Good beginner's rifle?

Sure. I never had anything near that for a first rifle but if it suits your shooting needs/desires then yes.

Its a pretty open ended and subjective question.
 
I'd skip it personally.

Get a brand new Tikka with a VARMINT barrel. For a first rifle, I'd get a Tikka Varmint. Especially if your range is under 600yards

Under $900 for a Sako barrel, reliable smooth action, great factory trigger.


If you decide you want to upgrade:

-upgrade the stock... KRG Bravo chassis $250
-AICS mags (if running the Bravo chassis)

Add a YoDave! trigger spring for $25 if you want a lighter trigger pull (excellent factory trigger, but not as clean as a high end aftermarket)

That will be a very nice gun for the $$$ and will take care of you for a long time.

.223 if you want to practice/learn with bulk ammo for your first couple thousand rounds

6.5CM if you want to shoot past 600 easily but know ammo will be much costlier

if budget is something to consider, get the .223 and practice with bulk $0.25 ammo learning basics technique at 300 yards

Once you have a few thousand rounds of practice, go farther with match .223

Best advice for a first bolt action rifle I can give for reliability, smoothness, accuracy. Amazing value for the $$$

Remington 700 factory gun... sucks.