Good Affordable Bolt Action

[458winshooter]

Budget bolt gun

I am in love with my Mossberg Patriot I bought last year,mine is in 300 win mag but they have it in other calibers from 22-250 to 375 Ruger.All the calibers you mentioned are in there as well as 7mm-08.

 

[Siggy-06]

Anyone have experience with the Howa 1500 Lightnings or Mini-Actions?

 

[Dranrab]

Howa 1500 is a fantastic gun. Just fantastic. The only knock is that they are fairly heavy. I don't know anything about the mini.

 

[Wrought]

For under 400 id say the tc venture or compass series rifles would be my go to. Next in line is the savage axis/ruger american. If you want a customizable rifle go savage if you want a rugged and reliable out of the box rifle go tc

 

[morgaj1]

I have a Ruger American Compact in .243Win that my son uses for deer hunting. It is the most accurate gun in my safe and is the cheapest. I got it on sale for $299. I put a DNZ mount and a Leupold VX-1 on it and it has been great.

 

[RedHoundTargets]

I’ve gotten good use out of the Savage 11/111. It’s a step up from a full economy level gun and you can feel it in the action and general quality. There are incredible deals on it fairly regularly - particularly in the .3xx calibers. Savage often has as much as $100 MIR on the 11/111 DOA Hunter XP (scope combo) and retailers put it on sale, too. I recently saw it in .308 for $260 shipped (after rebate). Check the gundeals reddit once in a while.

 

[Stillhunter]

I,m a bolt guy.Own a lot of bolt action rifles.
I have owned all 3 mentioned.Ruger American I sold.Still have my Venture and 1500.
IMO the Venture is a notch above the American,closer to the 1500.

 

[texbow]

Sell something else you don't need and get a Tikka Hunter, a few hundred extra bucks but a much more solid gun. 6.5, 6.5x55, 308 all are excellent rounds and will cleanly kills as far as most of n=has any business shooting.

 

[Siggy-06]

Thanks again for everyone's suggestions. I ended up getting a Howa 1500 in 6.5x55. Gonna order the glass in a few weeks and hit the range.

 

[Wrought]

Let me know how it shoots ive been itching for one of those

 

[batmann]

I know, I’m late to the party! I recently purchased a Ruger American in 7.62x39 and it has been a very good Deer riflle if kept at most of the ranges I shoot, 50-250 yards. I put a Leopold 3x9 Rifleman scope. Not their best best glass, but good for my uses. It also uses Ruger Mini-30 mags. While they are somewhat expensive, you are not going to do Mag dumps.
AAR is light, handy with a decent trigger and while I chose the .30 Russian, comes in various calibers. I can’t speak to the Savage, but I have friends who swear by them.

 

[oldscot3]

I ended up getting a Howa 1500 in 6.5x55.

good choice

 

[Tallest]

I'd be interested to know...

Keep us in the loop! The 6.5x55 has been on my radar for a while! I've handled a Howa 1500 before, so I'll have a reasonable frame of reference for any observations you make.

And Congratulations!

 

[ligonierbill]

Welcome to the cult. You did not say you are a reloader. I hope you are. With the range of 6.5 bullets available, you can have a lot of fun. While commercial ammo is available, it is likely downloaded. The few rounds I have fired certainly were.

 

[Wishoot]

The pawn shops are loaded with quality bolt-action scoped rifles. Feel and fondle for fit, just as at a gun show. Then bargain, since they commonly have some 50% at most in their investment.

Lot's of quality used bolts sitting on shelves lookin' for love.

 

[gw44]

I like the looks of the Mossberg ( wood ) I would have to look at it real hard I like the calibers too !!!

 

[Woodsbum]

The t/c compass gets my vote.It is the best value in budget bolt action rifle s I believe.The axis seems a bit lighter and might have a slight edge accuracy.

 

[Dranrab]

The OP bought a Howa 1500 6.5x55. I have that same rifle. He is going to be very happy.

 

[Pops1085]

I ended up getting a Ruger American in 308. Very accurate and light. The recoil is fierce though in such a light gun. I feel like I would enjoy it much more in 243.

 

[Whistlebritches]

I ended up getting a Ruger American in 308. Very accurate and light. The recoil is fierce though in such a light gun. I feel like I would enjoy it much more in 243.

Not exactly sure what you're putting through that RAR 308 but fierce recoil?I wouldn't even call 300 mag recoil fierce..........just quite noticeable.Fierce recoil in my opinion starts with the 338 mag and up,but that's just me.One thing I might suggest is an aftermarket stock.......wood or a laminate wood.I personally am looking at a Boyd's Heritage laminate for my RAR 308.It's going to add a pound plus which should absorb a little recoil.I just like the feel of wood........not a plastic stock fan.