Long range affordable rifle caliber?

[Countryfried Frank]

+1 for the accutrigger. My daughters .22 has it and it's a treat to shoot.

[Slayer_MN1]

I reload so if I have the time I will be developing my own round next spring.

Tikka is not what I call affordable for someone on social security lol my gun dealer has several at $1200+.

I'm sorry I should've specified. I had the Tikka T3 lite in mind for you, can be had for around $500 brand new if you look around.

The Axis should serve you well. I'd also recommend finding an accu-trigger to drop into it, makes those long shots just a bit easier.

[yuppiejr]

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/prod ... s_id/78124

Less than $463 shipped puts you into a "ready to hunt" Savage 11 TH XP with accutrigger, detachable box magazine, bases + rings holding a Nikon 3-9x40mm ProStaff BDC scope in .243 (or pretty much any caliber you want from 7mm-08 to 6.5 Creedmoor, etc..), your choice of right-left handed. Heading into hunting season I expect all the big boys will have similar combos on sale all over (including the Runnings in Marshall down your direction).

The package is $100 more than a comparable Axis with a Bushnell Banner vs the Nikon scope (which is alone worth the $100 upcharge). The upgrade paths that the model 11 will provide you longer term is significant if you ever want to change calibers to something else in the same case family, upgrade the stock with a nice-inexpensive Boyd's laminate, etc...

.. also, one of my favorite upgrades to the Savage 10/11/111/etc.. series rifles is the extended bolt handle (can be installed with an allen wrench).. not only makes the bolt easier to operate with gloves but gives a bit more leverage which smooths out what can be one of the negatives of the Savage which is the force required to unlock <lift> the bolt between shots.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/193602 ... teel-matte

Otherwise a rifle design I think bears looking at against the Savage Axis in the same price segment is the Ruger American Rifle.

[MaryB]

I have an axis in 223 that is doing 3/4 or better groups at 100 yards so I tend to like the guns. Stock is kinda meh but it can be stiffened up or replaced as mentioned. One of my requirements is lightweight, 2 bad shoulders on top of a bad back make a heavy rifle to hard to aim.

[Holland&Holland]

Interestingly enough there is an article concerning the .308 specifically on this topic of long range hunting on Guns and Ammo.com. Of course they are just a rag writing to the masses rather than the experts on here who all know the glock is best, oh wait the 1911, oh wait, anything that begins with a .4, oh wait not the .40 short and week though, oh wait, I forgot, 9mm is best....

It goes on and on

Don't get me wrong I this sort of debate and I saw you already settled on an Axis in .308. Nothing wrong with your choice in that regard, happen to own an axis in .308 myself. But if you are planning on shooting Elk at 500 yard with it, please reconsider. Those that are advocating for such, are frankly, IMHO lacking in ethics and shame on them for doing such.

[aht_six]

... I saw you already settled on an Axis in .308. Nothing wrong with your choice in that regard... But if you are planning on shooting Elk at 500 yard with it, please reconsider. Those that are advocating for such, are frankly, IMHO lacking in ethics and shame on them for doing such.

Well said, and I agree. Hopefully most folks see through the tall tales, and those who put more stock in ballistic programs than true field experience will begin to understand before they feed too many coyotes with wounded game animals.

[yuppiejr]

Link to the article on the .308 in question:

http://www.gunsandammo.com/2013/09/10/g ... ting-bill/

[MaryB]

Read it seemed a bit biased.

[Holland&Holland]

Read it seemed a bit biased.

How so? and in a way are you not asking for biases?

[infidel]

.308
Affordable and prevalent.
Army snipers use it.
Short action.

[jgalt]

.308
Affordable and prevalent.
Army snipers use it.
Short action.

If given the choice of all available calibers, would all, or even most Army snipers choose .308 over every other available option?

[Holland&Holland]

.308
Affordable and prevalent.
Army snipers use it.
Short action.

To shoot Elk at 500 yards?

[Erud]

.308
Affordable and prevalent.
Army snipers use it.
Short action.

Is this a haiku?

[infidel]

I think one can get good with a .308. Recoil is more manageable in .308 vs. many other calibers mentioned in this thread. Especially for someone with physical limitations.

[hunterfreakhd]

.308
Affordable and prevalent.
Army snipers use it.
Short action.

Militarized police forces use it too.
I wouldn't use it long range hunting in the mountains.