n00b to rifles...or in general. help?

[dani]

Im finally moving back to berks county and plan to go buck hunting this next fall. i still dont own my own gun, yet alone a rifle. Im looking to find a relatively 'cheap' rifle for me to practice at the range.

The best deal (and quality) seems to be the remington 700 sps.

Im also ignorant as to what caliber model would be best.
(I dont feel like calling and bugging my dad)

thank youuu for any helpful ideas !

[ar15jules]

A buddy of mine bought the same Remington and shoots one inch groups with it all day long. He likes it.
Jules

[LittleRedToyota]

remington 700s are really nice rifles. not used to people thinking of them as a "good deal" price-wise though...

savage/stevens rifles are generally cheaper and shoot at least close to as well. if price isn't a concern, though, i'd still rather have a remington 700.

as far as caliber, everyone has their own opinions.

i'd suggest at least .243. other popular choices are .270, .308, 30-06, 7mm mag, etc. etc.

[RocketFoot]

I have a Remington 700 SPS in 7mm Rem Mag and it is sweet. The action is a smooth as a stripper's thighs but not quite as dangerous! Just stay away form Remy's entry level rifle (770?) it is not in the same league as the 700!

[akordboy]

Yeah, the 700 is a really nice gun. I have a .243. If you are planning on just hunting deer, the .243 will be plenty. But if you plan on doing bigger game, I'd think about the 30-06 IMO.

[markheck1]

go Buy a .22lr really cheap to shoot.....you can practice and practice and practice....then get a bigger gun, and you won;t have to practice with it quite as much....shooting the .22 is just as beneficial as the "real thing"

[CoyoteJack]

I have a Remington 700 in .308 that is now 42 years old. The only repair that has ever needed to be made was to replace the extractor spring last year. It has helped to put a great deal of venison in the freezer over the years that I've owned it. I got it when I was 16 from my father as a hand me down when he bought a Winchester 70 also a .308 (and basically the same rifle).

I find the caliber ideal. Enough power for any North American game. Less recoil than a .30-06. Ammo is plentiful as it is also a military round.

[bert304]

It you want an inexpensive rifle go with Savage hunter series. I payed 400 and it has the accu trigger. It does not have a fancy stock but it shoots great

If you load your own rounds you can save money and shoot more. I shoot a 7mm-08 and a box of 20 at a store is 20 bucks I can load 50 rounds for 10.00 with Noslers if I go for cheaper bullets I can load 50 for 5.00

[ROCKETRIDER]

Howa is also an excellent rifle for the money. They are around 450 and it comes with a scope. Cheapest place I found was Guzyk's gun shop in Ambridge,Pa his number is 724-251-0504. Weird hours though. I think 6pm-9pm Mon-Thurs

[jsb889]

I'm not sure if you're hunting AND practicing with the same rifle, or if you just want a rifle for strict practice and your dad has a rifle for hunting? Wording from the post has me a bit confused (which is damn easy to do ) Either way, Remmy 700s are a wonderful choice. As LRT said, the stevens series is good as well, and the Savage fp10. Could spend the rest of the money on ammo...but if cost is no issue, Remmy 700s are more upgradeable.

If practice only, go .223. Very cheap, low recoil. All kinds of different grades of ammo, from match to surplus.

If its for both hunting and practice, I think anything .243+ will do. Myself, I'd go with a .308, but I'm sure theres much more better knowledge on cartridge selection than me. As long as you stick with .243+ for the buck, you're good