what rifle for under $400

S

scottaz

Inactive
I am looking for my fist centerfire rifle. I Already decided on .270 Win. as the caliber, unless you have better choice. Will probably used to hunt javelina on up to whatever. What rifle to get? I have been looking at the model 70 they have at walmart with scope for $350. Scope is junk but i will take it off and put on 22 or airgun, because I already have scope.Thanks in advance!

scott
 
My local Wal Mart has the Savage "package deal" rifles in .243/.270/or 30-06 for $362.00.These come with 3x9x32 scope that can be replaced also.
 
Since you have a scope I would avoid the package guns. You can get a nicer rifle on its own without paying for the scope that you don't need. I'd go Remington ADL or with a nice Savage. I saw a deluxe Savage in .270 at a store for $399! It had the nice wood on it, I was really surprised at the price. The .270 is a great caliber and I don't think you can go wrong with it. But I wouldn't rule out a good Marlin 336 in 30/30 Win. You could get one and put some Ashley sights on it and be set up for a total cost of around $400. I've never been javelina hunting so I won't pretend that I have personal experience. But if I ever went after some javelina and I opened my gunsafe, the .270 would stay at home and I would bring my Marlin. But that's just me ;)

Dan
 
Since you have a long way to go in developing ultimate skills, you would limit your shooting distances to your present skill-levels: Around 200 yards, max, when using a rest of some sort.

This means that any rifle which will shoot around one MOA to 1.5 MOA will do just fine. There are very few rifles which won't do this well. To me, then, the decision about brand should have more importance attached as to fit and feel--the subjective side of the argument which really says, "A happy shooter is a better shooter."

I suggest checking out a gun show or two and look for a good used .270 without a scope. See if you can find one for around $250-$300 or so; they're out there. Just a budget-protecting suggestion...

If you stay within your limitations, you can take most anything in Arizona.

:), Art
 
Having owned one, I can vouch for the Remington 700s. Mine was .30-06, but you can get the .270. Good quality, good finish, decent trigger. Accuracy on my .30-06 was 1/2 MOA or so -- I could shoot under 2" groups at 300+ yards (with a scope). More practically, it dropped a mule deer with one shot at about 250 yards.

I've known other folks with 700s and don't recall any complaints about them.
 
Just picked up a Savage package from a local dealer, his source had upgraded the scope to a 3-9x40 Tasco, included a hard case and sling for $390.
 
I'd go with a Remington 700 or a Savage 110. Stay away from the Remington 710. I vhandled one at the local shop and I didn't like the feel of it at all.
 
Scott,
Not to take away from the .270, I haven't a clue what it is.
But let me tell you a little story.
Years and years ago I was buying a Motorcycle and it was a toss up between a Honda 500 CB what ever and the Yamaha XS1100 Specail...The added wieght scared me with the bigger bike. Well a buddy and also my boss told me this......Get the one you wont have to replace next year, I bought the bigger one :D I Also took a lot of money from guys that "THOUGHT" they had fast bikes.

This is a starter rifle.....you have the scope, start shopping for a Savage 10FP in .308 and send me a thank you card in heaven when you need a Remington 700PSS cause it will take you that long to beat the rifle.
Howa 1500 Varmint in .308 is great for the price as well.
But I would go .308 and keep thing simple.....Price the ammo, 300 rounds for $40.00 from www.aimsurplus.com or you can buy commercail stuff in .270 for what $10-$15 for 20....

Granted the Surplus isn't the greatest but it gets you trigger time and you can start reloading if you want your groups to shrink. Savage 10FP is supposed to be an MOA rifle out of the box. Mine in in route and a new stock as well.

Just an opinion.

Karsten
 
pick up a pristine condition m-38 sweedish mauser and have the reviever drilled and tapped. fairly cheap military surplus is available, usually around 8-9bucks a box, I personally prefer the 264 diameter bullets, factory ammo will cost the same, you get higher select density(penitration) and balistic coeficient(range)within the same bullet weight vs, the 270, though the 270 can use heavier bullets, ( on the other hand the 264 diameter 6.5x55 sweedish mauser cartrige can use lighter bullets than a 270 if varmiting is ever going to come into the equasion). accuracy with sweedish mausers is usually in the 1-1.5 moa range with factory ammo, usually on par with out of box non heavy barreled sporter rifles, sometimes better depending on the barrel condition(and manufacturer). It'll do every thing you want, and more. Not anything against a remington or savage, outstanding guns, but in my experience sweedish mausers are at least as accurate as a savage and well put togeather as a remington, for quite a bit less in price. this does not hold true for all mausers, the sweeds just knew what they were doing when they built them (BTW finnish M-39 moisan nagant rifles are great too, 7.62x54 fmj runs about 95 bucks per 1000 rounds, soft points available for hunting)
 
Definately The Swede!

You'll have to excuse me Bullfrog, but I would bet the farm that a good Swede is a heck of alot better in quality than a Rem or Savage. Not that I have anything against those guns, they're great! About a month ago I purchased a Swede M/96 in like new condition for 295 bucks. The quality far surpasses anything I have EVER SEEN in an equivalent American commercial gun. It is also every bit as accurate as a commercial gun. Anyway, just my .02 !
MO JENKINS
 
i have the same feeling for the swede's, but i figured if i said they were the greatest thing since sliced bread, i'd get flamed from here to next week. Honestly remingtons and savages are outstanding guns, but i don't beleive that the bueatyful chromed bolt and mile deep blueing job on a swede will ever be topped by any gun not of custom gunsmithing origin.
 
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