Starter Rifle Recommendations

[Riflecat]

Hello, I am a new poster to this forum, but have been looking around for a little while now. I am a rimfire shooter, and have not even fired a centerfire rifle since I last hunted more than 20 years ago. I have been shooting rimfire benchrest for the past few years, and that is likely to remain my main passion for a while. However, the desire for a centerfire rifle has been building and I think I am ready to try one again.

I have been hoping to come across a nice Varmint style bolt rifle for a while, but have not had any luck. So if I want one I will have to go out and get one, but I need some advice on what direction to take. I love the accuracy of my benchrest rifles, and love the lack of recoil and low noise that Rimfire provides, so very accurate and comparatively smaller rounds would be most appealing to me.

I do not currently handload so something that has available factory loads would be best. If I really enjoy the shooting and decide to take up reloading, I would like a cartridge that is fairly easy and economical to reload. i plan on shooting for fun at my local club on the 200 yard range. Hunting or competition are not in the plans, but I certainly don’t oppose them.

Based on these criteria, I am leaning towards a .223. I would certainly welcome any other caliber suggestions, though. As for rifles, I have always liked Remington, but it looks like that is probably a “No Go” now. I have had Howas in the past that I liked, and would certainly consider a Savage. I do love pretty guns, too, and would love to have another chance at a gun like the Cooper I unfortunately passed up right before the pandemic started. If I was an experienced reloader with tons of equipment, I would not be scared off by a used benchrest rig, but in my situation a factory or semi-custom is probably best.

I hope this post is not too long, but I wanted to include enough information to help some of the extremely experienced and knowledgeable shooters here provide me with some good advice. Thanks in advance for any suggestions provided.

 

[ebb]

Tika

 

[Oso]

I think the .223 is the adult version of 22 long rifle... you can't go wrong. Everyone should have a couple, both bolt rifle and AR. Since CZ discontinued their CZ 527 line, the obvious answer going forward is Tikka. Great rifle with nice features at a good price.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

Find a Cooper dealer and get what you want ordered. As hard as factory 223’s are to find right now, placing a order may turn out to be quicker.

 

[Mark M.]

Another vote for Tikka, they have a new varmint model out this year

 

[JB10]

223 would be great. I also love my 6br. Light recoil and fun to shoot

 

[boltfluter]

A Tikka with a heavy barrel would be a great choice to start with.
Paul

 

[HandgunHTR]

Tikka or Howa Mini in .223

Tikka or Bergara in .308

Those are my recommendations for bolt guns. That being said, I believe that everyone should own an AR or two as well, so you should consider building one of those as well.

 

[PopCharlie]

An AR would probably be a good bet to start. If you spend a bit more you can get a little more accuracy. I would suggest a 20 Inch barrel with standard furniture. The AR platform is more difficult to shoot from a rest or bags, but can be done. They are alot of fun and ammo is starting to be more avaliable.

PopCharlie

 

[Walt Krafft]

I like American made stuff. 223 is a great choice. Look at a competition or varmint AR15 rifle from White Oak. You will be amazed how good they shoot.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Maybe you can go right past a starter rifle and go lights out if you have a lights out custom br rimfire rig to trade. If so i can hook you up

 

[Ringostar]

As others have said, a Tikka varmint would be a good choice. But im not sure what the twist rate is. It could be for smaller bullets, but probably would shoot most factory loads good. You also mentioned Savage. If it’s strictly going to be used for target fun shooting, then look into a Savage FTR rifle in 223.

 

[lawman29]

Savage model 12 had several different configurations in 223 you should look at.

 

[marchx]

"Shooting for fun" does not say, what kind for accuracy you are looking for. Even the cheapest savage would deliver sub-moa accuracy. The same refers to Howa, Tikka, Bergara, CZ.
223 up to 200yds is ok (although I know people shooting 223 at 600yds).

 

[NZ_Fclass]

Inaccurate rifles are no fun at all. You will soon get frustrated. If you must get a 223, a Tikka with a heavy barrel will serve you well for a while. Get a good scope. Not the latest, well marketed "thing", but a good reliable one.. Leupold LRT 25x perhaps or the older 6.5-20, Vortex PST 6-24 - some bargains around - Burris XTR2, etc. Once you learn to handload, that rig will shoot well under half MoA.

 

[One Eye Pete]

223 in a bolt action is a great choice. I have ARs but in my opinion bolt actions are more accurate and easier to maintain. They don't cycle as fast as a semi auto but with the price of ammo today shooting 20 to 30 rounds fast from a magazine tends to get expensive. I would not go cheap as everyone I know that bought an inexpensive gun eventually ended up trading it in for a better one. I would look for a good used Remington or custom Remington clone. Although I have more Savages than Remington's you simply can't beat the aftermarket triggers available for a Remington style bolt action.
You may want to talk to Dusty in post #11 above or give The Shooters Corner a call. Bob White at Shooters Corner usually has a bunch of good quality used varmint rifles in stock and he is a gunsmith so he could easily put a new match barrel on a good used rifle.

 

[mike a]

If you like Remington and accuracy do this. Get a rem700 short action, a Remage barrel, Boyds Pro Varmint stock. Pick ur trigger and the Most Most important part. Go 6BR !!!

 

[redrockranger]

Hello, I am a new poster to this forum, but have been looking around for a little while now. I am a rimfire shooter, and have not even fired a centerfire rifle since I last hunted more than 20 years ago. I have been shooting rimfire benchrest for the past few years, and that is likely to remain my main passion for a while. However, the desire for a centerfire rifle has been building and I think I am ready to try one again.

I have been hoping to come across a nice Varmint style bolt rifle for a while, but have not had any luck. So if I want one I will have to go out and get one, but I need some advice on what direction to take. I love the accuracy of my benchrest rifles, and love the lack of recoil and low noise that Rimfire provides, so very accurate and comparatively smaller rounds would be most appealing to me.

I do not currently handload so something that has available factory loads would be best. If I really enjoy the shooting and decide to take up reloading, I would like a cartridge that is fairly easy and economical to reload. i plan on shooting for fun at my local club on the 200 yard range. Hunting or competition are not in the plans, but I certainly don’t oppose them.

Based on these criteria, I am leaning towards a .223. I would certainly welcome any other caliber suggestions, though. As for rifles, I have always liked Remington, but it looks like that is probably a “No Go” now. I have had Howas in the past that I liked, and would certainly consider a Savage. I do love pretty guns, too, and would love to have another chance at a gun like the Cooper I unfortunately passed up right before the pandemic started. If I was an experienced reloader with tons of equipment, I would not be scared off by a used benchrest rig, but in my situation a factory or semi-custom is probably best.

I hope this post is not too long, but I wanted to include enough information to help some of the extremely experienced and knowledgeable shooters here provide me with some good advice. Thanks in advance for any suggestions provided.

Budget ? I have not checked lately but Shilen Barrels in your home state of Texas made action. They have very good barrel also. Action could have a barrel nut. I like single shots myself. Check them out.

 

[Lance21]

I've got a 6 br that might interest you. Rem 700, proof ss barrel, shouldered. Manners stock.

 

[Big Mc]

Hello, I am a new poster to this forum, but have been looking around for a little while now. I am a rimfire shooter, and have not even fired a centerfire rifle since I last hunted more than 20 years ago. I have been shooting rimfire benchrest for the past few years, and that is likely to remain my main passion for a while. However, the desire for a centerfire rifle has been building and I think I am ready to try one again.

I have been hoping to come across a nice Varmint style bolt rifle for a while, but have not had any luck. So if I want one I will have to go out and get one, but I need some advice on what direction to take. I love the accuracy of my benchrest rifles, and love the lack of recoil and low noise that Rimfire provides, so very accurate and comparatively smaller rounds would be most appealing to me.

I do not currently handload so something that has available factory loads would be best. If I really enjoy the shooting and decide to take up reloading, I would like a cartridge that is fairly easy and economical to reload. i plan on shooting for fun at my local club on the 200 yard range. Hunting or competition are not in the plans, but I certainly don’t oppose them.

Based on these criteria, I am leaning towards a .223. I would certainly welcome any other caliber suggestions, though. As for rifles, I have always liked Remington, but it looks like that is probably a “No Go” now. I have had Howas in the past that I liked, and would certainly consider a Savage. I do love pretty guns, too, and would love to have another chance at a gun like the Cooper I unfortunately passed up right before the pandemic started. If I was an experienced reloader with tons of equipment, I would not be scared off by a used benchrest rig, but in my situation a factory or semi-custom is probably best.

I hope this post is not too long, but I wanted to include enough information to help some of the extremely experienced and knowledgeable shooters here provide me with some good advice. Thanks in advance for any suggestions provided.

My vote Savage 12. Tommy Mc