Hi folks. New member, but have been visiting this board from time to time to get answers to questions for the past year or so. Today I'm hoping to get some advice tailored to me and my goals.
To start, I do not currently own a bolt action rifle, but have in the past. Had to sell it when hard times hit, and am now preparing to get a new bolt gun. Also, since it will probably come up, I do not currently reload, but plan to start in the not too distant future. Budget requires that I do one thing at a time.
So let's get to it. I want a rifle that I can use for hunting (primarily coyotes, but also deer in the upcoming season) and occasional paper punching. I want a rifle I can use effectively while I gather replacement/upgrade parts for it. I plan to get a scope, a new stock (likely a B&C Medalist), new bottom metal, new trigger, and barrel, in this order. I would prefer to keep the rifle completely stock until I've been able to get all the new pieces in hand, then send it to a smith to get the whole job done at once. I'm having a bit of trouble deciding what the best route would be.
I know I want a .243 Winchester, and also a .30 of some sort, possibly .300 WM or .30-06, but .308 is also in the running only because it's a short action. The idea here is all my rifle needs ought to be fulfilled between two rifles. One will be a lighter rifle, basically for hunting big game (hence the .30-something), while the other will be the .243 in something like a Manners T4A & bull barrel, that I'll use for paper punching and coyotes exclusively.
Which route should I go first? I can go with the .243 and simply exclude deer hunting for time, until I can afford the second rifle - I don't really care about that too much. Or I can go the .30, and just use that for 'yotes too until I get the .243 later. Some advice on this decision would be appreciated.
Second, and more importantly, should I go with a Remington 700 action, or a Savage action? The two rifle choices (since, like I mentioned, I want to use the rifle as-is until I have all the build parts) are a Remington 700 ADL, or a Savage 11/111 Trophy Hunter XP.
So, which rifle would better suit my needs? And which caliber should I go with first?
I really appreciate the help. Sorry for the long post.
To start, I do not currently own a bolt action rifle, but have in the past. Had to sell it when hard times hit, and am now preparing to get a new bolt gun. Also, since it will probably come up, I do not currently reload, but plan to start in the not too distant future. Budget requires that I do one thing at a time.
So let's get to it. I want a rifle that I can use for hunting (primarily coyotes, but also deer in the upcoming season) and occasional paper punching. I want a rifle I can use effectively while I gather replacement/upgrade parts for it. I plan to get a scope, a new stock (likely a B&C Medalist), new bottom metal, new trigger, and barrel, in this order. I would prefer to keep the rifle completely stock until I've been able to get all the new pieces in hand, then send it to a smith to get the whole job done at once. I'm having a bit of trouble deciding what the best route would be.
I know I want a .243 Winchester, and also a .30 of some sort, possibly .300 WM or .30-06, but .308 is also in the running only because it's a short action. The idea here is all my rifle needs ought to be fulfilled between two rifles. One will be a lighter rifle, basically for hunting big game (hence the .30-something), while the other will be the .243 in something like a Manners T4A & bull barrel, that I'll use for paper punching and coyotes exclusively.
Which route should I go first? I can go with the .243 and simply exclude deer hunting for time, until I can afford the second rifle - I don't really care about that too much. Or I can go the .30, and just use that for 'yotes too until I get the .243 later. Some advice on this decision would be appreciated.
Second, and more importantly, should I go with a Remington 700 action, or a Savage action? The two rifle choices (since, like I mentioned, I want to use the rifle as-is until I have all the build parts) are a Remington 700 ADL, or a Savage 11/111 Trophy Hunter XP.
So, which rifle would better suit my needs? And which caliber should I go with first?
I really appreciate the help. Sorry for the long post.
