Deer rifle for first year hunting

[Billy74]

Picking my first deer rifle and have it down to 30.06 and want a budget rifle and am leaning toward a savage axis II and will probably go with a 1-200$ scope.  Not sure if the current packages come with a decent scope.  Just wondering about options and thoughts from those in the know.  Was wanting to get out the door in the 400-600$ range


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[superdown]

I would suggest a Leupold VX1 3-9x40 for just under $200 i have five Leupold scopes and love them all. IMHO there is not a new scope under the $150 dollar mark worth putting on a big game hunting rifle.You will probably get suggestions for Vortex because they have a great warranty but i have also heard that it's a very good thing they have that good of a warranty because you'll need it. Leupold has a comparable warranty.   

[freezerfull]

If you were wanting a package deal, I would check out the savage 110 thxp with the nikon 3-9x40. Probably the most hunt ready "combo" package out there for $500 ish IMO. Another option would be to put a WTB add in the classifieds for a ruger american 06 and see if one of the members who got a deal at walmart wants to sell theres.   

[JDHasty]

I would suggest a Leupold VX1 3-9x40 for just under $200 i have five Leupold scopes and love them all. IMHO there is not a new scope under the $150 dollar mark worth putting on a big game hunting rifle.You will probably get suggestions for Vortex because they have a great warranty but i have also heard that it's a very good thing they have that good of a warranty because you'll need it. Leupold has a comparable warranty.   

Yes there is the Leupold VX1 has a $50 rebate right now.  Buy it right and you are in for $149

[Billy74]

If you were wanting a package deal, I would check out the savage 110 thxp with the nikon 3-9x40. Probably the most hunt ready "combo" package out there for $500 ish IMO. Another option would be to put a WTB add in the classifieds for a ruger american 06 and see if one of the members who got a deal at walmart wants to sell theres.   

I was wondering about that but didn't know if that scope was good and weighed the axis+new scope vs the 10 with package scope. 


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[superdown]

I would suggest a Leupold VX1 3-9x40 for just under $200 i have five Leupold scopes and love them all. IMHO there is not a new scope under the $150 dollar mark worth putting on a big game hunting rifle.You will probably get suggestions for Vortex because they have a great warranty but i have also heard that it's a very good thing they have that good of a warranty because you'll need it. Leupold has a comparable warranty.   

Yes there is the Leupold VX1 has a $50 rebate right now.  Buy it right and you are in for $149

Nice good looking 

[Bob33]

The scope that comes with the Axis may be good enough. I believe it is a Weaver. I would prefer a Leupold or Nikon but if the scope that comes with the gun holds its zero, you should be fine for deer at reasonable distances.

[baker5150]

I love my axis 30-06.  Under an inch right out of the box.
I don't hunt with it, but I've been having fun seeing what it can do at the range.

[opdinkslayer]

 Saw your other post about being a newbie to the disease of hunting and getting started next year. So welcome and here's my  worth of advice.

 As far as picking a rifle & scope, I would be patient and do lots of research. Go to shops and actually put your hands on lots of them to see what the differences are for fit and feel. Some of the bottom budget rifles may feel like junk compared to the next step up. It may be in your best interest to wait and save a couple hundred more for what you really want. Personally I would think pretty hard about saving for a tikka and you will probably have your starter rifle forever. Or a remington so you can have Travis @ RBros turn it into a custom later. I think your on it for a good all round cartridge in the 30-06 to do anything starting out. Don't be afraid to scan the classifieds here for a great deal on a ready to go rifle as well.

 There are plenty of scopes and brands that fit into the 2-300 dollar range so again do some research and put your eyes and hands on them to see what your eye likes best. 3x9 should be fine for what your wanting to do over there. Again watch the classifieds here for a potential great deal on barely used.

 Once you get it plan on shooting alot. Does no good if the gun shoots well but you cant. Other than that get yourself an inexpensive trail camera (camofire.com has many cheap) and spend lots of time exploring the woods and observing animals. Put the time and research in on your gear and animals and by next year you will be screwed like the rest of us with the hunting/shooting addiction. Good luck and most here are willing to help.

[Stein]

If you are on a budget (sounds like you are), I would look hard at buying a Savage Axis and then putting the most expensive Vortex you can afford on it.  That is what my daughter has now (in the .243) and it shoots about .5-0.7" groups out of the box with the only modification made was to clip a couple wraps off the trigger spring to lighten it up (Youtube it, 5 minute fix).

For $200, you can get very decent glass from Vortex with a lifetime warranty.  The same may be true with others, I just don't have any experience there.

For $500-600, you can shoot sub MOA and have a rifle that is incredibly versatile.  I shoot the -06 for deer, antelope and elk.

[huntnphool]

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,196329.msg2603493.html#msg2603493

[thinkingman]

If you were wanting a package deal, I would check out the savage 110 thxp with the nikon 3-9x40. Probably the most hunt ready "combo" package out there for $500 ish IMO. Another option would be to put a WTB add in the classifieds for a ruger american 06 and see if one of the members who got a deal at walmart wants to sell theres.   

Theirs

I would and do trust Nikon over Leupold and Vortex.

[superdown]

If you were wanting a package deal, I would check out the savage 110 thxp with the nikon 3-9x40. Probably the most hunt ready "combo" package out there for $500 ish IMO. Another option would be to put a WTB add in the classifieds for a ruger american 06 and see if one of the members who got a deal at walmart wants to sell theres.   

Theirs

I would and do trust Nikon over Leupold and Vortex.

I find find it very interesting how much our experiences can vary the last three Nikon scopes that i have purchased were all returned and replaced with Leupold because i just could't get the same clarity or eye relief for a comparable price. Yes it took me three times to learn based on the advice of others lol   

[freezerfull]

If you were wanting a package deal, I would check out the savage 110 thxp with the nikon 3-9x40. Probably the most hunt ready "combo" package out there for $500 ish IMO. Another option would be to put a WTB add in the classifieds for a ruger american 06 and see if one of the members who got a deal at walmart wants to sell theres.   

Theirs

I would and do trust Nikon over Leupold and Vortex.

I find find it very interesting how much our experiences can vary the last three Nikon scopes that i have purchased were all returned and replaced with Leupold because i just could't get the same clarity or eye relief for a comparable price. Yes it took me three times to learn based on the advice of others lol

I have owned leupold, zeiss, vortex, Nikon, bushnell, redfield(leupold versions), and burris. Leupold zeiss and vortex is all I currently have. The nikon/savage deal does have the best scope in a combo. I'm not a nikon fan, but I have three friends who have had these package for a few years and the scope hold zero and track suprisingly well. And the savage 110 is 100% upgradable unlike the axis.

[biggfish]

I love my Remington rifles there are good sales that pop up through out the year just don't plan on keeping the scope if you buy a combo. They are cheap junk mine broke first range session now the cross hair is free floating.

[kball4]

Bought my first rifle a Savage 110 7mm rem mag about 10 years ago from Big 5 and it's still my go to hunting rifle. Only thing I've done to it is a muzzle brake and scope.

[opdinkslayer]

Not too sure how ready you are to purchase a rifle but there are 2 or 3 budget 30-06s in the classifieds right now with the tikka/Nikon combo for 450 bucks being one I would seriously consider being a proven shooter ready to go. Good luck

[dmv9]

American Ruger 30.06 ~$350
Vortex Crossfire 2 4-12x44 Riflescope Deadhold BDC MOA $159 Amazon

My $.02

[police women of America]

I bought my Savage Arms 11/111 Trophy Hunter XP at Cabelas and I got an amazing deal. I bought it for $500 and it came with a really good Nikon scope and it's a very dependable rifle. I looked up yours at Cabelas, here's the link:
http://www.cabelas.com/product/savage-174-arms-axis-ii-xp-hardwood-bolt-action-rifle-with-weaver-kaspa-trade-3-9x40-scope-package/2287599.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2F%3FN%3D1114860%2B1000004563%26Ne%3D1000004563%26No%3D18%26Ns%3DCATEGORY_SEQ_105523380%26WTz_st%3D%26WTz_stype%3DSP%26recordsPerPage%3D18