Rifle advice

[Silentstalker]

So, I am looking to get my son his first rifle. He has always used mine in the past but its time for his own. Budget is a little tight. The rifles I am looking at are as follows in no particular order.

Rem. 700 adl comes with a scope
Ruger American rifle
Savage axis
Savage axis II

Thoughts on quality or preference? Any other rifles in that price point I should be looking at?

 

[NWBlacktail]

The ADL would be fine, but the scope is where you'd loose money. It likely won't be good enough to depend on.

If I recall, the difference between the Axis and Axis II is the II has an adjustable trigger.

Probably the Ruger A, and Savage Axis II would be roughly equal in quality. I have a RA for my back-up, and it's a fine platform.

 

[6mm Remington]

The Ruger Americans have been reported to shoot very well. I like the Hawkeye better, but they are a bit more. What caliber?

 

[Guy Miner]

I'd stay away from the scopes on those package rifles. You can get a good Redfield or Leupold for about $200 that will serve much better.

I'm a Rem 700 fan, but have heard good things about the Ruger American...

Savage? Almost always quite accurate.

Guy

 

[gerry]

All of those would work but I would be partial to the Rem 700, it will last him a lifetime and there lots of aftermarket accessories so he could customize it in later years if he wishes.

 

[nvbroncrider]

Yeah those ADL's your basically paying for the action and that's it. The stock will get you by for a while and the scope is a throw away might be good for a bit. The stock is really flimsy Tupperware.

 

[wildgene]

...playing w/ 'em @ the gunshop, I'd go w/ the Ruger, meself. The Marlins (XL/XS) & Mossbergs aren't fancy, but they're solid rifles, tend to be good shooters. Checking the LGS for used ins't a bad idea, either...

 

[DrMike]

Any will work well, I should think. You have been given some good advice about the quality of the various makes. Package scopes are usually not noted for their quality. Both the Ruger and the Savage can be excellent firearms. Sounds as if your lad is about to get into some fun stuff. Glad to see you opting to get him into something that he can call his own. It will mean something to him for many years to come, no doubt. Good on you, Dad.

 

[Anonymous]

I've helped set up 3 kids with rifles in the last couple years- 2 Americans and 1 Savage in LH. I like the American better than the Savage unless you have a southpaw kid- then the Savage. Ruger is producing some LH Americans now, but not a youth model at this time.

The Savage was a package gun with a Nikon scope. I was skeptical- but it has worked well and the boy KO'd a bull this last year without incident.

You can set one up for about $500 with a little judicious shopping.

 

[Polaris]

http://www.impactguns.com/zastava-m70-i ... 980-n.aspx

This. A classic walnut stocked Mauser 98 for under 5 bills. This one is in .243, also available in other useful calibers, just follow the links. Leave the Tupperware for bake sales. Although modern value priced rifles are generally pretty effective tools, for the same price range you can get a classic. Zastava rifles are well made and accurate, and the mauser 98 has stood the test of time.

 

[taylorce1]

I'd go Remington, Ruger, or Savage 10/110. I wouldn't mess with the Axis/Axis II. I'd go with the Remington first as it gives you the most options later on when money improves as stated earlier. The Zastava isn't a bad option either.

 

[Silentstalker]

You guys are awesome. I appreciate all the great feedback. I agree about the cheap scopes and am leaning towards the remington. I am also looking into the cheapest Weatherby Vanguard Series 2. Its more money but I really like mine and I want this to be a nice gun for him. Im now thinking spend a little more on the gun and buy a new scope later. I have a few older scopes he can use for a while. Im hoping this is a rifle he will keep forever.

 

[Dwh7271]

Now the Vanguards in the mix, I would lean to it, followed by the Remington then Savage 10/110. I own a couple Vanguards, a 1 and a 2(sound like Lawrence Welk) and both are accurate. Remington and the Savages can be made into something else fairly easily in the future if he wants.

 

[gerry]

Since you mention the Vanguard as well and haven't mentioned a caliber choice it is my duty as a 6.5 mm fan to suggest the Vanguard in 6.5 Creedmoor and the Remington SPS in 260 Remington I'm not sure of the twist on the Creedmoor but would expect it to be a 1 in 8, the new 260's from Remington definitely have the faster twist now. Those 2 rounds would be extremely versatile and can be loaded for low recoil at the beginning if that's necessary.

 

[Silentstalker]

Im sure it wont be popular here, but Im looking at a .270 Win. We would both have the same caliber rifle and loaded with 150 gr. BT and Partitions they will both handle everything we hunt here in the west.

 

[Vince]

Not a bad choice for a Silentstalker.

Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk

 

[NWBlacktail]

Im sure it wont be popular here, but Im looking at a .270 Win....

Nothing wrong with that at all. My 270 win has served me very well. It's a classic cartridge, and the powders/bullets available these days make it deadly!

 

[Silentstalker]

Thx! Im more of a close range bowhunter who enjoys closing the distance even when carrying a thunderstick. I quite enjoy my .270. Its not exotic but very efficient with mild recoil.

 

[gerry]

Hey I got a 270 Win too, nothing wrong at all with them and tons of cheap brass and ammo.

 

[Silentstalker]

Agreed and that goes along way for a poor college student and a Dad supplying ammo!