Trying to pick my first hunting rifle

[WhiteGTDropTop]

Watz up guys, I have now been hunting 2 seasons and figured it’s time to buy my first hunting rifle. I wanna stay on the cheap side. 
 

The local gun shop has a Savage Axis 2 with a Vortex diamondback scope in 6.5CM for $580. 
Walmart near me has a Savage 110 Hunter XP with a Vortex scope in 308 for $570. 
 

Does anyone know what the main differences between the axis 2 and 110 are? They both seem to get really good reviews and I like the fact that they already have Vortex scopes on them. 
 

Also, as far as caliber. I was trying to get a do it all caliber. I will be hunting mostly deer but I wanna have a big enough round to be able to drop a black bear if I see one and they are in season. For this reason I was leaning towards the 30-06 or 308. I’m just not sure the 6.5CM would have the power I was looking for. I am definitely open to the 6.5CM if guys have experience with them. 
 

Any info or recommendations you guys can pass my way would be appreciated.

 

thanks

Sean

[Retcop]

There are so many good lower cost basic rifles out there, it is hard to decide.

I really like the Savage line that has the better trigger, although I ended up with a T/C

that I fellow member recommended that kyguns had on sale with a rebate that came out to 

200 bucks. It brings me no oohs or aahs, put that was not my purpose. Someday I will put a better stock on it, and finish it myself.  The stocks on entry level rifles have generally improved a bit from the past

 

Your main problem is going to decide what you like best.  My rifle, even though it provides me no status

shoots better than I do, and does everything I need it to and more. It has a lifetime warranty, and an accuracy guarantee, and an excellent adjustable trigger that will not drive you nuts. Different guys have different idea about these entry level rifles. Read or look at some test reviews, opinions here, and don't forget kyguns.  If they put what you are looking for on sale you will have a hard time finding it cheaper, and their CS is top notch. My Model of TC is now a Mark.2.0, and is supposed to have improvements.

 

One important thing is to make sure the rifle fits you in the type of clothes you will be wearing most during hunting season, or has the ability to be adjusted, which is more $$$. If you must buy on line, there are videos on how to measure yourself for a rifle, and you can check those measurements against the rifle's specs befor purchase.

 

Shoot what you like, and like what you shoot.

John

I am NOT a bolt action rifle expert and own exactly TWO. 

Other guys here will chime in soon. If I had the bucks, I would buy a mid-priced Savage.

[Mack68]

I picked up a savage a few years ago for coyote hunting, It is fantasitc. Very accurate right out of the box. I have since hand loaded it and have amazing accuracy,  I bought a second Savage 110 308 and again accurate right out of box. They run in the $500 range. You cant go wrong with a 110 Hunter.

 

 

[WhiteGTDropTop]

8 minutes ago, Mack68 said:

I picked up a savage a few years ago for coyote hunting, It is fantasitc. Very accurate right out of the box. I have since hand loaded it and have amazing accuracy,  I bought a second Savage 110 308 and again accurate right out of box. They run in the $500 range. You cant go wrong with a 110 Hunter.

 

 

Do you know if the the 110 is a step up from the axis? 
 

Sean

[newbe]

.308

Savage

Free floated barrel

Accutrigger

 

That’s all you’ll need for a basic hunting rifle for most game.

[MontanaLon]

On 2/13/2022 at 12:43 PM, WhiteGTDropTop said:

Do you know if the the 110 is a step up from the axis? 
 

Sean

Most definitely. But having said that most people will never notice a difference between them. 

 

I remember 30+ years ago Savage's were club like in their ergonomics and finish but then everyone noticed they shot really well. They were adequately accurate before then but something changed literally overnight and they became tack drivers after some decades of notable mediocrity. For a while there they were still clublike but shot as well as the more expensive rifles if not better. Before they started sprucing them up there was a time you could pick them up for $149 with a scope already mounted and they shot extremely well. A Remington 700 BDL at that time was $400 and didn't have a scope. ADL's were about $300. The 110 was an ugly shooter at a bargain price.

[WhiteGTDropTop]

15 minutes ago, MontanaLon said:

Most definitely. But having said that most people will never notice a difference between them. 

 

I remember 30+ years ago Savage's were club like in their ergonomics and finish but then everyone noticed they shot really well. They were adequately accurate before then but something changed literally overnight and they became tack drivers after some decades of notable mediocrity. For a while there they were still clublike but shot as well as the more expensive rifles if not better. Before they started sprucing them up there was a time you could pick them up for $149 with a scope already mounted and they shot extremely well. A Remington 700 BDL at that time was $400 and didn't have a scope. ADL's were about $300. The 110 was an ugly shooter at a bargain price.

honestly I will probably not notice a difference in how either one shoots but I wanna make sure I get the better of the two if they are the same price. Walmart has the 110 and my local gun shop has the axis. Almost the same price both with vortex scopes.

 

Sean

[Retcop]

56 minutes ago, MontanaLon said:

Most definitely. But having said that most people will never notice a difference between them. 

 

I remember 30+ years ago Savage's were club like in their ergonomics and finish but then everyone noticed they shot really well. They were adequately accurate before then but something changed literally overnight and they became tack drivers after some decades of notable mediocrity. For a while there they were still clublike but shot as well as the more expensive rifles if not better. Before they started sprucing them up there was a time you could pick them up for $149 with a scope already mounted and they shot extremely well. A Remington 700 BDL at that time was $400 and didn't have a scope. ADL's were about $300. The 110 was an ugly shooter at a bargain price.

 

FYI: Took a very quick look on line and Savage says the 110 Hunter XP with boresighted Vortex scope

comes with the ACCUtrigger, which I believe is noticeably better then their regular trigger.  I've tried both.

But it all comes down to personal preference.  Once again it boils down to the guy behind the trigger. 

If i was interested in a Savage, I would pop for the accutrigger. The $580.00 price appears to be good for these times. The most common price I saw was $620.00.  Availability was hit or miss. 

 

Its nice that the scope is mounted and boresighted. I have no idea if it matters to you that the muzzle is not threaded for muzzle breaks or suppressors, although that is something a gunsmith cold do.  

 

Have fun

 

Important:  I'm sorry that KYguns does not get you to the company I have done business with.

I'll try and find it for you, if you are not using a LGS.  The Place that comes up when I search kyguns is NOT 

the same place, says the domain is for sale, and would stay away. My sincere apologies. Maybe Caleb knows if he sees this. He may still have the same T/C only in 6.5 creedmore.

 

[MontanaLon]

Inside of 300 yards neither you or the animal, no matter how large it is, bear, moose, elk, deer will be able to tell the difference between 6.5 and .308. Trajectory within 1/2" for 143gr 6.5 and 150gr .308. Energy within 50 ft pounds. It really isn't enough to matter at all. The 6.5 will kick slightly less but that is about the only thing you may notice. .308 isn't punishing at all so even that may not be noticeable to you. When you start to stretch the range out the 6.5 will outrun the .308 due to better BC's and the 6.5 may penetrate a little more because of better sectional density. But even that is not really a huge thing to worry about. The .308 will shoot through most big game animals easily and leave bigger holes doing it. 

 

Basically, I wouldn't let the caliber play at all in the decision. 

 

The 6.5 is starting to get a reputation as a "wounder" and I think that all boils down to guys thinking they can pick one up and shoot critters at 500-600 yards or further. It isn't some magical death ray like the guys who think it is a wonder cartridge seem to believe. For 99% of the shots taken in the areas you and I hunt the .308 will get it done and the range of factory loads and bullet weights available to the hand loader make it a solid choice for any hunter. If it were me and I had the real possibility of seeing a bear, elk or moose where I hunted, I would go with the .308 or even the .30-06 and never worry if I had enough gun.

[WhiteGTDropTop]

3 hours ago, MontanaLon said:

Inside of 300 yards neither you or the animal, no matter how large it is, bear, moose, elk, deer will be able to tell the difference between 6.5 and .308. Trajectory within 1/2" for 143gr 6.5 and 150gr .308. Energy within 50 ft pounds. It really isn't enough to matter at all. The 6.5 will kick slightly less but that is about the only thing you may notice. .308 isn't punishing at all so even that may not be noticeable to you. When you start to stretch the range out the 6.5 will outrun the .308 due to better BC's and the 6.5 may penetrate a little more because of better sectional density. But even that is not really a huge thing to worry about. The .308 will shoot through most big game animals easily and leave bigger holes doing it. 

 

Basically, I wouldn't let the caliber play at all in the decision. 

 

The 6.5 is starting to get a reputation as a "wounder" and I think that all boils down to guys thinking they can pick one up and shoot critters at 500-600 yards or further. It isn't some magical death ray like the guys who think it is a wonder cartridge seem to believe. For 99% of the shots taken in the areas you and I hunt the .308 will get it done and the range of factory loads and bullet weights available to the hand loader make it a solid choice for any hunter. If it were me and I had the real possibility of seeing a bear, elk or moose where I hunted, I would go with the .308 or even the .30-06 and never worry if I had enough gun.

Yeah I will never be in an area to take a real long shot. Maybe around 150-200 is gonna be the longest. I have been leaning towards the .308 also because it seems to be easier to find ammo also. At least around my area. I am def gonna narrow my search to the 308 and the savage 110 if the prices are about the same. I’m gonna call around to a few shops before I go buy the 110 Hunter .308 at Walmart.

 

Sean

[MontanaLon]

On 2/13/2022 at 9:21 PM, WhiteGTDropTop said:

Yeah I will never be in an area to take a real long shot. Maybe around 150-200 is gonna be the longest. 

 

Sean

It is the same where I hunt in Michigan. That was a big part of the reason why I went with the 6.5 Grendel. Moderate velocity and if I see a deer at 200 yards I have plenty of juice to whack it. But it is far far more likely any deer I see will be within 50 yards. I took a 5.56 with me as a backup gun in case something wasn't right with the 6.5. I have killed deer with it before but it isn't ideal. I actually built the 6.5 with the plan I would take my oldest deer hunting in the youth season but that just didn't work out. Next year he says he wants to go during regular gun season so he will get the 6.5 Grendel and I will take the M1A. I picked up a 5 round magazine for it years ago with that in mind and then just never had a chance to do it until this year. The other option is my Ruger Precision in 6.5 Creedmoor but I really don't want to have to carry that heavy thing to shoot a deer at bow range. But any of them would get the job done.

[srjdsmith]

I’m a Ruger guy. I have two Mod 77 (now called the “Hawkeye” I think). They’re hardly a budget rifle. But I also love my “Predator” model in 450 Bushmaster and my daughter-in-law does very well with her Ruger American 350 Legend.

 

Caliber-wise I think it’s very hard to beat 30-06 (with .308 a close second). There isn’t a single other rifle with the variety of KINDS of bullets, or available weights- from 110gr to 220gr. And I’ve used my ‘06 for everything from varmints to black bear (and my dad added moose, elk, and grizzly to that list).

Edited February 14, 2022 by srjdsmith

[Retcop]

18 hours ago, MontanaLon said:

Inside of 300 yards neither you or the animal, no matter how large it is, bear, moose, elk, deer will be able to tell the difference between 6.5 and .308. Trajectory within 1/2" for 143gr 6.5 and 150gr .308. Energy within 50 ft pounds. It really isn't enough to matter at all. The 6.5 will kick slightly less but that is about the only thing you may notice. .308 isn't punishing at all so even that may not be noticeable to you. When you start to stretch the range out the 6.5 will outrun the .308 due to better BC's and the 6.5 may penetrate a little more because of better sectional density. But even that is not really a huge thing to worry about. The .308 will shoot through most big game animals easily and leave bigger holes doing it. 

 

Basically, I wouldn't let the caliber play at all in the decision. 

 

The 6.5 is starting to get a reputation as a "wounder" and I think that all boils down to guys thinking they can pick one up and shoot critters at 500-600 yards or further. It isn't some magical death ray like the guys who think it is a wonder cartridge seem to believe. For 99% of the shots taken in the areas you and I hunt the .308 will get it done and the range of factory loads and bullet weights available to the hand loader make it a solid choice for any hunter. If it were me and I had the real possibility of seeing a bear, elk or moose where I hunted, I would go with the .308 or even the .30-06 and never worry if I had enough gun.

 

I agree with your opinion on the .30-06 depending on the huntable wildlife in the area(s) you plan to hunt. Having said that, I have read enough opinions from elk guides who would rather have a guy to show up in camp with a .308 he could shoot well, than a guy with a larger caliber (not the 30-06) who was not as good at placing his rounds. Knowledge and practice at various ranges and windeges is important.  Some guys with .300 Win Mags or larger, may not train/practice as much as the guy with the .308 or the .30-06.  

[Retcop]

13 hours ago, MontanaLon said:

It is the same where I hunt in Michigan. That was a big part of the reason why I went with the 6.5 Grendel. Moderate velocity and if I see a deer at 200 yards I have plenty of juice to whack it. But it is far far more likely any deer I see will be within 50 yards. I took a 5.56 with me as a backup gun in case something wasn't right with the 6.5. I have killed deer with it before but it isn't ideal. I actually built the 6.5 with the plan I would take my oldest deer hunting in the youth season but that just didn't work out. Next year he says he wants to go during regular gun season so he will get the 6.5 Grendel and I will take the M1A. I picked up a 5 round magazine for it years ago with that in mind and then just never had a chance to do it until this year. The other option is my Ruger Precision in 6.5 Creedmoor but I really don't want to have to carry that heavy thing to shoot a deer at bow range. But any of them would get the job done.

 

I really hope you down one with the M1A. My 5 round magazine has so far not been in the field since i can't use the M1A in Illinois for deer, and I have not put out the money for an out of State adventure. 

[srjdsmith]

On 2/14/2022 at 11:51 AM, srjdsmith said:

I’m a Ruger guy. I have two Mod 77 (now called the “Hawkeye” I think). They’re hardly a budget rifle. But I also love my “Predator” model in 450 Bushmaster and my daughter-in-law does very well with her Ruger American 350 Legend.

 

Caliber-wise I think it’s very hard to beat 30-06 (with .308 a close second). There isn’t a single other rifle with the variety of KINDS of bullets, or available weights- from 110gr to 220gr. And I’ve used my ‘06 for everything from varmints to black bear (and my dad added moose, elk, and grizzly to that list).

 

Just looking for something else, so flipped a few pages. In Hornady 11ed (so JUST Hornady bulets) there are 43 bullets listed for 30-06. And 40 bullets listed for .308 (not counting service rifle loads or M1 Garand). A 110 grain bullet screaming along at 3300 fps does really bad things to a coyote or whistle pig, while I’ve seen 325 lb black bears unable to move a step after meeting up with a 220 gr SilverTip. For boring old me, boring old 30 caliber puts meat on the table and leaves Ma Groundhog a widow better than any other option.