Target rifle/Hunting rifle

Wittel3 · May 25, 2012, 01:36 PM

Hey all, question;

Looking to buy a bolt action rifle (a tack driver at 100 yards but can put down good sized game need be) upwards of $700, obviously cheaper the better, but at the same time not looking for a rifle that falls apart after a hundred rounds if you catch my drift.

Suggestions on calibers? Manufactures? Actual models?

Right now I'm thinking of a .223 Rem through a Savage 12 FV or a Mossburg MVP. Rifles are not...that expensive, and the .223 ammo is fairly cheap (no ability to hand load rounds and on a tight budget).

Thanks all,

-Wittel

aarondhgraham · May 25, 2012, 01:54 PM

Only $298.00 at Buds Gun Shop,,,

The scope is a Bushnell which is an adequate optic,,,
The rifle is a very well made shooter.

Just a suggestion.

Aarond

jmr40 · May 25, 2012, 04:01 PM

I'm confused, you say you want a rifle

Quote:

upwards of $700,

, but menton $250 rifles you are looking at. What type of hunting do you have in mind?

A 223 is OK on deer sized game at close to moderate range. In the right rifle, and with good ammo it can be a tack driver, but is not suitable to

Quote:

put down good sized game

For general purpose hunting a 243 is a step up and 308 will take the largest game in North America. Ammo for either is readily available in stores and is reasonably priced, although not as cheap as 223. The 260 and 7-08 are in between 243 and 308. Both are good rounds, but not available everywhere and more expensive.

There are lots of choices in rifles, but I need to understand your budget better to give advice. If you want a quality rifle avoid the disposable models such as the Mossberg and Remington 770. I'm undecided about the Axis. I know you can do better for only a slight amount more.

Wittel3 · May 25, 2012, 05:12 PM

jmr40, by upwards of $700 I mean a price ceiling of $700. And I'm still on debate of the caliber but leaning towards the .223 Rem for sure with a close second of the .308 Win.

twins · May 25, 2012, 06:16 PM

W3, Per your requirements:
Weatherby Vanguard 2 scope package
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/p...ard+S2+223+PKG

$650 with sub-moa guarantee

As for me, I would rather just buy the rifle (Vanguard 2, ~$500 for a sub-MOA guarantee), 7mm-08 (if big game is on the menu) or 25-06 (only chasing deer), and top it with a Redfield 3x9-40 scope (~$200, not including current $30 rebate).

jmr40 · May 26, 2012, 08:12 AM

The Vanguard is the most rifle for the money right now if you don't mind a really heavy rifle. It will be near, or over 9 lbs with optics and mounts. You can still find the older versions in many places for around $350.

Other good options, better if you want a rifle of reasonable weight, include the Savage, Stevens, Marlin XS-7, Ruger American, and the TC Venture. In this price range I really like the TC the best. It sells for $425-$475 depending on location and they are proving to be VERY accurate. Not nearly as cheesy and cheap feeling as the others either. Fantastic triggers.

With a budget of $700 you can get a Ruger Hawkeye for around $650. This is a gun you'd be proud to pass down to the grandkids. The others are simply tools.

hooligan1 · May 26, 2012, 12:01 PM

Doesn't the Savage model 12 come in .243 win also?

tobnpr · May 26, 2012, 12:04 PM

Any of the above.

BUT... the caveat is whether you intend to do much customization, or accurizing with a gunsmith down the road.

Aftermarket accessories are weighted very heavily to the Remington 700 and Savage firearms. Those are our preferences for that reason.

Caliber is going to depend on what game you intend to hunt, and at what distances.

If you're going to shoot groups, you should consider a Varmint contour barrel. Heavier barrels don't heat up under the faster/heavier round counts usually associated with target shooting and generally shoot tighter when they heat up.

taylorce1 · May 26, 2012, 01:04 PM

Ruger M77 LH better deer rifle than any .223 Rem can ever be and it fits in your price range.

tobnpr · May 26, 2012, 06:38 PM

What are you calling "good size game"?

bigalshootmupper · May 26, 2012, 10:14 PM

I bought the Rem 700 SPS Tactical 308 for target and deer hunting. I really like the shorter 20" barrel, easy to maneuver around in the deer stands. The bull barrel makes for an extremely accurate rifle. I think it is one of most accurate rifles for under $1000, you can buy this gun for around $600. I also really like the Hogue stock and adjustable trigger. I thought it would be a little heavy, but it is definitely not too heavy for hunting, to me, it is just right for hunting. I highly recommend this one.

Mobuck · May 27, 2012, 05:17 PM

If hunting is really in your thoughts, I'd go with something bigger than 223. A/308 would be a much better choice.

May 25, 2012, 01:36 PM	#1
Wittel3 Junior Member Join Date: May 25, 2012 Posts: 8	Target rifle/Hunting rifle Hey all, question; Looking to buy a bolt action rifle (a tack driver at 100 yards but can put down good sized game need be) upwards of $700, obviously cheaper the better, but at the same time not looking for a rifle that falls apart after a hundred rounds if you catch my drift. Suggestions on calibers? Manufactures? Actual models? Right now I'm thinking of a .223 Rem through a Savage 12 FV or a Mossburg MVP. Rifles are not...that expensive, and the .223 ammo is fairly cheap (no ability to hand load rounds and on a tight budget). Thanks all, -Wittel

May 25, 2012, 01:54 PM	#2
aarondhgraham Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2009 Location: Stillwater, OKlahoma Posts: 8,638	Consider the Savage Axis,,, Only $298.00 at Buds Gun Shop,,, The scope is a Bushnell which is an adequate optic,,, The rifle is a very well made shooter. Just a suggestion. Aarond __________________ Never ever give an enemy the advantage of a verbal threat. Caje: The coward dies a thousand times, the brave only once. Kirby: That's about all it takes, ain't it? Aarond is good,,, Aarond is wise,,, Always trust Aarond! (most of the time)

May 26, 2012, 12:01 PM	#7
hooligan1 Senior Member Join Date: July 18, 2010 Location: Independence Missouri Posts: 4,585	Doesn't the Savage model 12 come in .243 win also? __________________ Keep your Axe sharp and your powder dry.

May 26, 2012, 01:04 PM	#9
taylorce1 Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2005 Location: On the Santa Fe Trail Posts: 8,242	Ruger M77 LH better deer rifle than any .223 Rem can ever be and it fits in your price range. __________________ NRA Life Member

May 26, 2012, 10:14 PM	#11
bigalshootmupper Senior Member Join Date: November 21, 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 147	I bought the Rem 700 SPS Tactical 308 for target and deer hunting. I really like the shorter 20" barrel, easy to maneuver around in the deer stands. The bull barrel makes for an extremely accurate rifle. I think it is one of most accurate rifles for under $1000, you can buy this gun for around $600. I also really like the Hogue stock and adjustable trigger. I thought it would be a little heavy, but it is definitely not too heavy for hunting, to me, it is just right for hunting. I highly recommend this one. __________________ ”If you want to find out what is wrong with your country, go look in the mirror.” Ross Perot

May 25, 2012, 05:12 PM	#4
Wittel3 Junior Member Join Date: May 25, 2012 Posts: 8	jmr40, by upwards of $700 I mean a price ceiling of $700. And I'm still on debate of the caliber but leaning towards the .223 Rem for sure with a close second of the .308 Win.

May 25, 2012, 06:16 PM	#5
twins Senior Member Join Date: October 1, 2010 Posts: 393	W3, Per your requirements: Weatherby Vanguard 2 scope package http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/p...ard+S2+223+PKG $650 with sub-moa guarantee As for me, I would rather just buy the rifle (Vanguard 2, ~$500 for a sub-MOA guarantee), 7mm-08 (if big game is on the menu) or 25-06 (only chasing deer), and top it with a Redfield 3x9-40 scope (~$200, not including current $30 rebate).

May 26, 2012, 08:12 AM	#6
jmr40 Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 10,805	The Vanguard is the most rifle for the money right now if you don't mind a really heavy rifle. It will be near, or over 9 lbs with optics and mounts. You can still find the older versions in many places for around $350. Other good options, better if you want a rifle of reasonable weight, include the Savage, Stevens, Marlin XS-7, Ruger American, and the TC Venture. In this price range I really like the TC the best. It sells for $425-$475 depending on location and they are proving to be VERY accurate. Not nearly as cheesy and cheap feeling as the others either. Fantastic triggers. With a budget of $700 you can get a Ruger Hawkeye for around $650. This is a gun you'd be proud to pass down to the grandkids. The others are simply tools.

May 26, 2012, 12:04 PM	#8
tobnpr Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2010 Location: Tampa Bay Posts: 4,556	Any of the above. BUT... the caveat is whether you intend to do much customization, or accurizing with a gunsmith down the road. Aftermarket accessories are weighted very heavily to the Remington 700 and Savage firearms. Those are our preferences for that reason. Caliber is going to depend on what game you intend to hunt, and at what distances. If you're going to shoot groups, you should consider a Varmint contour barrel. Heavier barrels don't heat up under the faster/heavier round counts usually associated with target shooting and generally shoot tighter when they heat up.

May 26, 2012, 06:38 PM	#10
tobnpr Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2010 Location: Tampa Bay Posts: 4,556	What are you calling "good size game"?

May 27, 2012, 05:17 PM	#12
Mobuck Junior member Join Date: February 2, 2010 Posts: 6,846	If hunting is really in your thoughts, I'd go with something bigger than 223. A/308 would be a much better choice.