Newbie post, need a rifle

[Steak]

Hi folks

I'm newbie rifle owner. I have shot quite a few. I have a shotgun at home, but no real rifle.
Friend of mine has property up north. We shoot there a lot. My favorite is his dad's old remington 700 30-06. I want a really nice 700 in that caliber one day, but want a more entry level rifle now. I've played a bit with the savages, and dig them. Was looking at a savage combo 11fxp3 with scope for my new toy.
I have shot plenty of .22's, and even used to carry and adore a .454 casull. I do not fear recoil (6'3", 235 lbs.) but want a good starter rifle of my own.
Questions:
I understand the scope on package rifles is not great, but is it usable?
I could always upgrade the scope later, but will it do for now?

Any recommendations on a good rifle with scope in a medium gauge cartridge would be greatly appreciated. I already know the kick-butt rifle I want, but need practice now. I've held the remington 710, and was a complete turd as far as I could tell (also damn ugly!). I work with my hands, and this rifle felt like a piece of ****. What can I get for the same with better quality?

The savage looks like a decent rifle, for a very good price. Is it crap? or is it a nice tool, with a nice price tag? Basically, if you were a younger guy, that couldn't spend too much on a new rifle (hell, I'm paying big money just for pre-school for my daughter, but she is worth every penny), but wanted something nice and accurate, what would you buy? would savage come into play? I don't charge anything. I only buy things a can afford outright in cash. Is my money well spent on a savage package deal?

Maybe I could sum it up. I want a nice .308 bolt action rifle with at least a starter scope, accurate, at around $380-500. What is my best pick?

All input is appreciated...

 

[arcticap]

I think that the best way to buy a rifle is by how it feels when you pick it up and put it up to your shoulder. Is the action smooth and solid? Do you like the feel of the trigger? Does it have the right weight barrel and fit well. Is it comfortable at your cheek? Not every scope is the same length or mounted at the same height. These are sometimes best left to individual preferences. Sometimes you could find a used or discontinued rifle that has a fit that just can't be matched by anything that's new off the shelf without some heavy searching.
Go out and visit as many gun stores as you can and keep an open mind, and look at and hold as many different new and used models as you can find that you can afford. Then, don't impulse buy, but go home and think about it for a day or two until you find the right gun for you.
Guns are a lot like everything else, some fit, feel and function better than others.

 

[ugaarguy]

Steak,

Your craftsman's eye and touch do not decieve you; the Remington 710 is cheap, the Savage rifles are inexpensive and very well built. If you want a super value, and can live with a synthetic stock, the Stevens Model 200, made by Savage, is a steal - it's a Savage barrel and action in a lower cost stock. The "Big Box" stores like Sporsman's Warehouse, Big 5, etc. usually have these under $300. A Burris Fullfield II or Leupold VXI can usually be had around $200. Add about $30 for rings and bases and you've got a rifle and scope you can keep forever. The Savage rifles are well built and known for accuracy thats well beyond their price tag.

Scopes
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/99_306/products_id/37743
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/99_603/products_id/24807
Rifle
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/36_62/products_id/14607

 

[Al Thompson]

Agree with ugaarguy. The savage combo's do have a cheap scope, but several customers use them with few issues. Wal-Mart has inexpensive Leupolds and the switch is easy when you get ready. BTW, the savages tend not to be boresighted from the factory.

 

[Kaylee]

I've never personally used the Savage, but like here have heard generally good things about them.

That said, it's been my experience that it's usually better to wait a while longer and get what I wanted in the first place rather than get a "make do" sooner. Personally, I'd save longer and get a Remington .308 in your place, since that's what you seem to really want. ( I see Walmart carries a 700 in 308 for around 500 list price.. it's a start).

Heck, if you went used you might well be able to do it at the upper end of your posted budget now.

 

[Nathanael_Greene]

I hunt with a Savage package rifle, and the Simmons 8-point scope was boresighted; I just had to zero it in.

(Then I upgraded to a Bushnell Elite 3200.)

The rifle is quite accurate; I'm no great marksman and I don't practice nearly enough but I routinely get 2.5" groups at 100 yards.

 

[gotguns?]

I'm a relatively new rifle owner, so you may want to discount my opinion a little, but here it is...

I would tend to spend your money a good gun first. I think you can get a 700 30-06 in the price range you're looking for. I would get a cheap scope if your funds are limited. Then, upgrade your scope when funds permit.

This advice may change depending on the range that you are shooting (longer the shot the more important a good scope is). I assume since you do not own a rifle currently, you will be taking minimal shots at 200 yards or longer.

I think it's slighly a waste of money to buy the cheapest rifle and scope only to upgrade in a year or two. Once you upgrade, you will rarely use that first rifle.

My caveat to that is that gun ownership is addictive. You WILL want to acquire more guns, so a cheap gun will stay in the collection.

 

[Schleprok62]

Stevens Model 200: $279 is what I paid for mine. I added a better scope than the package Savage, and still paid less for it overall. The Savage/Stevens is quite accurate if the shooter does his/her part.

Trigger ain't the greatest, better than most in the price range, not adjustable, however, RifleBasix makes a drop in replacement adjustable for under a $100... (my next buy)

The stock leaves a little to be desired, but, that's not a hard replacement part to find... any Savage 110 stock should work... (according to Savage)

Accuracy: well, I'm pleasantly surprised that from a bench rest, forestock on a sleeping bag @ 100 yards, 4 shot groups just a hair over 1 inch... That's close enough to MOA for me for deer...

 

[pahrumpcaveman]

Check out the K31's at .. http://www.samcoglobal.com/rifles.html I have three and love them . Great quality rifles and with the money left over you can buy a good scope . Oh ya and Brownells carries two different scope mounts for them . If your right handed I'd recommend the clamp on if your a lefty I'd go with the drill and tap mount . Learn all you want to know about them at http://www.swissrifles.com/

 

[C-grunt]

I have a Savage 10fp in .308 and it is a great rifle. I routinely shot 3/4 inch groups at 100 yards with Winchester 150grn Ballistic Silvertips. The stock isnt the best and it would be a bit heavy for hunting but Ive seen the hunting Savages that shoot just as accurate as mine.

 

[03Shadowbob]

Steak,
I am in the same situation as you with young kids in daycare/school. I recently bought the Savage 111 30-.06 package. I haven't been able to get in the field with it but took it to the range and it did just fine. Sure it could use a better scope but for the price I paid and what I was looking for, it'll do just fine.

 

[one eye joe]

An overlooked gun you might look at is the Howa 1500 (or Weatherby Vanguard). Fits in your price range, is a very nice action, and generally accurate. WalMart has the Vanguard or check http://whittakerguns.com. They have some pretty fair prices. While the Leupold, Nikon, and other top grade scopes are very good, you might look at Swift. They are super clear, have a lifetime warrenty, and can be found aat some good prices. Check www.eabco.com. Good luck.

 

[Steak]

Weatherby looks very nice

Thanks one eye joe!

Had not considered a Weatherby, but this one looks nice. I checked prices and it's about right. I'll need to go put my hands on one, but from pictures, looks very sleek and sturdy, and is now on my short list. Anyone else have some experience with the Vanguard?

For those recommending waiting, the 700 I want is well over $1k with no optics. It will have to wait. I will need 2 rifles eventually anyway (one for the wife, a friend, or nephew, so I have company ), so I don't feel like I am wasting the money on a rifle I will set aside to collect dust. It will be used.

-Chris

 

[michael_aos]

Walmart lists a .308 for $262.62.

Mike

 

[MachIVshooter]

IMO, the best budget-minded rifles are the Ruger M77 Mk II's. Under $500, very well made, nice looking and come with scope rings ($40 savings there).

We got my sister set up with a stainless/synthetic M77 in .280 with a Nikon pro-staff 3-9x, a harris bi-pod, a nice sling, a case and 3 boxes of ammo for under $800 (all brand new). We would have been over $1000 for the Remington (same configuration and caliber). Don't get me wrong, I love Remington 700's and own 4 of them, but the Rugers are a damn fine gun for a good price.

IIRC, I paid $320 for my wood/blue M77 in 6mm rem. (used)

FWIW, I think the Rugers have the best blued finish of any mass-production rilfe out there.

 

[aspen]

If looking for a 30-06 check the used racks. When I was looking for a deer rifle I ran into a lot of good used 30-06s. I settled on a like new Savage 110 in 30-06 (It was what I was looking for). It is an early model without the Accutriger but the trigger is not bad. I only paid $275 and that was with a Simmons 4X, which quickly swapped out. I pasted on many Remingtons, Winchesters, Rugers and others that were not much more. I was on a tight budget. I was patient and it worked out great.

Here in CA there was a time when we could go down to Wal-Mart and get a descent rifle or Shotgun for a good deal. I got a Mossburg 500 for $220 and a Berretta 390 for around $400. Those days are long gone and sadly they are more than likely never coming back. (Network and Shoretel Engineer always looking for a job in a free state.)

If you want new and you have a Big 5 in your area the deer season sales are going to start up soon. If I remember correctly they carry Savage, Marlin (levers) and Remington.

And remember when you are looking for a gun you get to go to all those gun stores and handle all those guns. That can’t be bad. As deer season gets closer I found that the used rack turns over quicker. I think the shops are more likely to take guns in and maybe let them go for less because they know volume is going to be better.

Good luck and happy hunting

 

[Steak]

Thanks for the tips!

Took in the info, handled a few nice rifles.
Going for a savage 10 package, pulling the scope, and putting on a 3-9X40 nikon buckmaster. All around good prices and good feel for me. Will keep the stock scope, for a future 'company' rifle. Something for a friend to shoot when we are out camping.

 

[Terrierman]

Have you considered going to any of the local gun shops and shopping the used racks? Very very few centerfire rifles are used up, and bargains can be found, oh yes, bargains are there now and again to be sure.