Entry Level Hunting Rifle

the magnification of a scope can also play a role in the price of a scope. If you are looking at getting a standard 3-9x40 scope, the the price can be a few hundred dollars less than a 4-16, 2.5-10...etc in the same model. for instance, a bushnell 4200 2.5-10x40 costs $516, the 3-9x40 costs $348. That's almost $170 difference. The quality is the same, they are both bushnell elite 4200. So don't look at the price as much as the quality that you are getting
 
Anything $500.00 plus is gonna be decent optics. Sale prices and such will help also.

For this situation if someone handed me $1500.00 and said built it for yourself:

It would be a scope of 6-800, and a rifle of 6-800 , which will get you some very , very good quality equipment.

Think My earlier suggestion was a 700 Mountian SS, with a Zeiss Conquest. 3-9 x 40 or 50 or even the 3.5 -10 x 50. That would be a lifelong hunting rig and should fit that budget.
 
Husqvarna 1600 in 6.5x55 with EAW quick detachable mounts and a fixed 4x or 6x Leupold. You will have some money left over for reloading kit. The recoil is very mild yet it is effective for North American big game, even at extended ranges.
 
stubblejumper said:
I am not suggesting that someone mount a $200 scope on a $1200 rifle,but I do have $1100 scopes mounted on $1900 rifles,so the scope is roughly half the price of the rifle.I also purchased scopes that normally cost $1200 for $650,and mounted them on $1800 rifles,so they actually cost about 1/3 the price of the rifles.Spending less on the scope than on the rifle,isn't necessarily a bad thing to do.
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I think that the price of the scope has alot to do with what type of hunting your doing and were you are hunting also. I hunting Ontario, were a 3x9x40 scope is more than enough because its not likely that any shot can be taken out past 200 yards, and even a 300 yard shot on a Moose sized animal is quite possible with a 3x9x40 scope in the right hands. The extra wieght of a more powerful, expensive scope is'nt wanted in a hunting rifle. I think that a Bushnell 3200, Bushnell 4200, Buriss Fullfield II, Leupold VX II, in a 3x9x40 is a perfect match on any rifle that is under $1000. I don't see much difference between those scopes, so really its a personal preference and whatever seems to be the better deal at the time.

BTW Jeep, I totally understand your viewpoint in saying that you don't particularly like the amount of recoil from a Tikka T3 Lite in 30/06, because I have that exact rifle, and it kicks harder than my previous Remington Model 700BDL in 300 Win Mag. Its because the Tikka is about 2 lbs lighter, so if you still like the Tikka, but don't like the extra recoil that the lighter gun produces, then get yourself a $60 Limbsaver Recoil pad because it makes a Tikka 30/06 feel more like your Heavy M14 shooting .308. Those recoill pads really are worth the extra money. I put one on my Rem mod 700 300winmag, and it felt like I was shooting a .308 browning bar after the new pad was installed.

Back to the gun choice, I was getting the impression that you would prefer a nice wood gun, over a synthetic stock, but you would like a detachable mag. If that is what your looking for in a rifle (good choice btw) then I would be looking a few different guns. I would of prefered getting a wood stock rifle also for my main go to hunting gun, but I sometimes push the bush with my gun during deer season, so I need something light and resistant to scratches and weather, thats why I chose to get a synthetic/stainless rifle. Otherwise I would of most likely bought a CZ 550.

CZ550 American (Detacheable mag .308)
CZ550 Full Stock (Detacheable mag. 308)
T/C Icon Wood Stock
Remington Model 700 SP DM Walnut
Browning A bolt (swing plate detacheable mag)
Browning X bolt
Tikka T3 Lite Hunter

All of those guns can be had for under $1000, except for the CZ which are around $1100 at a couple places I know of.

If your looking for Synthetic Stock, then there is quite a few brands out there to choose from.

If you did overspend on the gun and bought yourself something in the $1200-$1300 range, then you could easily find a nice used scope for $200.

If you want to get yourself a nice gun, that will turn heads, then you might like something like this

h t t p://cz-usa.com/products/view/cz-550-fs/

In .308 it comes with a detacheable magazine.
 
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I think that the price of the scope has alot to do with what type of hunting your doing and were you are hunting also. I hunting Ontario, were a 3x9x40 scope is more than enough because its not likely that any shot can be taken out past 200 yards, and even a 300 yard shot on a Moose sized animal is quite possible with a 3x9x40 scope in the right hands.
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All of my big game hunting scopes are 3-9x42 scopes.Why would you assume otherwise?
 
A Wby. Vanguard in most caliber will come well under the 1500.00 mentioned for an entry level pkg.
Check the web site and see what might turn your fancy, look at WSS for a price comparison and then head out and see what your local sporting goods store has to offer.
Of course, there will be many good choices to choose from along with recommendations
from the others on here.
Tight Groups,
Rob
 
stubblejumper said:
You can buy a 3-9x40 Zeiss Conquest for under $500.
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Not everyone is a Ziess groupie. Isn't your soap box getting a little worn out? To conclude for this poor man's sake of hearing you any more than he has to: Cooper Rifles with Zeiss scopes in .280ai are the best thing for termites to elephants and anything else l is mediocre at best.


Partial quote and retort from CGNs mos knowledgable genius in 3,2,1.....
 
A 3x9 4200 and a 2.5x10 4200 are not the same scope . to get the minimum quality out of a scope in this day and age $450 is about were you start. it is said that fullfield Burris and 3200 bushnell's and the new redfield series are good scopes they are in that class but when compared to the next level they fall behind in many areas.
 
I would recommend a new Model 70 Featherweight or All Weather. Either is a great weight, and a new Redfield or Leupold will only add 200-400 bones and should be well under 1500. At least in HST and PST free Alberta.
On that note the Venture I held the other day was impressive for he money. It is a little heavy for a standard cartridge in my mind, but 7.5lbs isn't rough and fairly normal. It's the advertised weight for great rifles like the Remington 700 and the Cooper Excaliber.
 
Savage Weather Warrior (with the adjustable Muzzle Brake, very reduced recoil), the Accutrigger, Accustock and renowned accuracy are the best value for the money. Buy a Burris Eliminator scope (does everything for you) or competing ones from Nikon or Bushnell. Hunting is only a couple months a year out here, so why waste money on a rifle that will spend most of it's time racked? Unless of course you can afford it :) The new Savage Axis for entry level, but I'd spend the couple hundred more for the Weather Warrior with the new Accustock and Stainless barrel (like the Tikka but the Accustock and Accutrigger are way better, considering Tikka's are using cheap injection molded stocks too?).

Oh yeah the Eliminator might be pricey but.... :)

"In a Split Second, The Eliminator, Ranges your target, Calculates your trajectory, Illuminates your perfect holdover..."
http://www.burrisoptics.com/laserscope.html

http://www.savagearms.com/firearms/model/16FHSAK
http://www.savagearms.com/firearms/model/16FHSS

http://www.wanstallsonline.com/
 
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Not everyone is a Ziess groupie. Isn't your soap box getting a little worn out? To conclude for this poor man's sake of hearing you any more than he has to: Cooper Rifles with Zeiss scopes in .280ai are the best thing for termites to elephants and anything else l is mediocre at best.
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Having a bad day?Forget to take your meds?

Guess what,I don't have Zeiss scopes on any of my hunting rifles,right now,and I don't even own a Conquest at this time,but don't let those facts stop you from posting more of your nonsense..

I suggested a 3-9x40 Conquest,for the simple reason that the pricing is very attractive right now,and you would be hard pressed to find a better scope for the same price.Even though I don't currently own one,I have owned one previously.
 
Okay guys, let's argue semantics a bit more I guess. Or not. An entry level rifle/scope package IMHO can be new, of excellent quality, suitable to leave in your will, and cost under a grand. There it is. Anything over a grand can no longer be considered an entry level gun. Period. If many of you guys want to wax eloquent about entry level guns being reasonably priced between $1,500 and $2,000 then I suggest you have missed the point completely. Respectfully suggested that is. :)
 
The thread isn't about "our" definition of what an entry level hunting rig is. An entry level Caddy is different from an entry level Sunfire, but both get you to the ball.

The point which I don't believe we all missed is the OP has a budget of $1500.00 to spend on his first rig. The next logical step would be for us to guide appropriatly in that department, not debate what logistics are involved in defining entry level rifles.

Go see a car salesman , you tell them your budget, they find vehicles that are appropriate for you. They don't tell you what to do with your money.



woodlotowner said:
Okay guys, let's argue semantics a bit more I guess. Or not. An entry level rifle/scope package IMHO can be new, of excellent quality, suitable to leave in your will, and cost under a grand. There it is. Anything over a grand can no longer be considered an entry level gun. Period. If many of you guys want to wax eloquent about entry level guns being reasonably priced between $1,500 and $2,000 then I suggest you have missed the point completely. Respectfully suggested that is. :)
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When you bring taxes and shipping costs into the equation, $1500 gets you a pretty average hunting setup. The OP has not mentioned buying used, so it can be assumed that right now he sees some guns at his local shop and will buy them new. to spend $1500 means to buy approx. $1350 before tax. That pretty much gets you a tikka T3 or remington 700 or win model 70... and a nice scope. We're not talking about coopers and zeiss scopes.
Used is a different story. I have just put together a really similar package to what the OP is looking for. a-bolt medallion 7mm-08, bushnell 4200 3-9x40, rings and bases, dies, and a bunch of brass and bullets all shipped to my door for under $1000.
 
StevieK said:
When you bring taxes and shipping costs into the equation, $1500 gets you a pretty average hunting setup. The OP has not mentioned buying used, so it can be assumed that right now he sees some guns at his local shop and will buy them new. to spend $1500 means to buy approx. $1350 before tax. That pretty much gets you a tikka T3 or remington 700 or win model 70... and a nice scope. We're not talking about coopers and zeiss scopes.
Used is a different story. I have just put together a really similar package to what the OP is looking for. a-bolt medallion 7mm-08, bushnell 4200 3-9x40, rings and bases, dies, and a bunch of brass and bullets all shipped to my door for under $1000.
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An entry level rifle...I rest my case. A very nice one to boot. Sweet deal. I like the 7mm-08 too. Everything is relative as others have pointed out. The different opinions on this site are worth the read.
 
thanks for that info, i'm new to bolt actions, but the few i've shot have all had much more recoil than the M14 so that makes sense. If thats the case then I will defiently either go for a 30.06 or .308.....and try and get my hand on a .300WM to try out as well.
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You know, I was somewhat recoil sensitive when sitting on the bench too. It's a little difficult to absorbe the recoil properly while sitting at a bench. It's hard to do it correctly. I would have a sore shoulder from shooting 20 rounds out of a semi-auto .308!

BUT, shooting from standing, which is how I do most of my shooting now, I can't seem to get a sore shoulder no matter how hard I try. I can put 20 rounds (180 grain) through my Vanguard 300 Winchester Magnum without any soreness whatsoever. When you're standing, you lean slightly into the gun and make sure to put the but of the gun into the pocket between your collar bone and your shoulder. Put your elbow out level to the ground and no gun or load will phase you in the slightest. I've been firing 12 guage, 10 guage, .270, 30-06, .308, and 300 win mag in this fashion with no trouble at all.

From a bench, it's a totally different story though.

You'll find a lot of recoil sensitivity has to do with technique. It can make all the difference in the world.

For bench shooting you can get a PAST recoil thing that straps to your body under your shirt and mitigates most recoil.

Personally, i would never let recoil affect a purchasing decision. If you want to hunt moose at distance then a 300WM is a suitable choice. You can improve your technique or purchase a PAST pad or a muzzle break or something. Don't worry about recoil.

I only weigh about 160lbs and am nearly 6' tall BTW, so I'm not a 'big heavy guy'.
 
Lots of choices out there in that price range. Biggest factors would be the wood/blued vs. stainless/synthetic and push feed vs. controlled feed arguments. I'd probably look at a rifle in the $1000 range and a scope for around $500, then try and work some accessories into the deal. Winchester M70 Extreme Weather SS in .30-06 and a Zeiss Conquest 3-9x40mm would probably ring in at $1500, and that would be a dead-reliable all-weather all-species pairing if I ever saw one.
 
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