First Rifle Question

CompBoy

CompBoy

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I'm thinking of buying my first centerfire rifle. I figured I get as many opinions as possible before August hits and I SPEND SPEND SPEND :D.
Budgets tight (of course) The brands pretty easy either Stevens Model 200 Bolt Action Rifle or Savage 111FCXP3 Bolt Action Rifle with Scope.

What I am struggling with is the caliber at this point. I was initial thinking either of them in 30-06. I have family in North Bay and if my rear stops bein glued to a chair I might get to go hunting up north considering they live there full time. However I'll be doing most of my shooting during the year at a range in the GTA and as the rifle instructor was nice enough to point out "it's my shoulder". That and he mentioned the cost of 30-06 shells. I spent sometime looking at the cost it is around a $1.00 a shot for 30-06 with bulk purchases versus the .233 bulk purchase works out to $0.33. If I am wrong on my figures let me know. I know reloading would reduce the cost but it will take time to get the skills and equipment needed to reload.

Sooooooooo, What use is the .223 as a hunting round ? I know it wont take deer legally. What does it kill? I'm okay with missing hunting seasons, cuz lord knows I need to get some skills shooting first before hunting. However, I am CHEAP I mean when I need plastic spoons rather then buy a package I got them off Tim Hortons for free CHEAP. So selling a rifle at a loss a few years down the road does not sound good either. I'm also not one to have something I don't use at least once a year. I want to make sure that the .233 would have a purpose after I am done learning to shoot. Any suggestion as to other calibers that are cheap to shoot and would still work for deer hunting.
 
I'd buy a 22 rimfire for cheap shooting, targets, tin cans, gophers, rabbits, squirrels and the 30-06 for hunting. The 223 is good for much longer distance target shooting than the 22 rimfire, but for hunting its pretty much limited to varmints and small game like coyotes, gophers, woodchucks, beaver, etc. If you are not going to hunt for medium sized game like deer or larger, I wouldn't bother with the 30 cal rifle. Too expensive to shoot at paper. I think you need to define your goals and purpose a little more to help with the decision.
 
You're on the right track... 30-06 is about as versatile as it gets.

Rembo makes a great point though... 308 ammo is often less expensive, and the 308 really doesn't give up much to the 30-06 in real world hunting scenarios for the most part.
 
What are the caliber choices in the Stevens 200 and Savage package guns? The ones they sold around here were somewhat restrictive in caliber, they had 7mm Mag, 300WM, 270, 243 and 223. None of which except the 223 are available at a particularly reasonable price for this budget minded shooter. Is there a 308 available? Not that 308 surplus ammo is turning out to be that readily available either. If you want cheap, its 22 rimfire and 223 IMO. But does the guy want to hunt? He doesn't sound that enthusiastic about it.
 
Grizzlypeg said:
What are the caliber choices in the Stevens 200 and Savage package guns? The ones they sold around here were somewhat restrictive in caliber, they had 7mm Mag, 300WM, 270, 243 and 223. None of which except the 223 are available at a particularly reasonable price for this budget minded shooter. Is there a 308 available? Not that 308 surplus ammo is turning out to be that readily available either. If you want cheap, its 22 rimfire and 223 IMO. But does the guy want to hunt? He doesn't sound that enthusiastic about it.
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I'm most likely going to buy from the SIR Catalog since I know them best and I like their service, at least I like the service I have gotten in store, don't know about their online stuff, have not ordered that way before.
I have to be careful in regards to what I buy North Bay is a four hour trip which could be a problem to arrange between getting day care for the three kids the wife is working. Not to mention I need a new hunter safety since my Manitoba one doesn't count here (stupid regulation IMHO.) So there is no reason to have a 30-06 that sits in the closet because it's too expensive to shoot targets with. I should have mentioned the .22LR is already on the list, sorry That's first one since Small game seasons are far less restricted and therefore easier to access.

Your right about the lack of an alternative in the two models I mentioned. I my have to get a few extra shifts to pay for a different gun, crap.
 
CompBoy If you buy a cheap rifle you may be able to use it for a few years and then upgrade, but I say, why cheap out? Better to buy a good quality rifle right away. Spend some cash, you're going to have the thing a long time IF IT'S ANY GOOD.

For instance, Rembo has a 1981 vintage .30-06 Remington M-700 for sale on the E.E. for a mere $550. That is an excellent rifle and there are lots of others on there that are bargains if you look. Way better then a Stevens 200 IMHO.
 
That seems to be the conclusion I am coming to I think the .308's more feasable if I can get the cheaper ammo. Just have to locate a source bit closer to home. Or check if I can get the bulk stuff from Cabela's or not most likely not
 
Sweet, How good is the exchange board around here the last thing I need is to spend money and not get anything for it. :(
That would end the whole shooting thing real quick. The wife would most likely hit the roof and rightly so moneys hard enough to come by in the GTA. 2 more years and I can move, can't wait.
 
I found some cheaper .308 ammo in bulk anyone know if Cabela's will ship ammo to Canada. Most likely no. Well if they have it someone else must. It is like $0.43 a shot so half price from 30-06. It requires a more expensive gun but when I crunch the numbers the if I can get the .308 ammo it pays for the difference in gun in about 3 and 4 months with shooting 20 rounds once a week at the range and shooting the .22 lr the rest of the time. Not to mention if I need the Rifle for hunting I have it until we move north of this god forsaken hell hole. Who votes to nuke the GTA?
 
.22 for plinking at a range and for serious hunting get something in the .30 family such as a .30-30, .303 or .308 any of those calibers are good solid game rounds and you can take anything with a well placed shot.

Good luck with your choice which ever it might be.

C.K
 
Most likely I'm going get creamed for this but what about the Norinco Chinese SKS with the Bayonet removed? 7.62 X 39 comes really really cheap. Recoil is reduced and it supposedly can handle a deer in tight bush country(-100 yds). At the price they want I might be willing to keep that in my closet as a nice toy after I move and can go hunting every year and want something with a bit more kick. I think that's pretty close to a .30-30 for range and all that jazz.
 
CompBoy said:
Most likely I'm going get creamed for this but what about the Norinco Chinese SKS with the Bayonet removed? 7.62 X 39 comes really really cheap. Recoil is reduced and it supposedly can handle a deer in tight bush country(-100 yds). At the price they want I might be willing to keep that in my closet as a nice toy after I move and can go hunting every year and want something with a bit more kick. I think that's pretty close to a .30-30 for range and all that jazz.
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Well certainly the recoil from a .30-06 is brutal. Few men can tolerate it really...
 
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