[Twitch2120]

i want some opinions on this. what is a good price range for a hunting rifle? what features? what caliber do you consider an all round game gun for deer and smaller?

i need a hunting rifle. every rifle i own is either a milsurp that i dont trust myself enough with past 50yds without a bench or its become a target rifle. i need a drag through the woods rifle.

rilfes like the mossberg 4x4, marlin x series and savage axis (edge) fall into the $3-400 price range. they seem to offer great value and if it gets banged up then oh well.

rifles like the howa 1500, tikka t3, remmy 700 and win 70 fall in the $5-700 range. offer more features and most with darn good triggers and accuracy guarentees but the price makes me weary about getting it out in the woods.

rifles like kimber, sako and the high end savage and remmy go in the $1000+ range but you are getting just about the best you can buy out of the box. it seems they are worth it except taking $1000 of gun in the woods makes me a bit queasy unless you just dropped 20K on an african safari.

i just dont know what to do. my brain wants to be frugal, my heart wants the best i can buy and my common sense says meet in the middle. just lookin for advice from everyone at G&G who have been out there and done what ive yet to do.

[Oxford]

Remember..."function over form" usally is good advice. Get a gun you're not afraid to shoot or not afraid to use it for rough duty, if required.

After getting guns to use, than look for collectibles. One gun at a time.

Ox

[toolman]

Look on Guns for Sale, Gun Classifieds, Gun Auctions, Shop for Guns at GunsAmerica or Discount Guns for Sale - Buds Gun Shop . You can often find the guns you've listed for a lot less than your stated prices. For the $$$ it's hard to beat the Savage\Stevens line, the Marlin X series, or the Weatherby Vanguard\Howa 1500. These are all very good guns that will allow you to put more money into a good scope and mount.
Another option is to take a look at the used rack at your local gun store or pawn shop. I found my Win 70 in .270 for $279.00 and there wasn't a scratch on it.
The features that I prefer are an appropriate length barrel for your desired caliber and usage, a comfortable yet solid stock, quiet safety, and if possible, a means of unloading the gun without having to cycle the rounds through the gun (my Mod. 70 lacks this feature). An adjustable trigger is a plus but not a deal-breaker as long as it's fairly light and smooth.
Caliber is highly subjective depending on what you want to do with it and what\where you're hunting. I recommend staying with a common caliber to cut ammo costs and increase availability. Think .243, .270. .308, .30-06, etc.
This all depends on what and where you're hunting.

[Rambo]

I bought a used Model 70 30-06, with scope for under $400, at a gun shop. Shoots very well. Find a good, used one.

[Midas]

This is one of those things that is going to come down to personal tastes, we are fortunate to be blessed with a large number of guns and associated equipment that will work very well, and get the job done for many years. My piece of advice is to hit the gun shops, fondle all of the rifles that you are considering purchasing, and shell out the cash for the one that you like best.

[Cyrano]

Milsurp and hunting rifle aren't necessarily mutually exclusive. You want something short enough that will stand up to abuse and is powerful enough to deal with deer and the like. You don't want to spend a fortune, either. My suggestion is to buy a Mosin Nagant Model M38 or Model 91/59 and put a scope on it. Either remove the rear sight and scout-scope it, or buy a jmeck scope mount (my recommendation), bend the bolt handle and put a conventional scope on it. Selliers & Beloit makes a 150 grain softpoint that will work on anything up to a black bear, and you can practice with 150 grain milsurp ammunition.

The posters who have suggested cruising the used-rifle racks are right that if you are patient, you can find a good rifle that will do what you want it to do. I'd suggest looking for something in .308 Win/7.62 NATO. With the loads out there, you can find something that will work for you, I'm sure.

[nathangdad]

The Marlin bolt action rifles are continuing to get great reviews.

My favorite caliber for deer and smaller game is the .243 Winchester. It is also very accurate and retains good accuracy at longer ranges.

Also, I really like the 7mm/08 especially if your game is deer and antelope.

[big shrek]

Quote:       Originally Posted by nathangdad

The Marlin bolt action rifles are continuing to get great reviews. My favorite caliber for deer and smaller game is the .243 Winchester. It is also very accurate and retains good accuracy at longer ranges. Also, I really like the 7mm/08 especially if your game is deer and antelope.

DING DING DING!!!

Correct answer

The Marlin X-7 lines (XL-7/XS-7) are killer deals for low bucks, they start at $299
Best rifle under $1000, IMHO.
Leaves you more money to slap a serious scope on it

"I'll take One-Ragged-Hole rifles at 100 yards, Alex"

[ChaZam]

Twitch, you've named lots of good ones in the $300 - $500 dollar range that perhaps represent the most bang for your buck. I personally have a synthetic stocked/matte blued Weatherby Vanguard in 270 Win. that to me is unsurpassed in performance and quality without spending 2 or 3 times as much money. They are still available in the $400 to $450 dollar range. The stock is perfect for a working pickup/woods gun and the matte finish serves that purpose well also. It has a decent trigger and due to the scope mount interchangability with the Remington 700 scoping them is drop dead easy and inexpensive if you so choose. It will shoot some very respectable groups also with certain ammo.

In that 300-500 dollar range there are many Marlins, Savages, Howas, Weatherbys, Mossbergs, Stevens, etc, that would certainly make a good everyday working gun. Another consideration you might weigh is the many calibers available in the Weatherby, Savage, and The Howa.

[SwedeSteve]

Go with the mid-priced rifles, add a decent scope, and if you are worried about scratching your baby up, put a composite stock on it. Then you can tuck the wood into your closet. Don't be afraid to look at the used ones as well.

[Don357]

You might consider looking into the new Savage Edge. From the write ups and reviews I've read, this seems to be just what you're looking for. Everything I've read has been on the .243, but the atricle also said that other calibers were soon coming.

[runfiverun]

i'm gonna assume you don't re-load. so here goes.
ruger hawkeye synth stainless, and a good scope.
pick a caliber,257 bob,243, 7-08, 260 rem or even the 308.
or just do the walk in a gun store look at the used rifles pick the one that speaks to you and go shoot it till you feel comfortable.

but what do i know i used a 7mm mexican mauser for 15 years or so, then moved on to a 45 colt levergun.
then finally had an 7mm ackley built on a win push feed.
i still take the levergun to beat down brush with.

[BarryHalls]

I've said it before, I'll say it again, you can't beat the 30-06 for versatility. you can find 125gr varmint bullets or 225 grain moose bullets.

I also like the all stainless Remington 700, they are a little pricey but they'll out live you.

If a rifle on the cheap is the deal. . . I like the SKS, ammo is cheap, guns are cheap, they are fine weapons, good and accurate, and can take some abuse.

Besides, the semi auto action counts for a lot on a moving target.

[Deersniper]

I would not buy a Kimber rifle, too many QC problems,

[Jim Rau]

Quote:       Originally Posted by Twitch2120

i want some opinions on this. what is a good price range for a hunting rifle? what features? what caliber do you consider an all round game gun for deer and smaller? i need a hunting rifle. every rifle i own is either a milsurp that i dont trust myself enough with past 50yds without a bench or its become a target rifle. i need a drag through the woods rifle. rilfes like the mossberg 4x4, marlin x series and savage axis (edge) fall into the $3-400 price range. they seem to offer great value and if it gets banged up then oh well. rifles like the howa 1500, tikka t3, remmy 700 and win 70 fall in the $5-700 range. offer more features and most with darn good triggers and accuracy guarentees but the price makes me weary about getting it out in the woods. rifles like kimber, sako and the high end savage and remmy go in the $1000+ range but you are getting just about the best you can buy out of the box. it seems they are worth it except taking $1000 of gun in the woods makes me a bit queasy unless you just dropped 20K on an african safari. i just dont know what to do. my brain wants to be frugal, my heart wants the best i can buy and my common sense says meet in the middle. just lookin for advice from everyone at G&G who have been out there and done what ive yet to do.

I have a 700 Remington (basically a Model 7) youth in 7-08 and I don't think it can get any better than that for deer and down, BUT I just ordered a Marlin 336 XLR in 308 Marlin with a 16.5 inch barrel. I think this will be AWSOME all around deer and hog gun. The SS and gray laminate are down right beautiful (to me anyway)!!!

[WisconsinHunter]

Quote:       Originally Posted by Don357

You might consider looking into the new Savage Edge. From the write ups and reviews I've read, this seems to be just what you're looking for. Everything I've read has been on the .243, but the atricle also said that other calibers were soon coming.

My opinion is that the Marlin series of bolt action rifles blows the Savage Axis (Edge) out of the water....no competition. The Stevens 200 is a good rifle though.

[ChaZam]

Twitch, I was just in my local WalMart and they have a scoped Savage 110 rifle priced at $384.00. The one on display was a 270 Win, but it is available in several calibers according to the salesperson on duty. Not a bad price for decent rifle that you wouldn't worry about knocking around.

[Twitch2120]

for the record i do reload. i want either a .243 or .25-06 for 2 reasons. versatility. the 308 3006 argument is valid but bullet selection is too varied. either the twist is too fast for the light bullets or too slow for the heavies. course i guess a 168 gr amax is ample squirrel bullet. the second reason is recoil. i own a remmy 700 in 300 RUM. if i need a horsepower gun i have one but its not a take it to SD and plink pdogs all day caliber. it also seems overkill for deer.

in lookings i like the 243 if only for its bullet selection. i like options. the 25 cal is a little thinner selection but it has more horsepower. so many selections to choose from. ive got it narrowed to the Tikka T3, Howa 1500 and Marlin XL/S. sad part is i STILL cant find an X gun in stores. the Tikka was silky and quite sexy. the Howa feels robust and the houge stock is the bees knees. the marlin i cant find.

SIGH, the hunt continues.

[Jim Rau]

Quote:       Originally Posted by Twitch2120

for the record i do reload. i want either a .243 or .25-06 for 2 reasons. versatility. the 308 3006 argument is valid but bullet selection is too varied. either the twist is too fast for the light bullets or too slow for the heavies. course i guess a 168 gr amax is ample squirrel bullet. the second reason is recoil. i own a remmy 700 in 300 RUM. if i need a horsepower gun i have one but its not a take it to SD and plink pdogs all day caliber. it also seems overkill for deer. in lookings i like the 243 if only for its bullet selection. i like options. the 25 cal is a little thinner selection but it has more horsepower. so many selections to choose from. ive got it narrowed to the Tikka T3, Howa 1500 and Marlin XL/S. sad part is i STILL cant find an X gun in stores. the Tikka was silky and quite sexy. the Howa feels robust and the houge stock is the bees knees. the marlin i cant find. SIGH, the hunt continues.

You really should reconsider the 243. The 7-08 or the .260 WAY out preform the 243 with very little felt recoil. The 243 'runs out of gas' VERY FAST where as the 120 to 160 gr bullets in the aforementioned calibers do not!!! Just basic physics!

[FortyXDM]

Quote:       Originally Posted by Jim Rau

I have a 700 Remington (basically a Model 7) youth in 7-08 and I don't think it can get any better than that for deer and down, BUT I just ordered a Marlin 336 XLR in 308 Marlin with a 16.5 inch barrel. I think this will be AWSOME all around deer and hog gun. The SS and gray laminate are down right beautiful (to me anyway)!!!

And there you go ! I am offended by SS and synthetics. (hahaha) although I know they are more practical. As Ox and Midas said, you are gonna have to hold em first, do a little research, and then decide. One other thing comes into play here, I think. If you want a large gun collection, budget is usually an issue. If (like me) you want a dozen or so total firearms to cover the "spectrum", then spending a little more for your "medium bore" is easier to take as you feel you are only buying 'once'.

Tom