20 year old looking for first rifle

Albtraum · 06-30-2011, 07:12 PM

With some spare cash I've decided I want to purchase my first firearm. There is a range around here with a 500 yard max distance and I've always gone there with just .22s, but recently I went with my uncle and his AR-15 and it was a LOT of fun. For awhile I was thinking about getting my 'own' .22LR but my dad has plenty. So now I'm thinking about a bolt action in .223. My dad has a Remington 700 in .270 but he doesn't like to take it out much, cause of cost to shoot, and it's sentimental to him.

I've been looking around at what manufacturers have to offer and the Savage Axis seems about what I want to spend, and the only thing I don't like about it is the plastic stock. Any other rifles you guys' would recommend?

savage170 · 06-30-2011, 07:18 PM

In that price range it is going to be hard to beat that savage unless you look at used guns

Albtraum · 06-30-2011, 07:52 PM

Yeah I've considered used but I just see things like 25-06, 22-250, 220 etc at the gun shop, which is weird since 223 is supposed to be really common/popular.

I read good reviews about the Savage Axis, some even say they've had sub-MOA groups, despite having a heavy trigger, and a thin sporter barrel. Do you think Boyds will have a laminate stock for it in the future? I loooove the look of the Savage 12 BTVS

savage170 · 06-30-2011, 08:14 PM

I don't know if I can mention the auction sites here. But there is plenty of used 223 bolt guns on them I recently picked up a Rem 700 in 223 for 350.00

Salvage33 · 06-30-2011, 09:53 PM

Savage rifles are pretty dang accurate out of the box, and for the price, you can't beat them.

223 is a popular round, primarily due to the abundance of AR type rifles out there. They are fun to shoot, cost is relatively low, though not as cheap as shooting 22 LR rounds, and will take down deer, though shot placement is critical. But then shot placement is always critical.

Check out the auction sites and see what you can find in your price range, and if nothing catches your eye, go back and check out the Savage again.

John

joncutt87 · 06-30-2011, 11:24 PM

I have a savage edge in .30-06 and it's a good gun.

joncutt87 · 07-01-2011, 01:16 AM

But I also have a remington 742 .30-06 with a 3-9 scope and see through rings that I have ben thinking about selling

Inthewind1976 · 07-01-2011, 01:49 AM

Al; these days pretty much all the new/inexpensive bolt rifles on the market come with "plastic" stocks of some type; this includes the Mossberg 100, Stevens 200, Marlin X7, Savage Edge, etc. I am sure that the Stevens and the Savage are both available in .223. Both are accurate and serviceable rifles out of the box. Another option would be any of the above rifles, in .243, which will be a little more expensive to feed, but also will possess greater downrange "striking power" than the .223.

permafrost · 07-01-2011, 05:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Albtraum

Yeah I've considered used but I just see things like 25-06, 22-250, 220 etc at the gun shop, which is weird since 223 is supposed to be really common/popular.

I read good reviews about the Savage Axis, some even say they've had sub-MOA groups, despite having a heavy trigger, and a thin sporter barrel. Do you think Boyds will have a laminate stock for it in the future? I loooove the look of the Savage 12 BTVS

Their popularity(223 bolt gun) is the reason you don't find them on the local markets. Someone has one, they hang on to it, or if it goes out for sale, it goes quick. Same situation around here.

tim peterson · 07-02-2011, 08:52 AM

Check out the mossberg 100 ATR. For the price its a great rifle.

jbmid1 · 07-02-2011, 09:40 AM

From what I've read, Weatherby's Vanguard looks like the best buy on entry level rifles.
At least Chuck Hawks was reasonably impressed with it.

myfriendis410 · 07-02-2011, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbmid1

From what I've read, Weatherby's Vanguard looks like the best buy on entry level rifles.
At least Chuck Hawks was reasonably impressed with it.

+1 on the Vanguard. I don't own one, but my two best friends have Vanguards that I worked on and they are truly exceptional shooters. To be fair; they are both chambered in .300 Wby mag, which I would not recommend as a plinker. One of those rifles shoots 1/4" 200 yard groups for three shots.

Albtraum · 07-02-2011, 11:58 AM

Thanks for the input everyone! That Vanguard looks amazing, Weatherby even guarantees sub-MOA. However it's beyond my budget, and I have to keep in mind I'm gonna need a decent scope and rings/mounts as well. Sounds like .223 is a good choice because of cost and availability, and I could use it on varmints if I wanted to in the future. Since I'm new to centerfire rifles, when you shoot them, is it off hand, bi-pod, sand bags, bench rest, or what?

permafrost · 07-02-2011, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Albtraum

Thanks for the input everyone! That Vanguard looks amazing, Weatherby even guarantees sub-MOA. However it's beyond my budget, and I have to keep in mind I'm gonna need a decent scope and rings/mounts as well. Sounds like .223 is a good choice because of cost and availability, and I could use it on varmints if I wanted to in the future. Since I'm new to centerfire rifles, when you shoot them, is it off hand, bi-pod, sand bags, bench rest, or what?

Strictly personal preference. I, myself, shoot from the bench alot using bags or bipod. But I'm trying for the best group I can get. Others like to shoot off hand like they would use it in a hunting or self defense situation. Still others are content to just plink with it off hand at make shift targets. cans, clay pigeons, etc; Your call. Most likely you'll do all the above at one time or another.

PS-- When you get it ,I would recommend mounting your scope and taking it to range or somewhere with a bench rest. That way you can see what kind of accuracy you can expect from the rifle. It will give you more confidence when out hunting,IMO.

jbmid1 · 07-03-2011, 04:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Albtraum

Thanks for the input everyone! That Vanguard looks amazing, Weatherby even guarantees sub-MOA. However it's beyond my budget, and I have to keep in mind I'm gonna need a decent scope and rings/mounts as well. Sounds like .223 is a good choice because of cost and availability, and I could use it on varmints if I wanted to in the future. Since I'm new to centerfire rifles, when you shoot them, is it off hand, bi-pod, sand bags, bench rest, or what?

The advantage to .223 is that there's so little recoil you can shoot it from any position imaginable with pretty good results.

sting75ray · 07-03-2011, 11:35 AM

Save up a little longer and buy yourself a TC Encore with whatever barrel you desire and then as time goes on you can add more barrels in about any caliber you want. I have 30 or so rifles in several calibers but when my twin daughters started shooting a few years ago I bought each of them an Encore with a 25-06 barrel and now they can pick what barrels they want later. Hard to beat the accuracy of the Encore also. After I bought both Encores I handloaded ammo for one of them and planned on working up a load for each rifle but the first load I got worked up shot out of both guns with pinpoint accuracy. I can remember growing up shooting pasture poodles with Dad and both of us shot 222s. Dad worked up a load for his rifle and I used the same load in mine but always had to allow for the difference until I got my own press and worked up my own load for my rifle. Good luck on your decision.

Huffmanite · 07-04-2011, 07:50 PM

Own an Edge/Axis rifle in .223. Also own a couple of Stevens 200s, but not in .223. Sorry, but think you'd be better off with a Stevens 200 in 223. May not look as nice as the Axis, but I think it is a better rifle.

06-30-2011, 07:12 PM	#1
Albtraum Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 635	20 year old looking for first rifle With some spare cash I've decided I want to purchase my first firearm. There is a range around here with a 500 yard max distance and I've always gone there with just .22s, but recently I went with my uncle and his AR-15 and it was a LOT of fun. For awhile I was thinking about getting my 'own' .22LR but my dad has plenty. So now I'm thinking about a bolt action in .223. My dad has a Remington 700 in .270 but he doesn't like to take it out much, cause of cost to shoot, and it's sentimental to him. I've been looking around at what manufacturers have to offer and the Savage Axis seems about what I want to spend, and the only thing I don't like about it is the plastic stock. Any other rifles you guys' would recommend? -->

06-30-2011, 07:18 PM	#2
savage170 V.I.P. Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: FL Posts: 383	Re: 20 year old looking for first rifle In that price range it is going to be hard to beat that savage unless you look at used guns

06-30-2011, 07:52 PM	#3
Albtraum Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 635	Re: 20 year old looking for first rifle Yeah I've considered used but I just see things like 25-06, 22-250, 220 etc at the gun shop, which is weird since 223 is supposed to be really common/popular. I read good reviews about the Savage Axis, some even say they've had sub-MOA groups, despite having a heavy trigger, and a thin sporter barrel. Do you think Boyds will have a laminate stock for it in the future? I loooove the look of the Savage 12 BTVS

06-30-2011, 08:14 PM	#4
savage170 V.I.P. Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: FL Posts: 383	Re: 20 year old looking for first rifle I don't know if I can mention the auction sites here. But there is plenty of used 223 bolt guns on them I recently picked up a Rem 700 in 223 for 350.00

06-30-2011, 09:53 PM	#5
Salvage33 V.I.P. Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Shreveport, LA why leave the USA to visit a 3rd world country? Posts: 475	Re: 20 year old looking for first rifle Savage rifles are pretty dang accurate out of the box, and for the price, you can't beat them. 223 is a popular round, primarily due to the abundance of AR type rifles out there. They are fun to shoot, cost is relatively low, though not as cheap as shooting 22 LR rounds, and will take down deer, though shot placement is critical. But then shot placement is always critical. Check out the auction sites and see what you can find in your price range, and if nothing catches your eye, go back and check out the Savage again. John __________________ Living in a nudist colony takes all the fun out of Halloween.

06-30-2011, 11:24 PM	#6
joncutt87 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Kannapolis, NC Contributor Posts: 1,419	Re: 20 year old looking for first rifle I have a savage edge in .30-06 and it's a good gun.

07-01-2011, 01:16 AM	#7
joncutt87 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Kannapolis, NC Contributor Posts: 1,419	Re: 20 year old looking for first rifle But I also have a remington 742 .30-06 with a 3-9 scope and see through rings that I have ben thinking about selling

07-01-2011, 01:49 AM	#8
Inthewind1976 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Central Pennsylvania Posts: 533	Re: 20 year old looking for first rifle Al; these days pretty much all the new/inexpensive bolt rifles on the market come with "plastic" stocks of some type; this includes the Mossberg 100, Stevens 200, Marlin X7, Savage Edge, etc. I am sure that the Stevens and the Savage are both available in .223. Both are accurate and serviceable rifles out of the box. Another option would be any of the above rifles, in .243, which will be a little more expensive to feed, but also will possess greater downrange "striking power" than the .223.

07-02-2011, 08:52 AM	#10
tim peterson V.I.P. Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: COLORADO Posts: 277	Re: 20 year old looking for first rifle Check out the mossberg 100 ATR. For the price its a great rifle. __________________ The great objective is that every man be armed. Every one who is able may have a Gun. Patrick Henry

07-02-2011, 09:40 AM	#11
jbmid1 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 1,075	Re: 20 year old looking for first rifle From what I've read, Weatherby's Vanguard looks like the best buy on entry level rifles. At least Chuck Hawks was reasonably impressed with it. __________________ You can't be too rich, too thin, or have too much firepower.

07-02-2011, 11:58 AM	#13
Albtraum Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 635	Re: 20 year old looking for first rifle Thanks for the input everyone! That Vanguard looks amazing, Weatherby even guarantees sub-MOA. However it's beyond my budget, and I have to keep in mind I'm gonna need a decent scope and rings/mounts as well. Sounds like .223 is a good choice because of cost and availability, and I could use it on varmints if I wanted to in the future. Since I'm new to centerfire rifles, when you shoot them, is it off hand, bi-pod, sand bags, bench rest, or what?

07-03-2011, 11:35 AM	#16
sting75ray Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 1,083	Re: 20 year old looking for first rifle Save up a little longer and buy yourself a TC Encore with whatever barrel you desire and then as time goes on you can add more barrels in about any caliber you want. I have 30 or so rifles in several calibers but when my twin daughters started shooting a few years ago I bought each of them an Encore with a 25-06 barrel and now they can pick what barrels they want later. Hard to beat the accuracy of the Encore also. After I bought both Encores I handloaded ammo for one of them and planned on working up a load for each rifle but the first load I got worked up shot out of both guns with pinpoint accuracy. I can remember growing up shooting pasture poodles with Dad and both of us shot 222s. Dad worked up a load for his rifle and I used the same load in mine but always had to allow for the difference until I got my own press and worked up my own load for my rifle. Good luck on your decision.

07-04-2011, 07:50 PM	#17
Huffmanite Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: North of Houston, Tx Posts: 14	Re: 20 year old looking for first rifle Own an Edge/Axis rifle in .223. Also own a couple of Stevens 200s, but not in .223. Sorry, but think you'd be better off with a Stevens 200 in 223. May not look as nice as the Axis, but I think it is a better rifle.