First Bolt Action, Need Advice!

F

FreedomXforAll

Private
Minuteman
Apr 29, 2010
3
0
31
Austin, Texas (temp. in Melbourne, Aus.)
#1
Hello all,
I am a 16 year old, and recently, I was given the ability to decide on my own bolt action rifle. I have been shooting for a while, but this is the first time the decision is all mine. A few things I am looking for are...

1) Relatively cheap to shoot (.22 or 7.62x54)
2) Under 2k
3) It can be new or used

Thanks for all of your help! I know this is a broad topic but to be honest I'm not sure where to start
 
#2
Re: First Bolt Action, Need Advice!

A good place to start was putting your AGE in so you do not get flamed!!
smile.gif
Your question is one that is asked on a near daily basis and tends to elecit a RASH reaction from the Hide faithful.

First suggestion, be a little more specific as to your intended use. Tactical comps, plinking, long range, etc? Also, what EXACTLY is your level of experience? I know 16 year olds who are AMAZINGLY skilled marksmen--and I know 16 yos you hold the controller sideways when they play Call of Duty!

Do you reload or have access to a family member who does?

Most importantly--lurk a while on the site before you post more questions. Using the search function and reading through the VOLUMES of material on this site--you will obtain WAY more useful information than you will get as a result of this post.

Good luck, and stick with it!

Glad to see the torch pass--NOW BRING SOME FRIENDS!!
 
#3
Re: First Bolt Action, Need Advice!

you can start off with a .308 or a .223 which is a little cheaper in the remington 700 action i would say the remington 700 sps tactical . the rifle is really customizable and real accurate i own one and can vouch for the accuracy on these rifles.

you can read a review about the rifle here

http://www.snipercentral.com/spstactical.htm
 
#4
Re: First Bolt Action, Need Advice!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 19Scout77</div><div class="ubbcode-body">A good place to start was putting your AGE in so you do not get flamed!!
smile.gif
Your question is one that is asked on a near daily basis and tends to elecit a RASH reaction from the Hide faithful.

First suggestion, be a little more specific as to your intended use. Tactical comps, plinking, long range, etc? Also, what EXACTLY is your level of experience? I know 16 year olds who are AMAZINGLY skilled marksmen--and I know 16 yos you hold the controller sideways when they play Call of Duty!

No you reload or have access to a family memeber who does?

Most importantly--lurk a while on the site before you post more questions. Using the search function and reading through the VOLUMES of material on this site--you will obtain WAY more useful information than you will get as a result of this post.

Good luck, and stick with it!

Glad to see the torch pass--NOW BRING SOME FRIENDS!!
</div></div>
and + 1 to this
 
#5
Re: First Bolt Action, Need Advice!

19Scout77: Thank you for the advice! I will be browsing these forums quite a bit, I'm very glad to have found it! As for skill level, I have been shooting on and off a bit for a few years, but recently I decided to become more involved. So I would say moderate.

Winxp_man: Thank you, I will look into the 700 very soon!
 
#6
Re: First Bolt Action, Need Advice!

Im Guessing you are shooting paper so the question really is, at what distance? .223 is where I started and I think its a good cartridge to begin with. If you are going to keep the gun a while and plan on making upgrades a Rem 700 is your best bet. I also have to mention that the Savage LRPV target rifles are awsome right out of the box. Either way for paper punching try and get a fat short barrel because they are more consistant. There is so many little bits of info it can seem overwelming but it all comes with experience.
 
#7
Re: First Bolt Action, Need Advice!

Definitely either one of these two:

Remington 700 SPS Tactical 20"

Remington 700 SPS 26"

I would go with a .308 over the .223. I bought my first bolt action when a few years back when I was 18yrs. old. I should have bought that rifle in .308 instead of .223 because the .308 gives you the ability to reach out to 1000yds, plus you can hunt anything from groundhogs to bigger game like deer.

I like Remington 700's because of the ability to customize the rifle later on down the road when you have the cash... the options are endless
 
#8
Re: First Bolt Action, Need Advice!

Welcome to The 'Hide. I think I understand your approach; one that's still in an earier stage, and not yet branched into any specialties.

I suggest a .22LR for starters, and I like the Savage MKII bolt action repeaters. I'd suggest keeping it both modest and simple to begin with. Everything you'd want to be learning about marksmanship can be gained with such an implement. Until you can't do something you absolutely <span style="font-style: italic">need</span> to do that it won't do, let the bigger bores and chamberings bide their time.

When that time arrives, A Savage 12 VLP-DBM .223 is going to provide a very nicely refined and accurate Varmint/Target rifle. It is available with two different rifling twists, I'd get teh 1:9" twist, as the 1:7" rifling twist will not handle the longer/heavier bullets as well, and you'll need that capability to shoot at the greater distances.

Unless you actually have a place where you can shoot to 1000yd, that capability is simply a luxury that can't be realized.

I don't like to get embroiled in optics choices, but I'd go with economy for the .22LR (but has a minimum magnification of 9X), and get something that allows good resoluton at long distances and has above average reliability for the .223.

Greg
 
#11
Re: First Bolt Action, Need Advice!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Greg Langelius *</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Welcome to The 'Hide. I think I understand your approach; one that's still in an earier stage, and not yet branched into any specialties.

I suggest a .22LR for starters, and I like the Savage MKII bolt action repeaters. I'd suggest keeping it both modest and simple to begin with. Everything you'd want to be learning about marksmanship can be gained with such an implement. Until you can't do something you absolutely <span style="font-style: italic">need</span> to do that it won't do, let the bigger bores and chamberings bide their time.

When that time arrives, A Savage 12 VLP-DBM .223 is going to provide a very nicely refined and accurate Varmint/Target rifle. It is available with two different rifling twists, I'd get teh 1:9" twist, as the 1:7" rifling twist will not handle the longer/heavier bullets as well, and you'll need that capability to shoot at the greater distances.

Unless you actually have a place where you can shoot to 1000yd, that capability is simply a luxury that can't be realized.

I don't like to get embroiled in optics choices, but I'd go with economy for the .22LR (but has a minimum magnification of 9X), and get something that allows good resoluton at long distances and has above average reliability for the .223.

Greg </div></div>

Greg,

I think you have the rifling twists backwards
smile.gif
.


To the OP,

You'd be surprised to know that 22lr's can be shot at 200 yards and farther with good success.
It's good practice doing this because you get to learn how to dope the wind as well as hone your shooting form.

Getting a good quality scope is important too because you need accurate tracking of the turrets.Matching reticles and turrets makes the most sense.I saw the light and I don't own any scopes with mildot reticles and MOA turrets anymore
wink.gif


Not a bolt action but....Next step up is a good AR-15 with a fast twist.Especially as far as a fun gun to shoot that has multiple capabilities like match grade accuracy,suitability for long range use,it's inexpensive to shoot and the list goes on.It's a hard to beat combination really.

Steve




 
#12
Re: First Bolt Action, Need Advice!

Wow, you're absolutely right.

The available twists used to be 1:9" and 1:12" and of course I favored the 1:9". Now they offer 1:7", they snuck that one right by me, eyes wide open and everything. True to form, I still pushed the 1:9".

Nice catch.

As for shooting at 200yd with the rimfire, I have hawked that mode of entertainment in the past. When I was shooting at 1000yd, it made more sense for me to do it.

These days, my comp is at 200yd, and I find that 80yd rimfire practice works better for me. I arrived at that distance by calculating the distance the rimfire would fly that was most similar to the TOF at 200yd with my centerfire. Came out to 80yd, and the experience is pretty close.

Greg
 
#14
Re: First Bolt Action, Need Advice!

Excellent advice so far, if I were in your shoes I would by a Remmy 700 SPS Tac in .223 with the 1-7 twist. The SPS goes for around $600 out the door in some places and you can load heavier bullets that are competitive at 1k yards with very little recoil. Join an NRA affiliated club as soon as you can and get into their youth shooting programs and you will build a fantastic shooting foundation.
 
#15
Re: First Bolt Action, Need Advice!

The 223 SPS Tactical has a 1 in 9" twist and I agree that it would be a great place to start. I bought one last December and it shoots lights out with 69gr SMK's. I would suggest starting to reload as well, definitely makes it a lot cheaper and easier to shoot as much as you need to become proficient.
 
#17
Re: First Bolt Action, Need Advice!

We were able to get a 10FP .223 to shoot HDY 75gr HPBT Natch (Moly) into a lot of really small groups at 200yd using 26.5gr(C*) of Ramshot Big Game. This load is functionally identical to both HDY's and BH's 75gr Match Moly loads, which employ the same bullet.

The longer 75gr A-Max wouldn't stabilize for us.

Greg
 
#18
Re: First Bolt Action, Need Advice!

+1 Savage 10fp

The 10FP is a great gun, you can get it for around $600, there are tons of upgrades you can do down the road as finances allow (I would recommend getting a new stock), and not to mention they shoot .5 moa groups out of the box. I would recommend the .308 because its so versatile. Good luck.
 
#19
Re: First Bolt Action, Need Advice!

One of the Remington 700 tactical rifles in 308 would be my first choice. I'd stay away from the 7.62X54R. The surplus ammunition may be cheap (Norma is not) but all of it, even the 7N1 leaves alot to be desired in terms og accuracy. Then there is a question of what rilfe you'd choose to shoot it in.
 
#20
Re: First Bolt Action, Need Advice!

I'd go with either a savage 10fp or a remington sps tactical in .223. both are great rifles and the 223 is a very capable cartridge that lends itself well to one who is continuing to increase their shooting skills. also, Greg gave you great advice when he told you to consider investing in a .22. its the best way to practice. savage mkII's are great, as are CZ 452's.
 
#21
Re: First Bolt Action, Need Advice!

A rimfire rifle with a few bricks of ammo is probably the best thing to have in order to getting started in shooting...you will be able to practice more, concentrating on fundamentals and not being frustrated by recoil or the cost of ammunition. For under $400 you can get a rifle and at least a thousand rounds of ammo. I'd start with iron sights but since scopes are so common these days you could probably get one as well..but its better to start with the basics and get comfortable first.
 
#22
Re: First Bolt Action, Need Advice!

I would think that the first thing to find out is if the rifle is going to be used for hunting?? And if so then what type of hunting??

If no hunting is involved then where would you be shooting this rifle?? And at what distances??

Probably learning to crawl is better than trying to run right off the bat. I would not recommend an AR platform to a beginner. The 22 rifle recommendation is probably the best recommendation if any small game hunting will be involved. Or if you are target shooting only. Put a couple 10,000 rounds through a good 22 then see what you want to do next.

If you are going to be deer hunting with the rifle then some different recommendations would be in order. So what are you going to be doing with it?? Tom.
 
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