What is a good rifle with relativly low cost, for target/big game hunting?

[sportsbud]

I find myself in want/need of a high power rifle that can be used for hunting/plinking so I would love the .308 as you can get cheap plinking ammo for 5 dollars a box. Or you can get some high quality rounds for long range hunting (for crying out loud the military uses it for 1000 yard shots!), I cant decide between a bolt or a single shot rifles, I am looking for something that is nice and friendly at the range, easy to handle, and good quality, I hope to not spend over 300 if possible. I am not looking for a fancy weapon but I am looking for a rifle that shoots good, feels good, and isn't going to be a POS. Any suggestions?

[Caseyd]

Under 300 is going to be tough in my opinion unless used

[sportsbud]

Under 300 is going to be tough in my opinion unless used

That's what Ive been thinking. I just kinda want to know if there are any lemons to stay away from, new I could get a 770 or savage edge but used for the same price can bring more quality too.

[carpsniperg2]

I would look for a good used rifle. Somthing like a remington 700 sps or somthing like that.

[bobcat]

Savage or Stevens would be a good choice. If you get a Remington, get the 700, do not get the 770. You'd be better off with the Savage. Also look at Marlin. For what you're wanting, you can't beat the 308 Win.

[Harold]

keep saving... its hard to find anything in that price range that hasnt been beat to all hell or isint a  pos let alone having any kind of glass... you might be able to find a remington 710 or a savage in there but good luck. search pawn shops every once and a while you will find a good deal there. ied save a few hundred more for a weatherby vangaurd or a savage axis both around 450 i think new with a scope.

[sportsbud]

keep saving... its hard to find anything in that price range that hasnt been beat to all hell or isint a  pos let alone having any kind of glass... you might be able to find a remington 710 or a savage in there but good luck. search pawn shops every once and a while you will find a good deal there. ied save a few hundred more for a weatherby vangaurd or a savage axis both around 450 i think new with a scope.

Well I have no problem I can get some decent scopes for a good price (a BSA 6-24x mil dot tactical scope for 50 new) so glass isnt a big deal the bore is and even if its a little beat up its good as long as the bore and action is good.

[FC]

Look around some of the pawn shops, I know someone who got an older (93ish I think) wood stocked Savage 30 06 with Bushnell (I think it was a Banner) 4-12x 40 for $300 last year. It shoots good too, nice accurate rifle although it's recoil pad was tired and had to be replaced.

[sportsbud]

Look around some of the pawn shops, I know someone who got an older (93ish I think) wood stocked Savage 30 06 with Bushnell (I think it was a Banner) 4-12x 40 for $300 last year. It shoots good too, nice accurate rifle although it's recoil pad was tired and had to be replaced.

Yea I know I may even do a partial trade for my 10/22 (I really am not impressed with the 10/22 sometimes the new ones seem too cheap), oh and on a second thought too what would a 24 power scope be on bolt .22lr? would it be really big overkill? it has a 12 power on it right now and tat sometimes doesn't seem enough when target shooting.

[JimmyHoffa]

Sportsbud,  You can pick up a Mauser 98 in either 7mm or 8mm for a good price.  You can buy a sporterized stock for it.  The ammo is somewhat cheap, and overall good for plinking and hunting.  Mauser actions have been tried all over the world and are generally the preferred action outside of North America.

[sportsbud]

Sportsbud,  You can pick up a Mauser 98 in either 7mm or 8mm for a good price.  You can buy a sporterized stock for it.  The ammo is somewhat cheap, and overall good for plinking and hunting.  Mauser actions have been tried all over the world and are generally the preferred action outside of North America.

I am not quiet into that point to have the time/tools to do all the gunsmithing for my guns, I would love a scope on my sks but cant drill and tap so A gunsmith would want 40 or 50 to do that for me. I want a rifle that has the ability to be a cheap plinker for less long term investment required in my time/money, but be a great gun for hunting(I have tried a mosin but it is way way to heavy and long, in fact I am trading that for a cheapo 9mm)

[FC]

oh and on a second thought too what would a 24 power scope be on bolt .22lr? would it be really big overkill? it has a 12 power on it right now and tat sometimes doesn't seem enough when target shooting.

What distance are you shooting at?

[sportsbud]

oh and on a second thought too what would a 24 power scope be on bolt .22lr? would it be really big overkill? it has a 12 power on it right now and tat sometimes doesn't seem enough when target shooting.

What distance are you shooting at?

Hell with the 12 power scope I kill clays at 150 yards all day, so maybe 200 to 300 yards for the heck of it I know that wouldn't have a whole lot of power, but my .22 can do it. abd at 50 dollars I may get another when I get another rifle when I want  some serious long range the scope is only 40mm objective but, for that price its still worth it.
oh this is it...
http://www.amazon.com/BSA-24x40-Tactical-Scope-Matte/dp/B0010XCT78

[thinkingman]

oh and on a second thought too what would a 24 power scope be on bolt .22lr? would it be really big overkill? it has a 12 power on it right now and tat sometimes doesn't seem enough when target shooting.

What distance are you shooting at?

Hell with the 12 power scope I kill clays at 150 yards all day, so maybe 200 to 300 yards for the heck of it I know that wouldn't have a whole lot of power, but my .22 can do it. abd at 50 dollars I may get another when I get another rifle when I want  some serious long range the scope is only 40mm objective but, for that price its still worth it.
oh this is it...
http://www.amazon.com/BSA-24x40-Tactical-Scope-Matte/dp/B0010XCT78

I would not buy 24X power in that quality glass.
it would be awful.
A Savage .308 would be your best bet in the price range you mentioned.

[Hornseeker]

If you are looking for a hunting gun, you really need more like a 3-9 power scope.... that 6-24 BSA is junk.... ever here, "you get what you pay for"...

This is an example of a "cheap" 6-20 target scope....
http://www.amazon.com/Leupold-VX-3-6-5-20x40mm-EFR-Target/dp/B001T9X5XU/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1300206249&sr=1-1

They pretty much go up from there....

For $300 I'd be looking used. I bought my first 30-06 for $110... I killed maybe 10 bucks and a few bulls with it, few bears... mostly with a Tasco $80 3-9 on it...

Good Luck

[BlackRidge]

My 

For a low cost, decent hunting/target rifle, I'd look towards Savage and or Marlin.  The 336 (i believe) can go for around $300 depending on its condition and 30-30 ammo is pretty common/inexpensive.  The Edge rifles seem to work well, come in a variety of calibers and have a pretty good reputation behind them. They usually run at or under $300, and sometimes come with scopes (decent quality).

If you're willing to go a little higher price-wise, you may be able to find a slightly used T/C Venture for 350-400. Very accurate rifles, amazing deals for the money

[sportsbud]

 Well I have had some great quality scopes from bsa their, "cheap scopes" have done well with optical clarity approaching a leupold in the words, of a friend who had several leupolds, I kinda want to try and at 50 if its bad its not a bad thing as it will be on a .22

[KillBilly]

Look around some of the pawn shops, I know someone who got an older (93ish I think) wood stocked Savage 30 06 with Bushnell (I think it was a Banner) 4-12x 40 for $300 last year. It shoots good too, nice accurate rifle although it's recoil pad was tired and had to be replaced.

+ 1 on the pawn shops. I see lots of good rifles at good prices all the time. I stop in at three pawn shops regularly looking at guns and power tools. Give it a look see, it can't hurt.

[Recurve-Elk]

If you want new I would suggest a Harrington and Richardson break action.  They run about $313 brand new.  They come is nearly every caliber.  I have one of their guns in .410 shot, ive got a 20 gauge coming in the mail, and i am ordering their .22lr in a week or so.  All three are break action.  

I love the simplicity, rigidity, accuracy, and fail safe operation of their break barrel guns.  Really cheap too.  

[C-Money]

Look for a used Savage 110, or a H&R single shot. Both are proven shooters, just not real fancy.

[teanawayslayer]

Remington is a great gun for the money.  They run specials at big five every so often in many different caliber's.  gun scope combo's. for around 299-349.  I would stay away from the other cheaper guns like savage.  Junk and very cheaply made.

[sportsbud]

Remington is a great gun for the money.  They run specials at big five every so often in many different caliber's.  gun scope combo's. for around 299-349.  I would stay away from the other cheaper guns like savage.  Junk and very cheaply made.

I have many friends with savages, I have a bolt .22lr from savage, they are all great quality guns well put together, great shooters, and accurate(even my 130 dollar .22lr shoots almost sub moa at 100 yards), the Remington 770s are good shooters but rattle, are very cheap a lot of play in the bolts, they shoot good but boy do they feel like a major POS.

[trippledigitss]

I bought a Savage Edge .243 in Camo from Cabelas for $329 and I really like it. It shot pretty good right out of the box, it shot a group of 3 all within 1" to 1-1/2" spread at most at 100yds with the cheapest ammo I could find.. Considering I cant shoot with a darn that was pretty good for me so I was impressed. I think Walmart had the .308 on sale for like $279-$299 in black stock. I really like it so far, its light, cheap, and shot great. Bolt is very smooth and fits tight if you ask me - but I am pretty much a rookie - ask FC, he fondled it for a little bit.

 One bad thing was the screws in the scope base are in so damn tight the heads stripped out when I tried to take them off to put a base extension on.  That really pi$$ed me off -still does!  So now I got to take it over to the gunsmith (thats you FC  ) and get it fixed!

[Buckmark]

X2 on looking at pawns shops, lots of good guns and deals can be found.
A little different than what you stated your looking for, but in the classifieds there is a 30-06 rem 742 with a lupey 3x9 thats a good set up for a decent price (gun and scope)
also saw a 25-06 in there for 275, bolt action..

[FC]

ask FC, he fondled it for a little bit.

I actually really liked that rifle and if they made one in a left hand version I would buy a twin to it (I may yet buy a right handed one), a very solid feeling rifle with a smooth action and a great looking camo stock. The scope of course wasn't great but was exactly the same as all the other package rifles I have seen lately.

Savage rifles in general may not be the prettiest around but by virtue of their assemble seem to all be extremely accurate, their barrels are good quality as are their triggers. If you are into lock times and such, modern Savage triggers are the fastest on the market last I knew 

[sportsbud]

You should call and give savage an earful (maybe you can get some free stuff out of it....) I know they are not like Hi-point with their no questions asked warranty(with free mag to boot.), but that is plain idiotic....

[FC]

They would probably tell him not to go Godzilla on his rifle with his Mommy tools next time! LMAO

[carpsniperg2]

  I about spit water all over the screen! Now that's funny

[sportsbud]

They would probably tell him not to go Godzilla on his rifle with his Mommy tools next time! LMAO

What like this? 

                                       

[FC]

More like this:



 

[trippledigitss]

Hey - that wasnt funny! I had the correct size allen wrench and I was trying to finesse that little b*tch out! Especially on the 2nd one! Keep that kinda crap up and I will no longer give you my 'smith'n business!  

I think I will give them a call just see what they say. I thought that was rediculous to put them in that tight. I picture a bunch of minimum wage workers on a line putting the scope packages together with cheap tools no better than mine. I just dont want to have to deal with warranty issues and sending the rifle back on a 4 month turnaround. But I surely dont want to pay 150 bucks to fix a $300 rifle!

[trippledigitss]

And just what are "mommy tools" anyway!? They may not be snap-on tools but the stuff in the little bins at the checkout line in Home Depot are just as good arent they?  

[400out]

Hey - that wasnt funny! I had the correct size allen wrench and I was trying to finesse that little b*tch out! Especially on the 2nd one! Keep that kinda crap up and I will no longer give you my 'smith'n business!  

I think I will give them a call just see what they say. I thought that was rediculous to put them in that tight. I picture a bunch of minimum wage workers on a line putting the scope packages together with cheap tools no better than mine. I just dont want to have to deal with warranty issues and sending the rifle back on a 4 month turnaround. But I surely dont want to pay 1650 bucks to fix a $300 rifle!

It sounds like it got a little locktite on it at some point  

[FC]

I almost squirted a little pee out there! When do you want to come over to get those screws out?  

[trippledigitss]

Yeah I was thinking loctite too but usually even the red stuff doesnt hold as tight as these damn things are in.

[trippledigitss]

I almost squirted a little pee out there! When do you want to come over to get those screws out?  

Oh stop, it wasnt that funny - quit flattering yourself!   I'll let you know as soon as I figure out some time. I got baseball stuff tonight, thurs, friday, & sunday. Not sure what the plans are for saturday but that might be the best bet. Then I'll have to go back and zero the darn thing again..... You should go out there and shoot the 5 stand with me, do you got a shotgun for that?

[FC]

I do actually, I was thinking of going out to do some shooting that day in a different place and maybe do some early looking around for bears while I was at it. Welcome to join if you like.

[trippledigitss]

I do actually, I was thinking of going out to do some shooting that day in a different place and maybe do some early looking around for bears while I was at it. Welcome to join if you like.

I'll get in touch with you before the weekend (I think we jacked this guy's thread!) 

[sportsbud]

 

[FC]

Go buy a Savage Edge or Axis combo, you will love it.

[teanawayslayer]

Remington is a great gun for the money.  They run specials at big five every so often in many different caliber's.  gun scope combo's. for around 299-349.  I would stay away from the other cheaper guns like savage.  Junk and very cheaply made.

I have many friends with savages, I have a bolt .22lr from savage, they are all great quality guns well put together, great shooters, and accurate(even my 130 dollar .22lr shoots almost sub moa at 100 yards), the Remington 770s are good shooters but rattle, are very cheap a lot of play in the bolts, they shoot good but boy do they feel like a major POS. 

I have never shot a pos 22 so that's not saying much.