Dear SC community, I wanted to ask the advice on a new cheap bolt action rifle that could potentially be used for MS shooting for my son. I have purchased an Anschutz with your advice previously for myself which I love, but my son wanted to give it a try (father and son thing) but I didn't want to spend too much money as he is likely to try it for a few weeks or months and who knows from there. Ideally I didn't want to spend more than around $250 or maybe up to $300 US so was looking at rifles like the Stevens 200 and 300, the Savage MKIIFSS, and maybe even the Marlin 980S. I would like a stainless barrel and hopefully synthetic stock. I know that many people would say that I should step up to a CZ or BRNO but here in Australia they are quite expensive, even second hand. Has anyone got any idea as to the accuracy of these rifles, or something else in that price range that someone could suggest? Are Marlins micro grooved barrels really any better than the others or are features like Savage's accutrigger really any good? I suspect that I would like a basic rifle with a good action and barrel and get the rifle bedded and free floated at a later stage and then get the trigger worked on by a gunsmith. If he takes up the sport then I can always get him something better later on, he is just 13 and you know at that age, they want to try everything, next week I am sure it will be something else.

Any advice that could be offered would be very much appreciated.

Kind Regards,

Craig

The Savage MKIIs offer great value, and while the AccuTrigger ain't an Anschutz, for a trigger on a $200 gun, it's outstanding.
Get a wood stock so you can saw/putty to fit, depending on the scion's size.
The barrel's have a reputation for accuracy all out of proportion to their price.

I agree with Frog. For the money, you can't go wrong with the savages. The accutrigger is really nice. I would start with a base model Mk II. If the boy likes it, and if you don't want to jump right to a 452 or anything, there are ALOT of upgrades available for the Mk lls. Sharpshootersupply.com (maybe plural, just google em) specializes in Savage parts. Even things like Anshutz style stocks that will fit it, better springs, sears, etc. Good luck, hope the young one gets hooked.

I would seriously reconsider a CZ! If he likes shooting, then he has a rifle that will stay with him for quite awhile. If he dislikes shooting and the rifle gathers dust, you can re-sell it and recover most of your money since they're always in demand.

That being said, Savage has a really nice working class two stage trigger! They're decent rifles at realistic prices.

I would also look at the CZ. shoots well, ok trigger. good value.
b

Thanks for the advice. I would love to buy a better rifle but here in Australia the new CZ rifles are quite expensive. The model 452 2E start at AUD $625 which is about $USD 560.00. I am still not even sure which CZ model is recommended for silhouette shotting as there are so many models (there doesn’t seem to be the popular 452 American available here) and not sure which models can have triggers worked on or which ones need replacement. Timney triggers are around $200 here, hence why most people get triggers worked upon instead. Our models include http://www.cleaverfirearms.com/rifles_cz.htm

I will look at the CZ option again, but If I had to choose a cheaper rifle in the savage/marlin or similar priced would it be the savage MKII or could anyone recommend something else similarly priced? I figured that if he takes up MS shooting we could upgrade the rifle and keep the cheaper rifle as a general purpose hunter type rifle, something which would work well out in the field, with cheaper ammunition and hopefully stand the test of time.
Regards,

Craig

Craig,
I have just seen seen several of the new savages...Bob is right, go with the CZ 452 and resell if he doesn't like it. THe older savages are fine, but what I have seen of the new ones, I would not have one.

Mary

Craig, I think you would want the Classic or Silhouette, but it's hard to know without pictures. Check here for discussions on CZ trigger jobs that cost much less than a Timney trigger. CZ triggers work fine, and with a little effort they can work great.

Once again thanks for your input. I will have a look at the costs or difficulties in modifying a trigger on a CZ and even have a look around at the second hand market to see if there any bargains to be had. They certainly seem to keep their value reasonably well and I guess that I will just need to redo my sums and talk to the other half.

Much appreciated for all your assistance.

Regards,

Craig.

aliascraig wrote:Once again thanks for your input. I will have a look at the costs or difficulties in modifying a trigger on a CZ and even have a look around at the second hand market to see if there any bargains to be had. They certainly seem to keep their value reasonably well and I guess that I will just need to redo my sums and talk to the other half.

Much appreciated for all your assistance.

Regards,

Craig.

Craig, Several folks make spring kits that cost less then $20 (US) that will work just fine, so you don't have to spend the extra for a Timney.

Here is a few videos on the Brooks kit and similar. (we installed one on my friends and it works great and was inexpensive)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7oLroeN2ODM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8KaqP9QOe0