If you had to start from scratch...

BigUglyMan

BigUglyMan

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
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Location
New Scotland
I was talking to my brother last night and he was telling me about a friend of his who used to hunt with his dad, many many moons ago, before his father passed away when the guy was 12. So he has done some hunting and shooting, but it never fully took hold in his life. Now that friend, fresh with a wife, kid, mortgage, and all the associated expenses of life, thinks that he would like to get back into hunting and shooting. They were talking about what it would cost to get a basic Alberta-ready hunting package together, consisting of a bolt action 30-06, a 12ga pump, a 22LR, plus a safe/cabinet and GST. My brother suggested that, buying new, it could easily cost four ort five grand to buy a centerfire hunting rifle, rimfire rifle, shotgun, and safe.

I though this was interesting, and, as I am nearly terminally bored, I thought that I would do a little research and put together a package price for what I would consider quality, but not ridiculous, firearms. I also thought that a completely entry-level package might be interesting too. Of course, being the lunatics that we all are, a top of the line package could have its price tag driven through the roof, so we will skip that. I also recognize that a savvy EE shopper might be able to get a deal on good components too.

So here is my bare-bones entry level package, compiled from Bass Pro:

CF Rifle - Savage Axis XP FDE 30-06 - $639.99
Scope - Included in Rifle Package
RF Rifle - Savage 64 FXP - $319.99
Scope - Included with Rifle Package
Shotgun - $Winchester SXP Hybrid Synthetic - $549.99
Safe - Cabela's 8 Gun Security Cabinet - $189.98
GST - $85
Total - $1784.95

And my mid-range package
CF Rifle - Weatherby Vanguard Obsidian - $799
Scope - Leupold VX3HD 3.5-10x Duplex - $879.99
RF Rifle - Ruger American - $579.99
Scope - Leupold VX Freedom 2-7x - $479.98
Shotgun - Remington Fieldmaster - $819.99
Safe - Cabela's 18 Gun Safe - $699.99
GST - $212.95
Total - $4471.89

EE
CF Rifle - A-Bolt Medallion (peskypole) - $595
Scope -Bushnell Elite 4200 (legi0n) - $300
RF Rifle - Ruger 10/22 w/Vortex Diamondback (Cobybear) - $725
Scope - Included
Shotgun - Remington Wingmaster (Canadian gunner 556) - $450
Safe - Yukon Gear Cabinet (Canadian Tire) - $230.99
Total - $2300.99 plus shipping...est $2500 all in

Honestly, I'm more than a little surprised by the disparity between my entry-level and mid-tier packages. I do recognize that I could have saved quite a bit on the mid-tier had I chosen scopes that were cheaper, like the cheaper Bushnells, Vortex Crossfire etc. The reason that I didn't was, if I was standing next to a young kid at the gun counter and telling him or her what they should lay their hard-earned money down on, I wouldn't feel comfortable recommending a cheap option like a Crossfire or a Charles Daly shotgun. Choosing a Leupold over other brands is partly a case of "buy once, cry once" and partly because I know that they have a stellar warranty and a service depot that he could drive to, if he wanted. Basically, It's a question of "Would I buy it myself?".

I was also a little surprised by the EE. I've long considered it a great place to find good deals, but what I did find was a mixed bag. Shotguns were particularly hard to parse. I must have gone through 10 pages before I found that 870, and even then, it's been rode hard and put up wet. Scopes were also tricky. Some good options but the deals were few and far between. You definitely need to dial in your fan and concaves, or you'll be looking at a ton of chaff. That said, there were a few that I had to stop and ponder myself. Thankfully self-control got the better of me. And a person could just buy three combination trigger locks and skip the cabinet all together to save a few more bucks, but a cabinet does allow you to bolt it to the wall so that it doesn't just get carried off, which has always been my preference.

So what do you guys think? What would you change and how would your "package price" stack up?
 
Admittedly I am partial to European guns. I like double 12's, and nice bolt centrefires. (I love double rifles, but those aren't really budget/beginner items. (LOL).
I think by far the best deals are at Intersurplus. My Merkel and Webley doubles are drop dead duck gorgeous from engraving to figured walnut, and are no more expensive than a common pump gun. If you like OU doubles, then there are many Beretta for sale too. Scopes are plenty on their site too! As well, you can pickup heym , sako and others for real deals. ...Disclaimer- yes I am old. I do more walking and enjoying the outdoors than shooting. ( except when goose hunting in Sask!)...then, I use my benelli supersport :)
 
I agree with the above. I absolutely LOVED my Axis when I bought it, but it was $235, whereas a used mauser-based sporter was like $500. Today, a used Mauser is STILL $500, but the Axis has gone up nearly 3x from what I paid.

I still own my Axis, and I still shoot my Axis. But at $650 it's no longer the value it once was.
 
Suther said:
I agree with the above. I absolutely LOVED my Axis when I bought it, but it was $235, whereas a used mauser-based sporter was like $500. Today, a used Mauser is STILL $500, but the Axis has gone up nearly 3x from what I paid.

I still own my Axis, and I still shoot my Axis. But at $650 it's no longer the value it once was.
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I totally agree still have mine as well paid $400 for it back at the dawn of covid to help a sight sponsor at the time. It shoots well - at the price point they are currently they priced themselves out.
 
For the entry level package, you can get a stiga 30-06 for 300$ and a husqvarna 1600 30-06 for 400$ from intersurplus and/or Great north co. These would be way better than a savage axis. Al flaherty has the burris fullfield E1 3x9x40 on sale for 259$.

A mossberg maverick 88 shotgun combo barrel is 430$ at tilsonburg gun shop.

You don't need a gun cabinet if you have a trigger lock for each firearm.
 
These are good quality firearms from Intersurplus

Voere 22lr Semi Auto $295 or Husky repeatere w/scope $349

Husky 1640 6.5x55 w/scope $595

Voere Titan 30-06 $695

Lots of shotguns, depending on what he wants at reasonable prices.

This was the first place I looked, and I know the other banner advertisers at the top of the page have lots of used, good quality packages for sale as well.
 
If it was me reccomending a starter set up it would go like this:

Ruger American .308

Vortex Viper HS 2.5-10x44 SFP Riflescope BDC (But lots of scopes would fit here)​

Mossberg 500 or similar. Best value in pump action shotguns is the Mossberg Maverick 88

I would also add a Ruger American 223 to the mix. A .223 is the best training aid to good shooting.

The reason I've recommended these firearms is that I have extensive personal experience with them in the tens of thousands of rounds although it is with the Gen1 Ruger Americans now being sold under a different name. You could bring the price down considerably over the Gen 2
 
Gatehouse said:
If it was me reccomending a starter set up it would go like this:

Ruger American .308

Vortex Viper HS 2.5-10x44 SFP Riflescope BDC (But lots of scopes would fit here)​

Mossberg 500 or similar. Best value in pump action shotguns is the Mossberg Maverick 88

I would also add a Ruger American 223 to the mix. A .223 is the best training aid to good shooting.

The reason I've recommended these firearms is that I have extensive personal experience with them in the tens of thousands of rounds although it is with the Gen1 Ruger Americans now being sold under a different name. You could bring the price down considerably over the Gen 2
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Yeah the Glenfield Model A looks like a better rifle than the Axis. They're very close in price too, you don't get a scope with the Glenfield but the scopes that come on the Axis are worth like $60 so it's not a big deal.
 
Yup... you're bored... lol. I get it.
Agree to skip the cheap package, I agree with the Leupold scopes, I would probably skip the safe and put a lock on a closet door, for a guy starting out. The .30/06, .22, 12 gauge covers everything sufficiently (damn it).
Mostly, I would hook him up with a local prolific deer hunter, and allow him to put a flop-head down in season one... that should clarify if he wants to continue.
 
BigUglyMan said:
I was also a little surprised by the EE. I've long considered it a great place to find good deals, but what I did find was a mixed bag.
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I find with the EE or the other place, allot of it is over-priced for used items and that patrons are unwilling to move on what they initially think or take offence as a “lowball offer” standing firm on their asking price (which these days seems to be actual retail cost) even though it’s used.

(Without getting too side tracked about it)

Fair enough ( i don’t judge).. but..

I’ve also had some of those same people come back upwards of a month plus later after saying no thanks to my initial offer and say they’ll now take that offer if I’m still interested. Usually I’ve moved along by then unfortunately for them.

So yes.. some patience is required when perusing the EE, however it can still yield results if one is not in a rush.

As for the overall question of keeping it somewhat budget friendly yet value to $$ oriented?

Savage Axis II/XP or Stevens 200 in desired Cal
Leupold VX II or Redfield Revolution 3-9x40
Rem 870 with multiple barrels to cover off upland birds, waterfowl, turkey and deer (slug bbl)
Cooey or Lakefield 22LR in decent shape

Something along the lines as those above would or should be moderately priced/cost effective and keep one versatile for a number of years before needing or wanting to upgrade.
 
You cannot go wrong with any Leupold scope with proper choice in magnification, reticle and bell size......lifetime warranty and a good chance you would recoup most of cost on a resale.
 
CF Rifle - Ruger American gen2 Standard - $999
Scope - Vortex Triumph 3-9x $215
RF Rifle - Winchester Xpert $435
Scope - Vortex Crossfire HD 2-7x $249
Shotgun - Winchester SXP Black Shadow $515
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$2500 after tax
 
Lots of great used optics on the EE. Something from Bushnell does the job, especially the older stuff. I agree with the above: rifle from Intersurplus, double from them too if he wants to go that route or used Mossy 500 on the EE. Lots of nice Mossberg,Ruger and Cooey repeaters on the EE or buy a little Chinese plinker for $210 with 500 rounds of ammo.
 
It wasn’t too long ago there were new Tikka bolt actions around the $700-$800 mark and for how those shoot with factory ammo-I probably wouldn’t recommend anything else. Just my take-I try to consider the presence/absence of gun lust. For a guy who may only have one CF rifle you might as well get something that won’t need an upgrade

Scope-used Elite 4200 and never look back.

Shotgun-suggestion would depend on intended use, but assuming not high-volume waterfowl-I’d go used Wingmaster (barrel threaded for tubes) if he’s an average sized dude in good health. Maybe a Mossberg 500 to save a little $ and weight if he’s smaller statured.

22-there are too many good/used bolt actions out there to ever suggest a 10/22 in good conscience. And I’ve made my peace with the silly things btw 🙃. Brno 1, Brno 2E, CZ 452/453/455/457, anything Marlin, Savage etc. Box magazines (vs tube) rule the roost for gophers. I like tube mags if I’m walking more than shooting.
 
Intersurplus 30-06 $600
Mossberg Combo 12 gauge $800
Winchester Wildcat 22LR $330
2X Vevor Pelican Knock Off Gun Cases 2X $120

So that's $240 for lockable cases that'll fit under a bed or in a closet and for transport.

$1730 for the Guns, and remember, Alberta has Primitive Weapons/Shotguns Zones for Deer and Moose so a spare barrel for the 12 gauge is handy.

$1970 plus GST = $2068.50
 
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