Pathfinder45
New member
The advantages of a new, current production rifle include being able to purchase what you want, on demand, and probably a warranty. But there are a whole lot of decent 2nd hand bolt-action rifles out there, predominately in 30-'06 and 270 Winchester, at a substantial savings over a new rifle, plus the sticker price is very often negotiable. Oftentimes, a used rifle may have a decent scope on it as well. Maybe you could even use the AR as a trade in....
Don't mind me on that point; I just don't give a darn about AR's. For me, it's more interesting shopping around for older rifles than new ones, and I've gone both ways. With new rifles, you need to know what you want and be willing to pay the price. Budgets work much better on the used market where anything can happen and everything is negotiable. I know some people have a mental block when it comes to haggling, and they just can't do it. But there are friendly ways to haggle. There must be a million used bolt-action rifles out there for sale in 30-'06, alone. And nearly as many 270's. Even with your budget, I would certainly find a rifle that I liked that would be better than your budget would expect. I would probably end up with a push-feed model 70 Winchester from the 1970's with a Walnut stock. I mention 270's because they are as common as the 30-'06, the ammo is everywhere and costs the same and does the same job. If you shop the used market with no preference between 30-'06 and 270, it effectively doubles the market.
Good luck in your quest.
Don't mind me on that point; I just don't give a darn about AR's. For me, it's more interesting shopping around for older rifles than new ones, and I've gone both ways. With new rifles, you need to know what you want and be willing to pay the price. Budgets work much better on the used market where anything can happen and everything is negotiable. I know some people have a mental block when it comes to haggling, and they just can't do it. But there are friendly ways to haggle. There must be a million used bolt-action rifles out there for sale in 30-'06, alone. And nearly as many 270's. Even with your budget, I would certainly find a rifle that I liked that would be better than your budget would expect. I would probably end up with a push-feed model 70 Winchester from the 1970's with a Walnut stock. I mention 270's because they are as common as the 30-'06, the ammo is everywhere and costs the same and does the same job. If you shop the used market with no preference between 30-'06 and 270, it effectively doubles the market.
Good luck in your quest.