I am looking to get a rifle for hunting this year and plan on using it for deer. I was looking at keeping it around or under $450. Any recommendations? I checked out the Marlin X7, Savage Axis, and Savage 11 Hunter XP. I liked the Marlin X7 the best but don't know much about them. Any other rifles I should check out?
New Rifle
- Thread starter snuzzo29
- Start date
Check out the used gun racks for good deals. If you want new take a look at Howa, Weatherby Vanguard, and T/C Ventures. I'd pass on the Savage Axis and go with the model 10/11/12 series or a Stevens 200. I like Savage rifles but not the Axis, it will be a long time until there will be a lot of after market support for these rifles.
hunting rifle
A few years ago I got a Mossberg ATR in 30-06. It has turned out to be a sweetheart.
May be a bit light, but the trigger is wonderful, and the accuracy with my hand loads is easily under 1 MOA. It's easily as accurate as any Rem 700 I've worked with. But the REM 700 is pretty.
Mine came as a package (with 3x9 no name scope and rings) for about $320.00. A great price for something that's going to be carried on a hunt.
A few years ago I got a Mossberg ATR in 30-06. It has turned out to be a sweetheart.
May be a bit light, but the trigger is wonderful, and the accuracy with my hand loads is easily under 1 MOA. It's easily as accurate as any Rem 700 I've worked with. But the REM 700 is pretty.
Mine came as a package (with 3x9 no name scope and rings) for about $320.00. A great price for something that's going to be carried on a hunt.
I have three Marlins; 30-06, 270, 7mm-08. All are very accurate and suit my feel. I did free float the barrels on mine and added a metal trigger guard for <$20. If I had one thing I'd change on them would be to have the bolt lock when in safe. A magazine or floorplate would be nice, but it also compromises the rigidness of the stock. One thing about the Marlin, they are Marlin's "flagship" centerfire rifle. They are not competing against themselves in the same calibers.
BigMikey76
New member
The Axis is lacking in the quality of its construction, but almost all first hand accounts I have read show them to be good shooters, which is the most important factor, of course.
I like the Marlin X7 rifles. They have a reputation as good shooters, and they are well constructed, The prices on them tend to be quite competetive.
For a bit more, you can go up to the Savage 10/110 or 11/111 models and have a good well made firearm, as well.
Used is definitely a good option, assuming there is a decent used market in your area. Just make sure to check the rifles for signs of misuse and unusually rough treatment or neglect.
I also recommend checking online pricing. New rifles are available from online vendors for far less than what you are likely to pay at a local store.
I like the Marlin X7 rifles. They have a reputation as good shooters, and they are well constructed, The prices on them tend to be quite competetive.
For a bit more, you can go up to the Savage 10/110 or 11/111 models and have a good well made firearm, as well.
Used is definitely a good option, assuming there is a decent used market in your area. Just make sure to check the rifles for signs of misuse and unusually rough treatment or neglect.
I also recommend checking online pricing. New rifles are available from online vendors for far less than what you are likely to pay at a local store.
I'm a big fan of Savage's AccuTrigger system and it looks like they have some model 11s and 111s with AccuTrigger at Bud's in your price range. The bundled scope is probably crappy but will get you by for a year. You just pick out a local dealer with reasonable transfer prices and have Bud's ship it to them. Just a heads up it usually takes them about 3-5 business days to ship.
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/...age+111+111FXP3+.30-06+Springfield+with+Scope
They also have some Howas and Weatherby Vanguards in close to your price range. I like the Savage myself.
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/...age+111+111FXP3+.30-06+Springfield+with+Scope
They also have some Howas and Weatherby Vanguards in close to your price range. I like the Savage myself.
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I'm with Jimbob86 in his thinking here.
The M24/47 is a handsome and well made rifle, but the 8mm ammo is difficult to find and expensive, similar to .303 British.
I'm totally in agreement on the Mosin-Nagant. One of the finest rifles ever made. You can easily buy THREE of them for $450. Ammo is very reasonable, especially for plinking. Soft tip for hunting is available in 7.62x54R, anywhere from 150 to 203 grain.
I know you guys are talkin' bolt action here, but the SKS is worth a consideration for deer.
Ummmm .... "finest" must have a different meaning in your part of the country, I guess......
A Mosin is a robust design, and there are very sevicable examples out there .... and even the beaters will outshoot 85% of the people shooting them...... but "fine"?
Any rifle with a standard scope mounting system that precludes a good cheek to stock weld is not a "fine rifle".
Any rifle that needs a hammer to adjust it's irons for windage is not a "fine rifle".
Depends upon the size of the deer and the range anticipated ..... it'd be a poor choice for my hunting...... if the animals are small and the shots are short, sure.
WildBill45
New member
A few tips
It is better to buy a used quality rifle, than a new less quality rifle. The bigger the bore the less shots will have been put through it. The better the brand the higher the resale value if you upgrade later. The lighter the rifle the more you will carry it. Only great triggers are interesting. Iron sights work, spend all the money on a rifle this year, get a scope next year.
It is better to buy a used quality rifle, than a new less quality rifle. The bigger the bore the less shots will have been put through it. The better the brand the higher the resale value if you upgrade later. The lighter the rifle the more you will carry it. Only great triggers are interesting. Iron sights work, spend all the money on a rifle this year, get a scope next year.
Generalizations.
Only true for lazy people .... which is 90+ percent of Americans.
Iron sights work, but a good scope works better in low light and at longer ranges. True, but if you can't hit a deer's vitals at 300 with irons ( provided you did your due diligence and practiced at that target size and range), I'll bet dollars to doughnut holes you can't do any better with a Swarovski or Zeiss, either.....
Don't get me wrong, now: A 150 dollar mosin that will shoot to 4 MOA
will be more than sufficient medicine for any sized bambi (or even elk!) within 100 yards of the shooter, and still have 4" of shooter error to spare! If the Mosin weilding hunter were really determined, and took up handloading, tuned his rifle, etc, it would be more than enough to 3-4 times that.... after that, he'll have to sart reading the wind/mirage and might need optics........ but for 85% of North American big game hunting (and 98% of it east of the Mississippi) a properly stoked 91/30 would work!
Depends upon the wallet size and the level of masochism of the former owner, but in general true: I have ben advised against buying a varmit caliber rifle (.22-250 IIRC) just on the GP that it had probably had a bajillion rounds shot at prairie dogs out of it, and likely less maintenance than would be due such a round count.......
Truth. ....though defining "quality" can be problematic......
Only true for lazy people .... which is 90+ percent of Americans.
Iron sights work, but a good scope works better in low light and at longer ranges. True, but if you can't hit a deer's vitals at 300 with irons ( provided you did your due diligence and practiced at that target size and range), I'll bet dollars to doughnut holes you can't do any better with a Swarovski or Zeiss, either.....
Don't get me wrong, now: A 150 dollar mosin that will shoot to 4 MOA
will be more than sufficient medicine for any sized bambi (or even elk!) within 100 yards of the shooter, and still have 4" of shooter error to spare! If the Mosin weilding hunter were really determined, and took up handloading, tuned his rifle, etc, it would be more than enough to 3-4 times that.... after that, he'll have to sart reading the wind/mirage and might need optics........ but for 85% of North American big game hunting (and 98% of it east of the Mississippi) a properly stoked 91/30 would work!Depends upon the wallet size and the level of masochism of the former owner, but in general true: I have ben advised against buying a varmit caliber rifle (.22-250 IIRC) just on the GP that it had probably had a bajillion rounds shot at prairie dogs out of it, and likely less maintenance than would be due such a round count.......
Perhaps some have never used a Howa or Weatherby Vanguard (almost the same thing) but they're remarkably well built rifles that within the OP's budget. The stocks they use on the cheaper models are a bit flexy but that can be fixed down the road with an aftermarket stock. Out of the box they're accurate and completely reliable and have decent triggers. The rifle itself will last a lfetime. The Savage 111 with AccuTrigger is no slouch either.
What should be replaced within a year is the bundled scope but even the doesn't need to be radically expensive just good. If you shop well $150 will actually get you a pretty decent scope. But the cheapo that it comes with will get you by to start with.
What should be replaced within a year is the bundled scope but even the doesn't need to be radically expensive just good. If you shop well $150 will actually get you a pretty decent scope. But the cheapo that it comes with will get you by to start with.
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