Hunting Washington Forum

Equipment & Gear => Guns and Ammo => Topic started by: Al Bundy on January 03, 2009, 07:49:08 PM

Title: I need a good starter rifle
Post by: Al Bundy on January 03, 2009, 07:49:08 PM: I'm looking to start hunting this year and was wondering about some inexpensive but quality bolt action rifles to start out with. I don't want to drop a bunch of money on a top of the line model yet, but I don't want a junk one either.

Having looked around I have a few in mind. The Marlin XL7, Savage Stevens Model 200 or the Mossberg ATR. Most likely I'll get a .270 at first, possibly a .30-06 since you can hunt damn near anything with it.

Has anyone here used any of these? How's their accuracy? Can they take some abuse? Recoil? Should I be looking for something else?
Title: Re: I need a good starter rifle
Post by: bobcat on January 03, 2009, 07:52:39 PM: The one article I recall reading about the Marlin XL7 had only good things to say, but other than that I don't know anything about it. I would get the Stevens (Savage.) It has a very good reputation for a lower priced rifle. Another one to look at would be the Weatherby Vanguard. They are usually available at Wal Mart for a very good price. I have one in 30-06 and am happy with it.
Title: Re: I need a good starter rifle
Post by: jackelope on January 03, 2009, 07:52:55 PM: savage or stevens you won't go wrong...same thing pretty much except that the stevens won't have the accutrigger.
others to consider are weatherby vanguards or the howas for around $400 to start.
Title: Re: I need a good starter rifle
Post by: Slenk on January 03, 2009, 07:55:03 PM: I like the Stevens, under $300 at wal-mart.Same thing as the Savage without the accu-trigger.
.270 will do fine but you may find the 30-06 has more bullet selection if you reload.
Slenk
Title: Re: I need a good starter rifle
Post by: dbllunger on January 03, 2009, 09:05:39 PM: Savage/Stevens in either .308 or 06. Much wider bullet choice in both factory and component bullets. Ammo available at every mom and pop store on this continent.
Title: Re: I need a good starter rifle
Post by: GEARHEAD on January 03, 2009, 09:15:21 PM: Another vote for the Stevens. not familiar with it, but only heard good things. that gun would run ya 300, add maybe 1 or 200 for a cheap scope such as a bushnell trophy or banner,or leupold rifleman, add tax and you see how fast you can get to maybe $550 for even a cheap "New Gun" imagine what ya can get for a fine used gun at 500 (no tax). i would hold out. keep an eye out for a good deal, maybe a remington with a leupold scope for same price almost new, hardly used, there are a ton of super nice new guns on the market as it seems many hunters have a severe case of A.D.D. and get bored fast wanting a new toy. That 30-06 would be a perfect caliber for you as it will take anything in this state with no problem. it can even shoot the hornady light mag rounds that will put you in 300 mag territory. i'd start with a 165 bullet.
Title: Re: I need a good starter rifle
Post by: Head-shot on January 03, 2009, 10:43:44 PM: Quote from: dbllunger on January 03, 2009, 09:05:39 PM
Savage/Stevens in either .308 or 06. Much wider bullet choice in both factory and component bullets. Ammo available at every mom and pop store on this continent.
Your right on the money lunger! Both rounds are pretty close performance wise with the '06 having a little more recoil. Either of these rounds will take anything you will probably hunt for in this state. I hunt with a .308 and have no doubts.
Title: Re: I need a good starter rifle
Post by: coop2424 on January 03, 2009, 11:22:12 PM: Take a look at this. May be something that you would be interested in seems like a pretty good deal.

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,13347.15.html
Title: Re: I need a good starter rifle
Post by: Intruder on January 06, 2009, 08:39:02 AM: Quote from: jackelope on January 03, 2009, 07:52:55 PM
savage or stevens you won't go wrong...same thing pretty much except that the stevens won't have the accutrigger.
others to consider are weatherby vanguards or the howas for around $400 to start.

+1.... get a 30/06 and you'll be set to hunt in anything in N. America.
Title: Re: I need a good starter rifle
Post by: Charlie on January 06, 2009, 08:44:03 AM: I would second the 06 if you want one gun to use for a variety of hunting needs.
Title: Re: I need a good starter rifle
Post by: addicted on January 06, 2009, 11:09:09 AM: :yeah: :iamwithstupid: :yeah:

well AL the thread appears to be leaning towards the stevens and im not going to break the cycle. i was looking for a good starter rifle for my wife for a birthday present last year and i looked all over the place and couldnt find a better deal than the stevens model 200. we put a nikon 3-9x40 on it and it became a sweet little set up. i got hers in a cool caliber though. 7mm 08. it would probably be best if you stuck with the normal rounds like 270. 30.06 or 308. dunno how much you know so far but the 270 and the .06 are the same casing just different bullet diameter.

order it from walmart. it will be there in a few days. when i get back to the states ill get one or two to build customized rifles out of.
Title: Re: I need a good starter rifle
Post by: Jason on January 06, 2009, 05:55:10 PM: Al Bundy I sent you a PM.
Title: Re: I need a good starter rifle
Post by: snagglepants on January 08, 2009, 03:44:30 PM: Go with a Weatherby Vanguard...I LOVE Mine
Title: Re: I need a good starter rifle
Post by: addicted on January 09, 2009, 02:16:15 PM: Quote from: snagglepants on January 08, 2009, 03:44:30 PM
Go with a Weatherby Vanguard...I LOVE Mine

ooo thats another good one. 500 bucks i think they were when i was at home last.
Title: Re: I need a good starter rifle
Post by: snagglepants on January 09, 2009, 02:54:29 PM: last time I looked, they were going for 399
Title: Re: I need a good starter rifle
Post by: 270Shooter on January 09, 2009, 03:07:41 PM: Get an XL7. They haven't said a bad word about them in the mags. Really accurate and reliable. And they are cheap. I like the way they look to :twocents:. Can't go wrong with the 30-06 or .270.
Title: Re: I need a good starter rifle
Post by: mossback91 on January 09, 2009, 03:08:51 PM: yeah that xl7 looks pretty nice to me.....It looks alot like a rem mod 700 really
Title: Re: I need a good starter rifle
Post by: addicted on January 10, 2009, 07:34:42 AM: Quote from: snagglepants on January 09, 2009, 02:54:29 PM
last time I looked, they were going for 399

dang...... i could probably get one for around a grand out here. tikka's are around 1300. can't get any savages. remingtons anywhere from 100 to 300 more than in the states.
Title: Re: I need a good starter rifle
Post by: bobcat on January 10, 2009, 03:16:51 PM: Can you get a good deal on a Steyr there in Germany? If so, you ought to buy one. Great rifles.
Title: Re: I need a good starter rifle
Post by: addicted on January 10, 2009, 10:36:21 PM: the exchange rate is what determines the deals usually. right now its teetering on shi*&y. what i'm hoping to get is a drilling. its a side by side shotgun with a rifle barrel splitting the bottom of them. hoping for 16 guages over a 7x57. :drool:
Title: Re: I need a good starter rifle
Post by: bobcat on January 10, 2009, 10:58:14 PM: I just thought the Steyr rifles might be cheaper in Germany since they're built right next door in Austria.