Best rifle under $200?

C

ctdonath

New member
A friend is looking for a general-purpose rifle, and cannot spend more than $200. Thoughts?

I may suggest an Enfield #7 or Ishapore 2A - right price, moderately common, .308 is good all around. The SKS is tempting, but 7.62x39 is a bit limiting.

The hope is to find a .308 that is tried-and-true and has a good supply of parts & accessories available.
 
I'd put my money on a Yugo Mauser, unissued. 8mm Mauser is more potent than .308 in proper JS loadings. There's plenty of surplus Turk you can pick up, and some really good non-corrosive modern ammo from Swedish and Czech suppliers. It's Europe's .30'06. In fact, the .30'06 was designed in response to the 8mm Mauser.
 
I like the mauser idea. Another option would be a used Winchester or Marlin lever action in 30-30. The original GP rifle.
 
Hello ctdonath,

Check out your local Big KMart, I recently hooked up a friend with a Savage 111 wood stock in 30-06 that Kmart were selling for $179.

Regards,

UK2TX
 
I'd be looking for a 6.5x55 Swede Mauser if I were limiting myself to $200. I've seen Grade 1 bores available for $199, so I know they're out there.

While I prefer the .308 to the 6.5, I think the rifles you'll find chambered for the .308 aren't of the same quality as the ones chambered for the 6.5 in that same price range.

JMO, for what it's worth.
 
Depending upon where you are,

can get a NEF Handi-Rifle or H&R sister rifle, in a variety of calibers, for right around $200. They are single -shot, if that matters.
 
I agree with Bob Locke.
Got mine for $79.95 several years back.
Probably the best accuracy and quality in that price range, but still to get a real answer to a "best" kind of question you really need to define best for what purpose.
If you want to fight off a band of looters the SKS would work way better.
Either will take a deer. ;)
 
I'll second WilderBill's SKS suggestion. Good for most things, including deer at a reasonable (100 yds?) range. Another nice one is the Spanish Mauser FR8 - it's chambered in .308, and has a peep sight, but it's difficult to put a scope on.

Regards.
 
Need to know a little more...

One thing nobody's asked is..."What's he want, or what's it going to be used for?" The term "all around" probably means something different to me than someone else.

Gonna catch all kinds of flak for this, but I personally have hard time thinking of a military rifle as all-around. Most of them are heavy, ugly, clunky, only moderately accurate and some kick like hell. Now, if they're beautiful to you, that's great. If you like to collect them, that's great. (I have an SKS and it's lots of fun....I'm also considering a Swedish Mauser).

If he wants something to learn to shoot, start with a .22. That may well be his idea of "all-around". I can't imagine a newbie carrying a 12 pound WWII bolt action around for deer and enjoying it. Not much good for HD.

If he wants more than the .22, maybe start with a .223. I got a LNIB Savage with scope for $225. If he'll use it for deer, get something off the used rack in .308. Keep the shells cheap and maybe he'll use it. Just my opinion and worth all you paid.:D
 
What's it for?

For the same reason a lot of us got into guns as adults: some vague but insistent notion about paper targets, defense, hunting, anti-sheepleness. The only concrete "what's it for" is $200.

Those of us who have wallowed in the subject for a while know exactly what we want and go get it. Remember, most entering the subject nowdays may do so with just a vague "I want a gun".

To keep things simple and flexible, I'm inclined to only the most common calibers (.308, .223, 12ga, .22, 9mm, .45), something fairly common with a good supply of available parts & knowledge, and something suitable for deer hunting. A scout rifle would be ideal, but rather exceeds the $200 limit.
 
Keep your eyes open for one of the old Remington Model 788s. These were/are tack drivers. Have seen used .308 and .243 in the $200 price range with scope attached. These are not the most beautiful examples of Remington's work but are highly regarded and very accurate.
Take Care
 
I'd totally agree....

If he's a newbie, the last thing we want to do is get him discouraged. Keep it simple, cheap, and fun. I taught my wife and two daughters to shoot. Started on .22's; one is a fan of the Browning .22, and my one daughter loves my Colt SAA .44-40. Don't think it would have been the same with an M98.

With this in mind, I'd be tempted to get a 10/22 and a Bushnell 4x scope. I have dozens of guns and if I just want to pick up a gun and shoot it's one of the first ones I get. Can't beat buying shells for less than a buck per hundred.

As for HD....personally I think he'd be best off with something he can handle and will practice with.
 
Want to also second Swamp Yankee about that 788. When I moved up to larger calibers as a boy, that was the gun I was handed (chambered for .308). "Accurate" just begins to desribe those little guns. One of the best rifles to take to the field that you'll find because of their weight. The only drawback is I think you'll have a hard time finding one for under $200.
 
Definitely a much fun and accurate Ruger 10/22. The blued is around $130 while the all stainless is $189 or so. This was my first gun ever owned and man I love this gun. You can do so much to it. The aftermarket support for it is insane. Looking at my 10/22, you would think it is some kind of assault or sniper rifle, lol. Good luck.:D
 
i'd almost forgotten about the 788, a great rifle but i also think the price has shotup since they stopped making them.

with all the possible uses you mentioned, my inclination is still the sks...cheap, fun, rugged, full of history and ammo loads cheaper than the .308 or .233. plus it has enuff umph for home defense or deer.

without the limit of calibre, the best buy in the price range has to be the swedish mauser as an "all-around" rifle followed by the british enfield
 
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