Thoughts on bolt actions?

[Canuck65]

Guys looking for a 223, maybe 308, not a HVA 1600 or Mauser 98 answer lol

I think we're trying to suggest that a quality used rife in a more versatile chambering is something he ought to seriously consider (rather than a cheap plastic thing which would cost twice as much and be half as good).

223 is good at one or two things. 30-06, 6.5x55, 270 etc are good at just about everything.

 

[iron cat]

The OP is looking g for a casual plinker, the .223 is the best bet for that, IIRC , the OP mentioned factory ammo, not hand loading.
Cat

 

[Hmatt]

How do you know exactly what the guy wants? A smart shooter explores all options.

Right now Intersurplus has a great selection of .308 rifles, many of them better quality than you can buy new for half the money.

a .308 would fit the bill for the OP and Intersurplus as got more than a few available presently: https://intersurplus.com/collections/308-winchester

Those LSA55s are fancy

 

[45ACPKING]

I do't do a whole lot of shooting at a range facitlity given all the crown land here but here's my thoughts for that it's worth.
If I am using a firearm for mostly just range use..... I want it to be accurate so that my range time is rewarding. So a casual plinker to me is not necessarily an accurate gun... it's just a fun gun like an sks LOL A nice accurate range gun for me might come in an aluminum chassis with a decent optic and a bipod so if those kinds of accessories are to your liking, this might also decide what action you choose to go with for compatability reasons. These days I also like to dig a little deeper and verify "in Canada" customer support or over the counter warranty as well as "in canada" replacement parts.
Decide what you want out of the firearm. Look at ammo cost for range use too as some calibers get cost prohibitive for a lot of shooters real quick.
.223 is an obvious choice but don't overlook calibers like 17hmr or other smaller calibers. At the end of the day you will just be punching paper so some economics should be factored in unless you have lots of funds for ammo hehe.

 

[Meroh]

The OP is looking g for a casual inker, the .223 is the best bet for that, IIRC , the OP mentioned factory ammo, not hand loading.
Cat

Cheap, plinker .223 like Federal American Eagle, Tula, Norinco are economical, but they shoot like sh**.

 

[Meroh]

I do't do a whole lot of shooting at a range facitlity given all the crown land here but here's my thoughts for that it's worth.
If I am using a firearm for mostly just range use..... I want it to be accurate so that my range time is rewarding. So a casual plinker to me is not necessarily an accurate gun... it's just a fun gun like an sks LOL A nice accurate range gun for me might come in an aluminum chassis with a decent optic and a bipod so if those kinds of accessories are to your liking, this might also decide what action you choose to go with for compatability reasons. These days I also like to dig a little deeper and verify "in Canada" customer support or over the counter warranty as well as "in canada" replacement parts.
Decide what you want out of the firearm. Look at ammo cost for range use too as some calibers get cost prohibitive for a lot of shooters real quick.
.223 is an obvious choice but don't overlook calibers like 17hmr or other smaller calibers. At the end of the day you will just be punching paper so some economics should be factored in unless you have lots of funds for ammo hehe.

I had an SKS, shot pretty good; however I do agree with the guy who first said "the only interesting gun is an accurate gun" Don't buy junk because you don't think you need better; buy the best you can. A good rifle will make you a better shooter. A bad rifle will make you mediocre at best.

 

[MosinMan13]

Hey everyone, I’m looking into getting a bolt action for under 1500 or so (with scope), does anyone have any suggestions and preferences? I’d want it to be fine going out about 400 yards but that’s probably the farthest I’d need, maybe 500. Any thoughts? Thanks!

What other calibers have you shot? I’m just thinking everyone here got in a super pragmatic thought process but maybe another thing you might want to consider is the actual shooting experience itself. Personally I find most .20 cal rifles super boring, and I don’t mean to that insult anybody with one, but cheap ammunition or not I would have been seriously misled had I asked and taken the same advice as given here, and even I was about to say .223 until I wrote out my initial response.

I’ve fired a fair few .223 rifles, Savage Scout 110 (just a short savage 110 action) a Savage Axis, Howa Mini, and as nice as most of them were as rifles (the axis felt clunky) I found .223 was underwhelming, if not boring to shoot. Thats not to say anything less of people who enjoy .223 because there’s endless literature to back its merit and I’m not opening that can of worms. I rarely ever shoot past 150yards just because of my location and finding the time, and I still choose to own and shoot overkill, impractical and expensive hunting calibers (308, 450bm, 300wm) simply because I find it intoxicating and sending spicey hot rounds down range puts a smile on my face. .308/7.62 is certainly more expensive but to play the devils advocate here, you might find it more fun?

On the topic of the gun, Savage/Ruger/Tikka and Howa all make great price point rifles, some even with scopes for all the calibers in this thread mentioned, the action is important but the glass is key, you can live with a budget friendly finish on a rifle but you’ll have a bad time looking through crappy glass.

 

[Jamman]

What other calibers have you shot? I’m just thinking everyone here got in a super pragmatic thought process but maybe another thing you might want to consider is the actual shooting experience itself. Personally I find most .20 cal rifles super boring, and I don’t mean to that insult anybody with one, but cheap ammunition or not I would have been seriously misled had I asked and taken the same advice as given here, and even I was about to say .223 until I wrote out my initial response.

I’ve fired a fair few .223 rifles, Savage Scout 110 (just a short savage 110 action) a Savage Axis, Howa Mini, and as nice as most of them were as rifles (the axis felt clunky) I found .223 was underwhelming, if not boring to shoot. Thats not to say anything less of people who enjoy .223 because there’s endless literature to back its merit and I’m not opening that can of worms. I rarely ever shoot past 150yards just because of my location and finding the time, and I still choose to own and shoot overkill, impractical and expensive hunting calibers (308, 450bm, 300wm) simply because I find it intoxicating and sending spicey hot rounds down range puts a smile on my face. .308/7.62 is certainly more expensive but to play the devils advocate here, you might find it more fun?

On the topic of the gun, Savage/Ruger/Tikka and Howa all make great price point rifles, some even with scopes for all the calibers in this thread mentioned, the action is important but the glass is key, you can live with a budget friendly finish on a rifle but you’ll have a bad time looking through crappy glass.

Thanks for the input! I know what you mean about .223, I already have one and am looking to sell. I was talking to a friend and he’s got me interested pretty interested in 6 and 6.5 creed, maybe in an sig cross though that’s definitely more than my original budget lol. I really like that it’s light and comes with a folding stock.

 

[Meroh]

Thanks for the input! I know what you mean about .223, I already have one and am looking to sell. I was talking to a friend and he’s got me interested pretty interested in 6 and 6.5 creed, maybe in an sig cross though that’s definitely more than my original budget lol. I really like that it’s light and comes with a folding stock.

When I was kid I had a 6.5 x 55; now I have three. I have also had 3 different .223; now I have none. I get it.

 

[thegazelle]

Another vote for a .223 T3X. I got a T3X TACT A1 and threw a Primary Arms SLx on there and a Harris bipod. Thing is hefty and solid, and the Tikka bolt throw is absolutely superb and smooth as butter. The regular T3Xes are very well regarded in the community and dare I say it, you can never go wrong with a Tikka.

Another rifle that in my opinion doesn't get enough love is the Franchi Momentum / Momentum Elite (in .308). I know, Franchi is more known for their shotguns, but this rifle has been such a pleasant surprise. Extremely smooth bolt which operates effortlessly. Accuracy even with bulk range ammo is superb. The Elite comes with the muzzle brake to mitigate felt recoil, if that's a consideration.

On the bottom end, some of the Savage rifles are pretty decent, and in my view, are not as bad as some people make them out to be. Bolt can be a tad rough as can be some of the worksmanship (definitely not a Tikka), but I have an Axis (308), had an Axis II Precision (MDT Chassis was cool) (223) and have a 111 (30.06). But for a value rifle, it's a decent proposition.

Here's the thing though - I can list what works for me but it may not work for everyone else. Some guns just fit better than others - things like length of pull, how it shoulders, weight distribution (and weight in general) all may be factors for which it may be more important to some than others. If you get an opportunity to just get your hands on some at your local gun store, it may help narrow your decision down insofar as individual look and feel.

 

[blakeyboy]

ruger American and leupold vx3hd might hit the budget, it will definitely shoot well, and isn't a bargain basement cheap option...you could be happy with it for life, then further define if you want resale, big game legal cartridge just in case (also helps resale) and what recoil you want, is factory ammo on the menu....then it will clear up to about 4 different top choices of which cartridge to choose

 

[gorby]

Couple considerations... get a heavy barrel so you do not need to wait for the barrel to cool as often and you can go to town... agree with the smaller calibers, I would even get a .22 if you don't have one, a .22 is still very accurate to 350y (even further, but my range tops out at 350) and you get tons of practice with the wind... consider an action that has lots of chassis/barrel options in the future, like the Howa 1500, Weatherby Vangaurd, Bergara, Savage 110, or Tikka (cz as well if you get a .22)... get a PRS style scope with tactical turrets and high magnification to see those bullet holes out far...

As for specifics... hard to beat the Howa Heavy Barrel rifles (they have .223) for bang for the buck, would go CZ 457 Varmint if rimfire. Either of those should give you close to enough for an Arken scope, which is not the best, but rrally hard to beat for the price.