Buying my first rifle, need suggestions?

Question

I'm on a budget of under $400 for a previously owned rifle for deer hunting. My first choice would be a 30-06, then .308.

Please give caliber/brand/model suggestions. Thanks.

Answer 1

Check out the Mossberg 100 ATR. You can get one brand new at Wal-mart for about $250. It comes with scope bases already on it. My brother and a guy I hunt with both have them in .270 and they are very accurate. This will leave you money to buy a scope and shells. Get the best scope you can afford. The gun will only be as accurate as the optics on it. Good luck with the new gun.

Answer 2

Remington .30-06 Model 700 bolt action. For that price you will probably need to stick with the lower-priced Remingtons, like the Model 78 (plain Model 700) or Model 700 ADL like this one: http://www.gunsamerica.com/976995324/Guns/Rifles/Remington-Rifles-Modern/Model-700/Sporting/Remington_700_ADL_30_06.htm
You won't go wrong with either of those calibers; both will do about as many things as one rifle caliber will do in North America. The '06 is a little better, as it is a little more powerful, and has a greater variety of factory loads to choose from. The .308 is probably a little more accurate across the board.

Answer 3

You have made some pretty good caliber choices, thats for sure. If your are set on a bolt-action you should go around to the local pawn shops and see what they got. Just remember that those stores make money so know what the price should be before you hand over the money. If the shots aren't gonna be that far I don't know that I wouldn't buy a new Marlin 30-30. I think you can get one for about 350$ at Wal-Mart. Thats what I hunt with and at close range and in the brush it will lay 'em down. I hope this helps.

Answer 4

Both good choices. You should be able to find a wide variety of good used rifles for sale in those calibers.

I think the best plan is to go shopping at all the gun shops and pawns and check the classified too. Bring a little notebook and write down the model, condition, scope info, ask price, etc. THEN get back to your PC and do research to see what the value actually is and get input on your finds here.

Don't let a high tag price scare you away.....I just got a rifle with a friend for just over half of the tag price, by documenting what the real "street" value was and demonstrating the actual NRA condition of the piece (it needed some bluing and stock refinishing).

If you go out looking for something specific on the used market you will get frustrated real soon.

That said, Winchester, Browning, Remington, Savage, Weatherby and Marlin are the brands you will find most, depending on area. Recently I have come across Howa, Sako and an actual Mauser in pawn shops. Most are good but even the best makers have sold some not-so-great rifles.

Answer 5

Go to a pawn shop and remember their prices are negotiable. You'll be able to find several bolt action guns for $400 or near that. For caliber/cartridge, look at any thing from a 25-06 up to 30-06 in power. There are several different cartridges in that range and they will all take deer very humanely as long as you shoot the deer in the right spot.

Answer 6

SKS= caliber 7.62x39mm Average price depending on rarity $100-$500 Yugos ones with the "grenade launcher device" go for $120 and the older ones without it go for $250 due to its rarity.Best semi-auto rifle for the money especially the fact that it has many replacement parts and options.
Reliable,Accurate,powerful enough for hunting deer if thats what you want,and alot of fun to shoot.

Mosin Nagant M38 =7.62x54R Average price $85-$170
Best Bolt action rifle for the money
reliable,rugged design,Very accurate,and very powerful can take on big game in the US almost like the 30-06.

Answer 7

I'd look at a Remington 770 in .30-06, or you may be able to find a used Remington 700 for that. I shoot a Remington 700 in .30-06, and I think it's the best all-around deer rifle out there. Given your budget, you might want to look at the Savage rifle/scope combos. Personally, I'd get a new Rem 700 with open sights, and then invest in a good scope next year.

Answer 8

Remington or Savage Brand.**>> 30-06 or 308 caliber.**

Answer 9

Winchester makes a pretty sweet 30-06. The old standby is what most people call it. Model 70 is a pretty good used gun. Savage makes a pretty good .308. I forget the name of it but the way it ejects you need a long eye relief scope which makes it a pretty bad *** brush gun that can get right out there if needed.

Answer 10

Dont buy a Remington 700 or up. The suck monkey balls.
Stick with the 30-06 (i have a savage and it kiks ***)
A 308 is also good.