First Rifle...seeking advice

Apologies if this has been covered numerous times, I've had a look a fair way back through the posts before writing this one.
I am currently in the process of getting my FAL and like most things I purchase have put a lot of time into researching what I want to buy.
Im assuming in the end a lot of the decision will come down to what feels good to shoot, and my budget but I was hoping to get some advice on a couple of the models I have been looking at. Are any standouts over the others? I have been recommended 7mm 08 or .308. I will be using it at the range and do hope to gain some knowledge, experience and get out to do some hunting.

- Howa 1500
- Sako A7 Roughtech
- Remington 700 SPS

I like the look of the Leupold VX2 scopes. I am of the mind that where possible I like to buy better, to last longer and have room to grow into.
Any advice or information is much appreciated. Im sure its a common question and have organised to shoots a couple of rifles before I purchase one.

You won't go wrong with any of those three brands and the calibres you suggest are great, buy the one you like the most.

Get good rings and the vx2 (or most other similarly priced scopes) will be fine.

Then buy a .22 and practice heaps! [emoji106]

If those are your 3 choices go sako anyday , 708/308 I have and prefer 708, when you say you are going to use at range. What distance are you talking, are you going to reload(best to if shooting at range)

Hamish

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A budget might help get some more case specific advice :)

I have a 708 in the remington 700 with the synthetic stock and find it works fine, feels good to shoulder and no operational issues with it. Had it at the range a week ago and managed under 2 inches at 200metres with hornady sst my rifle hates remy core loct! Hey works for me so find the one that no matter what you woukd go back to and that is your rifle. Scope wise buy the best you can afford it pays off in the end!

I meant to say, I'm in Auckland re: ranges and my realistic starting budget would be sticking around the 2k mark. Possibly a little more to allow for a quality scope.

Shop around! Geta good deal for that and I woukd expect ammo, bag and sljng thrown in as a courtesy cause thats what I got! They made money I got a good deal and everyone is happy

Tikka t3 and burris fullfield 2 scope package are 1500 and good value , like others have said go to the shop and pick some up

yep like others 1st sako 2nd best rem700 3rd best howa in my opinon from your options the tikka t3 is great another option though meny on here dont like them meny includeing me love them they are supper accurate and the triggers are great but like anything there are small disadvantages aswell like loseing the mag if you dont clip it in propper or the bolt but this is all user error not the rifes fult
nothing worng with scope choice spot on for a hunting rifle
like others have said get a 22 aswell for pratice a jw15 will be fine in a low bugget

as far as cal goes i would get one of 4 cals 243 7mm-08 6.5x55,or i hate to say it 308.... 243 is low recoil and easy to shoot and good on goats sikka and reds anything bigger than that and i would start looking at something bigger
7mm-08 is very poplur now and that it is a one rifle dose everything option but then so is 308
6.5 is also a very nice cal very low recoil but enough power to knock down anything nz has to offer

when you buy the rifle the best advice i can give is before you even shoot the thing send it to dpt and get him to fit one of his over barrel supressors Extra $400 but its the best $400 you'll ever spend as it reduces recoil by over 50% which makes it mpre enjoyable to shoot plus you wont blow your ear drums when you shoot something in the bush it will cut the noise down to arround the same as a supersonic 22 or 22 mag


for your bugget this would be perfict leaves you plenty left over for a vx2 and a 2nd hand jw15 put the night eater on the 22 and the vx2 on the howa http://www.trademe.co.nz/sports/hunt...-940101565.htm

Most of my answers are covered above. The only comment I would like to add is the calibre choice.

If looking at the 7mm08 and 308, the 6.5x55 and 243 suggestions are worth considering too. Though I would lean to the 308 / 6.5x55 options more. The 6.5x55 is (only) slightly less powerful than the two 08 calibres but has a lot less felt recoil so is ideal for a new shooter to develop good technique. The 308 has one advantage over the lot. Not because it does anything better or worse than the others, quite the contrary, all calibres are so similar that it could be said it doesn't really matter much. But the reason is you can get a lot more ammo options for 308, including the likes of Barnaul. With Barnaul being $1 per shot, you have the chance to practise twice (or three times) as much for the same dollars spent. Some rifles shoot better with better grade ammo, others don't mind. (I have one of each)

Certainly use better ammo later or start handloading when you start to really chase accuracy. But when getting to know the rifle and getting comfortable shooting it, then that takes rounds down the barrel, and the more the better. (to and extent anyway)

And the suggestion to get a .22LR as well, is also a good one. Technique and accuracy skills can be learnt on any rifle, and $70 per 500 rounds of practise is way better than $70 for 20 or 40 rounds of practise. And with a complete lack of recoil, you can concentrate on your technique without developing a flinch. Avoiding a flinch on centrefire is easier once you have a solid stable technique sorted (muscle memory)

Welcome, enjoy and stay safe.

Someone please pass the popcorn ;)

Visit gunshops and try all 3 rifles. Buy the one that feels the best when you pick it up and shoulder. Last thing you want to do when about to pull the trigger is to think you should have bought the Sako and not the Remmington.
Same applies to the caliber. I had a couple of 6.5x55 and always wanted a 308. Bought my Sako 75 in 308 and wish it was in 6.5x55

If you're not going to reload i'd say stick to 308. So much more off the shelf selection in every shop. Can take quite a few packs to find the round she likes...and if you're limited to only a few different factory loads you can be pushing shit uphill.

If you're going to reload...sure try the 708 or the 6.5's people are suggesting.

Basically anything in the $800 up price bracket seems to be fine. Try handle as many different breeds/models as you can in the shop and buy whatever one feels the best to you and has the features you like. Features may be safety position, mag construction/fit/type, stock material, feel, ... whatever. There will be a point where one will 'float your boat' and you will keep coming back to it. Buy it in whatever calibre they have it in within reason.

Perfect. Thank you to all for the advice. I have organised to try some out and will see what I feel I like best. Once possible crucial thing I forgot to mention is I'm left handed. I have however been told its not a huge issue shooting a right handed rifle and likely better for re-sale. I shall add to the 'gun show' thread once the time comes and I have made a decision. I look forward to meeting some other Auckland shooters and learning more about shooting, hunting and the outdoors in general. If anyone owns a firearm shop and needs branding, advertising or web design done, pm me ;) Thanks again to those who offered information and opinions.

@TimK get a proper lefty mate they do fit and work better you can shoot a right hander yes but is not as smooth or quick
and for the extra $100 or so ontop of the right hander is well worth it nothing worse than a rifle that dosn't fit you propaly

I don't think there is much of a debate to be had here. all the guns are good, and if you have a budget of 2k then go with the most expensive, the A7, it's a nicer rifle and costs more,
The Howa is 700-800. you can't really compare unless you are talking value for money.
And the VX2 is also fine, but again, go to the shop and molest them all, see what fits you right.

I think you will battle to find a Howa for that money these days! Maybe second hand?

Hmm perhaps buying in left handed will dictate what I end up purchasing.

The only rifle in LH in your selection is the Lemmington, unless Sako have come to their senses.
243 and up Tikka T3 with the Loopy scope.
Don't buy a RH shooter. Are you wanting to get into it for enjoyment or not? Resale be damned. Take my advice as a fellow lefty.

I no where there's a nice left hand sako 85 6.5x55.

There is a left hand Sako (75 I think) just come in TM for $1600, unfortunately it is a 243!

Great thanks for that I will look at the Tikka - would the Tikka be considered better then the Howa? Any other brands/models I should look up?

Similar quality, both good rifles, personal preferences between them.

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Originally Posted by Spudattack

There is a left hand Sako (75 I think) just come in TM for $1600, unfortunately it is a 243!

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Pretty sweet. I would be very tempted if I had not just had one made for the R93. Also, a 243 of that vintage could have fuck all barrel life left.

Check which eye is dominant and learn to shoot with that "handed" rifle.
No point paying a premium for a left hand rifle if you are right eye dominant .

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Originally Posted by TimK

Any other brands/models I should look up?

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Savage (weather warrior or trophy hunter), Browning (A-bolt or X-bolt), Ruger Hawkeye, there are probably a few other options too.

All have their own different features, fit and feel so as others have said the key is to try out (or at least handle) as many options as you can before deciding what you like best.

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Originally Posted by sako75

Visit gunshops and try all 3 rifles. Buy the one that feels the best when you pick it up and shoulder. Last thing you want to do when about to pull the trigger is to think you should have bought the Sako and not the Remmington.
Same applies to the caliber. I had a couple of 6.5x55 and always wanted a 308. Bought my Sako 75 in 308 and wish it was in 6.5x55

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been there, Done that......Probably do it again too

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Originally Posted by TimK

Great thanks for that I will look at the Tikka - would the Tikka be considered better then the Howa? Any other brands/models I should look up?

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That would depend who you talk to. Without that question there would be no forums.......

I could tell you which is but that is simply my opinion and where Tikka and other brands are concerned opinions are like belly buttons. Everyone has one and its different to everyone else's......

Pick them up and hold them, try them and see what you like. They have differences, and similarities. (the guns that is) If you are a lefty, they yes I would suggest a left handed gun. But as mentioned, check which is your dominant eye, because that is what usually determines which handed rifle you use, not which hand you write with....Most Gunshops should have a left and a right handed gun for you to handle and see which feels natural.

Howa dont do lefy's, but you can get a left handed stock for a right handed rifle. Thuogh I would still say get a left handed rifle if that was the case.

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Originally Posted by TimK

Perfect. Thank you to all for the advice. I have organised to try some out and will see what I feel I like best. Once possible crucial thing I forgot to mention is I'm left handed. I have however been told its not a huge issue shooting a right handed rifle and likely better for re-sale. I shall add to the 'gun show' thread once the time comes and I have made a decision. I look forward to meeting some other Auckland shooters and learning more about shooting, hunting and the outdoors in general. If anyone owns a firearm shop and needs branding, advertising or web design done, pm me ;) Thanks again to those who offered information and opinions.

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being a fellow cackhander ,ive been happy to use righthanded weapons all my shooting career.lets face it manufacturers dont produce a lot of lefthanders and if you buy you end up paying$100-200 more anyhow.get used to doing all ya drill,righthanded then just throw rifle or shotty to your left shoulder and bingo!

Just my 2c regarding ammo cost..

Sure, go for something "common" and easy to source. However - one of the big things I have learned is that not shooting ammo on paper because of the cha-ching factor is plain stupid. You're cheating yourself. (I did this when I first got Black Beauty - I would only do sessions of 5 rounds at the range and then purely hunt and not practice any more shooting)

How much do we spend on vehicle, fuel, maint, rifle, scope, pack, food, gear, the list goes on. How much value would you put on a wounded deer or a missed deer because you are un-practiced? $500? $1,000? By that I mean, "How much would you spend to make that deer come back and your bullet actually connect with it..?"

In my opinion, every dollar spent on ammo that is fired down range is a dollar well spent.

The suggestion of purchasing/borrowing a .22 to put a considerable amount of rounds through is not a silly one.

Good luck to you mate and welcome to the wonderful world of hunting :)

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Originally Posted by kotuku

being a fellow cackhander ,ive been happy to use righthanded weapons all my shooting career.lets face it manufacturers dont produce a lot of lefthanders and if you buy you end up paying$100-200 more anyhow.get used to doing all ya drill,righthanded then just throw rifle or shotty to your left shoulder and bingo!

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@kotuku. You are obviously not a real lefty. Those of us lucky enough to to be blessed by the left hand of God himself never refer to our identifiable advantages as being "cack handed".[emoji56]

@TimK This here looks like it would fit your bill perfectly left Handed Savage 7mm-08 | Trade Me
They retail for around $1500 I think with the Accustock?

And this if you want to consider .270 Savage .270 Stainless Syn L/Hand Weather Warrior | Trade Me

Wills had a left handed set up with scope and suppressor in stainless 308 I think if I had the dollars I would of bought it

Thanks all! I'm definitely left eye dominant. I did a lot of air rifle target shooting when I was young left handed. Ill see what all my options are after shooting a couple.

You'll be lucky to find a new lh 22 I got the second last one a couple of months ago

At the risk of throwing something else into the mix. The browning X bolt looks good!

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Originally Posted by TimK

At the risk of throwing something else into the mix. The browning X bolt looks good!

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I'm a big fan of the X-bolt. It's what I bought and funds weren't an issue. Give it a try in the shop, it has some really nice features. Mag sits flush and is rotary so usually holds 1 more round than most competitors with non-protruding mags. It doesn't come loose easy either. The half-cock is very noticeable - you won't go past it by accident or a tiny bump won't take it off. You can unload a chambered round with the safety on. The safety is nice. Build quality is really good too. And mine is very, very accurate. Can't comment on them all obviously, as that's the only one i've shot, but it's a ripper.

This is where whats-his-face chips in with how ugly the stock is but can't say i've ever noticed it :P.

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Originally Posted by MattyP

I'm a big fan of the X-bolt. It's what I bought and funds weren't an issue. Give it a try in the shop, it has some really nice features. Mag sits flush and is rotary so usually holds 1 more round than most competitors with non-protruding mags. It doesn't come loose easy either. The half-cock is very noticeable - you won't go past it by accident or a tiny bump won't take it off. You can unload a chambered round with the safety on. The safety is nice. Build quality is really good too. And mine is very, very accurate. Can't comment on them all obviously, as that's the only one i've shot, but it's a ripper.

This is where whats-his-face chips in with how ugly the stock is but can't say i've ever noticed it :P.

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:)