First bolt action (little experience)

xenophon123

xenophon123

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Hi, just received my PAL a few weeks ago and I am thinking about getting a bolt action mainly for range shooting and possibly hunting in the future.

I already have an .22lr, so for this rifle I am thinking about 308 win and ideally OVL <= 40 inch. My budget is around 1k including scopes.

Right now I have narrowed down to

Savage 110 Apex Hunter XP
Ruger American Hunter/Ranch

Any other recommendations are welcomed as well.

Thank you
 
If you are buying new, these are OK, depending on availability maybe a CZ or Tika would be a bit more upscale, but certainly better rifles.

Me, I would personally I would look at good used rifles. I have bought a few guns and accessories from Intersurplus; while they do have some North American rifles, the majority are European made. (I am an eternal fan of the Mauser style controlled feed rifle and have 6 in 3 different calibers). They have a bunch in .308, not all with Mauser type actions. Their descriptions are accurate and everything I have bought always arrives nicer than expected. https://intersurplus.com/collections/308-winchester
 
Both are good and capable rifles for what you would use them for. Read reviews on both and then handle them at your local gun store. See which one feels and handles better for you.
However I also agree with Meroh. CZ and Tikka are both great. My last hunting rifle I just purchased was a CZ.
 
Those older ruger m77 with the tang safety were a good gun for the $. I don't like newer versions.
Older 60s version of Remington 700 was pretty good to. Later versions and I'm not sure when they went to crap but I don't like the newer ones.
I would buy something that has a nice trigger .
 
1k including scopes isn't much of a budget these days. The savage combo with rebate at cabelas is a good deal. I personally do not like savages, like almost all modern guns they are accurate but junky in terms of finish etc.

Vortex crossfire are "serviceable" but not great glass. There used to be a guy on here who claimed to have scrambled a handful of them with recoil but he was a bit of a bull#### artist.

I had one on a 243 and it was probably the worse tracking scope ive ever used.

If you got a Tasco or some other scope that will break in a few days you might be able to afford the ruger. Americans are also janky as ####, but better imo than a 110

Both guns have a lot of fans on this board. A big selling point for both is the cost. If you are young and broke they are both certainly serviceable and vortex has a good warranty

I'd say increase your budget if possible.


this and a used leupold wouldnt hurt. If you are willing to get an 06 instead of a 308 intersurplus has a ton of them

https://frontierfirearms.ca/husqvarna-1640-light-weight-carbine-in-270-winchester-used/




Look on the EE for good deals on Tikka T3s
 
Now a days, 1k isn't much including a scope. At one time a used rifle had a decent price but prices have jump up allot. You'll have to keep an eye on a good deal. I would say buy new on the rifle and buy a good used scope.
 
As long as I have been shooting scopes seem to come and go. Rifles however seem to stay much longer meaning it is worth getting a slightly better rifle new and over time improve the scope. New or used. We have not yet been disappointed with Tikka rifles and have a few for ourselves as well as selling from our shop. I think they are worth saving for a bit longer.
edi
 
Meroh said:
If you are buying new, these are OK, depending on availability maybe a CZ or Tika would be a bit more upscale, but certainly better rifles.

Me, I would personally I would look at good used rifles. I have bought a few guns and accessories from Intersurplus; while they do have some North American rifles, the majority are European made. (I am an eternal fan of the Mauser style controlled feed rifle and have 6 in 3 different calibers). They have a bunch in .308, not all with Mauser type actions. Their descriptions are accurate and everything I have bought always arrives nicer than expected. https://intersurplus.com/collections/308-winchester
Click to expand...

I was in the same position as the OP just under a year ago.

Having bought 2 new rifles (Savage 110 243, Howa 1500 30-06) and a vintage one from Intersurplus (Husqvarna 1640 in 3-06), I have the following observations.

Buying new, I would take the Howa 1500 over the Savage 110, but both are absolutely fine and no regrets.

The Husky is in another league altogether in terms of the action and shouldering, as well as shooting from a standing position (important for hunting). However, if I were to buy another one, I would consider one in 6.5 Swede. I guess it's the comb angle, but in 30-06 it really beats up my shoulder. I have a limb saver on order. However, the Husky is just wonderful, and definitely my favorite of the bunch.

EDIT:
The Howa was a package deal with a (cheap!!) scope at around $800, the Savage cost $549 with a Vortex Crossfire II and the Husky was $495 with a single focal length scope.
 
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AB3006 said:
I was in the same position as the OP just under a year ago.

Having bought 2 new rifles (Savage 110 243, Howa 1500 30-06) and a vintage one from Intersurplus (Husqvarna 1640 in 3-06), I have the following observations.

Buying new, I would take the Howa 1500 over the Savage 110, but both are absolutely fine and no regrets.

The Husky is in another league altogether in terms of the action and shouldering, as well as shooting from a standing position (important for hunting). However, if I were to buy another one, I would consider one in 6.5 Swede. I guess it's the comb angle, but in 30-06 it really beats up my shoulder. I have a limb saver on order. However, the Husky is just wonderful, and definitely my favorite of the bunch.

EDIT:
The Howa was a package deal with a (cheap!!) scope at around $800, the Savage cost $549 with a Vortex Crossfire II and the Husky was $495 with a single focal length scope.
Click to expand...
I have a slip-on limbsaver for my Husky; 9.3 x 62. I can fire about 5 shots without it; maybe 20 with. It hurts so good; I love it!!! Touching three shot groups at 100 yards. Screenshot 2023-03-04 093757.jpg
 
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The Weatherby Vanguard S2 offers alot of features for the money. There are still a few dealers around that have some priced very reasonably in the $750 range.
 
I'll be the odd man out.
With a 1k budget, max it out on a rifle with iron sights. Learn to shoot irons while you save for a scope.

Maybe look at a 223 for range use, accurate and cheaper to shoot while you learn. That's if hunting isn't an issue for a while.

Watch for sales on tikka's. They've been as low as 800$ on sale at some site sponsors lately. And I'll agree with previous posters, nothing wrong with used rifles, I have a safe full of them. Accurate as new and just as clean if you shop carefully.
 
Get the Howa 1500 with the scope combo, that will keep you at around $1000. The heavy barrel Howa 1500 is an especially good deal and awesome for the range, just a little heavy for
hunting. Prophet River and Tenda are sponsors and usually carry this set-up.

The Howa 1500/Weatherby Vangaurd, Tikka T3, and Savage 110 are all great options as you can get a base model and upgrade over time to make a really sweet rifle as they all shoot well out of the box and have tons of options for a better stock/chassis or whatever other parts.
 
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