r/canadaguns • u/Diamond_zT • Mar 09 '26
Buy recommendations First Hunting Rifle: cheap or expensive
Hi all,
I've passed my CFSC and am just waiting for the PAL. My first gun is going to be an SKS. After that, I'd like to get something optimal for deer hunting. Should I buy something inexpensive like a Savage Axis for its relatively low price and decent performance or should I jump right to a Tikka T3x Lite?
Obviously there's at least $400 of difference between the two. Would it make sense to get an Axis now and maybe get a Tikka later in life for x,y,z reason? I don't plan on being a avid hunter. Just looking to feed myself and father so maybe 1-3 deer a year. Also some recreational plinking of course. I don't have much money at the moment and won't for a couple of years (starting teachers college in September), but I don't mind making an investment.
Would picking up a used Tikka be something to consider?
Thank you all in advance for the advice. Lmk if any more information is required.
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u/FastPosition6143 Mar 09 '26
If budget is ok go for Tikka 3x lite. Get a decent scope too after checking eye relief. This is how I went but ended up with a collection of guns (it’s a different story but you can see my posts for pics)
SKS are fun to shoot and Amo is cheaper
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u/5hane7rain Mar 09 '26
InterSurplus Firearms-->All Firearms and start scrolling. Lots of used rifles that are very decent old school go to's. Stuff like Husqvarna's, Carl Gustaf's, Parker Hales. Its worth a look to give yourself something to compare to if nothing else.
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u/Throwaway211998 Mar 10 '26
I look at these often but I'm fairly ignorant as to what's worth owning. How many of those rifles are going to shoot accurately enough to be worth owning relative to what's available today?
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u/5hane7rain Mar 10 '26
Thats a question you have to ask for every used rifle no matter what it is. There is always a reason someone is selling a rifle, and sometimes people lie about why. I've bough far more used rifles than new, and the majority of used rifles I've bought can be made to shoot well once you've worked up a handload that they like. In a few cases I've found bedding issues that a little light sanding on the stock under the barrel while leaving the front inch alone fixed. (pull the stock and look for a place that has been polished and is usually dark where the barrel was resting on it)
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u/Good-Mine-1409 Mar 12 '26
I've bought a Husqvarna 1640 30-06 from them and it is great. Shoot excellent.
Their descriptions have always been accurate on guns I've bought from them.
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u/slvrus Mar 09 '26
Tikka t3x Cz 600 Weatherby Vanguard Howa m1500 All solid options
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u/Mobile_Assistant_126 Mar 11 '26
Howa 1500 is a great rifle for the price. I’ve seen the stainless ones on sale for as low as $950
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u/draftstone Mar 09 '26
Since you probably don't include long range hunting in your hunting description, a cheap rifle will do it. Get a rifle you'll use and practice a lot with AND either buy a lot of ammo to practice or buy also a 22lr and pratice with that 22lr.
A cheap rifle with someone experimented will be way better than an expensive one that you shoot only 10 rounds per year.
A savage Axis will still get at worst 2 MOA accuracy which would mean a shoot inside 4 inches at 200 yards. If you are able to shoot that rifle well, a 4 inch group at 200 yards will drop a deer dead right there since you'll have good shot placement. Closer than 200 yards, even more certain.
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u/Penguinbotxv Mar 09 '26
The savage is decent, tikka is just a direct upgrade and a huge upgrade in bolt smoothness. Here's some other recommendations you may like, howa m1500 think tikka but cheaper but 90% as good. Bergara, roughly tikka price similar to tikka but Spanish. CVA cascade which is just cheaper bergara. Ruger American or Ruger American predator. Also you can buy used from gunpost, save the money and buy glass and some rounds to practice.
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u/ringadingdinger Mar 09 '26
My friends have Savage Axis rifles and they are junk compared to Tikkas. They are clunky and the actions aren’t smooth. I teach the CORE program in BC and only recommend Tikkas to students. But once, cry once.
Oh also, my friend has an Axis and had a soft strike 11 times out of 20 on a box of ammo.
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Mar 09 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/223Some Mar 09 '26
You "party hunt" with your household members' tags. I know someone in the same situation as OP, deer in the backyard so they shoot them from the back porch. He buys a tag, his wife buys a tag, his kids buy tags. As long as everyone has their hunting license and a valid tag, COs aren't gonna bother you.
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u/buji8829 IBl Precision Mar 09 '26
BC is almost 15 per season if you factor in fallow deers on the island.
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u/h3IIfir3pho3nix N E R F G U N S Mar 09 '26
If you're tight on budget a Savage Axis will be just fine to put meat in the freezer. I'd focus more of your money on a quality scope/rings.
Don't be afraid to look at the used market too. A hunting rifle is going to get beat up in the bush, so you don't need something brand new.
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u/Cock_ball_dickin Mar 09 '26
I’m personally not a huge fan of the Savage Axis. I had one for a while in .223, very happy I sold it. Tikkas are amazing. If you’re not opposed to making an investment I’d put that extra bit of money in to get something that’s more comfortable and imo a better gun. If you really don’t care and just want to save money the savage axis will do its job just fine
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u/jerbearman10101 Mar 09 '26
Get a cheap rifle for hunting. It’s going to get dinged up in the bush (or in your truck if that’s how you hunt)
Even the cheapest rifle at cabelas is accurate enough for hunting. The polymer ones are cheap and pretty lightweight.
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u/BlandRusk06 Mar 09 '26
I have heard that the Savages are the bottom of the barrel, but I haven't shot one before. To me, it felt quite cheaply made, which it probably is. I imagine you probably get what you pay for. If you want something cheap for the next couple of years, and then upgrade after that, you could go for the Savage. Otherwise you could buy a decent gun and use it forever.
I have the Winchester XPR, which I quite like, although I have heard good things about the Tikkas. I would also recommend looking at the Howa 1500 and the Ruger American, as they are both good quality starter rifles. I would also steer clear of the Mossberg starter rifle (the Patriot, I think?). My father has it and says it isn't great.
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u/FD4L Mar 09 '26
If youre just using it to hunt then there's nothing wrong with any modern rifle in an appropriate caliber.
Savage, ruger, howa, Tikka... deer, bears, moose, elk cant tell the difference, they'll all easily hit a 6" target within 400 yards. Dont get caught up with fanboy opinions. Go check them out at an lgs and see what youvlike for the money.
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u/RelativeFox1 Mar 09 '26
Buy something cheaper like the axis. I think your skills, shooting from a field position are more of a concern as a new hunter than if your axis shoots 1.5 inches and a tikka shoots 1.0 inches.
Better yet, buy used.
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u/CrowsFeast73 Mar 09 '26
If you're not shooting long distance then why not just get some hunting ammunition for your sks and buy a 22 to just get more shooting practice in. Then you can take your time to pick out whatever you want next?
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u/Focus787 Mar 09 '26
I will always recommend Tikka as it's a phenominal rifle for the price point, but if you want to go cheap and are fine with used I would highly recommend a Husqvarna 1600 or 1640. I got mine for just under $500 and it's a tack driver.
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u/xx_rider nt Mar 11 '26
Everyone pushes the expensive stuff on here and most people don't need it.
Is a Tikka higher quality? Yes is is going to make a lick of difference at under 200 yards nope not at all. Someone who bought a $400 cheaper rifle and used $200 to buy ammo and practice will probably shoot much better than less practice with a Tikka. If you want a better gun in a few years can you sell the Savage for what you paid for it, yep as long as you take good care of it as they keep getting more expensive.
Hell most of the places deer hunting is from a blind or stand at less that 100y and you could easily use a 12G shotgun.
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u/ReturnOk7510 Mar 09 '26
Ruger American Gen II or Winchester XPR are good options between the Savage and Tikka price points, as is the CVA Cascade.
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u/Nero29gt Mar 09 '26
I use an XPR as my hunting rifle and it’s been great.
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u/ReturnOk7510 Mar 09 '26
I bought mine in 300 WSM to be my one big game rifle. It's a laser, I have a few hand loads that are easily sub-MOA, but even loaded down to 30-06 velocities, the cartridge is overkill for deer and black bear. I bought the American Gen II in 7mm-08 to complement it, and for my son to use since the stock can be shortened to 12" LOP by removing a spacer. Very happy with both. The Winchester is a bit more accurate, but the Ruger looks and feels like a better built rifle, and it takes AICS magazines out of the box.
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u/Nero29gt Mar 09 '26
My XPR is in .308 and I have a RAR gen 2 in 5.56. Both are awesome.
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u/ReturnOk7510 Mar 09 '26
Nice. I'm contemplating a ranch 2 in 5.56 as my next purchase, would be sexy with a LPVO on it.
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u/Nero29gt Mar 10 '26
For sure that would be nice. I have a vortex triumph HD on mine. Just a cheap scope but gets the job done.
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u/Wiggum13 Mar 09 '26
From what I’ve heard. Savage is great out of the box. If you planned on doing any sort of competition shooting I’d say spend the extra money on the tikka. But for hunting. The savage would be great. Spend the extra money on a nice optic if you or your father don’t have one to throw on it already.
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u/starw24-ps4 Mar 09 '26
If you’re taking 1 shot, savage is fine. If you’re taking 2 shots or more, go up.
I’d recommend you try the savage bolt action in a store to see what I mean
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u/catchinNkeepinf1sh Mar 09 '26
I would get something mid tier. The axis should work, but after a while you may want to upgrade this and that and end up where you started if you got a tikka or whatever else.
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Mar 09 '26
Ruger American gen 2, I have one in 30-06 and it shoots sub moa. The barrel is heavier than the savage axis and the action is way better. The axis has a very rough action especially on opening the bolt.
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u/Omega_Shaman Mar 09 '26
I would recommend the Ruger American Gen 2 because no other rifle at that price point comes with a rail, cerakote, muzzle brake, detachable magazine and adjustable length of pull.
Then get a Savage Mk II FV for cheap practice.
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u/Own-Programmer-5938 Mar 10 '26
Husqvarna 30-06. But I’m all reality. The SKS is more than adequate for deer. Especially if you’re not shooting distance. Practice and learn the sks, and start with that. 7.62x39 is plenty for deer. We hunt moose with it lots up North, just make sure to use the appropriate hunting ammo
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u/prosper_0 Mar 13 '26 edited Mar 13 '26
don't get the sks. Save those dollars and put them into a hunting rifle and ammo to practice with. The rifle itself doesn't matter too much. Got to the store and get one that feels comfortable. Tikka's are decent and popular, but they're really not all that special despite the vocal fanboys; don't get tunnel vision. Try out different things to see which ones feel best to you. There are tons of good guns out there. Speaking as someone who has (or has had) TONS of different hunting rifles, I find Tikkas (and their big brother Sakos) good, but vastly overrated. And nobody talks about Browning, but to me they're by far the most comfortable and slick guns available today. But your tastes may differ. Then take some of that SKS money you saved and use it for a decent hunting optic. This can cost as much as the rifle, don't just get some garbage glass and rings. Don't get some 'tactical' scope with target turrets and all the bling - they're just another thing that's going to get bumped around getting in and out of the case or bouncing around on the quad. Then go practice.
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u/mithrajr Mar 09 '26
Savage 110 Apex Hunter. A better quality option than the Axis, and not as expensive as a Tikka. My friend has one, it's dead accurate. For hunting I think it's a great option, I myself am considering it as a budget option.
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u/SmokeySamson Mar 09 '26
I had the same conversation when I was looking for my first rifle. I was thinking I would be fine with an Axis because I wasn't into shooting and why would I spend extra on something in use once a year.
I then decided to go shooting with a couple of buddies. One had an Axis, the other had a Wetherby Vanguard 2. I instantly doubled my budget after shooting both. They technically do the same thing and the Axis is plenty accurate, but the small improvement in feel and handling is noticeable.
I don't like recommending that people spend more money as I am cheap as hell, but go to a gun shop and handle the rifles you're considering. The comfort, weight and feel of the different price bracket is noteworthy. I recommend also considering a Stevens 334, nice rifle for the price.
Also consider that you're going to be dropping a few hundred on a new scope. Rifle/Scope combos are rare at the next price bracket up.
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u/spontaneous_quench Mar 09 '26
Buddy the most expensive gun i own is a mosin negant which I bought for like 600 bucks. I've been hunting my entire life with iron sights and cheap guns. A bullet is a a bullet
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u/CAFirearmSociety Mar 09 '26
“Only 1-3 deers a year”. I must be doing it wrong