Need good affordable hunting rifle.

[Ajj828]

I'm looking for a nice rifle for a good price for next season. Not looking for used guns I want brand new. The gun I really want is a tikka t3 which is about $650. I'm also looking at the rugar American which is $400. Has anyone heard bad things about the rugar American? I'm worried about how it groups. I want a .308 or a 30-06. I already have a leupold vx2 scope that I won in a raffle and it's ablut $500. I feel like since my scope is $500 I should be buying a gun worth more than that. Any suggestions on guns around $500?

[Buckewe]

I just got a ruger American in 7-08 for my wife and kids t shoots great. T3 is also a great guny dad has a couple and loves them.

[Gringo31]

Can't go wrong with either 

[JoeE]

I have both and like them both. My son uses the Ruger American compact in 243. It's very accurate but does not feel as nice as the Tikka. The Tikka is the better rifle in my opinion but don't think you can go wrong with either.

[bobcat]

In that price range for a new rifle I'd probably look at the Howa 1500, the Weatherby Vanguard, or Savage.

Here's a Howa that would work: 

https://www.cheaperthandirt.com/product/howa-hogue-bolt-action-rifle-30-06-springfield-22-barrel-5-rounds-black-hogue-overmold-stock-blued-finish-hgr63202-682146334326.do


Weatherby Vanguard:

https://www.cheaperthandirt.com/product/weatherby-vanguard-series-2-bolt-action-rifle-30-06-springfield-24-barrel-5-rounds-synthetic-stock-with-griptonite-inserts-matte-bead-blast-blued-barrel-747115420391.do

[Igor]

My choice would be the Tikka.  The Howa 1500 and the Weatherby Vanguard are essentially the same rifle.  I had a Vanguard and I HATED it.  Very accurate rifle, but very heavy.  With scope, rings, bases and a sling it weighed considerably over 9 lbs.  There were days when I was many miles from the truck, and considered just leaving it out in the woods somewhere.

[bobcat]

Howa's may be on the heavy side, but they're good quality. I've heard good things about Tikka, but I didn't think you could buy a new one for $500.

My Weatherby Vanguard in 30/06 is a great rifle. I bought it new about 15 years ago for $320.

[andrew_in_idaho]

Save some $ and buy a savage axis 2


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[Reidus]

Tikka t3. Since the t3x came out I've seen some decent pricing on the t3's. Ive never seen one that didn't shoot well and they're smooth and light righ outta the box. Pretty nice crisp trigger as well.

[lewy]

Go with the tikka

[chester]

 

Save some $ and buy a savage axis 2


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[savagehunter]

Ruger American with minox 3x9 on armslist right now for 300 bucks can't beat that

[superdown]

I have a Ruger american predator in .308 it's not heavy at all despite having a slightly heavier barrel profile and it also comes with a threaded muzzle i also like the green stock better than the regular black one.I have also had a Howa 1500 ranchland in .308 and i loved that rifle pretty much bought the Ruger to replace it a couple of years after selling it i should've kept it.What i like better about the Ruger is the threaded muzzle,green stock a much better butt pad, the matte finish doesn't glare like the nice blueing on the Howa the detachable box magazine and the heavier barrel for getting more shots down range without the barrel heating up so fast.The only thing i actually liked better about the Howa was the Hogue overmolded stock that it came with aside from my preferences they are both very good rifles.

[Scheindogg]

Savage savage savage. Especially if you're worried about accuracy for the price.
Axis II. Or the trophy hunter are both spectacular guns in our price range

[carpsniperg2]

Both are great. I own both and hunt with both. If you have the money get the tikka if not nothing wrong with the American and they shoot very good for the price point and some amazing.

[WapitiTalk1]

Here you go.... done!  Really good weapon out of the box; can't go wrong with one of these.  RJ

https://www.cheaperthandirt.com/product/weatherby-series-2-vanguard-bolt-308-winchester-24-5-round-capacity-matte-synthetic-747115420407.do

[bigsads]

Ruger American 270 extremely accurate, good triggee

[dscubame]

My choice would be the Tikka.  The Howa 1500 and the Weatherby Vanguard are essentially the same rifle.  I had a Vanguard and I HATED it.  Very accurate rifle, but very heavy.  With scope, rings, bases and a sling it weighed considerably over 9 lbs.  There were days when I was many miles from the truck, and considered just leaving it out in the woods somewhere.

 . T3

[chester]

I've been looking pretty hard at the browning ab3. You can find them online for $499 every once in awhile.
Something to consider

[N7XW]

Not trying to hijack the thread, but how would you guys compare the Savage 11 with accutrigger to the T3?

[ghosthunter]

My buddy bought two Americans for his grandsons. And they are happy with both.

I bought a Axis package in Camo / 7.08 for my grandson and it is good too.

My other buddy shoots a Tika.

All good rifles.

[Mark251]

I have several Weatherby Vanguards and  Tikka T3's in a variety of calibers.  Both are well worth the money.  I just saw a brand new Tikka T3 chambered in 30.06 advertised at Bud's gun shop online for $510.  They ship it to a local dealer (free shipping) and you pay the transfer fee and sales tax in addition to the $510.00.  It's not the newer Tikka T3X but the T3's are amazing rifles for the money...

[thinkingman]

Tikka all day long.
I own two.
Great rifle, detachable mag, and lighter than most....Makes a big difference after a long day.

[JLR]

Pretty hard not to go with a Tikka in that price range.  The Ruger Americans I've seen have been decent guns, but I'd have to say the Tikka is a better option.

[kselkhunter]

I would suggest going to the store and shouldering multiple brands and see what feels good.  My last rifle purchase I was convinced I wanted a Tikka or Sako based on my research, but after shouldering those and a number of other brands on multiple trips to the store I ended up getting a Browning because it suited me best.  So perhaps shoulder a Savage, Ruger, and Tikka in or close to your price ranges and see how they feel and what you like best about each. 

[Dhoey07]

Weatherby Vanguard gets my vote. 

[tlbradford]

Ruger American 270 extremely accurate, good triggee

Did you just put "Ruger" and "good trigger" in the same sentence   

[tlbradford]

I think everyone mentioned some great alternatives.  Even the Ruger triggers are decent, despite my post joking about them.  Don't rule out used rifles.  I have purchased exactly 2 NIB guns in my lifetime.  Decide on what you want out of a rifle as far as weight, synthetic vs wood, action, and then look at rifles from multiple manufacturers that check off all of those boxes.

[huntnphool]

Ruger American 270 extremely accurate, good triggee

Did you just put "Ruger" and "good trigger" in the same sentence   

 The American trigger is different than the M77 and Hawkeye.

[fisheral87]

Vanguard S2

Al

[Wazntme]

I have the American in 30-06 with the vx2 scope, it's a good rifle and is super light but the only problem I have with it is that it only likes 180 grains, if I shoot 165's or 150's it wanders a bit. But I have no regrets because of the price.

[BigGoonTuna]

pawn shop 700, or commercial mauser.

i can't stomach the idea of paying $400+ for a tupperware gun when there's so many high quality used rifles out there on gun racks waiting to be adopted.

[Skyvalhunter]

Hard to pry hands away from some peoples guns unless you know them

[SemperFidelis97]

Tikka would be my choice.

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[Stein]

I have both and like them both. My son uses the Ruger American compact in 243. It's very accurate but does not feel as nice as the Tikka. The Tikka is the better rifle in my opinion but don't think you can go wrong with either.

Same as above, my daughters shoots .6 moa with reloads and a $200 Vortex.


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[sagerat]

Tikka would be my choice.

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