Author Topic: Need help with first rifle. (Read 1895 times)

BallisticBalta · « **on:** May 29, 2008, 06:35:42 AM »

Hey, I am looking into getting my first rifle(At 14*) for Varmint hunting. I was looking at the Remington Model 700 SPS Varmint*^* in ,probably, .223. What do you guys think? I have been working a lot for this gun and I have a dirt bike, which I bought with my own money, for sale. I need a gun with good out of the box acc and will last. I kinda like the modern look. Like a synthetic stock and stuff. Thanks a lot.

*Mommy and Daddy DOES NOT buy all my stuff. I must work to play.

*^* Hey, this gun has the swivel loop things on it. Can I put on Mil-spec rails on it? and How much would it cost? I have an airsoft gun that would take that stuff. Like a bi-pod or something.

jasonprox700 · « **Reply #1 on:** May 29, 2008, 07:14:10 AM »

A good friend of mine just bought one over the winter. He really likes it. Nice to handle and very accurate. His only complaint is that he wishes he would have gone with the .22-250.

BallisticBalta · « **Reply #2 on:** May 29, 2008, 07:55:22 AM »

Quote from: jasonprox700 on May 29, 2008, 07:14:10 AM

A good friend of mine just bought one over the winter. He really likes it. Nice to handle and very accurate. His only complaint is that he wishes he would have gone with the .22-250.

The Remington?

Dixie Dude · « **Reply #3 on:** May 29, 2008, 08:02:33 AM »

Where do you live? Do you think you might ever deer hunt or larger game? How about ammo availability in your area? Standard common calibers like .223, .243, .308, even 30-06 might be in order. The .223 is a good varmint caliber, but step up to .243 and you can also deer hunt. What kind of varmints?

DalesCarpentry · « **Reply #4 on:** May 29, 2008, 08:12:54 AM »

Quote from: Dixie Dude on May 29, 2008, 08:02:33 AM

Where do you live? Do you think you might ever deer hunt or larger game? How about ammo availability in your area? Standard common calibers like .223, .243, .308, even 30-06 might be in order. The .223 is a good varmint caliber, but step up to .243 and you can also deer hunt. What kind of varmints?

+1 on the 243. Great caliber and low recoil. Mine is picyured below. Dale

BallisticBalta · « **Reply #5 on:** May 29, 2008, 08:15:18 AM »

Quote from: Dixie Dude on May 29, 2008, 08:02:33 AM

Where do you live?
Like 45min from Albany,Ny in the country.
Do you think you might ever deer hunt or larger game?
I want to, but law states that I can't hunt deer in my county with a rifle.Shottis only for deer
How about ammo availability in your area?
Idk. I got a gun shop with bullets next door. .223 is also a surplus round. So, ya .223 is a lot cheaper.
Standard common calibers like .223, .243, .308, even 30-06 might be in order. The .223 is a good varmint caliber, but step up to .243 and you can also deer hunt. What kind of varmints?
Umm... Coyotes mostly, but other stuff too.

Yep, there you go.

BallisticBalta · « **Reply #6 on:** May 29, 2008, 08:20:49 AM »

Quote from: DALESCARPENTRY on May 29, 2008, 08:12:54 AM

Quote from: Dixie Dude on May 29, 2008, 08:02:33 AM
Where do you live? Do you think you might ever deer hunt or larger game? How about ammo availability in your area? Standard common calibers like .223, .243, .308, even 30-06 might be in order. The .223 is a good varmint caliber, but step up to .243 and you can also deer hunt. What kind of varmints?
+1 on the 243. Great caliber and low recoil. Mine is picyured below. Dale

Ya, but there is a big difference in bullet price. Even to get the shells for reloading. Correct me if I am wrong, but isn't like close to double the price.

Dixie Dude · « **Reply #7 on:** May 29, 2008, 09:48:29 AM »

.308 with light loads can be a decent varmit rifle. It is also 7.62 x 51 NATO. So you can get surplus ammo for practice. In Alabama you can't hunt with surplus ammo, only practice. .308 is more expensive than .223, but if you ever decide you want to deer hunt where rifles are allowed, it gives you that option. So you have to buy the mushrooming ammo for hunting. Don't know about your NY laws. My first big game rifle was a 30-06. When I turned 18, I bought a Browning Auto 5 shotgun. Then I bought a .30-06 JC Penny rifle, then a Marlin Model 60 .22 Rifle. This covered all bases I thought. Now I have 7 rifles, 3 .22 rifles, 3 shotguns, 3 centerfire pistols and a .22 pistol. I bought about 1 gun every couple of years to get mine. I still want about 10 more. Got a big safe to put them in. Got into reloading, sporting clays, etc. Expensive hobby. One year I got 6 deer though, had meat for a year.

BallisticBalta · « **Reply #8 on:** May 29, 2008, 10:05:34 AM »

Quote from: Dixie Dude on May 29, 2008, 09:48:29 AM

.308 with light loads can be a decent varmit rifle. It is also 7.62 x 51 NATO. So you can get surplus ammo for practice. In Alabama you can't hunt with surplus ammo, only practice. .308 is more expensive than .223, but if you ever decide you want to deer hunt where rifles are allowed, it gives you that option. So you have to buy the mushrooming ammo for hunting. Don't know about your NY laws. My first big game rifle was a 30-06. When I turned 18, I bought a Browning Auto 5 shotgun. Then I bought a .30-06 JC Penny rifle, then a Marlin Model 60 .22 Rifle. This covered all bases I thought. Now I have 7 rifles, 3 .22 rifles, 3 shotguns, 3 centerfire pistols and a .22 pistol. I bought about 1 gun every couple of years to get mine. I still want about 10 more. Got a big safe to put them in. Got into reloading, sporting clays, etc. Expensive hobby. One year I got 6 deer though, had meat for a year.

Well, when I get into hunting deer I will probably get a new gun.

I love the "Real Steel". I will want to shoot a lot; so probably a .223 first. But is the Remington a good gun?

P.S. and you collection sounds cool.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #9 on:** May 29, 2008, 10:17:17 AM »

your choice is a good one , ENJOY !

make sure Mom and Dad know and approve as to get in trouble might limit your gun ownership in the future and it ain't worth it .

victorcharlie · « **Reply #10 on:** May 29, 2008, 11:44:39 AM »

Quote from: BallisticBalta on May 29, 2008, 08:20:49 AM

Quote from: DALESCARPENTRY on May 29, 2008, 08:12:54 AM
Quote from: Dixie Dude on May 29, 2008, 08:02:33 AM
Where do you live? Do you think you might ever deer hunt or larger game? How about ammo availability in your area? Standard common calibers like .223, .243, .308, even 30-06 might be in order. The .223 is a good varmint caliber, but step up to .243 and you can also deer hunt. What kind of varmints?
+1 on the 243. Great caliber and low recoil. Mine is picyured below. Dale

Ya, but there is a big difference in bullet price. Even to get the shells for reloading. Correct me if I am wrong, but isn't like close to double the price.

No, reloading wouldn't be double the price between a .223 and a .243 but will probably be a couple of bucks more for a box of 100 bullets, and because the case is larger, a few cents more in powder depending on what powder you choose of course.

As this is your first rifle, and if you think you might hunt big game, then I'd check your local game laws to determine what is legal to hunt with.

The Remington 700 is a fine rifle at a good price and should last you the rest of your life and probably your grand kids life to, if it's properly cared for.

Caliber is personal preference, but for big game hunting most would pick a larger caliber given the choice.

BallisticBalta · « **Reply #11 on:** May 29, 2008, 12:47:51 PM »

Quote from: SHOOTALL on May 29, 2008, 10:17:17 AM

your choice is a good one , ENJOY !
Thanks. It looks pretty too.
make sure Mom and Dad know and approve as to get in trouble might limit your gun ownership in the future and it ain't worth it .
Ya, they do. I will have to hunt with dad till I am old enough.

Quote from: victorcharlie on May 29, 2008, 11:44:39 AM

Quote from: BallisticBalta on May 29, 2008, 08:20:49 AM
Quote from: DALESCARPENTRY on May 29, 2008, 08:12:54 AM
Quote from: Dixie Dude on May 29, 2008, 08:02:33 AM
Where do you live? Do you think you might ever deer hunt or larger game? How about ammo availability in your area? Standard common calibers like .223, .243, .308, even 30-06 might be in order. The .223 is a good varmint caliber, but step up to .243 and you can also deer hunt. What kind of varmints?
+1 on the 243. Great caliber and low recoil. Mine is picyured below. Dale
Ya, but there is a big difference in bullet price. Even to get the shells for reloading. Correct me if I am wrong, but isn't like close to double the price.
No, reloading wouldn't be double the price between a .223 and a .243 but will probably be a couple of bucks more for a box of 100 bullets, and because the case is larger, a few cents more in powder depending on what powder you choose of course.
Ya, ok. I don't how long in till get into reloading though. I want to be able to buy stock ammo cheap.
As this is your first rifle, and if you think you might hunt big game, then I'd check your local game laws to determine what is legal to hunt with.
The Remington 700 is a fine rifle at a good price and should last you the rest of your life and probably your grand kids life to, if it's properly cared for.
Good. Like I said before it looks nice too.
Caliber is personal preference, but for big game hunting most would pick a larger caliber given the choice.
Ya, I know, but it might be some time till I hunt Deer.

beemanbeme · « **Reply #12 on:** May 29, 2008, 05:25:24 PM »

I think a .223 is an excellent calibre to start out with. Minor recoil so that you may practice your bench and handling technique without the distractions of recoil and the remanufactured and milsup ammo is so cheap is is almost pointless to reload. And most of the remanufactured and milsup stuff is well within minute of groundhog. I would stick with the standard 1/12 or 1/14 twist barrel and the 50 to 55 grain bullets. No point in trying to make the .223 something it isn't. The standard .223 with a 50 or 55 gr bullet will handle any coyote or smaller varmint out to 250 yards or so. There are some that endores the .223 as a deer rifle. I am not one of them.
Once you are ready to start deer hunting, you can use the handling techniques that you have learnt with the .223 to move up to a real deer rifle like the 7-08. The you have the best of both worlds.

BallisticBalta · « **Reply #13 on:** May 30, 2008, 05:59:53 AM »

Quote from: beemanbeme on May 29, 2008, 05:25:24 PM

I think a .223 is an excellent calibre to start out with. Minor recoil so that you may practice your bench and handling technique without the distractions of recoil and the remanufactured and milsup ammo is so cheap is is almost pointless to reload. And most of the remanufactured and milsup stuff is well within minute of groundhog. I would stick with the standard 1/12 or 1/14 twist barrel and the 50 to 55 grain bullets. No point in trying to make the .223 something it isn't. The standard .223 with a 50 or 55 gr bullet will handle any coyote or smaller varmint out to 250 yards or so. There are some that endores the .223 as a deer rifle. I am not one of them.
Once you are ready to start deer hunting, you can use the handling techniques that you have learnt with the .223 to move up to a real deer rifle like the 7-08. The you have the best of both worlds.

Ya, I wouldn't use .223 as a deer rifle. I don't even think it is legal here. Ya, I really like .223 cause it is cheap, which is nice. Thanks for all the help.

sniperVLS · « **Reply #14 on:** May 31, 2008, 05:49:08 PM »

Nab the SPS-V and don't look back

no guns here · « **Reply #15 on:** June 02, 2008, 01:28:42 AM »

Excellent choice on the rifle... might I suggest though that as a teenager who is probably a little short on money that you look into the T/C Encore? It's more than accurate enough, comes in synthetic stocks that you like and is pretty cheap to change cartridges just by buying a new barrel. Just a thought... Lots of us older guys buy them for the same reasons. Only about $250 to get a new rifle barrel which makes it a new gun...

ngh

rebAL · « **Reply #16 on:** June 02, 2008, 03:08:10 AM »

For a dedicated coyote rifle, I would choose a Stevens 200. IMO, Coyotes don't deserve a rifle more expensive. Although I still don't have one, they reportedly shoot good and you won't mind getting some nicks & scrapes on it. They are available in .223.

Freezer · « **Reply #17 on:** June 02, 2008, 04:29:01 AM »

I hadn't thought of an Encore for this guy! That is an excellent choice. Just change the barrel and you have a new gun and that includes muzzle loader and shotgun. Look at the outdoor shows, alot are carrying Encore now days. There are aways good deals on used barrels also. Get good with it the first time and the rest is polish. Remember the old saying,"Beware the man who own one gun, he probably knows how to use it!". Forget the "Fast Follow up Shot" they don't happen and it not a good idea to be slinging lead through the woods.

TribReady · « **Reply #18 on:** June 02, 2008, 04:51:03 AM »

I personally would second the Stevens 200 in .223. Very accurate out of the box and less $$, which frees up cash for ammo and future firearm purchases.

However, it sounds like you're sold on the Remington. You'll get tons of opinions, and all are legitimate, but in the end, you just need to go with what feels right for you. If you're leaning towards the Remington, then just "pull the trigger" and get it. No matter what your choice, take the advice already given: be content with it, don't look back, and enjoy it.

ms · « **Reply #19 on:** June 02, 2008, 08:48:36 AM »

tikka

BallisticBalta · « **Reply #20 on:** June 02, 2008, 01:19:02 PM »

Hey, thanks for all the posts. Ya, I have heard of the Encore and have looked into it before. I have no doubt in my mind that it is a good gun, but I really like the Remington. I have some time to think about it; so I will. By the way where could I get any of these guns the cheapest?(Remington would have to be OD Green with new X trigger.) At Dick's the Remington is on sale for $500 bucks, but I think it runs at $550.(Both with a scope.) Thanks again.

DalesCarpentry · « **Reply #21 on:** June 02, 2008, 01:23:06 PM »

If you can get it for $500.00 go for it. That is a good deal. I paid $550.00 for mine without the scope. Dale

BallisticBalta · « **Reply #22 on:** June 02, 2008, 01:30:18 PM »

Quote from: DALESCARPENTRY on June 02, 2008, 01:23:06 PM

If you can get it for $500.00 go for it. That is a good deal. I paid $550.00 for mine without the scope. Dale

Ok, thanks. Now, I have to decided what caliber to get it in. Hmm...

DalesCarpentry · « **Reply #23 on:** June 02, 2008, 01:45:11 PM »

The 223 is a fine caliber and would serve you well as long as you don't ever hunt deer size game with it. Like I said earlier I have it in the 243 and love it. If you want to do some long range shooting you should consider the 243 which could also be used as a minimum caliber for deer IMHO. I have shot Groundhogs at 500 yards or so with deadly effects. Dale

BallisticBalta · « **Reply #24 on:** June 02, 2008, 01:55:35 PM »

Quote from: DALESCARPENTRY on June 02, 2008, 01:45:11 PM

The 223 is a fine caliber and would serve you well as long as you don't ever hunt deer size game with it. Like I said earlier I have it in the 243 and love it. If you want to do some long range shooting you should consider the 243 which could also be used as a minimum caliber for deer IMHO. I have shot Groundhogs at 500 yards or so with deadly effects. Dale

Ya, I like .243 better, but it is more expensive for the ammo. If I were to reload how much would the cost difference be between .223 and .243? I also look on Midwayusa.com and the price for Hornaday brass and bullets cost more together then a regular bullet. So, how is reloading cheaper? Thanks again.

EDIT: Idk about regular being cheaper, but could someone provide web links? Thanks.

DalesCarpentry · « **Reply #25 on:** June 02, 2008, 02:10:16 PM »

Yea there is no dought the 243 will cost more to shoot. The main reason being it uses about twice as much powder. As far as that 223 surplus ammo goes I think it is crap myself. Not very accurate. That is why it is so cheap. I don't know about you but I am an accuracy freak so I am willing to spend the extra money to get it. I am just starting to get into reloading and still have a couple things I need to buy before I can turn out a round. Dale

BallisticBalta · « **Reply #26 on:** June 02, 2008, 02:20:48 PM »

Quote from: DALESCARPENTRY on June 02, 2008, 02:10:16 PM

Yea there is no dought the 243 will cost more to shoot. The main reason being it uses about twice as much powder. As far as that 223 surplus ammo goes I think it is crap myself. Not very accurate. That is why it is so cheap. I don't know about you but I am an accuracy freak so I am willing to spend the extra money to get it. I am just starting to get into reloading and still have a couple things I need to buy before I can turn out a round. Dale

Ya, then I will probably turn to .223. I am looking into getting just one of those cheap Lee sets. I just need to make a bullet; nothing special.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #27 on:** June 03, 2008, 02:53:45 AM »

surplus ammo is hard to find now due to the war , Federal , Winchester and Remington surplus or over run ammo was good in my gun and not so many years ago it was $ 3.00 for 20 , Lake City when it was aval. to the public was good in my gun . Off shore stuff - some good some not so good . As far as reloading a 55 gr. ball load will most likely be your most economical load . If price is a factor and with most it is , try a Savage .

rebAL · « **Reply #28 on:** June 03, 2008, 03:28:18 AM »

Stevens 200; Guns America $268 + shipping + FFL ($25). About the cost of encore barrel.

beemanbeme · « **Reply #29 on:** June 03, 2008, 05:39:37 AM »

As posted, pull the trigger. Get the Remington. .223. Take a little care of it and you'll have a rifle you'll be proud to pass on to your kids. If you're gonna get into reloading, get the Lee Kit. You can up grade as you learn and funds become available.
I reload but I've also found that the remanufactured .223 stuff shoots pretty good in my rifles.