What's the tradeoff?

[Dan]

As I mentioned in my intro post on the Welcome board, I'm a brand new PAL holder with no background with guns, looking to buy my first rifle for deer (and possibly larger game later on). I want to be as economical as possible. I can see the argument for getting an inexpensive "starter" rifle like a Savage Edge, but I can also see the case for investing a bit more money (though hopefully under $1k) on something that won't leave me itching to upgrade after a couple of seasons.

Problem is, as a complete beginner, I just don't know what the difference is that makes a mid-range rifle worth the extra money. I mean, I can feel that the action is smoother, I can see that the design is more elegant, I can tell that the parts are more solid, but what does all this mean in the field? Will it shoot flatter, last longer, jam less, or require less maintenance, because of these qualities? In other words, I'm trying to figure out exactly what to look for and what is worth paying for.

Besides the Edge, rifles I've been looking at include the Sako A7, the Tikka T3 Hunter, and the Weatherby Vanguard. I'm open to comments on these or other guns, but I'd really appreciate some general answers to the question I'm struggling with.

Thanks!

[jrs]

Check out the Ruger M77

[Drewz]

Since you are new I would definately go with the savage package rifle in 308 with accutrigger. It is an excellent rifle with adjustable trigger. You will find no need to upgrade other than maybe the optic later on. Awesome gun and I have had 2 accutrigger savage's and cannot stress how great they are for the buck.

[Dan]

Thanks for the suggestions guys. Drewz, does Savage market the Package series in Canada? I read up on it on the Savage website and it does seem like a good buy but I was just asking a salesman at Le Baron about it and he's never heard of the series.

[Pistooli]

Don't forget the M14, it will kill anything you care to shoot but it's more than just a deer rifle. Another rifle I am impressed with is the AIA, it oozes quality. I recently bought one just to clone the mags then resell ,but now I have seen it I will keep it.

http://www.australianinternationalarms.com.au/

If you are only interested in hunting get yourself a bolt action savage or ruger ( yawn) etc etc. But if you are interested in the rifles themselves get yourself a rifle enthusiasts rifle.

[Dan]

Well put, but that's the thing, I really am just interested in hunting... I want something reliable and economical, but I'm not really a gun enthusiast.

Those are nice pieces though.

[camerl2009]

well if its just hunting a mosin negant will do the job for big game
http://www.frontierfirearms.ca/index...oducts_id=1055

get a .22 to that way you can get the feel for shooting
and dont flinch wen you go and pull the tigger


if you get a mosin negant make sure you get all the packing grease (cosmoline) of before you shoot it or it will make the bolt stick
theres vids on youtube that can help you with it

[Drewz]

The savage package has been around for a long time. I have been in 4 different stores that carry it. The guys at le Baron better wake up as it is the best bang for the buck, a close second is the night train by mossberg.

[bushbuster]

The old rule still applies...you get what you pay for................

[SeeKer]

Originally Posted by Dan

As I mentioned in my intro post on the Welcome board, I'm a brand new PAL holder with no background with guns, looking to buy my first rifle for deer (and possibly larger game later on)...........



Thanks!

How about learning on a .22LR first? There are plentiful used, affordable ones for sale. Once you get a handle on it then consider moving onto hunting calibers for deer and so on. At the range I shoot there are always other shooters willing to let you fire off a few rounds on their rifles..for me that was the best way to figure what I wanted as a first rifle....the other day I got to shoot a fellow range member's Marlin 336w 30-30 and a 45/70 , both levers. WOW! I am not a hunter but if I ever do become one a lever would be tops on my list as a first hunting rifle....in fact I went and bought a Henry Lever Action .22LR because I had so much fun shooting the Marlins!