Helping Picking A Rifle

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akaHHM

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I am going to get my husband a gun or two for his b-day and need some help on what brand. He would like a 30.06 for deer hunting and a 22 for small game and shooting practice. I don’t want to spend more than $400 - $500 for each and I also need to be able to buy it from a standard sports store in central VA. I hope someone is able to help
 
Does you husband have guns now ?

Does he know alot about firearms ?

I ask cus if he is in to guns then he will already have some guns and or brands he likes . If he is in to guns you might want to ask a shooting buddy of his what he likes . Im sure he talks about what he like with others in the hobby .

The Ruger American Rifle is a very nice accurate gun for around $400 it comes in 30-06

Marlin makes a nice rifle for under $500

What most of us would call the nice bolt action guns will be $500 to $800 . This does not include the optic/scope . That will be another $200 to $500

As for the 22 , Ruger 10/22 or marlin model 60 are the go to semi autos . If you want a bolt action 22 Savage mark2 or the CZ 22lr is a very nice gun for a little more .

Good luck and welcome to TFL
 
Thanks everyone! He has gone shooting with friends, but has never owned his own gun before. He has always borrowed and doesn't seem to have any favorite brand so far.
 
I just re-read your first post . I don't want to sound like one of those nit pickn gun guys , however:D a 30-06 is a bit more rifle then you need for deer . A great all around caliber for hunting is the 270 . If I were to only have one rifle it would be a 270 . just a thought .
 
I'd say the Marlin 60 or Ruger 10/22 for 22lr rifles. Let him buy the hunting rifle as he gets more practice and knowledge. The 22 rifle is fun, and useful, as well as good for beginners. They're also inexpensive, usually around $200.00.
 
It's hard to go wrong, or get more for your money, in a centerfire bolt-action deer rifle than a new Marlin X-7 package deal that includes an inexpensive scope as part of the package for under $400.

There are two action lengths, short for cartridges like the .243, 7mm-08, & .308; long for the .25-06, .270 & .30-06.

I would further suggest a .22 that imitates the deer rifle, so he will have a practice rifle that fires MUCH more inexpensive ammo.

.22 bolt-action repeaters are made by Marlin, Savage,& Remington (for only 3) - and are about as hard to scope as going to Wal-Mart to buy a $40 scope & turning a screwdriver.



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CZ rimfire rifles are very good and within your price point.

http://www.cz-usa.com/products/by-category/rimfire-rifles/

I can speak from personal experience that the Models 455 LUX and 455 FS are both very pretty and very enjoyable to shoot.

All of the CZ rimfires that I've read about on this forum get good reviews.

You might consider buying a used .22 rifle. It's easier than most people think. If the rifle was good when new and it is rust free and without major blemishes it is almost certain to be good.
 
A Ruger 10-22 is a good bet for a first 22. There are a lot of good choices, but everyone should have a 10-22. If he wants to expand later he can, but almost everyone ends up with at least 1 Ruger sooner or later. You can get one for just over $200 in most cases which leaves more money for a deer rifle.

That should leave at least $600-$700 in the budget for a deer rifle and I'd look hard at a Ruger Hawkeye. They are common in most any store as is the 1022. You can get one of the budget guns such as the Ruger American, Savage etc., but they are not really that much less expensive.

The Hawkeye is a rifle he'll be proud to own the rest of his life and pass down to the grandkids. The others are entry level rifles, but have virtually no resale value if he decides to upgrade later. No need to upgrade with the Hawkeye.

The Ruger American. Street price about $350+ about $40 for scope mounts

http://ruger.com/products/americanRifle/models.html

The Hawkeye. Street price about $550-$600 and it comes from the factroy with scope mounts.

http://ruger.com/products/m77HawkeyeStandard/models.html

The 10-22

http://ruger.com/products/1022Carbine/models.html
 
Right now probably the best deal going for under $500 is the Savage Model 111 Trophy Hunter XP. You didn't specify if your budget included a scope or if that was seperate. However with these packages the Nikon Prostaff that is included with it is far better optics than you will usually get on these packaged deals. Your local gunshop should be able to get you one, or if you have a Big 5 or Walmart near by they can order them if they don't already stock them.

As far as .22's go I don't know what to recommend because when I went looking for one I bought a used Anschutz. That will blow your budget pretty easily. However I handled a few new ones and I liked the CZ452 Special Military Training Rifle the best out of all the new rifles I handled but between $400-500.
 
As with anything else, he needs to pick out his own rifle. We have guys on here all the time asking which pistol to get their wives, so it works both ways.
 
Echoing what others have said, you simply can't go wrong with a Ruger 10/22 rifle for your .22. I personally don't hunt but you'll find plenty of good advice in the above replies, as long as you have a solid supply of salt with you :)
 
Ruger American 30-06. Ruger 10/22. You should be able to get both for around $600 and they are both top notch rifles that your husband will enjoy for along time.
 
If he likes bolt actions, Remington 700 30-06, CZ's in 22 long rifle. If your buying both from the same gun shop, they should give you a better price.
 
Your husband has a great wife!! Buying guns for Christmas is every hunting/shooting mans dream. :)

I agree with chris in va about letting him choose his guns though,he should make that choice.

A few suggestions

If you have a favorite local gun shop you could give him a gift certificate for that shop,or gift wrap the money along with some gun pictures or a gun magazine for a gesture what the money is intended for.
Either way I really believe the person shooting and hunting with the rifle should pick which fits them and their needs.
 
That's a great idea, MO. Buy a 10/22 for him to unwrap and include a gift cert for the larger rifle of his choice. Best of both - Something he can shoot immediately and something he can take time to decide on.
 
Going to be hard to beat the Savage 11/111 Hunter XP for the price and quality. Savage is well known for their out of the box accuracy. The scope they include in the package is a decent one.

I agree with the Ruger 10/22 for the rimfire. Good solid rifle and as time goes by there are many aftermarket things he can add or change if he chooses.

By the way, He said he liked the 30-06, so I wouldn't change that.
 
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