Looking to buy my first gun!

The Remington 783 hasn't been around long enough to develop a reputation. The Savage 11 is a good hunting rifle, and at its typical price, very good value.
 
Don't buy an entry level gun. You'll just be throwing good money after bad in a couple of years. Buy a Ruger Hawkeye or Winchester Model 70 Sporter and keep it for the rest of your life.
 
For example, there is a Parker Hale 308 on the EE right now. I own some of these rifles and they are very good quality - with iron sights to boot! The thing about the Ruger American or Remington, is that they are light - plastic, and their kick tends to be a little greater. You can pick up a brand new Weatherby S2 for $600, or a great used for $400 to $500. I fondled a Marlin Bolt action and was also impressed. The Savage products are also good, the magazine just does not suit my fancy.

Get a good all round caliber that can be used for deer, moose, coyotes. 30-06, 308, 270 are all classics which have proven themselves over time and readily available at any store selling ammo. Good luck.
 
Be Carefull that you arent buying some elses problems if you are buying used....the really good shooters don't get resold all that quick. I'd much rather buy new than save a hundred bucks buying the same rifle used. Also the entry level rifles mentioned in the orginal post will do great as a starting rifle and will shoot as good as or better than the medium priced winchester, rugers, remingtons, etc, etc.
If you buy a savage package, take comfort in knowing aftermarket upgrades are plentiful and the rifles are known to be accurate....have fun and enjoy!
 
Slooshark1 said:
Don't buy an entry level gun. You'll just be throwing good money after bad in a couple of years. Buy a Ruger Hawkeye or Winchester Model 70 Sporter and keep it for the rest of your life.
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The savage 11, 111, 16, or 116 package guns will last a lifetime as good as a model 70 sporter or ruger hawkeye....and cost less than 600 ready to hunt.
 
Definitely get a bolt action 22 to improve your skill while spareing your wallet

For hunting i would suggest savage they have good value for the dollar
and i think you will find that researching will support this.

cheers
 
Well if your hunting deer size or bigger game the minimum caliber you would need is .243. Two great all round calibers for most anything in Canada would be a .270 or 30-06. So decide what you will be hunting. Next go to a few gun stores and shoulder as many guns as you can. Yes the savage axis and ruger american are affordable, but theres no point in buying a gun that doesnt fit. Better to save up and buy something that fits you best. A few hundred dollars more now will save you money down the road. I don't know anyone who bought a Remington 700 or Winchester 70 and then up graded in a few years. Just my opinion:)
 
I have several savage rifles in rim fire and center fire. Yes they are cheap and plastic (lots of plastic guns out there these days, not going away) but super accurate as well. I have two XP's .243 and 30-06 and just picked up a 111hunter in 300 win mag. Yes you will upgrade the scope as soon as possible. I've changed mine to vortex diamond backs. Decent for around $200. But the one it comes with will last a season or two then put it on your .22's. The XP packages cam in at under $500 taxes in and the 111 just over $600 ready to shoot.

mark
 
''Some very good points there, thanks a lot. And I was hoping that the rifle would be inbetween the $400-$600 range and leave me some room to spend on decent optics. What are your opinions on some good optics in the $200 range? Or will anything that cheap be again below par?''

rule of thumb is rifle price= or less than optics price! .308 is a great caliber but it all depends on what you want to hunt, 870 is in my opinion the most versatile fire arm for hunting... and .22 is the best way to start even a single shot... my .02$
 
tphenix57 said:
I was thinking of hunting some bigger game, although I will probably get a .22 or .17 HMR for smaller game, any idea's on a good .308 in my price range?
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There's a savage 99 in EE... Great deer gun. 308 and 3006 are the most versatile calibers for Canadian hunters. 308 is cheaper to shoot.
 
If you are wanting to hunt med. size game (whitetail, mule deer antelope etc.) then id buy either a Savage 11/111 hunter xp in .270 win or a .308 or a remington 700 sps in .270 or .308 both under $600 with a scope, both good guns and the .270 will let you take anything from coyotes to elk (with the right bullet and shot placement).

The scopes that come on these rifles arent great, but they will do for a year or 2 until you can afford to buy a bit better of a scope.
http://www.cabelas.ca/product/34257/remington-700-sps-dm-bolt-action-rifle-w-scope-hard-case
Savage 11/111 Hunter Xp
http://www.cabelas.ca/product/36742/savage-11111-hunter-xp-bolt-action-rifle-w-scope
Savage 11/111 Trophy Hunter Xp (better scope i believe then the hunter xp and has the accu-trigger which is awesome!!)
http://www.cabelas.ca/product/36750/savage-11111-trophy-hunter-xp-bolt-action-rifle-w-scope


I prefer a .270 for a couple reasons, not saying a .308 isnt a good caliber, my buddy shoots .308 and loves it, im a .270 guy for a couple reasons
1) Flatter shooting: you dont have to compensate for drop as much as a .308, although under 350 yards they are the about the same.
2)Ammo is everywhere, no matter where you go someone will have .270 ammo. They will .308 too, but maybe not as many options
3)depending on shooter and rifle, i find .270 has less recoil cause of the lighter bullet then a .308.

But finally its all personal preference, the animal you shoot wont know a difference when its dead, and pick what gun fits you, then pick your calibre, you wont shoot accurate if your gun doesnt fit you. .308 and 270 are both awesome calibers that do the same thing, its personal preference.
Good luck and happy hunting!
 
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