.243 First Range Gun

KTMan77

KTMan77

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Looking at getting my first range gun of my own for longer range shooting 150-200m, I was thinking a package with riffle/scope in .243 as to make things simpler and cheaper. I stopped by Cabelas today to have a look at what they had for sale and came away with sticker shock and I'm very unsure now. I looked at these 5 guns
-Savage Axis XP 530$
-Savage Axis XP II 630$
-Mossberg Patriot 580$
-Ruger American 870$
-Winchester XPR 900$
Never look at the Remington 783 because it wasn't brought up when I was talking to the sales rep. Now I understand that the 900$ gun is going to feel great, bolt was very smooth, it has a shorter bolt rotation out of lock. I'm just wondering what peoples experiences are with cheaper riffles so i can get into shooting without spending 1K$. Very lost here, happy to answer any questions. Thanks
 
It's better to own any rifle than it is to not own any because you can't afford an expensive one.

Get the one you like most. Shoot it lots and often.
 
The 783 is a pretty good gun minus the #### scope they come with. If all you want is a range toy, buy one in .223 so you can shoot cheap. 200 meters isn't an issue for the .223. If you changed the scope for a $150 Bushnell Banner you would be doing a world of good for that rifle. The scope it comes with you can buy on ebay for $20. Anything is better than what it comes with.
 
The 783 and the axis would be the two i would look at. The both use barrel nuts, are fairly modular and have a bit of aftermarket parts to swap in or out, but you could buy a 783, shoot it, if it groups decent keep as is or try a different trigger, stock, barrel etc...
 
I love my 783 in .223 , Have to disagree with above poster on the scope they come with . Mine held zero and shot awesome out to 300 meters and had good clarity , which is as far as I could push it at my range.
My only complaint is its heavy for a .223.
 
I’ve got 2 Ruger Americans in 7/08. Love them both. I know u r looking for .243, not the 7/08, but I have had no issues with the Americans at all. Don’t see why a .243 would be that much different than the 7/08.
 
drill702 said:
I love my 783 in .223 , Have to disagree with above poster on the scope they come with . Mine held zero and shot awesome out to 300 meters and had good clarity , which is as far as I could push it at my range.
My only complaint is its heavy for a .223.
Click to expand...

Personally I like the 798 rifles far better than the 783. They were a great Mauser 98 action with controlled feed, positive eject in a high quality rifle. I have bought a number of Zastava in LH, which is who made the 798, and they are a great gun for the money. The 783 to me is not in the same category or quality.

Drill02 - Your PM box is full and will not allow further PMs. Please empty it as I am trying to PM you on some dies you have for sale. Thanks.
 
The combo packages are fine for a first gun where the owner is not a handloader and finds an acceptable factory round.
The scope is set and left.
Once a lot of adjustment is required by a handloader who is shooting a lot more they tend not to stand up.
I have no problem recommending a combo to a new shooter. Some of the companies do use a better quality but not often.
Knowing the limitations in respect to the optics some work fine on a rimfire IMO.
 
Look for a used Savage model 10/11/16 on the Equipment Exchange. I've handled the Axis, American, 783, and XPR. The only one I'd buy is the XPR but it costs a lot more than a good used Savage. I bought a used Savage 10TR in 308 for $500. Add $100 to $200 for a takeoff barrel in the caliber you want. Or you can save up for an aftermarket barrel in the $400 to $500 price range. They are very easy to change on a Savage; if you live close to me I'd do a barrel swap for free. It literally takes me 15 minutes.

I also bought a demo model of a discontinued Savage Lady Hunter for $450 and swapped on a used 243 barrel that I bought off the EE. I had a Bushnell Elite 3500 3-9x40 scope that was $225 on sale. Add some Weaver bases and rings and I'm into it for only $850. My wife hasn't shot it yet but she likes the feel of it. And a light, creep-free trigger makes it a lot easier for a beginner to shoot accurately.
 
I have a 783 in .223 as well as a cz American heavy barrel. I hand load and by looking at the groups, you cannot tell which gun is which.
 
I have both a savage axis (270win), and 783 in 7mm rem mag. I like the savage more, but I have not shot the 783 nearly as much. I also have a mossberg atr100 in 243, it's pretty similar to the patriot except it has a blind mag. I don't know if I like the mossberg or 783 more, the blind mag on the mossberg is pretty trash-tacular, but the trigger is nice and it shoots good.

The axis needs a trigger job from the factory, but that's cheap and easy to do. The prices of all the rifles you list are a bit crazy though, my Axis XP was $235 taxes in after rebate (4 years ago at WSS mind you), the 783 was $230+tax last year on a yearly big sale from a local LGS, and the mossberg was also $230+tax, bought a few years ago from the same yearly sale that the 783 came from a few years later. (the 783 and mossberg were bare rifles, the axis was a package w/scope etc)

With the prices of these guns new, I would buy something used or wait for a big sale. $500+ is more than any of these guns are worth IMO, but at half that price they're great!

OP, go to a real gun store where you can feel the triggers. That makes a huge difference in choosing what you like most.
 
I was in your shoes about 15 years ago. Didn’t know that much and needed to make the most of my limited dollars. I went to a local gun store in Kamloops and bought a used mossberg 1550 with a Tasco scope for $550. My purpose was more hunting than range shooting so I got a 30-06. There are lots of used packages a guy can pick up around the 5-600 dollar mark to start out. Howa 1500 and Weatherby Vanguards are good too.
 
If yOur not made of money go with 223 rem and have fun for years to come. Amazing barrel life too will help your small income if that’s where your at. 223 can be stretched much further than 200 yards accurately
 
You would be far further ahead buying a quality use rifle for those same prices... first, you will have a quality rifle... second, your rifle will retain it's full value (assuming you buy smart).

Absolutely take a HARD pass on the Mossberg (IMO), I would also take a soft pass on the AXIS rifles... I have not owned any 783's but a few respected shooters value them. Personally, I think you would be wise to wait a bit and watch for a used SEVEN rifle (M7, M700, M70, M77)… you can't go wrong with any of them, and held side by side with the rifles that you listed, the HUGE gap in quality will be readily apparent.
 
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