by now.

The limbsaver is a good addition.

I wouldn't get too worried about recoil, at least at that power. I have fired 100 rounds in an afternoon through my Rem 700 in .308 (in a Bell & Carlson Medalist stock) without any discomfort. Heck, I've fired 100 rounds in a afternoon through my Mosin-Nagant (nice metal butt plate!) and while I admit I put a folded towel behind it, I would happily have fired another hundred.

You might consider posting here or in your local gun forum a meetup kind of request. Maybe someone would be willing to meet you and let you fire a few rounds through their rifle so you could see what it's like.

Millions of US servicemen fired 30-06 and later 308 in their M1s and M14s.

As a side suggestion...you may want to also consider getting a high-quality 22. They're a tenth the price to shoot. I understand the desire to own a good "big rifle," I surely do, but maybe your gun after that might be a 22. I love my Savage Mark II.

 

[mljdeckard]

Go to a pawn shop and find any of the above. If it's for fun, I would look for something common and low-recoil. Probably .243.

Play on the bolt as it slides doesn't concern me much, as long as it locks up tight when it's closed.

 

[Centurian22]

"You might consider posting here or in your local gun forum a meetup kind of request. Maybe someone would be willing to meet you and let you fire a few rounds through their rifle so you could see what it's like."

Awesome idea raindog! I'd happily allow (and have on several occasions) a 'new to rifles' shooter to try my guns. Also since it came up... Have you thought about a Mosin Nagant? A lot of fun can be had for $200 (rifle and lots of ammo).

 

[rookorami]

I know you said precision but for the price you can get a Mosin-Nagant. Its a blast and dirt cheap, very solid. Precision is lacking but when it can be had for around $100 you can still get your precision rifle and have another one just for fun.

 

[Ditch-Tiger]

For a nice, walking around, plinking rifle that fires a moderate round yet is accurate and cheap to feed, look no further than the C-Z 527 carbine chambered in 7.62x39mm.

Your welcome.

 

[wraith56]

a few years ago I was considering a similar purchase and found a savage 110 on end of year clearance in 30-06. then later got a burris fullfield II 3x9 scope for it. Each shot is definitely an event shooting from sitting or sandbag supported position. For you 308 or 30-06 in any of the bolt actions mentioned(savage, ruger, Howa etc.) should put a smile on your face.

After enjoying that for a while I find myself wanting a rifle in 22-250 or 243 for more practice with less recoil and powder expended. I think you would be equally satisfied with a 243 or 270 win splitting the difference on recoil and boom.

 

[RPRNY]

If you want a fun plinker that you can also hunt with, a 30-30 lever gun will be fun, help you learn to shoot with iron sites and kill anything in Colorado. If you are dead set on a bolt gun, any of the rifles recommended above in a 25 - 27 cal will serve you well with less recoil than any of the longer range 30 cal options. I would look mainly at 25-06, 7mm-08, and .270 at the upper end for readily available options.

 

[Dr. A]

] see I'm 2nd in line for this, so I'll second this gun!
I prefer lever actions, but since you said bolt action, my favorite is the CZ 527 in 7.62x39. Normally, you'd be able to buy a bunch of ammo for 125$. That is 500 rounds!. Virtually nothing but a 223 can come close to that. It also shoots that cheap ammo very accurately. It comes with sights, a short barrel and scope rings.

https://czusamedia.s3.amazonaws.com/cache/df/cd/dfcda9eba1e6c475b81be4cc878a2593.png


It has beautiful walnut and bluing.
Very well made and a little hard to find.



Its one of the smallest 30 cal. guns, and recoils much less than a 30-30. I can't even reload for that cost with jacketed bullets, so its great fun to let my son shoot as well. We've been shooting a 400 yard gong with a 3-9X Nikon scope with ease. This is not exactly a huge event when shot, but it is easy to shoot alot of fast. This is the caliber that most shoot out of AK's. Its the lower end on what you'd want to shoot a deer with.

 

[jogar80]

I second what mljdeckard says and recommend going with the .243 win, or a 7mm-08 at most. These are useable hunting rounds that are readily available AND are very pleasant to shoot. Lots of boom, and you'll feel the kick... it will be an event, as you say... but an event you can repeat all day long if you choose to. Being that you are new to rifles, I would not suggest any of the other maintstream catridges such as .270, .308, .30-06.... They are all great but have a lot more recoil... and not something I would consider FUN to shoot all day.

 

[topher89]

Weatherby Vanguard S2. Sub-Moa guarantee and a great price. Since caliber doesn't seem to be too important I would go with one of the standards (25-06, 270, 308 or a 30-06) Any will give you the "kick" you are looking for without too much abuse and won't cost an arm and leg.

 

[Flatbush Harry]

I picked up a Win M70 EW in 7mm Rem Mag the other day. I have a Win M70 EW in .30-06 Sprg and it's a marvelous rifle. I pulled the scope off of one of my other rifles, mounted it and went to the range yesterday to sight it in. It now puts 3 rounds of my hand loads using Hornady 162gr Match bullets into a group slightly smaller than 1" at 100 yards. I haven't done any real load development yet but am looking forward to it. I suspect I can get my groups down to <0.75" consistently. It's going to be great for 300+ yard plinking and my anticipated longer range Mule deer hunting. I may even try it on elk with 175gr bullets.

I love the new FNH South Carolina Winnies...and I'll bet you will too. I also love my Ruger 77RSIs (.308 Win, .270 Win) and my No. 1 (6.5x55 SE). I dropped my Rem 700 SPS SS in .308 into a B&C Medalist sporter stock...it's a <0.6" consistent shooter now.

You've got lots of good choices...enjoy the shooting...and get good glass.

FH

 

[cal30_sniper]

You might also consider an older sporterized military rifle or used sporter from back in the day. If you're into fine bluing, nice wood, and craftsmanship, there are some excellent examples out there that can be had for way less than $1k.

Swede Mausers are some of the best (and cheapest out there). You can get a nicely sporterized one for a few bills. They are very accurate, and the 6.5x55 is a powerful round that is surprisingly easy on the shoulder. Ditto on anything nicely built in 7x57. There's also a ton of Krag Jorgensen, Model 1917 Enfield, 1903 Springfield, and Model 98 Mauser sporters out there well under your price range, and many with beautiful workmanship. Pick your action, pick your cartridge, and research away. I've always found it to be a lot more rewarding owning a piece of history than something I could walk into any gunstore and buy.

 

[savage116]

I have a springfield 1898 krag that someone sporterized way back. That has to be one of the nicest guns as far as function in my collection. The trigger is so smooth light and crisp. The bolts is like butter. Only problem I have is that 30-40 krag is seasonal ammo and can be hard to find at times.its also about $35 a box.

 

[cal30_sniper]

Yep, that's what broke me into reloading originally. You just can't expect to feed a mil-surp sporter off the shelves unless its a .30-06, .308, or 7.62x54. The rest are spotty at best (although mail-order is usually pretty solid).

 

[chris in va]

I couldn't imagine a bolt action being any more fun than my CZ 527 carbine in x39. It has a 4x30 scope on it now, perfect.

They come in 5.56 as well.

Nice thing about mine? 5.5lbs and I can still put a hundred rounds through it without pain.

 

[goon]

I too would love a CZ 527 simply for the sheer fun of shooting it. Right now, one of my most fun guns to shoot is my CZ 452 .22LR with factory irons. Shooting at 100 yards at stuff like a hanging piece of ribbon, clay pigeons, or a small steel plate is the epitome of cheap fun with a laser accurate rifle!

 

[BLB68]

I'm with Dr. A and goon. I'm thoroughly happy with my 452, and the 527 Carbine looks like a fun little gun for a centerfire.

 

[curlymaple42]

Just picked up a Remington788 in 308 with 18"barrel for cheap. Beautiful shape too. Was going to flip it for profit, but what a fun handy little rifle! Supposed to be accurate too. We will find out when it gets above zero here...

wildcherrywoodworks.com
Fine Custom Furniture

 

[va1911]

Go with a .22. You'll save a lot on ammo if you are just plinking. I just picked up a Ruger 77/22 in .22 magnum and it is a blast to shoot. Its a tack driver and built like a tank. American made and I'll be able to hand it to my grand kids some day. I toppedit with a 2-7x32 Vortex Crossfire which is more than adequate.