First hunting rifle

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Alozon1

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Windsor On
Looking to purchase my first hunting rifle.
Have a budget of about $500
After reading a lot of reviews. I may go with the savage axis Xp II in .308 or 30-06
Wondering what kind of experience anyone has had, problems reviews advice etc
Hunting black bear in September
But deer and possibly moose in the future
 
If your heart is set on the Axis, it has proven to be good value for the money. Consider that the Axis is a light rifle, and as much as I like the .30/06, with factory ammo it will be more punishing to shoot than the .308, because it takes more powder for the '06 to propel the same weight bullet to the same velocity as the .308. With bullet weights up to 180 grs, performance is similar, and either cartridge loaded with bullets of 150 grs or more, will be a fine choice for black bear.

But, my heart is hardened against rifles designed as bargain basement entries, when good quality used rifles can be acquired for a similar price. IMHO, you get better value, and a better basis for a custom rifle, if you're willing to sink more money into it later, with a commercial Husqvarna 1600 series rifle from Tradex. If these are still a bit pricey for you, then consider one of their sporterized small ring Mausers, usually a M-96. Where one might question the wisdom of purchasing a wood stocked rifle for use in harsh conditions, that stock is easier to shorten to fit you, is easier to install a recoil pad on once shortened, is more rigid than a plastic stock, and it can be sealed with an oil finish to make it resistant, if not impervious, to moisture, to both inside the inletting and to the outside surfaces.

If you're new to shooting, a 6.5X55 Husqvarna might be a better choice for you rather than a full sized .30 caliber cartridge, the 6.5 kills medium sized game just as dead as a medium capacity .30 caliber cartridge, and when loaded with bullets from 140-160 grs, its acceptable for all North American game except for Yukon bison, which has minimum performance specifications written in the regulations. The Axis is not chambered for any of the 6.5 cartridges, but a 7-08 operates within a similar performance envelope, and splits the difference in bullet weights, and recoil, between the 6.5 and the .30 caliber cartridges.
 
^^^Good post.

Worst of the budget rifles....perhaps the Rem 710 gives it a run for the bottom. Worst POS rifle ever. Many buy them, then spend hundreds upgrading the worst stock ever, and the trigger. Then give up and try to sell them for the $700 they have invested, its still a $300 rifle.

I have had excellent results buying used rifles. Most rifles get shot less than 20rds/year and even old rifles often have very low round counts. Check out Tradex for used in you price/budget, or watch the EE.

Might also want to check for price in the Weatherby Vanguard line, one of the best of the entry rifles. The first gen are probably still on clearance somewhere in Canada. Go to a LGS and shoulder some choices, with the intention of simply trying them(not falling for salesman BS), then go home and search for prices in Canada.
 
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Thanks for info.
Not many guns shops in Windsor, and would prefer to hold it in my hands before purchasing. I'll keep my eyes open over the next month or so though.
I know a couple guys with the Axis and they don't have any complaints
Any info on the Ruger American?
 
For a few more bucks you can get the wetherby vanguard or the savage trophy 11/111. The American is decent choice as would the TC venture. If you scroll to the top of the sporting arms section there is a thread the about "first hunting rifle purchases" you would do well to have a read through it. I personally think the axis is about the best of the entry level budget rifles out there. So if the axis is your choice enjoy. Do the trigger mod and upgrade the cheapo scope you will have a decent deer slayer
 
Thanks for the link.
Thanks for all the suggestions but I don't have anything more to spend than what I have. My bro has the t/c in 30-06. It's really nice but out of my range. The savage 111 is also over my budget. I've read a lot of reviews on the axis xp II and its "better" than the Ruger American and Remington 770,783.
I haven't seen any of the others mentioned in my range.
 
Have you considered a used rifle ?
I'm sure you could probably find a really good deal on a rifle that has lots of life left in it and also a seller that might have a bit of ' wiggle room '.
Just something to consider when the budget is tight.
I've put a lot of meat in the freezer over the years with pre-owned rifles, some ' very ' pre-owned.
 
The Ruger American and Rem 783 are way better bangs for the buck It's just enough people have them to chime in.The bolt on the axis is evilly designed with a second pair of lugs that contribute nothing except complication. Following posts I have seen a lot of post about extractor problems. It is a little round bearing that finds its own way out. Do you suddenly want a rifle that will not extract. For the people knocking the Americans or 783 or MarlinsI bet you have not had or fired it.
 
From a perspective of price point matched in terms of build quality, I would recommend go with the Ruger American. I don't own one, however, I have had the opportunity to closely inspect and zero two of those rifles. I feel the Ruger American offers better overall value compared to the Savage Axis product. As far as accuracy is concerend both brands will be at par.

For a little bit more above your budget, the Weatherby Vanguard S2 will be a better overall deal ......

w ww. cabelas.ca/category/bolt-action/1130?seeallbrand=1&brand=551
 
If you have the funds for the axis I say go for it. They are rated as one of the best or the best entry level rifles for the money. It really is the original the ruger was designed off the axis platform by the same guy. If you want more detailed info on the axis check out the savage shooter forum the have a whole forum dedicated to the axis rifle. The good,bad, ugly about the axis is posted there and every possible fix for any issue anyone has ever had with it. The axis has a extremely good track record and a huge shooter following. They do have some issues but for their price they are a good buy...IMO my son and 2 of my brother in laws have them in .223 they all shoot MOA or a bit better, all I did to each one was clip a coil off the trigger spring and securely remount the cheap bushnel scopes they came with.
 
Ahsan Ahmed said:
From a perspective of price point matched in terms of build quality, I would recommend go with the Ruger American. I don't own one, however, I have had the opportunity to closely inspect and zero two of those rifles. I feel the Ruger American offers better overall value compared to the Savage Axis product. As far as accuracy is concerend both brands will be at par.

For a little bit more above your budget, the Weatherby Vanguard S2 will be a better overall deal ......

w ww. cabelas.ca/category/bolt-action/1130?seeallbrand=1&brand=551
Click to expand...

If you can't afford this, buy a 783 :)
 
OP,
I began hunting big game with a single shot 20ga shotgun. Next season, I bought a .303 rifle built in 1898. It was definitely a hunting rifle and gave me 2.5" groups with peep sights. I used that for 10 years, then started building up a small collection of mil-surp rifles I hunted with. Eventually, my kids moved out and I started to get a few dollars ahead. I wanted a "factory" rifle, but, like you, my budget was quite tight. I traded some stuff for a Mossberg 100 ATR in .30-06 (I know, people are gonna kick at that one) which has served me better than an M77Ruger I bought since just for the scope. It cost me $350 for the scoped package 8 years ago. I don't know of anyone having them in stock still, but it shoots 5/8" groups at 100 yds with handloads. There is nothing I have found wrong with that rifle.
That being said, when my wife was considering hunting, she dropped her first deer with an SKS. I then bought her a Savage 11 package in .243, youth model. I am so impressed with that rifle that I just bought another for me this spring in '06 with the laminate thumb hole stock.
I like this rifle so much (the 11/111 package on sale right now at Calela's http://www.cabelas.ca/cart) that I think you would like it, too. Also, I thinks the Axis is crap and I'm a guy that doesn't feel the need to over spend on fashion over function, but that rifle sucks. I'd rather a Ruger American.
I truly understand tight budgets and you have struck a chord reminding me of my youth and people helping me out and I feel so strongly about you not sticking yourself with an Axis and getting into a 111 in whatever that I am willing to make you an offer. I don't know your postal code , but ON has taxes, so I figured the cost to your door on this rifle at about $700.00 which is about 1/2 again what your budget is.
Here's my offer: more of a challenge, because I'm not made of money. I will email you $100 toward that purchase. You need to come up with another $100. Here's the challenge part: anybody on gunnutz willing to match that? Anybody willing to REALLY help out a newbie. Lots of talk about what he should get instead of an axis, so...

ETA: no, I'm not doing this every day. I just happen to have sold a truck last night and have some free cash today. I can't think of a better way to spend it than helping someone out.
 
+1 For the Ruger American. After handling both the axis and the ruger in the store I felt that the Ruger was a much better rifle for the $$$.
 
I have an axis in 270, my friend has the axis II in 30-06.

The only difference between the two is the trigger, and i don't think the accu-trigger is worth the extra when an aftermarket trigger is the same price.

If you can wait a bit, i would keep watching wholesale sports and cabelas for a sale. Last October i paid $289 for my axis XP (package with scope) and there was a $50usd mail in rebate too - final price after taxes and rebate was like $235. Ridiculously cheap for a brand new rifle with a scope,rings and bases to boot.

I want a 223 this year for coyotes, and If i can't find a cheap used one i like I'll probably get another axis. All the bad parts (stock and trigger) are replaceable, and no rifle in its price range has a particularly good factory trigger or stock...
 
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