Wanting to finally get my first bolt gun

[Nutro]

I know I'm fucking myself by getting into another style of rifle but I've got enough evil black gas guns and want a bolt.

I know NOTHING about building them like my other rifles. I'm stuck buying something used off the rack at Cabela's or new off the shelf.

Is the Rem 700 a decent start?

I'm wanting something "Tactical" looking in 243, 308 etc. I don't reload so I'd need a pretty common caliber and prefer cheap as possible and would love a large caliber.

This would be for 100-700 yards probably. Mostly range time with some hog kills as well.

Thanks guys.

 

[Defusion]

How much are you looking to spend?

Remington 700 has the advantage of a ton of aftermarket stuff you can get later on, and is cheap to start off with.
Some nice factory guns in order of expensiveness would be tikka t3 tactical, fn spr, AI AE/AW (my favorite ). Not as much aftermarket for these, but then again, you wont need any upgrades.

 

[Redmanss]

Why would you be stuck getting it at Cabelas? Here's a great starting point: http://www.snipershide.com/shooting...emington-700-sps-tac-aac-308-$685-shiped.html

 

[sib1948]

Why would you be stuck getting it at Cabelas? Here's a great starting point: http://www.snipershide.com/shooting...emington-700-sps-tac-aac-308-$685-shiped.html

As Redmanss said, this would be a great bolt action starter, but BEWARE, you'll soon be hooked and never look back at your gas guns. Just saying-Whole new world of shooting!

 

[BoilerUP]

Hard to beat a 700 AAC-SD as a starter gun...there's a reason why its recommended so often.

Now only if Remington would make that rifle with a 1:7 223 barrel to complement the 1:10 308 offering...

 

[roggom]

For a Remmy out of the box I would skip right to the LTR. You have a decent stock, good coating on the bbl, lighter and easier to handle. No jacking around selling and swapping stocks. Maybe drop in a Jewell or Timney trigger and go shoot. Other than that go full custom.

 

[Nutro]

Okay so I've been finger fucking and looking at many bolt guns locally. It seems I just can't afford the Remy right now. I'm looking to keep it around $500-$600 shipped.

I am really liking the Savage rifles. I found a few with threaded muzzles and 20"-22" barrels in .308 for around my price range. I'm sure I'll have to modify it later but I'm kind of digging them right now.

 

[shooter1054]

Savage makes a great budget rifle. Lots of aftermarket parts,but not as many as the Rem700. Savage shoots great (typically) out of the box. Not as good as some of the higher dollar rifles, but a great rifle for the money. You can do a lot worse than Savage. I'm thinking about another Savage in 243 this time. I have the Savage in 338LM currently.

 

[PBR-XP FAN]

The Savage 11 "Hog Hunter" would be a great start to a tactical bolt gun project. I
recently saw the .308 model for sale online at Bud's Gun Shop for $444.00 including
shipping. The "Hog Hunter" has a 20" threaded medium-heavy barrel and iron sights,
along with the receiver being drilled/tapped for a scope rail. The stock is a light-weight
molded plastic affair, which would have to be replaced, but most here would do so.
The "Hog Hunter" has a lot of good features for its price range. Any thoughts?

 

[stangguyaz]

If you wait tell Cabelas has a sale on there spss or sps and you have one of there coupons they put out and sign up for there credit card you can probably afford either of them. I bought my SPSS when it was on sale I cant remember for how much I think $600 $650ish, it had a $75 mail in rebate I had a 50 dollar off coupon and I signed up for the credit card which gave me 15% off my first purchase. When I got to the counter they could not find the rebate so the manager just took off $75 bucks from the price. It ended up costing me just over $400 bucks out the door. I went home got on Remington's website printed out the $75 rebate mailed it in and I received my first ever rebate 4 weeks later. So my .308 spss only cost me right around $350

I also own a Savage that I have had some work done to but it is strickly a hunting rifle lite weight thin profile barrel 7mm mag but man does it shoot. either way you can't go wrong they are both good starter rifles.

 

[sib1948]

It's about time you came over from the "Dark Side" to the bolt action side! Whole new game and much more fun and satisfying. Remington and Savage both good choices, but straight 308 or even 223 to get started with the basics with much cheaper practice ammo. Hell, even 22LR not a bad cheap starter round and much more fun than the AR semi autos! Good Luck and Straight Shooting!

 

[Hunt4life]

I know I'm fucking myself by getting into another style of rifle but I've got enough evil black gas guns and want a bolt.

I know NOTHING about building them like my other rifles. I'm stuck buying something used off the rack at Cabela's or new off the shelf.


Is the Rem 700 a decent start?

I'm wanting something "Tactical" looking in 243, 308 etc. I don't reload so I'd need a pretty common caliber and prefer cheap as possible and would love a large caliber.

This would be for 100-700 yards probably. Mostly range time with some hog kills as well.

Thanks guys.

I would go with the 308 then. Far more options with surplus and match quality ammo. A 700 or a Savage either one would do the trick just fine. I lean more savage these days because they are so much easier to work on and for the most part they put out concentric actions that do not need truing.

Also, if money is tight, look for a Stevens .308. Shoot it for a while and save up for a prefit barrel ($300),look for a used stock here. You do not need a heavy contour barrel to enjoy shooting it just makes it easier to shoot long sessions.

 

[MacM11]

All of the above seems to be sound advice---There was a time in my past that I wouldn't have dreamed of being a 'bolt gun' guy. Now, my M-4/ACOG sit in the safe and my Armalite AR-10T just sold.

You are on the road to better things.

 

[clowe]

Okay so I've been finger fucking and looking at many bolt guns locally. It seems I just can't afford the Remy right now. I'm looking to keep it around $500-$600 shipped.

I am really liking the Savage rifles. I found a few with threaded muzzles and 20"-22" barrels in .308 for around my price range. I'm sure I'll have to modify it later but I'm kind of digging them right now.

The savage axis is hard to beat. I bought one last winter at academy sports for $279. I am new to bolt guns as well but I think and many others that it shoots awsome. Espicailly for under $300. If you want to go to .223 look at the mossberge MVP. It is a .223 bolt that takes the AR mags. They make a varmit edition that has the oversized stock. You can pick one up for around $500.

 

[IPSC]

Look at a Howa 1500 with heavy/varmint barrel..... reminds me of an old Sako, nice M16 style extractor, fine quality and workmanship ( no need to "true" an action to barrel), the newest HACT triggers are *very* nice, bottom of receiver is flattish with a huge recoil lug...AND.... pretty cheap. Three position safety. Japanese made so quality is high....same gun as Weatherby Vanguard.

One example current ad-----> http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=361699395

 

[Mayhem52]

Without trying to offend the Remington 700 users here, I tried a 700 SP Tactical in 308 and it was in the top 3 worst rifles I've ever shot. I have to reference the post above because I also have a Howa 1500 "Varminter" in .308 and it's many times better than the 700 SPS tactical. With decent loads I can and do nail 4" clay pigeons at 500+ yards all day long with the Howa. I'd be lucky to be with a foot or so of the pigeon with the Remy. The one I owned lasted 2 weeks before putting it up for sale.

 

[mwroseberry]

You wont go wrong with either rifle but for caliber if you arent going to reload if go 6.5 creedmore. You may be able to find ammo in 308 or 243 but it probably wont be the match ammo you need. It contrast if you find 6.5 creedmore it will almost always be match ammo. And from what ive seen I have seen very few 6.5 creedmore factory rifles that dont shoot well. Also ballistically the creed spanks your other two suggestions.

Just my 0.02

Good luck and welcome to the addiction,
Merritt