Versatile entry-level rifle?

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BringEmOut

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First post and hopefully it won't come off too noobishly.

I've tried searching the forums and posts and couldn't find what I was looking for (possibly because I'm not searching on a key term or something).

I'm a new shooter and hope to be a new hunter as well (boar, some deer, etc so I'm thinking I'll likely choose .308) and I'm looking for a reasonable, entry-level rifle that will shoot pretty well without being a bank breaker and realizing that I don't need a bench-rest 1000yd shooter either. Just something to take out in the bush and get the job done with.

So far I've seen some good reviews on the Ruger American, Savage AXIS and the Marlin X7. Anyone have any real world experiences to add? Pros or cons that you've found while shooting them?

Thanks.
 
You should consider the Weatherby Vanguard in .308, or an older Marlin 336 .30-30. Both of these guns will take anything you're likely to be able to hit/hunt ethically.
How much deer vs boar shooting do you plan to do?
As a new shooter if you're doing almost all deer then a .243 should not be over looked. It's a great gun, light kicker, and easy to use. Excellent characteristics for a first rifle.
Boar are a different game and someone wlse will need to speak to it if you plan to mainly hunt boar.

Savage makes shooters, but the stocks look like someone made a gun out of regret and apathy. Ruger rifles I've handled have been great but the internet crowd will give you mixed reviews of recent production. Marlin... don't buy a post-07 Marlin just yet. They need some more time to work the kinks out after Rem bought them. Older Marlins will shine though.

Hope this helps.
 
Depending on your price range, you should consider the Weatherby Vanguard S2, it's not as budget minded as the list above, but IMO you get a rifle of a much higher build quality for the slight price increase. I ended up buying mine slightly used for $500, but you can often find them new for $600ish. From mine, and many others, experiences they are very accurate and the stock doesn't feel quite as much as a piece of Lego as some others. I've had the unfortunate chance to handle a Savage Axis in .243 and was not impressed at all with the feel and sloppy bolt compared to the Vanguard. As for the American and X7 I've yet to check out, but someone else will probably chime in. Good choice on the .308, it will get the job done for pretty much anything you want to hunt for if you're a one rifle kinda guy. Make sure you spend the time shooting as much as you can to be comfortable with the rifle before you head out into the bush. Welcome to the site, and don't let too much hype and BS get you overwhelmed!
 
Dogleg said:
Best deal around is the Weatherby Vanguard. Entry level price and you may just decide to stay there.
Click to expand...

Hard not to like that Vanguard, which IMHO trumps the typical bargain basement priced rifles produced by the usual suspects. Get one in .30/06, top it off with a good quality low power variable scope and never look back.

Once you have your rifle and scope, concentrate on getting the stuff you need to begin handloading, assuming you don't handload already. Handloading, by definition maximizes versatility; you choose the bullet and it's velocity. Handloading can be accomplished with a modest outfit which takes up a minimum of room, or can be as elaborate as you can afford. Cast or military FMJs loaded to 1600 fps are excellent loads for small game loads, and plinking. Varmint bullets from 100-130 grs are available should you want to trim down on the coyotes in your neighborhood. Match bullets from 155-240 grs will let you impress your friends should long rang shooting or paper punching grab your interest. Game bullets from 125-150 grs are excellent for deer sized game, 165-200 for elk, moose and bears, then when you need moderate range hammers, 220 and 240 gr round nose slugs at 2500 and 2300 fps respectively, make the '06 perform more like a medium bore.

If you keep careful records, you can easily return your scope to zero each time you switch loads, provided your scope has repeatable adjustments. You might even find that bullets from 150-180 gr shoot close to the same point of aim without adjustment, but this tends to be variable from rifle to rifle.
 
marlin is proberly the pick of the cheapies imo, then next step is the Vanguard s2, hawkeye, rem700s, savages, tikkas, howas, sako a7, a bolts...
id also +1 boomers comments regarding the calibre choice, load ya own mate an it will act as a 270 aswell I spose loadin lights...

WL
 
quality/price the Savage Axis is pretty much a good deal.
You can get a deal w/ scope for around 350$
Also check on EE for the used one. As for your needs, calibre .308 is right on the spot

happy shopping
 
If you're planning on shooting 200+ yrds, then by all accounts the 308 is your choice as its a good long distance shooter and mild on recoil. Weatherby gets the nod for this type of shooting, followed closely by the Rem 700's. If you won't be shooting past 200 yrds, I highly recommend a Marlin 336 in 35 Remington. The 35 is perfect for all animals you plan to hunt, including moose and elk if you wish. Benefits of the 336 - light, quick to point and shoot, compact, low recoil, and firepower. Best of luck!
 
Looking for the same thing myself, certainly appreciate the insight from those more experienced on the subject.

Any detriments of going with stainless on the rifles? Worth the additional price?
 
Entry level Savage 110 (not a fan of the axis)
Marlin XS7
Ruger American

These are all good rifles. If I were to buy a entry level rifle today it would be a Howa/Vanguard. Solid rifles
 
What's your budget? Do not discount buying a used rifle if you're budget needs to go that way. It takes a great deal of abuse to damage a modern hunting rifle. Plus you can find good rifles with a scope already mounted. Wrong time of year for used deer calibre rifles though.
The .308 will kill any game in North America with a 165 grain hunting bullet. Go shopping, fondle a few rifles and buy the one that feels right.
Anything with Weatherby in its name will just cost more. You pay extra for that name and Vanguards, while good rifles, are Howa M1500's.
 
I like the Vanguard but the prices seem to be rising. A series 1 Vanguard if you can find one is a cheaper and just as accurate option, Howa is the same rifle in a different stock, Prophet River has some in stock.
As for the bargain basement, Marlin bolt actions are supposedly good, I don't know anyone who owns one though. I believe they are built by someone else and rebranded so they don't have the QC issues some of their lever actions have had in recent years. I've been pushing the Ruger American as a good cheap choice lately, and a basic Savage won't let you down performance wise, I hate the Axis (just something about them, but they go bang), the 111/11/whatever # package deals aren't much more and some come with a slightly better Weaver scope. Many package deal scopes are kinda crappy.
 
You might want to consider the Mossberg 4x4. When I was looking for a similar priced rifle I looked at the Ruger American, Remington783, Savage Axis, and Mossberg4x4. I declined the Axis because it felt"clunky"; I passed on the 783 because it was Remington; I couldn't find an American in the caliber I wanted so I bought the 4x4. I haven't had an opportunity to shoot it yet but I think it is a winner. Since then, I sold a rifle I didn't like and bought a Ruger American chambered in a 7/08. It seems to be a sweet rifle.I really like the way it shoulders. Either would do the job but I think the American gets the edge on feel and appearance.We'll see how they shoot before I make a final recommendation
 
Savage Axis II just came out, you might wanna look at that.

Comes with the accutrigger (original axis doesn't) and is available in basically every caliber you could want.
They also come with a Weaver Kaspa scope, which is supposed to be a ~$150 scope.

And its only $450 (Cabelas has them on their website now.) Last week they were listed at only $419, which was a steal (and maybe even a mistake?)
 
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