Thread: First Rifle Setup (need advice)

Originally Posted by andyanimal31

what!!!!
nobody has mentioned the finest firearm made!
the mighty second hand tikka!

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I would have but they seem to cost more than new ones

picked one up for a mate in 308 with can and burris near new for $1500 so be patient and good things will happen!

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Be very very patient for a tikka second hand to show up, their owners seems to hide them away for ever.

Originally Posted by Friwi

Be very very patient for a tikka second hand to show up, their owners seems to hide them away for ever.

lol, the only Tikkas I sell are then replaced by another tikka!
I got a 590 with a 308 trg barrel screwed on.
two 6.5x55 one for me and a lefty for my 15yo.
a 308 necked down to 7mm for the 17yo
and my trusty 22.250 varmint for daddy slaying goats and other vermin!

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A-rule of thumb is that the Scope can be the same cost as the rifle.
I would go for the Leupold VX-1 3-9x40 and try to economise on the gun.

Good mounts are also essential so budget $100-200 for some. Leupold.

Best value for a gun will beif you can, get a Secondhand one with Suppressor on it already. Check that the suppressor was'bought and fitted to that gun not an old spare that was lying arroUnd.

To get beTter value on the gun see ifyou can get cleaning gear like a rod pull thru oil etc and some ammo thrown in or for a Small price extra You'll need to buy them anyway..

stick to your budget we're not all made of money. Some people on this forum are real enthusiasts. would rather shoot than eat

Managed to pick up a cleaning kit pretty cheap from bushbuck, seems like it'll do the job.

Edit : https://bushbuckoutdoors.com/product...-most-calibers

Is this all i need?

Originally Posted by Ben.NZ

Managed to pick up a cleaning kit pretty cheap from bushbuck, seems like it'll do the job.

Edit : https://bushbuckoutdoors.com/product...-most-calibers

Is this all i need?

If it works great but I would have bought a fixed rod etc for home cleaning and a pull through for when out and about.
While I wouldn't 100% expect it I would think some places will be happy to put together a package for you based on your money that would cover the lot.
Take someone with you who knows guns etc and like all have said don't buy on impulse. A lot of hunting shops want you as a loyal customer cause you are going to spend money so are willing to work with you and get you set up with what you need.
I also use a suppressor but is there a reason you want one from the start? Possibly break the rifle in and then look at adding a suppressor- DPT for the win by the way.
Oh and don't forget the little cases with pills that go bang, they cost money the damn things!

Lots of new toys for you to look at so good luck.

Originally Posted by Willie

...I also use a suppressor but is there a reason you want one from the start? Possibly break the rifle in and then look at adding a suppressor- DPT for the win by the way.

Basically to keep the noise down and save my hearing, also so I'm not annoying everyone at the range when I'm shooting. I'm not too fussed about having the best one, just one that does the job.

@257weatherby

But once cry once
You have your budget which always gets superceeded
Go around a couple of gun shops and look at different rifles. Find one that you like and are comfortable with as this is what you will be carrying and shooting with. Nothing worse than spending all your money on a rifle then every time you pick it up or are about to pull the trigger thinking about what you should have bought. This will lead to shooting disasters
Optics are paramount and should not be overlooked. Spend a little more on a quality scope. Leupold VX1 3-9 is a good start but again you have to be comfortable every time you shoulder your rifle and look thought the scope.
But once cry once

All very good answers, and if I was to do it again I would probably do the same as I did. I just don't get out enough with the .308 to be honest. I wish I did but that's life at the moment. I got a Marlin X7 from H&F for $600 with a whatever scope on it. It shoots well and the deer that I have shot with it... died. I did get a DPT suppressor for it after shooting it for the first time though If I got out more I would probably get a better scope if I thought I needed it. I have shot more paper with it than anything else
Your budget is better than mine and you sound like you are on the right track.

Before you buy new or second hand go into the shops and see what brands you like most eg what they feel like in the shoulder
I would suggest howa for your budget


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Originally Posted by Smiddy

Before you buy new or second hand go into the shops and see what brands you like most eg what they feel like in the shoulder
I would suggest howa for your budget

Are most gun shops cool with you doing that? Asking to shoulder a rifle?

Originally Posted by Ben.NZ

Are most gun shops cool with you doing that? Asking to shoulder a rifle?

Yip, and if they won't let you then go somewhere else and get better service.

How a gun fits you and feels to you personally is a big part of the decision, I would definitely advise against choosing what you want before handling a few options.

Savage are the pick of the bunch in that price range for me, as long as it isn't the budget 'axis' model. Some good deals around on the 'trophy hunter' package under $1k with a weaver scope.

Don't forget to factor in cleaning gear, a bag and ammo into the equation too. Really easy to spend a exrra couple hundy sorting out the extra bits and pieces