Low cost, reliable rifle

H

H&K compact

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I have been a hundgun owner for some time now , but I am now just getting my first chance to go deer hunting with a neighbor of mine. I am wanting to know what are some good rifles that I could readily find at a gun shop or in the classifieds for under $250. I could easily use one of his rifles , but if I drop a deer I would like to do it with my own . I think everyone can understand that. Any imput would be great.
 
.30-30 or .35 Rem lever actions

A plethora of sporterized Enfields, Mausers and others

Many used, commercial hunting rifles (Rem 7600/760, Win model 70, etc)


Good hunting!
 
I'm guessing you'll probably be sitting in a stand? Just remember that very early and very late, iron sights are problematical.

But, for ranges inside 100 yards, even for a rifle-"newbie", iron sights will work for deer hunting, IF: You'll spend some money for ammo and do some serious practice. Once you're hitting around an inch or so high at 100 yards, practice "free" positions away from a bench rest with its sandbags. Casual rest, offhand, sitting...

Any cartridge like the .243, .30-30, .308. I wouldn't specifically look for the .25-'06 through .30-'06 class, although if you find a particularly good deal I wouldn't shun them.

Choices include the lever-guns, the British military LeeEnfield variants, or any bolt action with a bright, shiny bore...

FWIW, Art
 
IF your not recoil sensative, get one of the jungle carbine No5 mkI rifles floating around. they are great shooters, and have excellent iron sights for hunting. If semi's are your fancy, i beleive SAR-1's are about that price right now. Marlins in 35 remington are Tops though in accuracy and thumpability. It's your choice, lots in your price range will do it.
 
what about a handgun???? If you are a decent shot with a handgun why not hunt with one? I use two different pistols for whitetails (not at the same time ) the first is a dan wesson revolver in 357 mag the other is a desert eagle in 44mag. both work well on deer and are good for up to 100 yards. I have not shot a deer with either over 65 yards but I could if I use a stable rest.
 
A friendly warning about the military surplus trap. First you buy a nice, let's say, M48 Yugoslav, which is really a rebuilt German or Czech rifle, but darn good nonetheless. Let's say $99.

Then you look at a nice sporter and decide your rifle would look good with a sporter stock. Then you think it would do better with a scope sight so you can tell if those buds are really horns. This requires drilling and tapping and altering the safety. Then to take advantage of the better accuracy with the scope, you just have to have a better trigger pull. Now you have a pretty nice rifle at only about the cost of a new sporting rifle, and a good bit more than a good used one.

P.S. Just saw this on another thread:

"I saw a Savage 110 30-06 brand new at my local shop for $345. This price includes a Simmons scope. "

Jim
 
If your maximum shot will be 150 yards or less, I would go with a Marlin lever gun in .35 Remington. This has to be the ultimate white tail rifle/cartridge for woods hunting. The .35 hits harder then the 30-30, and leaves a better blood trail. Though it is doubtful that you will need to worry about the blood trail, I have never seen a deer go more then a few yards after a good shot with a .35. Another plus, if you decide you need a scope, the Marlin is easily scoped, and you can also get what many consider the best option, peep sights.
 
Go Yugo!

The M-48 uncommissioned Yugo Mauser '98k's are a great buy. You don't need to sporterize them. In fact, I really prefer mine with the extra protection of a full stock. It's tough as nails, accurate, and powerful. In addition, as a '98k it's one of the best rifle designs in history, if not *the* best. As far as the extra pound or two over modern rifles, I will quote one of the Vikings from the film "The 13th Warrior":

"Grow stronger!"
 
I've got friends in VA who love their 94s

Winchester 94 .30-30s have no doubt harvested more whitetails than any other model/cartridge. In your price range the Winchester or Marlin levers are your best bet in my book. Deer hunting is a lot more about HUNTING than it is about shooting. In the mornings try to be in the upper elevations (I'm assuming you're hunting in the mountains) and in the evenings be down low. The good bucks will be in the thickest cover. Have a wonderful deer season. I hope you bag out.
jack
 
If your already "handgun" proficient and wanted to keep the cost down, then I would do what my wife did:

Get an H&R single shot in a "real" rifle deer caliber (I.e. at least 243, but I perfer 308 or 30-06 etc) and top it with a good scope. Then carry the handgun as a backup in case you need a short range follow up shot.

Personally I like a Ruger #1 ($$), but my wife wouldn't trade her H&R for anything, and she hits dead center every time with it. Can't argue with success!
 
You might try a New England Firearms Handi rifle in 243, My 12 yr old son is recoil shy and he loves his NEF Superlight Handi rifle. It weighs in at 5 3/4 lbs with scope and sling(provided).. cost for riflein PA is $189 plus cheapy scope and rings...(mount is provided) Synthetic stock with nice comb and real good recoil pad, I am thinking of getting one for my self, his is shooting around 1" at 100yds... I shot it and it had very little recoil from standing and kneeling postions....

You can send the reciever back to NEF and they will put a new barrel on for $35 to $85 in calibers from 22hornet, 30-30, 223, 12ga, 20 ga, 410/45, 44mag, 357, 45-70,give them a call
60 Industrial Rowe
Gardner, MA 01440
Phone (978)632-9393
Fax (978)632-2300
E-mail: hr1871@tiac.net

sorry they don't have aweb sight....
 
Get a milsurp Enfield,or 7x57 Mauser.
With the money you save,buy lots of ammo to practice with.
You also won't feel too bad if you're getting it rained on.
On the other hand,there is the danger of becoming addicted to collecting milsurps!
 
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