TaperPin
WKR
- Joined
- Jul 12, 2023
- Messages
- 3,252
Very true.I got frustrated by lots of people that talked about it but never followed through.
Very true.I got frustrated by lots of people that talked about it but never followed through.
I agree, and most of the expensive gear will not make us more effective as we like to think.Hell I'd go a bit further and say there is no need for an expensive combo no matter your experience level. It's simply a want.
There are lots of things I wanted to do… still have some of the gear and wasted money.Like others have said, you dont have to spend a fortune on a rifle and scope set up. A buddy wanted to get into hunting but didnt want to spend much, I told him to try out one of the Savage Axis 2's. He bought it in 25-06 with a Nikon scope for like $350 out the door. I was damn impressed by how well it shoots! In fact its still sitting in my safe cause he never really got that into hunting. I need to shoot something with it just to get it broke in.
Great point on having extras and I do have a few rifles people are welcome to try out. He was gung ho on buying his own though. He's a younger guy with 3 younger kids and coaches soccer so his time is limited. I still remind him every year to pick up tags before the season but he's got too much going on and hunting isnt really a priority. Hopefully one day he'll make it out with me.There are lots of things I wanted to do… still have some of the gear and wasted money.
That’s one reason I try to keep a full backup set of gear so it’s easy for a friend to try. Lower the barrier to entry for more. I don’t even charge for ammo until they are hooked. It’s fun seeing friends shoot and get excited about ringing steel.
Make them buy ammo and tags, 90% of hunts can be done with what gear you have.
Ultimately, most really won’t or can’t dedicate the time because of family, work, or other limitations. Sometimes I think we don’t realize how much time we spend, besides money.
I have lots of friends like that. I remind them and offer to do everything but get the tag. They aren’t serious. It’s OK.Great point on having extras and I do have a few rifles people are welcome to try out. He was gung ho on buying his own though. He's a younger guy with 3 younger kids and coaches soccer so his time is limited. I still remind him every year to pick up tags before the season but he's got too much going on and hunting isnt really a priority. Hopefully one day he'll make it out with me.
People really need to stop it with the SWFA scopes. For all intents and purposes they don't exist. If do manage to get an order in for one you'll wait a year to get it.The only thing I would add is not to go completely Amazon cheap on the optic and rings/bases. I don't want to know how much time, frustration, discouragement, and precious ammo budget I've wasted over the years chasing a zero that wouldn't hold.
Probably worth forking over the $300 for an SWFA right up front.
Mine shipped same day 3 weeks ago.People really need to stop it with the SWFA scopes. For all intents and purposes they don't exist. If do manage to get an order in for one you'll wait a year to get it.
No. It's just not realistic. We've got to move on for the most part.
People really need to stop it with the SWFA scopes. For all intents and purposes they don't exist. If do manage to get an order in for one you'll wait a year to get it.
No. It's just not realistic. We've got to move on for the most part.
For a brand new hunter that isn't going to be shooting past 150 or so for a bit, that POS nikon on the savage axis will work good enough. When and if they want to do more they can get a better setup. It's much more important to get them in the field then having unobtainable gear.
I have the same gun. It's a tack driver. I think we have the same issue with the bolt. It's so light that even the slightest movement will taken it out of battery. The trigger will still "click" however the round doesn't fire. Actually cost my son the first 2 deer he ever shot at since we were close and he cycled another round through.My Savage Axis II .243 was fine, and if it wasn't for the shitty bolt lift I'd still have it. Probably never would have upgraded from a "budget" rifle if the Ruger American stainless had been in stock at the time.
Good features to look for > specific brands. Unless it's a shitty product. Like the Savage Axis bolts.
I know of some rifles a new shooter can use for free - the best deal in shooting sports. Free! It’s like penny slots at the casino - cheap entertainment, albeit a little boring.
For four decades the go-to first rifle in our family has been a used 243 or 6mm Remington 700 made in the 60’s or 70’s. If you are a bargain shopper these pop up in odd places with a few scratches and slight bluing loss for under $200. At those prices, shoot it for as many years as you want and you’ll be able to sell it for at least what you bought it for - just like renting it for free. I‘ve had a few - when money was tight I’d shoot one a few thousand rounds, sell it and buy another.
The Remington 700 parts you add on this rifle can always be used on a different gun when you upgrade. I would buy a gun, swap out the stock and trigger, keeping the old wood stock and factory trigger for the time when it was put up for sale.
I always have one of these free rifles and they naturally become loaners.
I wish I had that kind of success. Maybe I'm looking in the wrong places but I've about given up on getting one any time soon.I average about 3-4 days looking per 6x I buy.