Buying my first deer rifle
 

Basically I'm gearing up towards this next deer season (yes i know it may be a little early but what the heck) and I'm about to buy my first deer rifle. When I say mine I mean I already have a couple but this is the first out of my pocket (I'm 17) and will only be used by me hunting. The problem is that i'm a southpaw. Most rifle companies have little or no inventory of left handed guns but I came upon savage with their accutrigger. I have narrowed my choice to the 10/110GLXP package rifle. I just want to ask if there is anything wrong or bad with this rifle that I picked out. Basically I'm looking for a left handed gun, wood stock(not shiny finish), shoots a .308, and is something I can afford.

heres a link to the gun http://www.savagearms.com/10glxp3.htm

Thanks,
Will

RE: Buying my first deer rifle
 

I've used Savages for years. Inexpensive, dependable guns.

RE: Buying my first deer rifle
 

You might want to look into the hunter line, models 11F (synthetic) and 11G (wood). I think they are a bit cheaper.

Either way, nice guns for the money. Too bad they don't make the stevens 200 in left handed version, what a crock.

Paul

RE: Buying my first deer rifle
 

Paul, My only concern about buying an 11GL is that I'm not sure whether is has a glossy finish. I own a Browning A-5 and my dad has two and the finishes are too glossy for my taste. If they are a dull finish I would much rather get one and then buy a nicer scope.

RE: Buying my first deer rifle
 

Nothing wrong with the Savage model 10/110. Very functional,maybe a little ugly, but good guns for sure.

RE: Buying my first deer rifle
 

I love the accu trigger! Good Luck!

RE: Buying my first deer rifle
 

If you are heart set on a bolt gun then that is the one to get. If you are looking for a really inexpensive first gun then look into the NEF single shots. They are nothing really to look at but are good shooters. It would be easy to use for a lefty. Simply by switching the hammer extention over to the left side. You can also send your reicever back to the factory and other calibers made for it. Say you buy a 308 and want a .223 for coyotes, it can be done, for 100 bucks.
Most of us guys that own them ...love them.
Just my thoughts....

RE: Buying my first deer rifle
 

Hey I bought that same gun you have on that link. It was a package scope,rifle, and rings for 550 dollars.I took it to the rang yesterday and its a shooter. I got the .243 the only thing is Im going to replace is that Simmons scope on it.I dont think the model 10GLXP3 is ugly.

RE: Buying my first deer rifle
 

I think if had it to do over again over. I would of bought the model 11 and added my own scope and rings. The model 11 is diffrent from the model 10 your speaking of. Check it out also.The Remington 700 is a great rifle also but, your looking at lot more money.I like my Savage,they are a good built rifle,nice trigger also.Good luck.Keep us posted on what u get.That model 10 Savage is a nice rifle, it will give you lots of years of service.

RE: Buying my first deer rifle
 

First deer rifle. Not sure if you already hava cliber in mind, but there are a buinch of good ones out there. Everybody ight tell you something different, but I am sure that it will most likely come down to .243, .270, .308 or maybe 30.06. Just a matter of preference. All will kill dear effectivly. You will get better input from some of these other guys on caliber.
As for the left handed thing I really understand that, beter than most. I am a left handed shooter as well. Actually, I shoot both, extreamly well, though I have gotten to where I prefer to shoot lefty. My suggestion would be to get a right handed Bolt Action. This comes from experience as an Army Sniper. If you are shooting deer, or anything else, and you are shooting form some sort of rest... ie, ..... a branch, a bibod, a backback, whatever, as a left hadned shooter, and a right handed bolt, you will never have to take your hand off the trigger for that follow up shotshould you ever need it. you can stay right on stock with your cheek, cycle the bolt with your right (non-firing hand) keeping your finger on the trigger for that fast follow up. getting back on i\target , or keeping the target in the crosshair is harder to do, if you have to come off the stock to cycle the bolt. This might not work for you, but, it does, work better for me. Give it a try, and think about it. Might take a day at the range to get used to.
Depending on the rifle, if you go with a semi, you might be OK. Just depends on how it ejects the brass.


Hope this helps, and good luck.

RE: Buying my first deer rifle
 

I bought the Savage package (111/30-06). This is a good rifle but I do not know if the package is the best deal as oppose to buying just the rifle. I replaced the ring and the scope. Now I have a an excellent rifle!

RE: Buying my first deer rifle
 

alright guys, I'm 95% set on the caliber at a .308 and I definately want a bolt action so no semis for me. Heres my reasoning behind the model I chose.

#1 Left Handed
#2 Accutrigger
#3 one of the only lefty .308's
#4 I like the stock styling (don't try and tell me its ugly because I have my own opinions)
#5 comes with an ok scope that I'll change out within a year (probably to a leupld or zeiss)

RE: Buying my first deer rifle
 

redrider,
-- good choice of caliber. I am a big fan of the .308 myself.
-- choice of rifle is fine too. Some likeone brand over another. That is a good choice for an entry levelrifle.
-- being a left handed shooter IMHO you would like a right handed model better as I explained in my last post. Unless the stock you are getting is thumbholed for a lefty. Oh, and in my experience, left handed models usually cost a little more. Or at least they did 5 years ago.
-- personally, i really don't care what stock you get. most don't, if you like it, get it
--it's a package deal. just as well for now. You are definatly going to want to replace whatever comes on it. I strongly suggest you stay away from teh leupold. That is just my opinion. I have a MK 4 rightnow and I am really not happy with it. Between the 2 you listed, the Zeis is for sure a better product.



Just give a little thought to the left handed / righthanded arguement. Whatever you finally get, congratulations. Be safe and Have fun