Hey everyone. I have decided to buy a hunting rifle when tax season comes. I've figured a rough budget of 600 dollars. I'm thinking bolt action, 400 dollars for the rifle and 200 for a decent scope. While looking around and talking to people I keep hearing lots of expensive makes and models, 600 plus just for a bare rifle no scope or sights, that's not realistic for me. I'm also interested in keeping with a common caliber as I've had bad experience with odd expensive calibers before. I have an axis in 270 and was thinking about staying in 270. I have looked around and found a lot of rifles that I like, marlin xs7, ruger predator American in 308. Many have suggested a savage 10/110 or 11/111 trophy hunter package. I have heard something's about them but don't really know much about them. I live near the Canadian border in ny state and would be hunting deer. I would like something that I can teach my son to shoot when old enough and will be around for years, almost like this will be my last rifle for a long time. My issue with my axis is the bolt is very hard to run. It takes a lot of effort to open and close it.
Unless you plan to buy used I don't think you are going to find much of an upgrade from the axis for $400 especially limiting yourself to .270. Most of the best deals on new rifles are .223 or .308. $400-600 can buy you a lot of Savage if you don't limit yourself to .270. Also with that budget for a deer rifle. I would get spend 100 on tasco and decent rings and put 500 on the rifle.
Sticking to only the models I know 4-600$ can buy
12fv
11 hog hunter
10t
10fcp-sr
It doesn't have to be .270. But I want to stay with common calibers and something that a young kid learning to shoot/hunt can handle. I've seen a lot of used rifles recently in 22-250 but I'm not very familiar with the round and the rounds capability.
I'd buy used and re-barrel if necessary. In my area 3006's are a dime a dozen and often > $200. I buy one every time I see it. A used rifle would leave room for a new stock and decent glass.
Get yourself a model 11 package in 243Win. and be done with it until you feel the urge to upgrade. 243 ammo is every where and is an easy recoiling rifle for your son to learn on.
FROGGY
See profile for fire arms
Do it today there maybe no tomorrow
I was thinking used would be a good deal if I can find a decent rifle. I have seen some used with a scope at decent priced. The package deals look good but I'm not sure about the scopes that come with the rifle. I heard the scopes are low grade so I'm undecided if I want to go that way. I'd love to buy used and rebarel with a heavy barrel. I was leaning heavily towards the ruger predator due to its price and the fact that it's a heavy barrel great for all around shooting
http://savagearms.com/firearms/model/11TROPHYHUNTERXp
Nikon scope 3-9x and probably for right at what you want to spend. Great deer gun with 100gr. soft point bullet, easy on recoil usually dead on accurate. What else could you ask for.
Merry Christmas.
FROGGY
See profile for fire arms
Do it today there maybe no tomorrow
I'd definitely go with something based on the model 10/110 over the axis any day of the week. The hog hunter comes to mind already equipped with a heavy barrel and a reasonable price tag. Seems to me the quality of the package gun scopes is slipping once again though they do what they are supposed to at the entry level.
Things have changed a lot with modern powders and bullets. It used to be the answer to a youth friendly caliber was .243 . Now if you hand load the answer is H4895. Most any caliber short of African big game calibers can be loaded to "youth" loads with minimal recoil. I would suggest .308 Winchester simply because of versatility, ease of obtaining ammunition and components. Several major ammunition manufacturers also make reduced recoil ammunition in this caliber if hand loading is not your thing.
A good wife and a steady job has ruined many a great hunter.
Savage 12fv .308 $419 new at cabelas.
Accu trigger
Heavy barrel
It's even top bolt release
These are known to be very good shooters.
I can second that!!! My brother has the 12FV in 22-250 and all he has done is put a Bobby Hart LRT stock on it. He sent me a picture of a 10 shot group @ 100 yards that was just one big ragged hole.Originally Posted by Wide Glide
The 11/111 trophy hunter is what I was looking at. The package deal is enticing but I had worried that the scope would be junk. I have been told by many people the 308 is the best caliber for overall performance and low recoil for youngsters. I like savage and wouldn't mind picking up a higher quality rifle by savage.
Just me but I'd buy an axis or long action, opens up plenty of options in the future.
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How so? From my understanding the axis doesn't have the adjustable trigger. I'm not opposed to buying an axis and upgrading everything over time but it just seems the 11/111 or 10/110 models are better deals
You can get an axis with an adjustable trigger they exist. But my point is I'd go with a long action which all axis's are or a 110, 111 etc. that and I can typically pick up axis for less than $200. Don't get me wrong I have a 10, 111 and several axis rifles. The 10 and 110 are good platforms. Maybe it's just the cheap bastard in me that's drawn to the axis.
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How do you tell what is a long action? I know certain calibers make the determination of the length of the action. The axis is cheap and I completely understand that cheapness within.
Just to over simplify long actions are going to be based on .30-06 or similar sized cases and short action are going to be based on .308 or similar sized cases. this being said .223 and magnums are gonna be a little different as far as bolt heads which are incompatible with most standard cartridges.
There are pros and cons to both but a long action can be fitted with both long and short action barrels and function as a repeater, where as a short action is too short to handle long action cartridges as a repeater and feed from the magazine.
Me I'd pick something based on the model 10/ 110 actions ( to include model 11.12 14.16,110 111,112,114,116) all day long over an axis and there is much more aftermarket support for 10/110 based rigs and the factory parts are easier to modify.
A good wife and a steady job has ruined many a great hunter.
Except long action and axis don't have half the aftermarket upgrades available. So it's bolt on upgrades out the wazoo for short action vs trying to modify parts at home and hope they work unless your ok with the limited amount of bolt on aftermarket upgrades. All just my opinion though
No one has yet addressed the problem you are having with your current axis. I don't recall any discussions on your bolt issue, so maybe address that and stay with what you have. However, it may be too much for an up and coming young hunter. Anything heavy barrel will be a chore to tote around if you hunt this way. 243 is a great round and would be a good starter for a youthful hunter. The package scopes are not top of the line, but for everyday deer hunting, I think they would do you justice. Whatever you do, be sure to check what the current Savage rebate program looks like. It could help you make a decision. Savage usually runs two different rebates per year.
Where does one learn about the savage rebate program? I am leaning toward a savage 11/111 in 308
The above link will get you to current rebates. It normally changes after the first of the year and might be a different variety. You can google savage rebate and should easily find what has been offered in the past.
Too bad you live so far away, but I would make a call to the Grice gun shop in Clearfield PA. They will have just about every model from every maker on display for you to hold in your hands, especially the more popular ones. They are the largest gun retailer in the state, and they also wholesale to other dealers.
Call and ask to be sent a copy of their latest flyer which is actually like a newspaper containing all the guns and prices. Including the combo models from all the various makers. They will also no doubt have a 100 or more used guns of various makes and description. If you chose to actually visit there, you could also combine a scenic tour to see some elk, and drive thru lots of rugged mountainous terrain you might not realize exists in the east.
There's a Mossberg packaged with a Vortex scope out there somewhere. Cousin bought one for his Grandson. Really a nice setup and very accurate. I would be all over one of those.
The mossberg patriot. I've heard a few people say that but I've always placed them with the axis. I love there shotguns but I'm not sure on their rifles. They seem like an axis and if I was going to go that route I could just get an axis. I do like the vortex as I hear many good things about them but I can get the ruger American with the same vortex scope so I could go that route and very strong following with the ruger American.
One of the best hunting rifles you can get for under $400 would be the Ruger American. My first deer rifle was a Ruger American in 7mm-08 and I loved it. The American is a perfect entry-level priced hunting rifle, especially because of what you actually get. It's not just a cheap starter rifle, it's a really good rifle at a great price. It's very lightweight, super accurate because of the free-floating barrel, has a three lug bolt, 70° bolt throw which is great, it has a good enough trigger which is similar to the savage Accu trigger and it's rugged enough to stand up to weather because of the nice corrosion resistant coating
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