All around rifle

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frigate88

New member
What would be a good and reliable rifle for taking shots out to about 300-400 yds and also a good hunting rifle for pig and deer? I had a savage 110 7mm mag that was awesome and did the job well. But what other rifles and calibers would do as well as that one in the $300 price range?
 
Mosin-Nagant and a couple tins of ammo. Maybe some Walmart special in 308, but I can't recommend anything in that price range.
 
.308

YOur price range will limit your options, but a basic bolt action sporter in .308/30-06 w/ a 3-9x scope will do about anything that most of us will ever get a chance to do w/ a rifle.

A used Savage 110, or the new Mossberg, or Stevens 200 is about the bottom of the price range and will be close to your budget. A used $300 dollar Savage 110 in '06 is a pretty common item in my area, especially after deer season.
 
Lots of good $350 rifles, but none at $300 that I'd recommend. Move up to $350 and you have the Stevens 200, Marlin XL-7, Weatherby Vanguard, Howa 1500, and the new Ruger American rifle. You sometimes find them discounted closer to $300, but most sell for around $350 normally.

Caliber is less important. Deer will fall easily at those ranges with anything from 243 on up.
 
For Basic all around use with shots out to 300 or 400 yards on Deer sized game, the bolt action 30 06 with a good 3x9x40 scope would be just right for Deer and Hogs, and if you were to get an opportunity to hunt Elk or even Moose. Ofcourse, on the larger amimals like Moose, I wouldnt try to take them at long range, but you should still be able to take out a Moose at 200 yards with the right bullet and a 30 06. But if this is to be your all around hunting rifle, get a good one, and put a good scope on it, something that you can depend on.
 
As far as price, the hock shops nowadays are full of good used bolt-action rifles. I really doubt that many have more than half the asking price invested in them. "Cash talks, BS walks." Ya gotta know how to bargain...
 
The $300 price is challenging - gotta agree with Art, get a used bolt action in about anything bigger than 5.56 and it will have over 1000 foot pounds to work out to 400m.

If anything, the larger ones like .308 are a bit much in recoil, but are likely what will be out there simply due to popularity. A quick stroll at the Walmart gun case will give an impression how far $300 will go these day.

Used is going to be your best buy, and it will certainly get you a wide variety of choice.
 
I agree with Art gun shops/ pawn shops / gun shows have a vast supply of very good used guns. I would buy a good used quality rifle before I would buy a promo model.
To name a few Remington 700 / Ruger 77 / Winchester 70 / Savage has a number of top quality rifles, etc.
 
For pig and deer plus the implied plinking? A $300 price range for the rifle?

Reloading or factory ammo, either way, the .243 Win would make you a happy camper -- and will will do all that you want in those ranges. The recoil is almost trivial and it is popular enough that it can be found on inexpensive rifles.

The next choice would be the .260 Remington with a little more recoil and somewhat fewer options in rifles and ammunition.

I can't add any to the comments already made about inexpensive rifles.
 
When I was Young, just out of the Service and with our first child on the way, I bought a Used Savage 110 30 06, the rifle was scratched up, and not pretty, but I bought it and refinnished it. I hunted with it for well, from about 1995 to 2009 Took alot of game with it, including Deer and Hogs, Then Gave it to my Son that was born shortly after my purchase of this rifle, after he had just taken his Fourth Deer with it. One time He actually made a head shot on a hog with it at 263 yards, using factory ammo. It was and is a great rifle, that I bought for alot less than a new one would cost. If you get a good used rifle, you can have a quality rifle, for about the same cost as a generic rifle. Good luck.:)
 
My experience with pig hunting has been in AR along the edge of swamps and hardwood bottom land. Long shots were 100 yards. My recommendations is based on that experience.

A used remington 600 in 308 would be an excellent choice. The ones I have used were short, accurate and excllent in close quarters.

A gentleman I know used his (mounted with a 4x BSA Scope) took an antelope at 400 yds. He is an outstanding shot and has been shooting the rifle for 40 years.

The short barrell in the right hands is capable of taking game at the ranges you describe.

A razorback boar is a tough dangerous animal. That is why I perfer the 308 with heavier bullets over a 243.
 
If you want a new rifle, these are both in your price range:

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/57845-55.html

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/70948-1.html

They are both available in a few different "all around" calibers at these same prices (.30-06, .270, 7mm08, .243...). Between the two, my choice would be the Marlin - it shoots just as well by all reports I have read, but has a better finished look and feel, as well as options to upgrade in the future if you want.

If you have some decent used options in your area, you might be able to pick up something of higher quality in the same price range.

Also keep in mind the cost of ammo. If you choose a caliber that is cheaper to buy, you can justify putting a little more up front into the rifle. Of course, if you handload, it is pretty much moot.
 
I keep kicking my self for not buying and letting it get away, a few days ago. A savage 99 in 243, To me, the perfect hunting rifle
 
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