Best First Rifle

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cjvb1932

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Hi everyone. I'm turning 18 in exactly one week and I'm waiting on my FOID card. I have been around guns for about 6 years and I'm hoping to get a rifle in a few weeks. I was looking at the savage AXIS. Its .223. And I'm hoping to find a .223 in this price range. Has anyone had experience with this rifle? Are there any other suggestions similar to this rifle?
 
A 223 is a good choice, Target shooting or hunting. Remington 700 Varmint & CZ also are makes nice rifles
 
All the name brand guns are capable of good perfomance, and if you buy used, they can have a wide price range that will suit most budgets.

The "best" rifle is the one that YOU like, and will do what YOU expect it to do
 
The .223 is a good cartridge for the relatively inexperienced shooter. Inherently accurate; negligible recoil. As a lifelong hunter, I'm partial to bolt-action rifles.

I started reloading in 1950. I urge at least reading up on it. :) I recommend used gear from gun shows or from CraigsList. I'm still using dies which were not new when I first began.
 
Depends on what sort of shooting you will be doing-and how often. And how experienced you are. I did not really become a good shot till I started practicing with 22LRs. My $.02.
 
If I could do it over again, for myself I'd go with (rimfire) 22lr or 17 HMR Marlin bolt gun or (center fire) a 243 bolt gun, probably a savage package rifle. JM2C
 
What is the gun for?

The best values are usually found on the consignment racks- most hunting rifles don't get shot enough to wear them out in several lifetimes worth of use..... thought the stocks may look beat, the bores are often not even broken in ......

If you are new to shooting, buy an inexpensive bolt gun and as much ammo as you can .... or components for making same.......

.223 is certainly an economical caliber ..... perfect if you are punching paper or plinking.
 
No experience with the Axis,but I have 4 Savage rifles[2 rimfire and 2 centerfire]and am very pleased with all.
You might want to take a look at a Ruger American.
I have one chambered in 270 win. and it shoots sub-moa with cheap factory ammo.
 
Savage has a really good reputation for accuracy. If it's just for shooting targets 223 works but if you're going to be taking game with it we need to know how big.

I also agree with the 22lr bolt gun as a great starter but many people think they grow out of them fast. I don't. In fact I'm taking at least two with me to the range.

But since 22lr is semi a pain to find on the shelf I would side with 223 or other because it should be on the shelves.
 
I feel that the best all around caliber for anything is the 30-06. Just under that is the .243. The -06 is going to be painful to shoot much and the .243 is going to be expensive to shoot much. The .270 may be a good compromise.

Both are legal for deer and the -06 will kill anything in north America.

If your not going to hunt large game get the .223. Not saying a .223 isn't lethal it just isnt legal for deer in most states, not in VA. It is very affordable to shoot.

As for rifles, I own two of the Axis series(.270 and .243) and 5 of the Ruger American series(30-06, .243, .223, .17HMR, .22LR) and I say Ruger hands down in that price range. Throw a good scope on them and have fun
 
Ive had a Axis in 223... was very accurate and price was right. Can always upgrade it later with a boyds $99 laminate stock. Makes it feel and look like a whole different gun.
I would suggest looking for one used locally.. Ive seen them for $225 used which is a great value and a good starter gun.
 
Savage rifles have always been accurate. Go for it. The 223 is a good start, but I think you should consider a 22LR (rimfire) first as it will allow you to shoot more and develop good shooting habits.
 
Personally, I would find a good bolt action 17 HMR. Maybe the savage and then put a Nikon Monarch 3 3-9 BDC on it. Vortex has a similar scope too with BDC.
 
Savage 17hmr bolt is a great little rifle. Have been happy with mine. Came with scope and in a wood stock for under 250. 223 will obviously reach farther.
 
I've been shorting my dad's .22LR since I was 11 or 12. Recently I've been shorting my dad's mosins and his hand guns a lot. So I am looking for a step up from a .22.
 
My favorite is a 357 magnum carbine. Very cheep to reload and can be used and game up to deer.

in the past I use to recommend 22lr for a first rifle but I don't any more with how hard ammo is to find. 17hmr and 22 mag seem fairly common here.
 
What's your budget? The Axis is a decent rifle, but there aren't many BNIB rifles running $300ish. Look into a Savage package too. No more low end scopes on 'em.
Buying used will likely get you a higher end rifle(mostly the stock material and finish, but also adjustable triggers) likely with a scope for roughly the same money. Used rifles are not like used cars.
 
.223 is great

As long as you know what you want to do with it. For range or small game/predator hunting it ought to be great. For deer or hog hunting, not so much. Savage makes accurate, if not so attractive, rifles. You can also upgrade or customize the hell out of them.
 
Another one for buying a used gun. You can get a lot more rifle for your money than buying a lesser quality new gun. Hit the Pawn Shops, Buds, Armslist, Consignments etc and look around a good bit. Go slow, take your time looking and you can find a real gem.

The Axis is a decent starter rifle, shoots well and can serve you for a while. However, it is a limited on add ons and buildability/customization. Polymer trigger guard and bolt handle as well as cheaper construction than the rest of the Savage line.

.223 is a good starter cartridge but if you plan to start hunting with it, I'd move on up to a .243. I little more expensive on the ammo part but offers more on the hunting aspect.

Good luck.
 
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