Need input for a "Beginner" Rifle

[0scarM!ke]

Hi there guys. I'm new to the BA rifle game. And looking to get a budget minded bolt rifle. My local gun shop has a Savage 110 in .30-06. It's pre-Accutrigger, with a free floated barrel. It's not a heavy bull barrel though. It's got an el-cheapo Bushnell 4-18x40 with an adjustable objective lens.

It's used and they're asking $365. If fed good match grade ammo what reasonable level of accuracy can I expect? 2 MOA, 1 MOA, or even sub MOA?

Also, would you guys recommend installing a rifle basic trigger, timney, or some other trigger. Along with that should I glass bed the action in a nice laminate stock, or even a Choate "tactical"?

I know it's a used rifle, but I want to get the most out of it. What experience do y'all have with the 110 Model.

I'm basically looking to get a budget minded varmint, and hog hunter...along with a rifle that will print decent 1 MOA or Better groups. And if it's something you all think is worth it I can upgrade trigger, stock, scope, bedding, etc.

Any help would be greatly appreciated from this newb!

 

[Beef82]

Re: Need input for a "Beginner" Rifle

30-06 is a fantastic all around cartridge, the late Savage's are known to be accurate. If the bore's good I suspect it'll shoot atleast MOA. While great for medium and large game the '06 might be a bit much for varmitting, they do/did make a .224 saboted round for it that screamed, not sure how it shot. With a sporter weight barrel extended shooting sessions will be unpleasant if you're at all recoil averse, and the barrel will heat quickly.

I wouldn't worry about the trigger until you know you don't like what it has. Bedding it into a rigid stock that fits you well is never a bad idea.

 

[Flynn]

Re: Need input for a "Beginner" Rifle

30.06 was my first and is a great choice for its versatility. 308 or 270 and 243 are great choices.

 

[SigKev]

Re: Need input for a "Beginner" Rifle

At that price, I doubt you can do any better for a starter rifle. I would buy it and shoot it for a while before making any changes, so you can get a baseline first.

 

[ta2dtrent]

Re: Need input for a "Beginner" Rifle

I too would buy it.. shoot it for a while and figure out what it is that you really want or cant live without. At that price you could always sell and get most of your money back.

 

[kraigWY]

Re: Need input for a "Beginner" Rifle

Fair price for the rifle, and I would bet you that "as is" it will shoot better then 2 MOA. I wouldn't jump on the "gimmick" band wagon.

As Croosman said in his book, On Combat, "its not the hardware its is about the software" Amatures talk about hardware (equipment), proffesionals talk about software (training and practice).

You see a lot of itty bitty sub minute groups posted on the internet, but you find few cleaned targets at 1000 yards. The X-10 Ring on the 1000 yard target is 2 MOA.

The rifle (and '06) will do it, so I'd recommend getting the rifle, put the gimmick money and effert into training and ammo down range. When you get to where you can out shoot the rifle, shoot as constantly 2 MOA, then worry about changing the hardware.

 

[redneckbmxer24]

Re: Need input for a "Beginner" Rifle

If your only wanting it for target and your going to replace the stock and trigger anyway why don't you just start with something more appropriate?

You can order a brand new stevens which is the same action at dicks for under $350. Yeah it won't come with a scope but that scope on the 30-06 sounds like a banner which really isn't worth having.

Also I think you would just be wasting money and absorbing pointless recoil shooting a 30-06 at targets and varmints. 30-06 match ammo is pretty expensive and is going to have a good bit of punch in a hunting weight rifle. I think you would be much better served with a 223. Ammo is half the price or less than what 30-06 goes for which means you can shoot twice as much for the same price and theres hardly any recoil to speak of. Theres also no varmint, hog, or deer that the 223 won't take down.

The stevens 223 also has 1:9 twist so you can shoot the heavier bullets and get 600-800 yards out of it no problem.

 

[AKayl]

Re: Need input for a "Beginner" Rifle

One thing to consider is the cost of ammo. If you are not reloading 30-06 is much more expensive to shoot than .308, or .223. But depending on how much you plan to shoot it, that may not be a big factor.

 

[Wannashootit]

Re: Need input for a "Beginner" Rifle

I think that's a tad high, for a pre-accutrigger model.
I just picked up a Savage 10 FM Sierra in 7mm-.08 for $275, also pre-accutrigger.

I would check the local Wally World for the Savage package rifles that are exclusive to them. I saw one a couple of months ago in 30.06 WITH Accutrigger, cheap scope and stock for $390, NEW...

I'd go with the new Accutrigger action, over the used, non-Accutrigger...you're talking about the same bucks. Sell the cheap stock and scope when you're ready to upgrade.