Build or buy?

[Goat]

I have a recent intrest in sigle shots and a couple of them have me thinking about getting more. I was curious as to whether you believe it is less expensive to try and wait for the perfect deal on what you want or buy the components (frame,barrel,stocks) and build as you go? I am in no hurry as I have more than I can hunt with now. I do have two small children who have both shown intrest in hunting with me. I think I would like to get a G2 in 30/30 and load it down to start with and work up as they progress. Are their better ways of doing this or have I covered the basic options? Thanks for your opinion.
                                                                             Goat

[rhbrink]

If you are not in a hurry I would build probably cheaper that way if you can find what you want. Encores and TC stuff is pretty pricy for what you get in my opinion.

[southernutah]

I bought my first few as complete new rifles. Dealer gave me a good price on the rifle , scope base, rings and scope.Done deal. Later added barrels and a few frames. Whole rifle was cheaper than the parts. Should be some good deals out there right now.

I might suggest a 223 or even a 17HMR to start the kids. . Ligher recoil,  17HMR for small game or 223 for small or medium game. .  I've gone to stainless/ composite , lighter and more weather resistant. Favorite  Contender or G2 is 223 with Hornady 53gr HPs used them even on a few Muleys out to 200 yards.
I sold my 30-30 contenders and use a short 308win barrel on an Encore frame.  That another story.

[Win 1917]

I've done it both ways and I've gotten much better deals on complete guns.

A G2 30-30 is great choice. I would go with the 30-30 AI personally but the deer won't notice the difference either way.

[wreckhog]

Complete gun with scope is always the deal. Stocks are relatively expensive bought separately.

[luckydawg13]

I've done it both ways and I've gotten much better deals on complete guns.

A G2 30-30 is great choice. I would go with the 30-30 AI personally but the deer won't notice the difference either way.

+ 1

[securitysix]

A G2 with a .22 LR barrel to get the kids started shooting, add a .22 center fire barrel when they're ready for that (.22 Hornet, .222 or .223 Remington, or .221 Fireball would all be good choices).

Since you handload, 7-30 Waters might be worth a look for their deer barrel when they're ready for that, not that .30-30 is a bad choice, either.  And really, even a .357 Magnum barrel would work for a starter deer barrel.  If your kids are good enough shots and it's legal where you are, you might even consider using the .223 barrel with Winchester 64 grain Power Points or a handload with 60 grain Nosler partitions (or some other factory or hand load with a good, bonded bullet) for their first deer barrel...

[Goat]

Thanks for the responses. I am not at all opposed to the idea of a .22 centerfire as a first deer gun. I know they will work with the right bullet. My nephew killed his first with a 223 and so did a nephew of my wife. We even had a kid on our club kill several with the 223. I haven't posted on this site much and really did not want to open the can of worms that seems to go with the 22 centerfires and deer...
                                                                                Goat

[Plinker]

   There are some good deals around if you watch the forsale boards on both complete rifles and/or
 parts.
      Both Contenders and Encores.
    Buy'n new from a dealer is really pricey,unless you are lucky.

[mcwoodduck]

I would wait and keep checking the classifieds here.
Two and a half years ago I purchased a T/C contender and have found a lot of neat barrels here for sale and purchased a few.
I stared out with a handgun and purchased a carbine stock and a 223 barrel for a Javilina hunt where i was going up and down hills and wanted a light little rifle.
Makes a really short carbine.  I am thinking of adding a few more barrels for the carbine.  But I will wait to see what shows up like a 30-30, 44 mag or 45-70 for deer and a 22LR for plinker and small game.
As other frames show up in gun shops get them and either keep the tube on it or sell it here and replace it with what you want when your kids are old enough to hunt by themselves.

[cjwink]

I built my Contender for my son.  It started out as a 223 Super 14 Pistol. I then traded for a Sweet 16 in 223 and ordered an original Contender Youth stock, then added his initials to the gun also. I just bought a 16" Rem 35 for it also that I will use for MS Primitive Weapon season, but a 30/30 would be the next "gun up" for my son.  Also.. I got the 22 inserts for the 223 for like 30.00 on line. They will let you shoot a 22lr or 22 Mag out of the 223 barrel.

[luckydawg13]

thats a nice rig there dad

[mbk]

One thing not mentioned yet, not knowing how old your kids are, you might want to consider starting them with one of the easy open frames (ser# 195,00 & up).  When I first set up my youngest son with a 7 TCU carbine, I inadvertanly put it on an older frame and it was kind of a turn off for him as he was not able to open the gun by himself very well without a struggle.  I changed the barrel and stock over to one of my newer frames and all was well.  He out grew it (and me) pretty quickly but I am now using this one for grandkids.

Mike

[sportsman223]

G2's these are my girls's ages 7 and 5.   45cal ML , 357Max , and a 22LR. Have added 223's since picture most are MGM except ML. All with Leupolds the short stock has been finished and my oldest shoots the 22 most,  I have spent 6yrs building sets some used some new.
Take the kids with you and involve them in what your doing and why. It has not been cheap, but these will last them a lifetime. Good luck and enjoy the ride