Good intro rifle. Sujestions

callen3615

callen3615

Sergeant
Minuteman
Jan 27, 2010
97
13
36
Peidmont, NC
#1
Hey guys. Im new here but not new to shooting. Ive shot small caliber rifles my whole life, but ive never owned a high caliber rifle.

I recently bought a savage 17hmr and I love it. I put a cheap high magnification scope on it and have been shooting targets well out to 250 yds.

I like target shooting abunch, im not really into hunting deer but I could see my self making that change.

I want another rifle so I can shoot greater distances. I cant go much beyond 200 with the 17hmr, the wind really kills it. I want a rifle thats cheap and shoots the cheapest ammo I can find (or handload). The longest distances I will be shooting will be 500 yards, most probably closer than 300.

I would like another savage, maybe a stevens 200.


Thanks for the help.
 
#2
Re: Good intro rifle. Sujestions

Ive been looking at different calibers. Is the 223 accurate enough for 500 yard shots?

Ive been looking at ammo too, the 223s are alot cheaper than 308s.

I live in north carolina so its quite hard for me to find 400 yards of flat land.
 
#3
Re: Good intro rifle. Sujestions

I shot 223 (5.56nato) in the Marines and qualified with my M16a4 at that range. I know the 223 will get you there it's just questionable on knock down at that range. I went with 308 because of what I've seen the 7.62 do to the human body so I know it will have no problem with a deer. You can go either way on caliber but I believe a Savage or Stevens 200 is a great option. I got mine at buds 200 XP and once I installed the 20MOA base had no problem at all going out to 500yds. If I was you I'd stick with the 308 just due to ranged balistics and the 223 is known to lose knock down past 300.

Just my 0.02

Good luck,
Merritt
 
#4
Re: Good intro rifle. Sujestions

.223 is a good starter sujestions
crazy.gif
 
#5
Re: Good intro rifle. Sujestions

Thanks guys. I know that the terminal ballistics of the 223 pail in comparison to the 308 at longer range. I really wont need "knock down power" at 500 yards, just enough ft.lbs to punch a hole in paper.
wink.gif
 
#9
Re: Good intro rifle. Sujestions

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: obamayomamma</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The reviews for the stevens 200 are great except for the stock. I may just hit it with a can of krylon but could I replace it with a more "tactical" style? </div></div>

Already did the kylon. And now I'm going to a B&C medalist stock. Be ordering it the end of this week or first of next.

Good luck,
Merritt
SGT USMC vet.
 
#10
Re: Good intro rifle. Sujestions

223 is a great cartridge that meets your stated goals. In calm conditions, the 223 can and has beat all comers at 600 yards in highpower comps...it performs at distance. The 1:9 twist barrel you reference above is not ideal for long-range 223 shooting. You need a 1:8 at a minimum and a 1:7 would be even better for bullets weighing 80 grains and up. A 1:6.5 twist is recommended for the 90gr VLDs. You won't be happy with a 1:9 with the heaviest bullets used for long-range. Recommend a bolt-action.
 
#13
Re: Good intro rifle. Sujestions

Good info man. Thanks.

Im not sure if I can afford the aftermarket deal though.

I mean im buying a stevens rifle for 300 bucks, im trying to save for a car. Thanks anyway
 
#16
Re: Good intro rifle. Sujestions

may i SUGGEST you also look in the classifieds as there were several nice savages in there already in nice stocks and with accutriggers that adjust down to 1.5 pounds. that will save you from having to restock the stevens and replace or rework the trigger.
 
#20
Re: Good intro rifle. Sujestions

Hang onto your 22 and use it as your practice rifle.

The current Savage website's gun finder function will locate you 50 models chambered in .223 Rem, including 4 Stevens rifles. Good caliber choice, also a very good chambering to start up your handloading capacity. No good reason to hold off on that. Savage and Stevens supply barrels with 1:9" rifling, which allows bullet weights up to around 75gr, good for longer distances.

At this point, going expensive and specializing on a custom is not really warranted. A decent varmint gun will serve your needs.

Optics are a mind boggling choice, start simple, but allow enough magnificatio to take advantage of the .223's good accuracy. 500yd isn't unreasonable, but for small game, like a healthy 'Chuck, effective range is about 300yd.

Once you've wrung this new rifle out, you'll know a lot more about yourself and what your next rifle should be like. For now, keep it simple and affordable, and consider your monye best spent in an adequate handloading setup and workmanlike ammo components.

Greg
 
#21
Re: Good intro rifle. Sujestions

Here is a post that may interest your:

USMARINE1108,

I picked up a Savage pre-fit barrel from McGowen's excess inventory page back in December. It is chambered in .243 Winchester with a 1-7.0" twist, runs 26" long with 8-flutes, and measures 1" in diameter at the muzzle. It came threaded, with a 2"-long honeycomb type muzzle break and a thread protector.

I paid $400.00 laugh It was one helluva deal, and shoots like gangbusters.

I'm running 115 DTAC's at 3,011fps and shooting inside my .300WSM with 210SMK's for windage and elevation to infinity.

My buddy just took order of a 1-7.0" twist 28" 22-250 barrel from McGowen with similar specs, and its just as nice.

Here's a link to McGowen's Savage Pre-Fit page: http://www.mcgowenbarrel.com/savage.htm .

They're certainly worth considering...

Chops
 
#23
Re: Good intro rifle. Sujestions

Thanks guys. I may go with the 308 instead. I can get ammo online for a decent price. At least then I can still hunt if I want to and the 308 will buck the wind alot better.

 
#24
Re: Good intro rifle. Sujestions

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MinorDamage</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Mike/AXEMAN,

I "suggest" that the OP doesn't get your subtle corrections.

Josh</div></div>

Let me be more clear than to the OP.

Switch your user name to something else. There is a no-politics rule and your user name is too coincidental.

Thank you.
 
#25
Re: Good intro rifle. Sujestions

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Mike</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MinorDamage</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Mike/AXEMAN,

I "suggest" that the OP doesn't get your subtle corrections.

Josh</div></div>

Let me be more clear than to the OP.

Switch your user name to something else. There is a no-politics rule and your user name is too coincidental.

Thank you. </div></div>

Sorry guys. Why didnt you say something? No need to be subtle.

Thanks for the help btw.
 
#26
Re: Good intro rifle. Sujestions

Its legal to shoot deer with any caliber in north carolina. Just looked it up. Im not sure that I would even try with a 223 unless I was shooting a 70g bullet from about 100 yards anyway.
 
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