Recommendations for bolt action rifles
- Thread starter Harry007
- Start date
What is the purpose of this rifle? Hunting? Long range Target rifle? 100-200 yard off the bench at your local club? Kind of like asking what colour of truck you should buy.
If you are looking for a hunting rifle I agree with Grizzlypeg.
If you are looking for a hunting rifle I agree with Grizzlypeg.
I bought the Savage 110 Engage Hunter for $699+tax at my local Canadian Tire, that particular model has a Bushnell Engage sight and its being discontinued in favor of the newest version Savage 110 Apex hunter with a vortex crossfire II optic that sells for about $200 more. I've put almost 100 rounds through it no complaints, and I liked the scope more than the newer vortex.
I love my Franchi Momentum Elite 308. Smooth bolt throw. Flawless operation. Shoots like a charm off the bench and accurate with even entry level range ammo. Have a Primary Arms 3-18 scope on it. I also have a Savage Axis II in 308 and the Franchi is head and shoulders better, at about $400 more.
- Location
- Nova Scotia
Like said. What do you plan to primary use it for?
OK, you're going to use it for hunting.
No need to be shy.
Tell us what you want to hunt, and the ranges you think you would be comfortable shooting in the field, under less-than-ideal conditions.
How strong are you? Are you tall, short, in between?
So far, there hasn't been a "bad" suggestion here. Other than the Savage of course, but only because they're FUGLY. The later version usually shoot very well.
Tikkas are in a class by themselves. I've shot and owned several, and still have two. I haven't had one that didn't shoot well enough to hunt with and be OK out to 300yds, depending on conditions.
Remington, Winchester, Bergera, ATA, Browning, Mauser, any of the usuals are very good these days, off the shelf.
You're going to have to shop in your price range. Don't expect others to do it for you, because you will end up with what suits them, not you.
All of the BANNER ADVERTISERS are good to deal with.
Check them all out for pricing. You just missed some great "father's day prices."
If you don't have a mentor, that's able to give you some hands on experience, get one, if possible.
Tikkas are mid range for prices, Savage are on the low end, everything else is in between or more expensive.
If you don't have someone to show you what to look for, IMHO you should purchase a NEW RIFLE and follow the instructions in the manual before you take it out shooting.
The 308Win is a great cartridge for most game. There are others that you might like better though, such as 30-06/270Win.
Try to settle on a cartridge which is readily available in the gun shops or big box stores you frequent, or if you're planning to travel, that has a very good chance of being available where you're headed.
Are you planning on putting a scope on the rifle?
The scopes mounted on most "Rifle/Scope" packages are entry level. They will do the job, but there are much better available, depending on how good your bank account is or credit limit.
If you don't know how to check a scope for parallax, YouTube has some very explanatory videos.
Parallax is a condition you notice while looking through your scope. When you move your eye off center, while looking through the rear lens, OCULAR, the reticle, cross hairs, will move as well.
Better scopes have adjustable front lenses, OBJECTIVE, which will remove this condition.
Some very high end scopes, are set up at the factory to be parallax free at most ranges. Such as Swarovski and a couple of others.
Parallax aberrations will cause you to miss your point of aim, especially at closer ranges and long ranges. Most factory scopes are set for 120 meters to be parallax free.
No need to be shy.
Tell us what you want to hunt, and the ranges you think you would be comfortable shooting in the field, under less-than-ideal conditions.
How strong are you? Are you tall, short, in between?
So far, there hasn't been a "bad" suggestion here. Other than the Savage of course, but only because they're FUGLY. The later version usually shoot very well.
Tikkas are in a class by themselves. I've shot and owned several, and still have two. I haven't had one that didn't shoot well enough to hunt with and be OK out to 300yds, depending on conditions.
Remington, Winchester, Bergera, ATA, Browning, Mauser, any of the usuals are very good these days, off the shelf.
You're going to have to shop in your price range. Don't expect others to do it for you, because you will end up with what suits them, not you.
All of the BANNER ADVERTISERS are good to deal with.
Check them all out for pricing. You just missed some great "father's day prices."
If you don't have a mentor, that's able to give you some hands on experience, get one, if possible.
Tikkas are mid range for prices, Savage are on the low end, everything else is in between or more expensive.
If you don't have someone to show you what to look for, IMHO you should purchase a NEW RIFLE and follow the instructions in the manual before you take it out shooting.
The 308Win is a great cartridge for most game. There are others that you might like better though, such as 30-06/270Win.
Try to settle on a cartridge which is readily available in the gun shops or big box stores you frequent, or if you're planning to travel, that has a very good chance of being available where you're headed.
Are you planning on putting a scope on the rifle?
The scopes mounted on most "Rifle/Scope" packages are entry level. They will do the job, but there are much better available, depending on how good your bank account is or credit limit.
If you don't know how to check a scope for parallax, YouTube has some very explanatory videos.
Parallax is a condition you notice while looking through your scope. When you move your eye off center, while looking through the rear lens, OCULAR, the reticle, cross hairs, will move as well.
Better scopes have adjustable front lenses, OBJECTIVE, which will remove this condition.
Some very high end scopes, are set up at the factory to be parallax free at most ranges. Such as Swarovski and a couple of others.
Parallax aberrations will cause you to miss your point of aim, especially at closer ranges and long ranges. Most factory scopes are set for 120 meters to be parallax free.
TungstenJohn
CGN Regular
- Location
- Campbell River BC
If you are looking for used, older mauser98 platforms like the husqvarna and Parker hale can be had at reasonable prices - there are a couple of companies bringing them in from overseas (Sweden) - they won’t be shiny but if you read carefully you can save a lot of money (to buy a good scope) - those older guns are basically wood and steel - no plastic - and have a lot of character
I buy these rifles, haven’t been disssapointed yet. They’re a little difficult to find in .308 though. 7x57 8x57 30-06 all good choices. 6.5x55 is a good easy to shoot cartridge too.
Trimmer 905
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
German engineered and American built....Ruger M77......first,last and always.
