Beginner Hunter

Unless you have plans to use the scope that comes on the Savage package for a 22, I would just get the rifle and not a scope packaged rifle... Sometimes these scopes do not look real clear at 9 power, or they fail to hold zero; or, the cross hairs shift... This happens with the inexpensive scopes and leads to other frustrating problems down the road. Look for sales on scopes and this could mean a used scope from a gun shop. They are interested in establishing a relationship with their customers so it`s a safer bet to go this way. You may want to check out the degree of bolt cycling as some are as high as 90* and some can be as little as 60*. This means that the bolt with the lesser degree of bolt throw (cycling) will NOT require a higher set of rings. You may want to look at the Ruger American which has a 70* bolt throw and is a bit more then a Savage Axis which i think is 90*. The Browning<s have a 60* bolt throw. Should a few and choose one which is suitable to your needs.
 
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MattE93 said:
I was thinking of buying the savage package, selling the scope as the scope, base, rings and rifle is $389 after discount and rebate. If I can sell the scope for $90 I could put a vortex or Bushnell on it and have a hunting set up for $500. Whats a good beginner caliber, focusing on deer for now, .243, .270, .308, .30-06 or 7mm rem mag? I want a caliber that is fairly easy for a newer shooter to hit targets accurately out to 500 yards or so is somewhat mild on recoil though this isn’t a huge problem and has a large selection of affordable bullets
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.270 or .30/06. Both excellent choices.Nothing wrong with a .308. If you're just starting out I'd stay away from a 7mm mag. If you're just hunting deer a .270 is a slightly better choice. Your plan is very good as many package deals compromise on the quality of scope. But you could use the scope for a year or two and decide its fine. Keep in mind you need a good set of binoculars, hunting clothes, etc.
 
I can buy a Remington 783 in walnut with a vortex crossfire II and 100 rounds of .270 ammo from a guy on here for $625. This package without ammo retails for $800 at Cabela’s. This looks like the best deal. Are the Remington 783 good rifles? The walnut stock model is a little better with steel sling mounts and metal mag
 
MattE93 said:
I can buy a Remington 783 in walnut with a vortex crossfire II and 100 rounds of .270 ammo from a guy on here for $625. This package without ammo retails for $800 at Cabela’s. This looks like the best deal. Are the Remington 783 good rifles? The walnut stock model is a little better with steel sling mounts and metal mag
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I know nothing about the 783 but i used to own a 788 and it was a .250 moa shooter. I'm a big fan of reloading so if you save some $$ on a rifle/scope towards a single stage press. Thats something to think about. Shooting 300-800 rounds a year with any given rifle will put more meat in the freezer than almost any big $$ rifle or scope.
 
I’ve got a single stage press ready to go. Just need to get some .270 dies and I’ll be good to go. Planning on taking any saving I get to buy some dies bullets and a bipod
 
MattE93 said:
I can buy a Remington 783 in walnut with a vortex crossfire II and 100 rounds of .270 ammo from a guy on here for $625. This package without ammo retails for $800 at Cabela’s. This looks like the best deal. Are the Remington 783 good rifles? The walnut stock model is a little better with steel sling mounts and metal mag
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I have owned 7 model 783's all were very accurate. Still have a 223, 6.5 Creedmor, and a 300 AAC. The other ones were 2 308, a 270 and a 223.

In my opinion they are the best value in the budget rifle lineup, better then the Savage Axis and the Ruger American.

I'm a huge Ruger fan, butno longer own any of the 5 centerfire Americans I used.

357
 
I recommend 308 Win to any new hunter. I bought a 300 WSM years ago and wish I bought a 308. A 308 is big enough to shoot any wild game in north america, but a little big for predators. I've seen wolves, bears, deer, elk, moose and bison all shot with a 308. It's a plenty accurate round to play at the range out to 500 yards as well. If you want to try out the hot new thing, buy a 6.5 Creedmoor.

For the rifle, go to a gun store and handle all the rifles. Take note of how the action feels. A good action should work smooth without jamming or hanging up when worked fast or slow. Most cheap rifles shoot pretty accurately, but you spend a lot more time handling the rifle than you do actually shooting it. You have to like how it feels. That's how I ended up with my Sako, but there are many nice firearms out there.
 
Decided to go with a Remington 783 in .270 with walnut stock packaged with a vortex crossfire II, got it for $625 with sling and then added a bipod, and 100 rounds of ammo. Had lots left over to get a nice reloading package as well.

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Every Remington 783 I have had anything to do with was accurate and functional.
You should get good service out of that 270.
May I suggest you try the 140 grain Nosler Accubond in that rifle once you start
loading for it. :) Dave.
 
Nice looking rifle, I like the 783 a fair amount. If they made a left hand version of it I would own one already, hope it works well for you while your out hunting. I’ve got a buddy that has been using a .270 the last couple years and it’s a good cartridge if you do your part, he dropped a bear and a nice 4-5 pt whitetail this season with it.
 
The reloading package I got should be good for a wide range of animals too. Bullet from 110 to 165 grain, some Barnes TTSX and matrix VLD
 
I had a redditor recommend a 12ga combination smooth bore/rifled swappable barrel as the ideal 'one stop shop' Winchester hunting rifle for Ontario used around $400. What do you guys think?
 
Sorry, but if I was looking for a tomato stake I'd be looking at a Savage Axis. With so many better options in the entry level class, I'd pass on anything Savage. Look at Weatherby Vanguard, Howa, Mossberg Patriot (the one with the genuine walnut stock...a nice piece of kit overall). Heck, even the Ruger American would be a better choice than a Savage. Yes, I have owned that worthless iteration of the Savage. JMHO
 
Congrats on your first rifle! I think that 783 in 270 Win will treat you really well. I read through this thread since my first rifle was a Savage Axis, also in 270 Win, and I wanted to share a few things I've learned along the way. It appears we've both gotten off to similar starts but I think you might have made a better call going with the Remington over the Savage. My Axis can produce some pretty ###y groups but the stock is incredibly flimsy and even if I shoot several great groups in a row, they don't all land in the same place. (The point of impact kinda shifts randomly about the point of aim.) I considered replacing the rifle but I ended up buying a reloading setup instead since I read somewhere that "800 rounds down the tube will make you a much better shooter than a new $800 rifle". That was good advice. I really enjoy experimenting with reloads now. I hope you start reloading since you'll end up practicing more and your personal accuracy expectations/standards will get tighter. For my 270 I'm using Lee dies; I would recommend buying the Lee collet die so you can neck-size your brass and I think that's improved the precision of my reloads. For powder, H4831SC is working well for me with 130 and 140 grain bullets. I've found that Sierra makes great bullets; the 130 grain GameKing is working well for me but the best bullet I've tried so far is the 140 grain Nosler AccuBond. (I also killed my first buck with that AccuBond this fall, I recovered the bullet and it performed exactly like it said on the can.)
 
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