Need advice on buying a rifle.

redshooter said:
This one in .223. The finnish is a little better than the Stevens and I think it has a detachable mag.

A few others have mentioned the Axis. I'd guess it's just as good for your purposes as the Stevens or the 11, I've just never held one so I can't comment one way or the other.

If you can get the Savage for $329 I'd grab it. If it's used in good shape it's a good price, even better if that's new. I still believe .223 is your best option. You should also keep an eye out for an entry level reloading package. If your going to do any serious shooting you MUST reload. I picked up a Lee Challenger kit on sale for something like $55 US a few years back (I think it's $118 US now at Cabelas). I just wanted the press but found most of the stuff that came with it was useful (hillbilly progressive :D). It's junk but it will get you started. You would need a better scale though and a hand priming tool would be a good idea as well.
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I was looking at .223 at walmart and they sell Winchester White box 55 grain fmj .223, 20 for about $9.89 is this a good deal? As for reloading I was looking at a Classic Lee Loader Kit for $34.99 or a Lee 50th anniversary kit for $129.95. The other one I looked at was a Lee Classic Turret Press for $135.95 but it doesn't come with anything else but the press. I found these all on wholesale sports website, are they any good?
 
Steve.30-06 said:
I was looking at .223 at walmart and they sell Winchester White box 55 grain fmj .223, 20 for about $9.89 is this a good deal? As for reloading I was looking at a Classic Lee Loader Kit for $34.99 or a Lee 50th anniversary kit for $129.95. The other one I looked at was a Lee Classic Turret Press for $135.95 but it doesn't come with anything else but the press. I found these all on wholesale sports website, are they any good?
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I personally think Lee stuff is cheap to buy for a reason, it's not the greatest. That said I own 10 of their dies, a Challenger press (from a kit), and a hand priming tool. They may border on junk but they work. If your on a tight budget it's a good place to start. The Classic loader is how I started. It will work but the kit will serve you better. There is also a hand press made by Lee and there was one by Lyman, but I'm not sure if you can still get it. Bottom line spend as much as you can. If you start with the kit you can improve it as money allows. Just get the best scale you can afford, the one in the kit isn't something I'd put much faith in. I'd also get RCBS dies insted of Lee dies. I think they are worth the extra money, but the Lee dies will work. You could also put together your own "kit". If I had to replace my stuff today I would need a manual (lyman's 49th ed. is good if you just have one), press, dies, priming tool (press should come with one but a hand tool is nicer to use), scale, Vernier caliper, chamfering tool, powder funnel, and some kind of case trimming tool to get back at it. If you started with the hand press you could get all that stuff for under $275 before tax. Just be warned that the hand press can be a fair bit of work to use. Also handloading is something to be respected. If you screw up you could really mess yourself up.

You can find the win .223 for $1-2 less but 20 rounds for under $10 isn't too bad.
 
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I have the 50th aniversary kit. It works perfectly fine with the collet dies and factory crimp.

The flash and debur tool is cheap and cant be mounted on a drill, so I'll get one from another brand. (but it's 3$, not 20...)

I got a nice and cheap digital scale on ebay to replace the lee scale.

Press is fine, powder measure is fine, dies are fine, case trimmer is fine (I use it mounted on a press drill).

It's not expensive and it works fine. Really, no issues. Reloaded 600 rounds so far.
 
Steve.30-06 said:
Here's a list of guns that fall well within my price range.
-J.C. Higgins Model 50 in .30-06 for $299.99 at Granlund guns
-Midland Sporter in .308 for $399.99 at Granlund guns
-Norinco JW-105 in .223 or JW-103 in 7.62x39mm for $279.00 on Marstar.ca
-Stevens 200 .223 or .308 for $349.95 at Wholesale Sports
-Savage Axis XP Synthetic Package in .223 or .308 for $329.95 at Wholesale Sports
-Savage 111FCXP3 Package in .223 or .308 for $329.66 at Wholesale Sports
Any of these gun any good?

The Savage model 111FCXP3 on wholesale's site doesn't offer it in .223
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Weatherby Vanguard sythetic in .308; $349.66 @WSS, possibly fits your budget? Maybe it's not as easy or inexpensive to upgrade/build as the Savage - I don't know. People with more knowledge might be able to comment on that.
 
The factory stock on the Vanguard synthetic is actually pretty good as far as injection moulded stuff goes. It's a very stiff stock, but if you don't like it, boyds has a few options
 
This is a little of topic, but I have this old Lee Enfield No 4 Mk 2, that was given to me by my Grandfather, some one sporterized it before he got it. I took these photos with my cell phone, so sorry for the crappy quality.
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I changed the stock to an No 5 Buttstock and put a smaller front stock on it to see what it would look like I still have the other stock.
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Here my rifle beside my brothers No 1 Mrk 3 rifle
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I was thinking of converting it to either .303 Epps Improved or .308 Win, has anyone here made one of these into a precision rifle?
 
I talked to a Smith about this. He was less than enthusiastic. He made it sound like it was some kind of nightmare. My hunting rifle is a P-14 in .303 Br. I've considered improving it. It appears that I can get 30-06 performance out of it. The Enfield isn't quite as strong so not quite the same gain. In the end I think I'm going to leave it as is, same thing I think you should do. One day I'll run into a sporterized SMLE with good iron sights in good shape with a little extra cash in my pocket. On that day I'll be adding one to my collection.
 
hometownhero said:
Thats not bad, that said I reload hunting ammo for $7 a box of 20 fmj would be alot cheaper to load up (about $5.80 for 20)
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I think all I am going to be reloading is fmj for the .223 or which ever caliber gun I get. That said I am currently looking for a .22LR cal bolt gun either new or used which ever is the best for price.
 
Your rifle will tell you what it likes.

I've never had 55 gr FMJ group well in any of my .223's. I buy plain 55 gr FMJ Win or Rem and use it for zeroing, fouling, and friends/family to use (reduce your liability and guilt if you screw up). Now you have some brass to replace the stuff your using as it wares out. If your getting a 1 in 9 twist barrel I suggest you start with 60 gr V-Max, 60 gr HP Varminter, or 69 gr Sierra Match King as your first projectile. I'd lean towards the 60 gr flat base varmint bullets as I've had both shoot well out of all my .223's. I've had no luck with Nosler CC 69 gr and none with Hornady 68 gr Match latley. According to Brian Litz the 68 gr Hornady's are a marginal except in the best conditions in a 1 in 9 while their 75 gr Match are somewhat better. According to his experiments the 69 gr SMK should perform best in all conditions of the heavier match bullets in a 1 in 9 tube. Lapua 69 gr Scenar's are a close second. I'd also keep an eye out for Sierra 65 gr SBT Gamekings. I've never tried them but I have a feeling they will be THE do all bullet for a .223 with a 1 in 9 barrel.

Don't bother with 62 gr 5.56 ball. According to Mr. Litz Lake City 62 gr FMJBT will only stabilize under ideal conditions. My experiance with 62 gr ball ammo has been pretty dissapointing. Also military brass has crimped primers so you can't just reload them. You have to ream out the pockets first...well should anyway... :D I did try priming one once...not paying attention. No fireworks, but why risk it?

On that subject, once again it's not hard to make a mistake. The results are usually just a bit of confusion...Huh??? what was that, oh, primer popped. Not everyone gets off so easy. Be meticulous, one step at a time. Double check everything. Recheck your seating depth as you go etc. I never let anyone shoot my reloads, your choice of course but I have made mistakes. You do it once you could do it again.
 
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