Buying My First Bolt Action - Advice?

[BlueSkies925]

Been a gun owner for almost 2 decades now and have just about every platform there is, but have almost no experience or knowledge about bolt actions or "snipers" aka hunting rifles. Want to delve into long range shooting at the local range and potentially hunting (if even applicable here I'm located in the Bay Area). I am on a budget and just want something simple, reliable, and tested without much need for any aftermarket modifications. From my brief research, I came across this Savage Arms Axis XP :

https://www.sportsmans.com/shooting-gear-gun-supplies/rifles/savage-arms-axis-xp-scope-combo-bushnell-4-12x40-matte-black-bolt-action-rifle-308-winchester-22in/p/1740674

Was wondering if this is a good choice to start and get straight out there with? I do enjoy the fact it comes at a very reasonable price point and with a scope already mounted.

Thanks for any tips and advice!

[Fjold]

Yes, if you are looking for a hunting/plinking rifle, that will get you started. It will probably out shoot you right out of the box. That'a a little more scope magnification that I use on a hunting 308. But, there in California it will work fine for the longer range shots that most deer hunting is done there. I just like the larger field of view of a lower power scope for hunting in thick brush or woods.

The 308 is a great do-all cartridge for medium sized game but a lot of people like the flatter shooting of the smaller bore cartridges in 6.5 and 7 mm.

[splithoof]

Some tips:
You may have to re-mount the optic (using the included base/rings) to set it up properly for you

[divingin]

Want to delve into long range shooting at the local range [snip] (if even applicable here I'm located in the Bay Area).

That will be a problem. 200 yds in Petaluma and South San Jose (and Concord, if they ever open that particular range); 300 in Sacramento; other than that nothing more than 100 without a really long road trip. There are some private ranges available for rent; generally not exactly Bay Area.

I'd suggest starting with something that has easily obtainable ammo; 308 and 223 chief among them; you will likely be shooting a lot if you want to learn and hone technique. I'd also suggest getting into reloading if you will be shooting for accuracy/precision - it lets you tune ammo to rifle.

[RNE228]

Good feedback!

The first time I learned to use a sling for more than carrying a rifle, I had been been shooting for 30+ years. Went to an Appleseed shoot, and finally saw multiple uses for a sling to help steady the rifle.

I shoot Sac Valley a lot, mostly on the bench. When I do shoot in the woods, I take a table and a mat. Long ago, mostly shot from a table or standing. Again, shooting multiple positions at a couple of Appleseeds really helped my multi position field shooting.

I learned a lot from Appleseed, even after decades of shooting. Some shotgun instruction also helped my wing shooting. Continuous improvement...

[ar15barrels]

Been a gun owner for almost 2 decades now and have just about every platform there is, but have almost no experience or knowledge about bolt actions or "snipers" aka hunting rifles. Want to delve into long range shooting at the local range and potentially hunting (if even applicable here I'm located in the Bay Area). I am on a budget and just want something simple, reliable, and tested without much need for any aftermarket modifications. From my brief research, I came across this Savage Arms Axis XP :

https://www.sportsmans.com/shooting-gear-gun-supplies/rifles/savage-arms-axis-xp-scope-combo-bushnell-4-12x40-matte-black-bolt-action-rifle-308-winchester-22in/p/1740674

Was wondering if this is a good choice to start and get straight out there with? I do enjoy the fact it comes at a very reasonable price point and with a scope already mounted.

Thanks for any tips and advice!

"Target shooting" and "hunting" generally use very different guns.
The Savage that you referenced is a hunting rifle.
It's got a skinny barrel that's great for carrying in the field but not good for target shooting.
For target shooting, you want a heavy barrel that groups better over multiple rounds and also adds weight so that the recoil does not beat you up.

[Cowboy T]

While that's true, we are talking about his first bolt-action here. For that, a Savage Axis as he describes would be a fine choice. So would be a Ruger American. Either rifle will outshoot him for quite some time.

The recoil is where I tend to agree. A Remington 700 with a varmint barrel will soak up the recoil somewhat better. A Savage 11VT, which is in the same class, would do likewise.

[deckhandmike]

[ar15barrels]

While that's true, we are talking about his first bolt-action here. For that, a Savage Axis as he describes would be a fine choice. So would be a Ruger American. Either rifle will outshoot him for quite some time.

The recoil is where I tend to agree. A Remington 700 with a varmint barrel will soak up the recoil somewhat better. A Savage 11VT, which is in the same class, would do likewise.

He lists target shooting as his primary use:

Want to delve into long range shooting at the local range and potentially hunting

Hence why I recommend a heavy barrel.

[MyOdessa]

If I were looking at first rifle, I would give serious consideration to Tikka T3x line of rifles. Tikka's come with excellent barrels, single stage triggers and quality magazines, there are aftermarket stocks and two stage triggers also available. For range use I would look at T3x CTR rifles. Also, currently there are better caliber choices then .308, with less recoil, longer barrel life and better ballistics, unless you already have .308.

[jimmykan]

If I were looking at first rifle, I would give serious consideration to Tikka T3x line of rifles. Tikka's come with excellent barrels, single stage triggers and quality magazines, there are aftermarket stocks and two stage triggers also available. For range use I would look at T3x CTR rifles. Also, currently there are better caliber choices then .308, with less recoil, longer barrel life and better ballistics, unless you already have .308.

What caliber has longer barrel life than 308?

[Reno-Kid]

Been a gun owner for almost 2 decades now and have just about every platform there is, but have almost no experience or knowledge about bolt actions or "snipers" aka hunting rifles. Want to delve into long range shooting at the local range and potentially hunting (if even applicable here I'm located in the Bay Area). I am on a budget and just want something simple, reliable, and tested without much need for any aftermarket modifications. From my brief research, I came across this Savage Arms Axis XP :

https://www.sportsmans.com/shooting-gear-gun-supplies/rifles/savage-arms-axis-xp-scope-combo-bushnell-4-12x40-matte-black-bolt-action-rifle-308-winchester-22in/p/1740674

Was wondering if this is a good choice to start and get straight out there with? I do enjoy the fact it comes at a very reasonable price point and with a scope already mounted.

Thanks for any tips and advice!

Bought my first BA from used rack. Perfect Savage model 10 mfg 2003 with accutrigger. $400 out the door. Already had a nice scope. Did well at 200 yards. I would certainly go with Savage in 223 again. The hard-core hunters in Nevada do prefer 6.5 and freaking expensive scopes.

[TrappedinCalifornia]

If 'budget' is an overriding concern at the moment, then the Savage is a fair offering.

Just realize that 'getting straight out and going with it' is a bit of a misnomer. You need to make sure the Length of Pull is adjusted correctly, that the scope is properly sighted in, that you have a .308 round properly suited to your immediate objective (what is 'good to go' for hunting isn't always the 'best' alternative for target shooting and vice versa), that you're familiar with the manual of arms for that firearm, etc.

Insofar as caliber, while .223 will be less expensive and good out to 100 yards, if you have plans to go longer range than that, then .308 allows you to gain experience with the caliber better suited for the purpose. How far can you effectively shoot with .308? It depends on who is on the trigger. The Marine Corps has a max distance of approximately 1,000 yds with .308; but, for most shooters, using 'average' loads, figure a little less than that, say 500 - 600 yds. Such is particularly true with a standard 'hunting' rifle and 'inexpensive' scope. Can .308 be effectively fired beyond 1,000 yards? Yes. But, bear in mind that 'effective' and 'target' accuracy are two different things.

Given that most of your target shooting will be limited to 200 - 300 yds by the ranges you have available nearby, it will give you a good opportunity to work into the rifle properly. It is accurate enough for targets at that range and plenty effective enough for deer/elk hunting at those ranges as well. It's an easy caliber to reload so that you can 'dial in' a load for your preferred application, be it hunting or target shooting.

Do you need an heavy barrel and better scope? Not initially. Will they be helpful if shooting in competition? Potentially, but not until you've worked out some of the basics.

[k1dude]

The advice for a heavier barrel is right on. Otherwise you'll be chasing your tail wondering why your accuracy and precision are so poor after the first couple shots. You'll be wondering if it's because you're shooting too many rounds too fast without letting the barrel cool, or if there's something wrong with your rifle, ammo, scope, mount, or you.

When you're talking about a target rifle that can do double duty as a hunting rifle, what are you hunting and how? Are you chasing goats on foot over mountains? Or are you sitting in a tree stand back east for whitetail? Different types of hunting dictate different types of rifles. If you're sitting in a tree stand within a mile or two from a road, then a heavy barrel won't bother you at all. If you're chasing goats over mountain tops, you definitely don't want a heavy barrel.

[1859sharps]

Define "groups start to drift". What does that look like?

People toss that out and it creates the image of suddenly shooting "shotgun" like groups with their rifle. If your hunting rifle is still keeping groups under 2 MOA, and you are keeping all shots within say 300/400 yards and can hit a 6inch target zone 10 for 10 tries, you still have PLEANTY of accuracy out of a "skinny" barrel while hunting. Hunting is NOT benchrest. "freaking" out that shooting your "skinny" barrel more than 3 times in a row means you might have a 1 to 2 MOA group is ridiculous.

Added...

Had to run so didn't couldn't finish my thoughts.

Blueskies

I would first pay close attention to what ARbarrels is getting at. Target rifles (rifle suited for long range) and hunting rifles are two different rifles. Yes, you can get close to a "one rifle" using a varmint rifle in order to try out both activities, but now you will have a rifle that is passible for try out, but not ideal for either. Particularly hunting where the heavier target style rifle may not be enjoyable carrying around the field for extended times. While part of the answer to the weight is to be in shape for the activity, focusing on that ignores the basic principle of right tool for the job.

My Styer Scout rifle has about as "pencil" thin barrel as it gets without getting into something like a New Ultra Light Arms rifle. It can shoot a 5 shot sub MOA group with the shots being fairly rapid. It actually takes about 10 fairly rapid shots before the groups approach anything along the lines of greater than 1MOA. Point being. For hunting, do not worry about a proper weight rifle and a "thin" barrel. Any quality modern rifle will have more accuracy than you can use for the purpose of the rifle, hunting.

Pay close attention to splithoof's advice about getting away from the bench and learning to use a proper shooting sling. For formal training, from what I have read, and the post class reports, the most economical option to start with is Appleseed.

So, my 2 cents. Bias the rifle for what you think you will do the most if you can only afford one rifle to start. If you think you will end up focusing on hunting, get the hunting rifle that makes sense for you and the game you will most likely hunt most often. Deer? Pig? Black Bear? If hunting is your thing, get the hunting rifle. If you prefer target shooting and really think long rang is something you will pursue more often than hunting, bias the rifle that way. BUT always keep ARbarrel's point in mind. These really are two different activities and will be best served by purpose-built rifles.

I know you mentioned you are on a budget. Some food for thought. If for example you saved up $500 this year for a rifle and figure that is your budget, that suggests you can wait another year and save another $500 increasing your budget to $1000. Numbers are illustrative only, and only meant to give you some food for thought. Most of us are not flush with cash, but we let our need to 'get going now' sometimes get in the way vs saving a little longer to get the better rifle. Better being what will work better for our intended purpose for the rifle vs the first thing we can buy on "impulse". This is how I was finally able to get my first Styer Scout rifle. I waited and saved. Then got what I really wanted.

Some ideas for a rifle that will let you dip your toes into both hunting and shooting beyond 100 yards.

Tikka CTR 308 with 20 inch barrel model JRTXC316 roughly $1200 average base price.
Remington ADL Varmint. Would give you something to build off of for an entry level long range. price is sub $1000

Also do not pass up the used rifle option.

Scope wise, you can find good quality sub $1000 scopes from Vortex and Leupold that would serve to get your feet wet with long range and still be usable for hunting.

'pure' hunting rifles are a bit more obvious.

So, before you decide your budget and what rifle to buy, I would spend time thinking over which activity are you going to actually spend the most time on. Target shooting/long rang or hunting and let that guide your purchase and budget.