Hi all, been lurking and reading for a while now, decided i would like some help from y'all to select my first hunting rifle. I'd like to keep the rifle price well under a grand, preferably around $800. It will be scoped with a Leupold VX3HD 3.5-10.
'22 was my first year hunting and I'm hooked. I took a whitetail buck (170 yards) and a doe (50 yards) last year with a borrowed Mark 5 in .257 Wthby Mag. Really liked the rifle, but don't have that kind of money right now. I am in the Appalachians, and would use it probably 99% of the time for whitetail, but would love to expand that to black bear, hogs and who knows what else if i get the opportunity to go west. Most shot opportunities in my area are inside 200 yards. However we do have some clear cuts and crop fields where i could potentially stretch it out to 450 yards max. I have hunted from a blind, a stand and a stalk with shooting sticks.
I have a 100 yard range in my back woods and intend to practice a lot. I put around 1000 rounds through my ARs last year back there. I would likely put at least half that thru this rifle yearly and i don't reload (yet) so cheap and available ammo is an absolute necessity. I reckon this limits me to .308, 6.5 CM and 30-06. Maybe include .270 and 6.5PRC as well.
I'd like to get a suppressor eventually when funds allow, but i do not currently have one. So a shorter barrel and lighter weight would be nice but not 100% necessary.
I really like the idea of the Tikka T3x Lite stainless and the Savage 110 Lightweight storm. I have only read good things about these on here, but I'm concerned the thin barrels would heat up too fast for me to get proper reps in. Would i be able to shoot 50 or so rounds through these in an hour without the barrel getting too hot for good practical accuracy?
Probably my top pick right now is CVA Cascade SB in 308. I'm concerned that it isn't stainless. It is cerakoted, but am I losing a lot by going cerakote vs stainless? Also, i am concerned the 18" barrel isn't going to give me proper expansion out to a ¼ mile.
I've also looked at the Savage 110 stainless with the accufit stock, probably in 30-06. I like the idea of adjustability considering it's my first rifle and i don't yet know what i like. That being said, it's heavy and I'm not sure if I'd gain much with the adjustment, i am of pretty average build (6' 205#) and felt just fine on the old Mark 5 with a standard sporter stock.
I've also considered getting a cheaper rifle (Ruger American?) and kinda building it up. I have basic gunsmithing tools and skills.
I would love some input and guidance, my hunting partner hasn't bought a new gun in a decade and only hunts with his expansive Weatherby collection so he's no help lol. Maybe i forgot something appropriate within my parameters (Sauer 100?) that y'all could direct me to. Thanks guys
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'22 was my first year hunting and I'm hooked. I took a whitetail buck (170 yards) and a doe (50 yards) last year with a borrowed Mark 5 in .257 Wthby Mag. Really liked the rifle, but don't have that kind of money right now. I am in the Appalachians, and would use it probably 99% of the time for whitetail, but would love to expand that to black bear, hogs and who knows what else if i get the opportunity to go west. Most shot opportunities in my area are inside 200 yards. However we do have some clear cuts and crop fields where i could potentially stretch it out to 450 yards max. I have hunted from a blind, a stand and a stalk with shooting sticks.
I have a 100 yard range in my back woods and intend to practice a lot. I put around 1000 rounds through my ARs last year back there. I would likely put at least half that thru this rifle yearly and i don't reload (yet) so cheap and available ammo is an absolute necessity. I reckon this limits me to .308, 6.5 CM and 30-06. Maybe include .270 and 6.5PRC as well.
I'd like to get a suppressor eventually when funds allow, but i do not currently have one. So a shorter barrel and lighter weight would be nice but not 100% necessary.
I really like the idea of the Tikka T3x Lite stainless and the Savage 110 Lightweight storm. I have only read good things about these on here, but I'm concerned the thin barrels would heat up too fast for me to get proper reps in. Would i be able to shoot 50 or so rounds through these in an hour without the barrel getting too hot for good practical accuracy?
Probably my top pick right now is CVA Cascade SB in 308. I'm concerned that it isn't stainless. It is cerakoted, but am I losing a lot by going cerakote vs stainless? Also, i am concerned the 18" barrel isn't going to give me proper expansion out to a ¼ mile.
I've also looked at the Savage 110 stainless with the accufit stock, probably in 30-06. I like the idea of adjustability considering it's my first rifle and i don't yet know what i like. That being said, it's heavy and I'm not sure if I'd gain much with the adjustment, i am of pretty average build (6' 205#) and felt just fine on the old Mark 5 with a standard sporter stock.
I've also considered getting a cheaper rifle (Ruger American?) and kinda building it up. I have basic gunsmithing tools and skills.
I would love some input and guidance, my hunting partner hasn't bought a new gun in a decade and only hunts with his expansive Weatherby collection so he's no help lol. Maybe i forgot something appropriate within my parameters (Sauer 100?) that y'all could direct me to. Thanks guys
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