New shooter

[4playxj]

Hello to all.
I've browsed this site a few times and I have a question. First, I'll give you some background. Joined a Gun Club about a year ago. I shoot mainly .22lr in pistol and rifle. I compete in several matches when time allows. I also shoot clays. My wife and daughter join me for different things, it has become a family thing, which I like.

My question is this, if you were going to buy your first centerfire rifle with a 6.5mm or smaller cartridge, which cartridge would you choose? 6.5mm because their is a varmint rifle shoot at 100yds I can enjoy. Less expensive is good, and barrel life is important. I will probably never sell the gun I buy, even if I don't persue centerfire, or upgrade whatever I end up with.

Thanks for any replies, 4playxj

Oh, I hope I posted this in the right section.

 

[Josh11]

Savage makes some good factory. Get a rifle in such a caliber that ammo is readily available such as .223 Remington. Chances are your going to pursue center fire. Then you'll start hand loading. On and on. I would buy a used one to start off. Just keep your eye out on the forum and you'll find something.

 

[watercam]

I concur. There are always good, used, purpose-built rifles that come up for sale on this site. Gunbroker.com as well. Watch for the round count on the barrel that comes with it. Depending upon caliber, much over 600 rounds and you may have limited life left in that barrel and that should influence the price (rebarrel will run around $500-600).
Have fun, keep the family involved!

 

[4playxj]

I was thinking of the Savage Edge, the price is right and It would be new. I would prefer a wood stock, but I'm gun poor right now. Not that that is a bad thing! My first thought was the 243, but I read where the barrel life is relatively short. So I was thinking of the 22-250 or the .223. Was hoping to keep the recoil low in case my daughter decides she wants to take a shot or two.

Really want a lever action 30-30, I just don't have a reason or a use for it, but I'll get one someday anyway

 

[deadlyswift]

I agree with Josh11, and watercam. Savage are great out of the box rifles and .223 is a really good round. Very inexpensive to shoot and factory ammo can be found almost anywhere. You didn't metion how old your daughter is, but I will tell you this. My daughter is only is 8yr old and shoots a 220 swift. She got her longest kill at 175yrds a cpl weeks ago on a ground hog. I have been working with her since she was 5yr old. So she does have some experince with shooting as well I know the rifle was zeroed at 200yrd so it was as simple as telling her to put the cross hairs on his chest as he was standing. Also she was shooting off a rear bag and front rest, so handling recoil from the little hot rod 220 swift is easy for her.

The edge from what I hear is a pretty good rifle. Not what I would want, but reading that you don't want to spend a lot of money It may not be a bad choice.
Your daughter would most likely love shooting the edge. As well the .223 cal. very low recoil, and with my experince with Savage barrels their pretty good barrels. If you can spare a few more $$ you could get a better Savage rifle, but from your post and it seems that your wanting to get your family involved, witch IMO is a great thing. The edge would probably fit your needs. As far as 243 your looking at 1000 to 1500 rounds of barrel life, Maybe a little more with the 22-250. The .223 is going to give you some where around 3000 to 4000 rounds of barrel life depending on how hot you let the barrel get. Buy what ever fits your budget and keep your family involved. Past on your love of guns and shooting to your family. It's times that all of you want ever forget!!!
Mark

 

[jo191145]

I'll agree with a Savage. Since I bought my first Savage I haven't purchased another brand factory rifle. 223 Rem is a great round for you and your family to get started with. Accurate, low recoil, economical and great barrel life.

Personally I would'nt chose the Edge. Probably a fine rifle and it suitable for your stated needs.
I'm just convinced that once you begin shooting centerfire you'll eventually begin to hunger for better. I could be wrong but a good percentage of shooters get bitten by the bug once they have an accurate factory gun.
The Edge and model 25's 40's are not easily upgradeable. With the Edge you can swap barrels but the action has a different screw spacing.


FYI Assuming your perusing the Savage Arms site no one pays MSRP. Some good deals can be found in minutes on the web or even your local dealer. Check out this one.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=186774572

Put a decent scope on something like that and you'll save lots of money on rimfire and shotshells in your future ;D ;D
Then again you can always trade in an Edge later if you desire. Just have fun.
Might want to check out the Stevens. Thats a standard Savage action with all the benefits.
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=187865829

 

[4playxj]

That being said, which model of the Savages is best for doing mods to? Remember, price is important, but a larger investment that saves in the end is usually good with me. I looked at the lightweight varminter, I IRC it has a heavy barrel. Any suggestions?

 

[texwelder]

Lewis,
You cant go wrong with the Savage. The two digit models (10,11,12,14,16) are short action for calibers such as 204 up to the 308 family. The three digit models (110,111,112,114,116) are long actions for calibers with cases longer than those in the 308 family, such as the 6.5, or all the way to the shoulder removing .338's. With the ability to change calibers very easily, the Savage is a win-win all the way around. As far as barrel contour, stay with the "varmint contour", as the sporter weight barrels dont seem to hold the accuracy as long.

Just my .02

texwelder

 

[Josh11]

Look at the Savage 10 in .223. You can get a little more mods for that than a savage 12.

 

[deadlyswift]

As Josh11 said check out the Savage 10fp. This would be a much better rifle than the edge. As the edge would fit your needs, the 10fp will allow you many up grades if you desire in the future. As it has been said already many that get into centerfire get bit by the bug, and they want more and better. This rifle would allow you easy up grades for stocks, barrel swap, and smith's willing to work on them. Don't get me wrong. I don't want try to talk you into spending money above your budget. I understand how a budget is. If that's the case? If your looking for a rifle to just plink around and enjoy spending time with your family. The edge will do that for sure. As well you want have to spend much money.

Now if you want to spend just a little more money and I'm not talking 5 or $600 here, $300 or less at the most. You will be able to get into a rifle that yes all of your family can shoot it and enjoy it. The 10fp will be a lot more accurate rifle out of the box, than the edge. If you go with the egde you could sell it later, and get into something more, but then you have to start all over again. With the 10fp you already have a base line to build off of. If it came to that, and in the long run it will save you money and time. Trust me I have been down that road already with selling a .308 ruger and going to a Savage 10FCP witch is just a little more than the 10fp. You want go wrong with a Savage either way!
Mark

 

[RonAKA]

I think the 6.5x55 Swede is an excellent all around cartridge. I like Savage guns as well, and unfortunately I don't believe they offer it. You would likely have to go with an European mfg like Sako or Tikka to get one.

http://www.norma.cc/content.asp?Typ=59&Lang=2&DocumentID=262&Submeny=4&Rubrik=Calibers&Title=6,5x55 Swedish Mauser