Greetings everyone. I posted on this forum awhile ago seeking advice on buying my first centerfire rifle. I finally decided that I wanted a .308 bolt-action of some variety, but after that I got distracted and didn't end up actually buying one.
However, I did just go to the range last weekend to shoot my .22 rifle again, which got me interested in finding that .308 again. The guy next to me was shooting a .308 (well, actually, he was firing 7.62x51mm NATO, but close enough) and he was clearly having a totally different experience than I was. Needless to say, now I want one really badly. And the ability to do long-range target shooting is really appealing to me. I like shooting the .22 at 100 yards, but if I want to go a lot longer than that, I'll need something heavier.
So there's a local gun show on April 13 that I'll be going to (put on by some company called Silverado; anyone have anything to say about them?). I've never been to a gun show before and I have little idea of what to expect. The closest thing I've ever been to is a hamfest, so if it's at all similar, I'm expecting mostly cash transactions, lots of small booths of individuals selling stuff, and a decent amount of possible haggling. I'll definitely be bringing enough cash to buy the kind of rifle that I'm looking for outright ($700 ought to cover it? Do I need more?).
Other than that, what do I need to watch out for? Are there any common scams that people try to pull at gun shows? How do I navigate through 300 booths and find the best firearm that meets my qualifications at the best price? Basically all I want is a bolt-action rifle in .308 caliber. If it can handle mil surplus 7.62x51 ammo, then so much the better (But how do I know if it can? Lots of research beforehand?). I'm not picky about the manufacturer, but I am looking for a quality rifle. Should I just limit it to any of the more well-known and trusted brands, say, Remington, Weatherby, Savage, Winchester, Browning, Ruger, Sako, .. any others? And how do I make sure that I'm not buying a dud from a reputable manufacturer that someone is offloading just because it is horrible?
I know it's a lot of questions there, but I don't want to screw up this important purchase. Thanks in advance for all of your help!
However, I did just go to the range last weekend to shoot my .22 rifle again, which got me interested in finding that .308 again. The guy next to me was shooting a .308 (well, actually, he was firing 7.62x51mm NATO, but close enough) and he was clearly having a totally different experience than I was. Needless to say, now I want one really badly. And the ability to do long-range target shooting is really appealing to me. I like shooting the .22 at 100 yards, but if I want to go a lot longer than that, I'll need something heavier.
So there's a local gun show on April 13 that I'll be going to (put on by some company called Silverado; anyone have anything to say about them?). I've never been to a gun show before and I have little idea of what to expect. The closest thing I've ever been to is a hamfest, so if it's at all similar, I'm expecting mostly cash transactions, lots of small booths of individuals selling stuff, and a decent amount of possible haggling. I'll definitely be bringing enough cash to buy the kind of rifle that I'm looking for outright ($700 ought to cover it? Do I need more?).
Other than that, what do I need to watch out for? Are there any common scams that people try to pull at gun shows? How do I navigate through 300 booths and find the best firearm that meets my qualifications at the best price? Basically all I want is a bolt-action rifle in .308 caliber. If it can handle mil surplus 7.62x51 ammo, then so much the better (But how do I know if it can? Lots of research beforehand?). I'm not picky about the manufacturer, but I am looking for a quality rifle. Should I just limit it to any of the more well-known and trusted brands, say, Remington, Weatherby, Savage, Winchester, Browning, Ruger, Sako, .. any others? And how do I make sure that I'm not buying a dud from a reputable manufacturer that someone is offloading just because it is horrible?
I know it's a lot of questions there, but I don't want to screw up this important purchase. Thanks in advance for all of your help!