Buying a new rifle

View · by **Grayskies** on Sat Oct 18, 2014 10:15 am

My wife and I recently moved out of N Mpls, Love the area out here

I have been looking into buying a rifle, since the outdoor range by here is free (there are a few other reasons; Zombie Apocalypes, possibly maybe even trying to hunt something). Anyway my wife actually agreed to the purchase (my mind is boggling at what she feels guilty over, OMG I hope my truck is ok!)!

After some reading, I am considering a Savage Axis II XP in .270 or maybe .308. The reviews seem good and the price with rebate is afordable.

Has anyone had any experience with these? Is there some other rifle(s) I should consider? ...

I have heard Fleet Farm has a gun store in Baxter I will try to visit this afternoon, pretty sure I want to avoid Gander... Are there any other guns stores I should check out?

Thank You

View · by **45Badger** on Sat Oct 18, 2014 2:44 pm

I'd go with the .308. The .270 is a fine deer round, but the .308 will have more ammunition choices, and be more than enough to take any game at any distance you will encounter in MN.

View · by **Grayskies** on Sat Oct 18, 2014 3:44 pm

Well I ended up getting a .270, I think buying a gun just before deer season, well not the smartest move I have made.

My brother's friend was a smith, and might come over to help with the initial cleaning, semi-auto handguns and pump shotguns I could do (and an m16).

She seems like a she'll be a very good firearm. I am pretty sure the Deer will have no worries about me for a season or two.

I will need a cheek pad, and I want a bipod (maybe harris?)

This should be so fun

View · by **OldmanFCSA** on Sat Oct 18, 2014 5:17 pm

So much for recommendations ................. I would have said 308WIN also. Shorter action, better choice of bullets.

Enjoy, any new rifle is a good purchase.

View · by **Grayskies** on Sat Oct 18, 2014 7:50 pm

Sorry about that, they just had one .270 in stock and zero .308s, they did have a 30-06 but I have plans to use my shoulder after shooting it!

I don't reload at all, I think I would be to worried about getting it wrong. I do seem to have a talent for that...

Well maybe this will give me a reason to pick up a .308

Thank You

View · by **PHATSPEED7x** on Sat Oct 18, 2014 9:32 pm

Owning both a short action .308, and a long action .270 both are wonderful rounds. Price wise they are the same in my neck of the woods. Most popular bullet weight for .270 is 130 grain cooking along at about 3020 fps. I personally shoot 150 grain 308 federal fusion rounds cooking along at about 2820 fps. The .270 is going to be a little flatter shooting, but have just a little more felt recoil.

Congrats on your new rifle.

View · by **yuppiejr** on Sun Oct 19, 2014 9:02 am

Recoil is identical between these two cartridges, 30-06 being stouter than both by about 5%. It's basically a performance wash between the two at hunting ranges and ammo for both is plentiful. The .308 might be harder to find during an ammo panic. The long action 270 can be slightly trickier for mounting a scope. For hunting or zombies I would skip the bipod and recoil pad, buy a bell and Carlson or Boyd's stock with a fitted limb saver or pachmayer recoil pad plus the proper comb and length of pull. I have found a sling infinitely more useful on a field rifle than a bipod, and it weighs/costs less and provides plenty of support while prone when used properly. Installing the savage enlarged bolt handle requires just a single Allen wrench to install and will help with the rather stiff bolt lift while making it easier to run with gloves on.

View · by **Holland&Holland** on Thu Oct 23, 2014 2:44 pm

Nothing wrong with the .270. Great deer round and great all around round for most North American big game.

View · by **armedwalleye** on Thu Oct 23, 2014 6:12 pm

Try Boone's in Isle. About the biggest selection in the area. I've bought several guns there and they'll work with the price a little if you've found a better number elsewhere.

View · by **ex-LT** on Fri Oct 24, 2014 4:37 pm

armedwalleye wrote:Try Boone's in Isle. About the biggest selection in the area. I've bought several guns there and they'll work with the price a little if you've found a better number elsewhere.

Isle's a pretty fair hike from Staples. I'm guessing anything he would save on the price would be made up in the cost of gas to get there.

View · by **Grayskies** on Fri Oct 24, 2014 5:57 pm

^^^ This ^^^

View · by **Mike_Ert** on Fri Oct 24, 2014 7:47 pm

So where is the free range out by Brainard/Baxter?

View · by **Grayskies** on Fri Oct 24, 2014 7:58 pm

The only one I know of is north of staples (airport road) mc'givern park.

http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/shooting_ran ... men's+Club

There are probably others.

You can search for more here:

http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/shooting_ranges/index.html

View · by **Mike_Ert** on Fri Oct 24, 2014 10:10 pm

Good links. Thanks!

View · by **armedwalleye** on Sat Oct 25, 2014 6:25 pm

ex-LT wrote:
armedwalleye wrote:Try Boone's in Isle. About the biggest selection in the area. I've bought several guns there and they'll work with the price a little if you've found a better number elsewhere.

Isle's a pretty fair hike from Staples. I'm guessing anything he would save on the price would be made up in the cost of gas to get there.

Agreed, but EVERYTHING's a long way from Staples

Trying to offer choices that had a selection worth the drive. Glad I didn't suggest Reed's in Walker.....