New to Hunting, looking to buy my 1st rifle

Good choice, the .308 is a great caliber. I use it. Give us a range report on that new rifle!

D.A.1,

Ahh, to be 20 years old and starting into guns and hunting. I hope you get to try a few dozen guns over the years. Lots of good suggestions here so I won't add mine. Just wish you good luck and hope, like me, you accumulate a lifetime of great memories. Have fun.

D.A.1, $379 for a .308 Savage Axis with Bushnell 3-9x40 scope is a fair price for an entry level rifle. However, the Savage 11/111 is a better quality rifle for not a whole lot more.

Just my opinion, but I'd stick with the rifle versus the slug gun. The reason is that you will have much more versatility with the rifle when you consider different bullet weights, different types of bullets, different muzzle velocities, etc. The Savage 20 gauge slug gun is a fine gun and highly accurate, but it was designed primarily for deer hunting in areas that are limited to shotguns (not centerfire rifles) by State law.

Ultimately it is your choice of course, but if it was me, I'd stick with a rifle in any of the calibers mentioned during the excellent posts in this thread.

Also, I've used lots of entry level rifles, both wood stocked and synthetic stocked. Most came with 3-9x40 scopes already mounted, some were Bushnell, others were Nikon. Both are acceptable for the money. Maybe it's just me personally and/or my eyesight, but the Nikons seem to be much clearer to my sight. With that said, if I had the choice of the same rifle with a Bushnell or a Nikon, I'd choose the Nikon.

One more thing, you can pretty well count on having to adjust the "eye relief" on any rifle you choose that comes with a scope mounted, regardless of the brand of rifle or the brand of the scope. This will have a pronounced affect on both accuracy and felt recoil. ArchAngelCD and many others on here can explain to you how to do this. I know how, but I'm not sure I can explain it to you without being unnecessarily wordy.

A slug gun is going to cost exponentially more to shoot. Sabot slugs are pricey.

I have both the axis and the 111... No hesitation, I'd pick the 111. Or in your case, the 11 (11 is short action, 111 is long). The biggest reasons are that you get the shorter action with the 11, where all Axis action are long, you get a standard format for stock swaps should you ever want to, better resale, lighter bolt lift, better stock out of the box, and just a slightly smoother action. Note, however, I did not mention accuracy or reliability... That will be the same on either. The 11 is just a nicer experience.

D.A.1 said:

Ok Gents,

Possible change 1.... Still going off all the GREAT info I received, I thought about something..... "How often am I going to actually use this rifle?" I really only see myself using it on the upcoming hog hunt...and more of those if/when I get the chance, and to do some deer hunting, which in Maryland, is only a few counties...which breaks down to maybe once or twice during rifle season every year.

So, after that, I stated looking at getting something of quality, but not wanting to break the bank. I happen to come across, a Savage Arms Axis, in .308, for $379, and it comes with a Bushnell 3x9x40 scope. Is that a good price for a starter rifle, especially from Savage??

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There are several things you lose going from THxp to Axis, namely, Accutrigger, Nikon scope, and short action. The long action bolt on the Axis is a cost saving measure designed to accommodate both long and short action (it's a slight functional impairment that some folks would be bothered by and others not). Many would agree the Bushnell is a step down from the Nikon, although the Bush would appear adequate. The lack of an adjustable Accutrigger on the Axis is most significant. Even if you find the stock trigger to be adequate, your accuracy will only improve with the Accutrigger. I believe both share the same flimsy stock.

As significant as the differences between the Axis and Trophy Hunter are, they are marginal when compairing them to a slug gun. Fit and feel beween a rifle and a slug gun are very different as is function. Take your time and do your home work.

Not sure if you like Marlin rifles but palmetto state armory has the Marlin X7 in 308 win on sale right now for $249.99.

http://palmettostatearmory.com/inde...19068/s/marlin-x7-308win-70386/category/4459/

No scope but a real quality rifle in my opinion.

If it were me I would go with the 260 Remington. I haven't looked at what they are chambered in lately, but I recommend Weatherby Vanguard, Tikka rifles. Also look at the new Remington 783 in 270 Win.

if i were buying a hunting rifle right now, i would go to Simpson LTD and buy one of their Husqvarna Mausers in .30-06.

im planning to ditch my xl7 for one in a few months

here is a decent starter rifle:

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/85087

.308 is my choice for a good all around caliber.

You guys have given plenty of info for D.A.1 to contemplate, but I've seen something I strongly disagree with. 3x9 scopes. If only for deer at ranges beyond 50 yds then I would agree that 3x9 would be appropriate. I often hunt at shorter ranges yet love using a scope as opposed to iron sites. I would not feel comfortable hunting pigs with a 3x power scope. A pig @20yds and moving fast could be difficult to get in the scope with a high magnification. I'm a big fan of 1.5x5 and 2x7 power scopes for hunting. 5x is plenty of magnification to take 300 yd shots @ pie plate sized targets. The only problem is a lack of lower powered scopes in the case at gun stores. A 3x9 scope is just not needed, or remotely practical for close fast shooting.

I have five scoped rifles. Only one wears a 3x9, and I wish it wore a 2x7. A lot of folks don't understand that 2.5x was a very common straight power scope that worked well before the bigger is better craze really got in to high gear. I'm sure some pretty long successful shots were made with them too. Back in the day I used to whack man sized targets with military iron sights pretty regularly @ 300 meters.

Don't over scope.

D.A.1, $379 for a .308 Savage Axis with Bushnell 3-9x40 scope is a fair price for an entry level rifle. However, the Savage 11/111 is a better quality rifle for not a whole lot more.

Just my opinion, but I'd stick with the rifle versus the slug gun. The reason is that you will have much more versatility with the rifle when you consider different bullet weights, different types of bullets, different muzzle velocities, etc. The Savage 20 gauge slug gun is a fine gun and highly accurate, but it was designed primarily for deer hunting in areas that are limited to shotguns (not centerfire rifles) by State law.

Ultimately it is your choice of course, but if it was me, I'd stick with a rifle in any of the calibers mentioned during the excellent posts in this thread.

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Problem with that is 80% of the state he hunts in is SG only.

Rugar american in 308, $339

http://www.sportsmansoutdoorsuperstore.com/products2.cfm/ID/116011/6903/ruger-american-rifle-308-win

They will be in the same ballpark but not exactly the same due to differences in brass, powders, etc. Sighting with cheaper ammo is ok to get where you want. Then go buy what you plan on hunting with and make fine adjustments. I have done that many times with great success.

Most likely you'll be quite surprised at the difference in point of impact when changing brands. Bullet shape and weight will also make a big difference. Take your time and note the difference. Eventually you'll narrow it down to a round that your rifle shoots well and is suitable for the type of hunting you have planned, that's the round you want to sight in with before taking the field.

Just one more thing: There are many reasons why your particular rifle may or may not favor a particular cartridge. Don't make the assumption that expensive ammo will shoot better than the cheap stuff. You won't know for certain until you shoot it.

D.A.1 said:

1. As I am a "new hunter", but have experience firing weapons, would having the "Accu-trigger" make much difference vs not having it? I mean, at this point, would I even notice the difference?

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Yes and yes, if for no other reason than the Accutrigger is user adjustable. How much or how little difference it makes depends on the shooter. The Accutrigger is designed to have a crisp, clean release with minimal if any creep and an adjustable pull weight of 2.5 to 5lbs., very different from the single stage factory trigger found on the Sav Axis. Additionally, the Accutrigger is designed to reduce the chances of an accidental discharge. Savage introduced the Accutrigger in 2002. It has since revolutionized the rifle trigger industry and has been copied in one form or another by numerous other manufacturers. Lots of information on-line regarding the benefits of a well tuned trigger.

Good deal...enjoy