Interested in a Bolt Rifle

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Tsaico

Platinum Member
Oct 21, 2000
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I am looking for some suggestions on a bolt action rifle, and I figured a few of the gun nuts here have a couple and would be able to add some insight on a solid beginner's rifle and what to look for.

I want to do target shooting (mainly on the range, no real desire to hunt anything). The range in my area has rifle ranges of 25-200 yards, past that I will have to leave the area, so I don't anticipate really needing anything that will fire further than that. My budget is $500 so I am hoping there is a decent one in that range. I live in California in case it matters. I was thinking of a 308 and I plan on non scoped for now also.
 
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Vic Vega

Diamond Member
Sep 24, 2010
4,535
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I have several and have owned several more. My favorites:

Remington 700 .30-06
Browning T-Bolt .22 Mag
 
J

JJ650

Golden Member
Apr 16, 2000
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Remington 700 series maybe? Not sure if the regular ones have iron sights.

I have a 700-5R SS Milspec, but that has no iron sight and outside of your budget. VERY VERY accurate too (using my own loading and lapua brass).

Check into the Browning X-bolt line.


But if you plan on doing some serious shooting, you might as well save up for a nice rifle instead of going cheap at first.
 
Texashiker

Texashiker

Lifer
Dec 18, 2010
18,811
198
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$500 is not going to get you a new model 700.

For $500 or less, I would look at the Mossberg ATR, Stevens or Savage

http://www.perfectunion.com/vb/bolt-action-talk/61811-mossberg-100-atr-308-vs-stevens-200-308-a.html

A few weeks ago I read a review of the Mossberg ATR in some magazine like guns and ammo or American Rifleman. The guy doing the review was getting .75 - 1 inch groups at 100 yards with factory ammo.

Savage is an often overlooked rifle. The people that own a Savage have great things to say about them.
 
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Vic Vega

Diamond Member
Sep 24, 2010
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Texashiker said:
$500 is not going to get you a new model 700.

For $500 or less, I would look at the Mossberg ATR, Stevens or Savage

http://www.perfectunion.com/vb/bolt-action-talk/61811-mossberg-100-atr-308-vs-stevens-200-308-a.html

A few weeks ago I read a review of the Mossberg ATR in some magazine like guns and ammo or American Rifleman. The guy doing the review was getting .75 - 1 inch groups at 100 yards with factory ammo.

Savage is an often overlooked rifle. The people that own a Savage have great things to say about them.
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Why does he need a new gun?

A used gun is fine as long as it hasn't been bubba'ed by some lost in the woods hick-bob.

Buying a higher end used gun > buying a lower end new gun. Just my two cents.
 
Texashiker

Texashiker

Lifer
Dec 18, 2010
18,811
198
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Vic Vega said:
Why does he need a new gun.

A used gun is fine as long as it hasn't been bubba'ed by some lost in the woods hick-bob.
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Remington rifles hold there value pretty good, I dont know if you can touch a good quality used remington for less then $500.

My son-in-law bought a used savage with a nikon scope for @250 from a local gun shop a few weeks ago.

There is nothing wrong with buying used rifles. I bought my son a slightly used Marlin 336 in 30-30 about 3 years ago.
 
K

Kelvrick

Lifer
Feb 14, 2001
18,422
5
81
How firm is your budget? Are you willing to go used?

A used remington 700 sps tactical can go for about $500 after the dros fee. Designed for scope use though, so no irons.

I'm at work, otherwise i'd pull up other options. Have you thought about going surplus like a mosin nagant or mauser?
 
gorcorps

gorcorps

aka Brandon
Jul 18, 2004
30,741
456
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I think you're on the right track with a 308. From what I've seen you can get ammo much cheaper than a 30-06 and other bolt rounds.
 
GuitarDaddy

GuitarDaddy

Lifer
Nov 9, 2004
11,465
1
0
If all you want it for is target shooting at the range a 308 will get expensive fast and the recoil will limit how much you will want to shoot at one sitting. Same with 30-06 or other big game cartridges.

I saw a bolt action Savage .223 with 24" barrel at Walmart the other day for around $300, that would make a perfect target shooter up to 200yds IMO. Ammo would be cheap enough and the recoil is fairly light, but still way more pop than a 22LR and shoots real flat.
 
Bulk Beef

Bulk Beef

Diamond Member
Aug 14, 2001
5,466
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76
I saw a bolt action Savage .223 with 24" barrel at Walmart the other day for around $300, that would make a perfect target shooter up to 200yds IMO.
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What he said. You don't need a 308. 223 will be way cheaper to shoot.
 
Texashiker

Texashiker

Lifer
Dec 18, 2010
18,811
198
106
Bulk Beef said:
What he said. You don't need a 308. 223 will be way cheaper to shoot.
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Depending on where the OP lives, and what he plans on doing with the rifle, some states prohibit the use of anything smaller then a 243 for deer hunting.

Before buying a 223, I suggest the OP check the laws of his state, contact a game warden, see if there are any restrictions, and go from there. If his state has restrictions, he may not be able to use a 223 for deer.

As for the 30-06, studies show the '06 is the largest caliber most people can shoot effectively. I suggest first time shooters stay away from '06 sized calibers, unless there is a need for them, such as the OP living in bear country.
 
Texashiker

Texashiker

Lifer
Dec 18, 2010
18,811
198
106
Bulk Beef said:
The dude said he's not hunting.
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What about next year, or the year after that?

OP can not change his mind 6 months down the road?

223 is a great caliber. But why buy a rifle, then find out 6 months later you can not use the rifle for hunting?

Why not at least look at and consider something like a 243 or 7mm-08, or 308?
 
Bulk Beef

Bulk Beef

Diamond Member
Aug 14, 2001
5,466
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76
I have nothing against the 308, and 308s in my safe outnumber 223s by probably 3 to 1, but for the OP's stated purpose, a 223 will be way easier on his wallet, and a little easier on his shoulder.
 
GuitarDaddy

GuitarDaddy

Lifer
Nov 9, 2004
11,465
1
0
Vic Vega said:
And .22 Mag is even cheaper. :cool:
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I have a Henry lever action in .22 Mag. I love that little gun, not quite as cheap to shoot as 22LR, but its a fantastic varmit gun. It has pretty amazing punch out to 150yds on small criters, and can even take a coyote with a precise hit.
 
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Vic Vega

Diamond Member
Sep 24, 2010
4,535
4
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.22 Mag is a great round, no doubt! I have a Browning T-Bolt in .22 Mag and it's a great platform. It's one of my favorite rounds to shoot, about on par with 9MM for cost.
 
GuitarDaddy

GuitarDaddy

Lifer
Nov 9, 2004
11,465
1
0
Jeffg010 said:
For a beginner I would get a 30-30 Winchester. I had one to start out and it is a good all around gun. You can get them cheep for like $200. I had a lot of fun with my 30-30. Mine was a Marlin lever action. Here is a good post about the type of gun I had.

http://survivalpreparednessblog.com/30-30-winchester-best-survival-gun
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I always wanted a 30-30 lever gun for nostalgia purposes but always went for more modern caliber bolt action deer rifles. But the bug finally got to me this last year and I got a Marlin 336 and have been shooting it alot lately and I must say I've been shocked and amazed at the accuracy and power of this gun especially with the new Hornady Leverevolution ammo.

With just a little practice I was shooting 1 1/2 in. groups at a hundred yards with a Nikon prostaff 2-7x32 scope. And if the ballistics tables are to be believed if you sight it in at 175yds it's got a PB range of 235yds and still carries 1000lbs of energy out to 300yds with only a 3.5in drop, which is pretty incredible and redefines whats possible with a near 150 year old cartridge. This new Hornaday ammo is a bit pricey but if you watch for it on sale you can get it for around $17 per box of 20.
 
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JeffreyLebowski

Lifer
Aug 23, 2000
15,509
1
81
Jeffg010 said:
For a beginner I would get a 30-30 Winchester. I had one to start out and it is a good all around gun. You can get them cheep for like $200. I had a lot of fun with my 30-30. Mine was a Marlin lever action. Here is a good post about the type of gun I had.

http://survivalpreparednessblog.com/30-30-winchester-best-survival-gun
Click to expand...

Find me some $200 lever guns in 30-30 and I'll buy every one of them. The cheapest I've seen is a 35 year old beat to heck shot out Marlin for $250.


Bulk Beef said:
I have nothing against the 308, and 308s in my safe outnumber 223s by probably 3 to 1, but for the OP's stated purpose, a 223 will be way easier on his wallet, and a little easier on his shoulder.
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For just range work, .223 is more than enough. Lately I've been thinking of getting a 30-30 for hog hunting.
 
mrblotto

mrblotto

Golden Member
Jul 7, 2007
1,639
117
106
There's a dude on here called BreastInspector (how could anyone forget that name lol). He seems to know his stuff on firearms (no disrespect intended to peeps who have given info). Maybe give him a holler?

The more you know lol......

Just a thought :)
 
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