Starter Gun

[phils514]

What are your recommendations? Budget is tight but I also believe in spending a little more for the quality and longevity of a rifle. Thanks for your help

[Marti375]

Rifle I would go with a savage package deal. I bought one last year for a bad weather gun in .308. It's a awsome shooting gun. Not a big shotgun hunter but think a remington or mosberg pump would be ok.

[phils514]

I actually held the savage axis. It felt nice but i dont know how the gun performs. would the 308 be enough for bear also?

[Moosemaple]

I would suggest a Thompson Center Venture in 30-06 or 308. This is a great gun for the money and really does shoot 1- moa at 100 yards.

[Marti375]

I have never shot a bear myself, but a 308 should be more than enough gun.

[G-Man]

A nic 30-o6 is very versitile, everything from chucks to moose! lots of bullets n loads avail!!

[noob52]

I have a TC Venture in 30 06, and it really is as good as advertised. Believe the hype.

[hb270deermanager]

I just purchased a remington 770 300 win mag big

knock down power good gun priced around 300 w/

a 3x9 40mm scope they come in 243,270,30-06,308,

7mm,7mm-03 and 300 win mag.Its boresighted out

of the box I was sighted in in 3 shots.Its lighter in weight

sythetic stock has rings for a sling 3 shot removalable clip.

Dicks has the green stock on sale for 279.00 now this week.

I really like the way the gun preforms and handles.Maybe

you could check it out.

[gregz1]

cant go wrong with any 30-06.....great all a round gun

[Tio1]

The PA pump - Rem model 7600 or 760 (if you can find one) in 30 06

[pawle76]

All great suggestions, but I would throw the .338 Marlin Express or .308 Marlin Express in the ring also. These are great guns and are very durable. The price is very affordable. The .338 MX or MXLR ballistically is very similar to a .30-06. This would take any game found in N.America. If you want something a little lighter the .308MX is a good choice. I have to suggest the 336c Marlin in .35 Rem. also.

[Marti375]

30-06 or 308 ammo is every where and in many variations. I sugessted the 308 for the lighter recoil on a new hunter. Both very accurate rounds. TC makes a quality gun but I think there over priced and over rated.

[phils514]

thanks every one for the feedbacks. I'll continue my research

[phils514]

right now I'm currently checking out the savage axis 308. seems like a pretty descent rifle

[Elmo]

I agree with the TC Venture in .308 is one of these best gun dollar per dollar. I'd go the extra $100 for the Venture. But then again, for an few bucks more, you can get the Remington 700. If it's not in the budget then the Axis is not a bad choice either. It really comes down to how it feels in your hands. I didn't like the way the Axis felt. I went with a Remington 700.

[erussell]

Savage's always seems to beat out all the other guns in gun tests I have seen. I prefer Remi's but thats just me. Savages seem to be the most accurate of the bolt rifles and cost less but not cheaply made. Here's a review of the Axis

http://www.gunblast.com/Savage-Axis243.htm

Edited October 11, 2011 by erussell

[adirondackbushwhack]

I'm gonna buck the trend a little and suggest a Marlin 336 in .35 remington. Put a nice Leupold VX3 1.5 x 5 scope on her and you will have a perfect little deer and bear rig. The .35 cal gives you a bit more frontal area on the bullet too which cannot be over stated.

[phils514]

thanks for the tips everybody! keep 'em comming

[Marti375]

I just looked on the savage web site at the axis. While im sure its a great gun I noticed that it does not have the accu trigger. I bought the model 111 which has the accu trigger and I really like. What I don't like about the one I have is that it does not have a detachable mag. I bought the package deal at the Sports Authority for 399.

[Pygmy]

Have you checked out the Marlin X7 series of bolt action rifles ?

They have one for raffle at my local American Legion post and it looks like a real nice rifle. It has a trigger system similar to the Savage accutrigger and the reviews I have read about report real good performance. And it retails for well under $400.. Brand new.

It might be worth checking out.

[BucktheBuck30-06]

Savage arms makes many great rifle/scope combos in both 30-06 and 308.I myself have and love my 30-06 savage arms i did like the bushnell scope that came with it i took my first doe with it but i since upgraded to a nikon buckmaster,going to get it mounted monday.Cant wait to shoot a buck with that sucker...

[BUCKrub91]

30-30 45/70 .308 .270 .12 gauge

[Deerthug]

I got my Remington 710 30-06 used at Campsite in Huntington. I love it! It's taken down several deer. Packs a nice punch.

[phils514]

Thanks guys, I've held both the 770 and the axis and they both felt good (the savage axis a little better). I'm going to check the prices when I go to the gun show coming Nov. 6. I heard they are cheaper there.

[Culvercreek hunt club]

Do your homework before the gun shows. There are deals there but also a lot that are overpriced from what you can get retail elsewhere.

I am a Remington fan. I am also a fan of the. 30-06. Any gun shop you go into will have 06 ammo. I don't care if you are in NYC or east bygosh Alaska. Light loads or heavy...and with the new managed recoil ammo they can be a pleasure to shoot. Both the 308new and 06the have a variety of mil surplus ammo you can get to plink with and with the bolt actions you are looking at corrosive ammo isn't that bad to clean up after. For the average hunter out there in the NE I don't think any make will be a problem for you in the bolt guns....set a budget....decide on a caliber and then go by feel.....and buy some decent glass....and GOOD mounts...and then enjoy it and don't loom back...good luck