I am in the market for my first rifle, and I'd like to get the opinions of a larger audience. I know I want a bolt-action synthetic, and I will almost definitely purchase it in 30.06 (.308 being the other option). My budget is $500, and from what I've already heard this is sufficient for a number of accurate and quality rifles. My end list of rifles are the Weatherby Vanguard Synthetic, Remington 700 ADL Synthetic, and the Savage 111. At this point the Savage is my personal favorite, although I've never gotten the chance to try their new Accutrigger. From what I've heard, it is an asset appreciated by nearly everyone. I have concern about the package 111FXP3 deal Savage offers. Am I correct to assume that this package uses the same model 111, with the added value of the cheap scope tossed in? Have any of you purchased a Savage Hunter series package deal before? Opinions? Thank you for your time.

[QUOTE=CauseforAlarm]I am in the market for my first rifle, and I'd like to get the opinions of a larger audience.

You came to a good place. I posted here recently to find out how the current crop of new rifles were doing quality-wise. I had heard a few horror stories concerning some and was interested primarily in Remington.

We can all pick our favorites. I have owned Weatherby, both the Vanguard and Mark V Deluxe. Never had any complaints. I always thought Weatherby had a great stock design, seemed to handle recoil very well.

Remington would be my pick but I just happen to like Remington. Personal taste. My first new rifle was a Rem in 30-06. It's 30 years old now, still looks and shoots like new.

The more seasoned shooters/collectors in here will tell you to pick what feels the best to you. Good advice for sure!

Savage gets good reviews everywhere but I haven't owned one in a long time so I will leave my opinion out on them.

Bottom line, go shopping. Find the one that comes up almost naturally. By the way, I like your choice of calibre. In my opinion ( though not all will agree ) the 30-06 is as close to a do all round as you will find and you can buy ammo darn near anywhere. We always called it the "rat to rhino" round. Good luck...

Don't overlook a good used Ruger M77, especially the older tang safety type, if you have the opportunity.

As long as you steer clear of the Remington 710, any of the rifles today will probably suit your needs. As far as buying a kit deal, most folks would rather pick out the scope to be mounted rather than accept the "el cheapo" that usually accompanys these kit offers. Another plus for a Ruger - the scope mounting system comes with the rifle!

As kdub said go out and shop. Ask to hold the rifle, talk to the owners of the store. Be sure that the gun you chose fits you well, because nothing is worse than having a rifle that just is uncomfortable to shoot. I'd suggest the savage, its a good rifle for the price, you wont be dissapointed.

I have been researching savages for a possible varmint gun, and looking at the packages, i believe they are the same gun, also, i could be wrong but i think the scope may be a leupold. I know the law enforcement package uses the leopold. also, others would probably know better than i but i believe that savage and leupold may be owned by the same company. If i remebmer it was leupold stevens, and now, savage makes stevens shotguns

The Savage hunting package gun is the standard 111, with a cheap scope thrown in. In recent years, I've almost always seen the hunting package gun wearing a $40-50 3-9X40 Simmons scope (definitely not Leupolds on the huntre packages. Otherwise, everyone would be buying one just for the scope ;) )

I just handled a Savage hunting package gun with the Accu-trigger today. It was very nice. I have a Savage .30-06 with the old trigger. I love that gun, and it super-accurate, but the trigger was really hard and had to be adjusted. The Accu-trigger is definietly an asset, and feels good under the finger. I would without hesitation recommend the Savage 111 with an Accu-trigger for your first rifle. The price and features are perfect, and cheap enough that if you want a better scope eventually, you'll have the money to buy it.

I kinda figured that they wouldn;t put a leupold on package gun for that price, but i am still wondering weather they are owned by the same company

Hey There
You''l always get great answers when you ask a question like this,it's a rifle nuts dream.LOL
Best advise I've heard so far was try them all as much as you can and get what feels right.As far as horror stories go when you get companys mass producing firearms there's gonna be lemons sooner or later. I lurk on about 4 different sites and it seems the most that people bellyaches are with Remingtons(a company I use to work for),but if you think about it which of the big three sells the most product.Hmm I didn't listen when I bought my last 870 but in hind sight I should have.
My personal choice in your price range would 9 times out of 10 be a Tikka,they are box stock excellent shooters no messing around they just plain shoot and the stock fits me great. FITS ME GREAT,but maybe not you,thats why we try em all.
2nd,don't skimp on glass,a good scope will pay for itself hunt after hunt and you'll get alot of opinions on that too,me I like Burris.
Good luck with whatever you pick.
T-Buck

I kinda figured that they wouldn;t put a leupold on package gun for that price, but i am still wondering weather they are owned by the same company

Did a little research on the company web pages. Looks like the Leupold Stevens and the Savage Stevens are two different guys. The Leupod Stvens was J.C. Stevens, the Savage Stevens was J. Stevens. Here's the pages:

http://www.leupold.com/corporate/history.htm

http://www.savagearms.com/history.htm

Thanks for all the help guys. One thing I found surprising in my search was the number of "American" firearms made overseas. I realize that price wise, I'm in the bottom of the barrel, but this discovery was still unexpected. Once again, thanks for the advice and comments.