choosing first Bolt Action Rifle

[JackEllis]

My .30-06 practice ammo costs 65 cents a round, or $13+ per practice session. I have no idea what 6.5 Creedmoor ammo costs but it's probably up around a dollar a round.

I do a lot more shooting with my .223 and a .22lr than with my .06 because ammo costs a fraction of what I'd spend for the bigger caliber. All that practice paid off handsomely on a recent hunt in Africa.

[juanito]

I have a 6.5 Creed,30.06,6.5x55,and 7mm-08.Also reload for all..But currently out of state.I usually hit 5 Dogs myself.

[TMB 1]

I'm lowering my distance expectations for now, I want to get proficient with a shorter distances first, but I am looking at the 6.5 creedmore, but I'm still leaning towards the .308 just because the ammo is relatively cheaper so I can afford more and spend more time out on the range

Good for shorter distance. Ammo is cheaper than 308 so you'll get twice as much practice.
no scope https://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/...62X39+20+BLK+5

with scope https://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/...G+762+22+BLK+5

[symbology]

I think bass pro has a Remington 700 ADL with a scope for around $500? That will leave you some extra money for ammo and other shooting accessories. You can also go Savage and have a little easier time will barrel and caliber changes.


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[raff661]

Remington Model 700 VTR Bolt-Action Rifle with Bipod

http://www.basspro.com/shop/en/remington-model-700-vtr-bolt-action-rifle-with-bipod

I think bass pro has a Remington 700 ADL with a scope for around $500? That will leave you some extra money for ammo and other shooting accessories. You can also go Savage and have a little easier time will barrel and caliber changes.


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[ar15barrels]

Remington Model 700 VTR Bolt-Action Rifle with Bipod
http://www.basspro.com/shop/en/remin...fle-with-bipod

Do you want a hunting rifle or a target rifle?

[raff661]

Target I'll just get a hunting rifle later

Do you want a hunting rifle or a target rifle?

[TMB 1]

https://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/2084_2108/products_id/411540287/REM+700+SS+308+24+5R+MILSPEC

https://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/52948/Savage+12+VAR+LP+308+DBM

[357manny]

Can you guys post what you know what is a good low-budget 308 caliber bolt-action rifle for hunting? Hunting deer, pig, bear? It's a starter choice--if I like hunting, I'll get a nicer one eventually. If i don't--oh well..

Basic budget is $600-650 max for rifle + scope. Maybe this belongs in a separate thread, just been watching this one as it is close enough to my needs, til OP mentioned he wanted it for target.

Is $650 enough to get enough rifle to go for a first-time hunt? I was looking at Savage Axis II, Remington 783, Ruger American all in .308. The sales guys at Guns Fishing Other Stuff were telling me about Browning A-Bolt, Weatherby Vanguard 2. Just wanted to see what everyone else here thought.

[TMB 1]

Can you guys post what you know what is a good low-budget 308 caliber bolt-action rifle for hunting? Hunting deer, pig, bear? It's a starter choice--if I like hunting, I'll get a nicer one eventually. If i don't--oh well..

Basic budget is $600-650 max for rifle + scope. Maybe this belongs in a separate thread, just been watching this one as it is close enough to my needs, til OP mentioned he wanted it for target.

Is $650 enough to get enough rifle to go for a first-time hunt? I was looking at Savage Axis II, Remington 783, Ruger American all in .308. The sales guys at Guns Fishing Other Stuff were telling me about Browning A-Bolt, Weatherby Vanguard 2. Just wanted to see what everyone else here thought.

Any one of those three that you like the best. Of those three I like the Rem 783 the best, but all three are good and you could also check out Mossberg Patriot and the Savage Hog Hunter, they're good too and close to same price range.

[simonp]

Based on what you say you want to do with the gun, your experience and that you don't currently reload the answer is pretty easy to me. You want a Remington 700 in .308, end of story. The 700 is the best bang for the buck when it comes to bolt action rifles and if you get a 700P, often times found used for sale at a substantial discount and when I say used i mean maybe a 100 rounds through the gun, with the 700 as you get into bolt actions you can build on it, improve it. Any of the other guns if you decide you really like shooting it and want to step up to the next level that means a new gun. As for .308 as many have already said, its the cheapest and easiest to find readily. Finding match grade 30-06 is more challenging, once you reload the ammo choices get broader. Finally if after a few hundred rounds you get bored, you have a better chance of getting your money back out of a 700.

Get a 700P in .308 and you are good up to 1,000 yards with the right glass and good skills. There is a reason why it has been the sniper rifle of choice for the military and police for decades.


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[JackEllis]

Can you guys post what you know what is a good low-budget 308 caliber bolt-action rifle for hunting? Hunting deer, pig, bear? It's a starter choice--if I like hunting, I'll get a nicer one eventually. If i don't--oh well..

I hunt with a Winchester 670 that is worth around $400, topped with a decent but not terribly expensive Leupold scope. If I was into *shooting* game, meaning longer shot than I'm comfortable taking, or if I was culling animals, then a "nicer" rifle in something other than .308 might do me some good.

The scope is probably more crucial than the rifle because it must stay together under recoil, whereas most rifles today should shoot straight enough to hit a deer or pig at up to 200 yards if the shooter is reasonably proficient. Don't skimp on the scope. I did one time and it almost ended an elk hunt.

That's my $.02.

[Horrendo Revolver]

Can you guys post what you know what is a good low-budget 308 caliber bolt-action rifle for hunting? Hunting deer, pig, bear? It's a starter choice--if I like hunting, I'll get a nicer one eventually. If i don't--oh well..

Basic budget is $600-650 max for rifle + scope. Maybe this belongs in a separate thread, just been watching this one as it is close enough to my needs, til OP mentioned he wanted it for target.

Is $650 enough to get enough rifle to go for a first-time hunt? I was looking at Savage Axis II, Remington 783, Ruger American all in .308. The sales guys at Guns Fishing Other Stuff were telling me about Browning A-Bolt, Weatherby Vanguard 2. Just wanted to see what everyone else here thought.

I believe the Vanguard and AB3 are head and shoulders above the others you've mentioned. I like the Vanguard better than the AB3.

[raff661]

yeah thats what I've been thinking as well, did the same with my AR, bought a M&P Sport 2 for $650 and based on what i liked and disliked I'm gonna build my own, i figured i could buy the M&P have warranty if anything goes wrong with it, learn the platform and then step up to a big boy DD or build my own but by then i will know exactly what I'm looking for and i think i might just take the same approach here

Based on what you say you want to do with the gun, your experience and that you don't currently reload the answer is pretty easy to me. You want a Remington 700 in .308, end of story. The 700 is the best bang for the buck when it comes to bolt action rifles and if you get a 700P, often times found used for sale at a substantial discount and when I say used i mean maybe a 100 rounds through the gun, with the 700 as you get into bolt actions you can build on it, improve it. Any of the other guns if you decide you really like shooting it and want to step up to the next level that means a new gun. As for .308 as many have already said, its the cheapest and easiest to find readily. Finding match grade 30-06 is more challenging, once you reload the ammo choices get broader. Finally if after a few hundred rounds you get bored, you have a better chance of getting your money back out of a 700.

Get a 700P in .308 and you are good up to 1,000 yards with the right glass and good skills. There is a reason why it has been the sniper rifle of choice for the military and police for decades.


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[357manny]

I believe the Vanguard and AB3 are head and shoulders above the others you've mentioned. I like the Vanguard better than the AB3.

Hmm.. i see reviews of the same: http://www.chuckhawks.com/compared_b...omy_rifles.htm

Thanks man!