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Best Hunting Rifle On a very tight budget
- Thread starter NY700
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Re: Best Hunting Rifle On a very tight budget
I know the importance of shot placement. The most recent incident of this was November of last year. I was hunting with my neighbor who is possibly the best hunter I know, and a very good shot with any rifle or bow. I can honestly say the man has brought in 50-60 deer in the 8 or so years I've known or hunted with him. He shot a buck on opening morning of rifle season. Great blood trail. We tracked the blood trail for a day and a half. No deer to be found. Again, this man to me knows the most about tracking game. He made the comment that wasn't the first time he lost one with a .270. A friend of mine from college kept having trouble killing with his .270. He always said there wasn't expansion of the bullet after trying multiple types of bullets (Partitions, Core-Lokts, Triple Shocks). I suggested he try a ballistic tips as a last resort. He switched to a .308 and couldn't be happier. I've also hunted with a close friend of the family who talked of 'the best deer cartridge for deer with a flat trajectory and enough energy.' Yeah, he switched to a .30-06 too. Maybe it's just that the seasoned outdoors men from West Virginia I'm speaking of don't know how to place a shot with a .270, but I highly doubt it.
I know the importance of shot placement. The most recent incident of this was November of last year. I was hunting with my neighbor who is possibly the best hunter I know, and a very good shot with any rifle or bow. I can honestly say the man has brought in 50-60 deer in the 8 or so years I've known or hunted with him. He shot a buck on opening morning of rifle season. Great blood trail. We tracked the blood trail for a day and a half. No deer to be found. Again, this man to me knows the most about tracking game. He made the comment that wasn't the first time he lost one with a .270. A friend of mine from college kept having trouble killing with his .270. He always said there wasn't expansion of the bullet after trying multiple types of bullets (Partitions, Core-Lokts, Triple Shocks). I suggested he try a ballistic tips as a last resort. He switched to a .308 and couldn't be happier. I've also hunted with a close friend of the family who talked of 'the best deer cartridge for deer with a flat trajectory and enough energy.' Yeah, he switched to a .30-06 too. Maybe it's just that the seasoned outdoors men from West Virginia I'm speaking of don't know how to place a shot with a .270, but I highly doubt it.
Re: Best Hunting Rifle On a very tight budget
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: NY700</div><div class="ubbcode-body">He is on a real tight budget and everything im stearing him towards if a little pricey. Graham has an icon for sale in the $600 range and that was more than what he was looking for. He is trying to stay around $500 w/ basic glass.</div></div>I don't care if you buy my Icon or not, but get something decent. Because if he buys a piece of junk, with or without junk glass, it will be money squandered: as soon as he buys it the rifle won't be worth a fraction of what he spent. As a friend of mine once said, buying junk is what makes poor people remain poor. I don't know if that's true, but it is food for thought.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: NY700</div><div class="ubbcode-body">He is on a real tight budget and everything im stearing him towards if a little pricey. Graham has an icon for sale in the $600 range and that was more than what he was looking for. He is trying to stay around $500 w/ basic glass.</div></div>I don't care if you buy my Icon or not, but get something decent. Because if he buys a piece of junk, with or without junk glass, it will be money squandered: as soon as he buys it the rifle won't be worth a fraction of what he spent. As a friend of mine once said, buying junk is what makes poor people remain poor. I don't know if that's true, but it is food for thought.
Re: Best Hunting Rifle On a very tight budget
You should be able to pick up a used Remington 700 ADL for around the 300-350 mark. You can adjust the trigger yourself to a very nice pull, or leave it alone. Also with a few around the house items (dremel, JB weld)you can bed it and free float the barrel yourself. Locking lugs can be lapped very easily with some lapping compound (auto parts store). The rifle will be very reliable and accuracy will be great. With whatever money is left, buy as much optic as possible. I have bought several of the older Leupold vari x-ii 3-9 scopes for $150-200 (used) and they make great hunting scopes. Good luck and good shootin!
You should be able to pick up a used Remington 700 ADL for around the 300-350 mark. You can adjust the trigger yourself to a very nice pull, or leave it alone. Also with a few around the house items (dremel, JB weld)you can bed it and free float the barrel yourself. Locking lugs can be lapped very easily with some lapping compound (auto parts store). The rifle will be very reliable and accuracy will be great. With whatever money is left, buy as much optic as possible. I have bought several of the older Leupold vari x-ii 3-9 scopes for $150-200 (used) and they make great hunting scopes. Good luck and good shootin!
Re: Best Hunting Rifle On a very tight budget
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Brandon05_88</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I know the importance of shot placement. The most recent incident of this was November of last year. I was hunting with my neighbor who is possibly the best hunter I know, and a very good shot with any rifle or bow. I can honestly say the man has brought in 50-60 deer in the 8 or so years I've known or hunted with him. He shot a buck on opening morning of rifle season. Great blood trail. We tracked the blood trail for a day and a half. No deer to be found. Again, this man to me knows the most about tracking game. He made the comment that wasn't the first time he lost one with a .270. A friend of mine from college kept having trouble killing with his .270. He always said there wasn't expansion of the bullet after trying multiple types of bullets (Partitions, Core-Lokts, Triple Shocks). I suggested he try a ballistic tips as a last resort. He switched to a .308 and couldn't be happier. I've also hunted with a close friend of the family who talked of 'the best deer cartridge for deer with a flat trajectory and enough energy.' Yeah, he switched to a .30-06 too. Maybe it's just that the seasoned outdoors men from West Virginia I'm speaking of don't know how to place a shot with a .270, but I highly doubt it. </div></div>
I'm sorry but that was a botched shot. If you put a hole in the heart, lungs, or shoulder that deer is going to die. There have been plenty of lost deer with any cartridge you can think of, everybody makes a less than perfect shot from time to time. Some are worse than others though. I could believe triple shocks not expanding in a deer because I've seen them not expand in much larger animals, but the NP or CL not expanding in a deer from 270...BS
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Brandon05_88</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I know the importance of shot placement. The most recent incident of this was November of last year. I was hunting with my neighbor who is possibly the best hunter I know, and a very good shot with any rifle or bow. I can honestly say the man has brought in 50-60 deer in the 8 or so years I've known or hunted with him. He shot a buck on opening morning of rifle season. Great blood trail. We tracked the blood trail for a day and a half. No deer to be found. Again, this man to me knows the most about tracking game. He made the comment that wasn't the first time he lost one with a .270. A friend of mine from college kept having trouble killing with his .270. He always said there wasn't expansion of the bullet after trying multiple types of bullets (Partitions, Core-Lokts, Triple Shocks). I suggested he try a ballistic tips as a last resort. He switched to a .308 and couldn't be happier. I've also hunted with a close friend of the family who talked of 'the best deer cartridge for deer with a flat trajectory and enough energy.' Yeah, he switched to a .30-06 too. Maybe it's just that the seasoned outdoors men from West Virginia I'm speaking of don't know how to place a shot with a .270, but I highly doubt it. </div></div>
I'm sorry but that was a botched shot. If you put a hole in the heart, lungs, or shoulder that deer is going to die. There have been plenty of lost deer with any cartridge you can think of, everybody makes a less than perfect shot from time to time. Some are worse than others though. I could believe triple shocks not expanding in a deer because I've seen them not expand in much larger animals, but the NP or CL not expanding in a deer from 270...BS
Re: Best Hunting Rifle On a very tight budget
Wallyworld 700 package for $390. Savage package for $390. Throw out the scope and buy something else, or simply run the cheapy until he can get a cheap loopy with the warranty.
Wallyworld 700 package for $390. Savage package for $390. Throw out the scope and buy something else, or simply run the cheapy until he can get a cheap loopy with the warranty.
Re: Best Hunting Rifle On a very tight budget
I wouldn't buy a gun from a sporting goods store for a number of articulable and inarticulable reasons, both of which would only bore you.
I would get Graham's Icon. Graham would honor the sale, his word, and even help if needed, and I handled an Icon recently.
While in high school my shooting mentor who'd been on the Allen Military Academy ROTC rifle team, and AMU had collected 750 various guns from first gen Colt SA Army to a rail gun. At age 15 to 25, he'd let me shoot any gun I wanted, load ammo....anything, as long as he could drink Old Charter and Coke and I drive us to range. He'd spot. I'd shoot - from concrete benches, out to 500 meters. He had / has the only full length Metallic Silhouette Range in Louisiana.
The Icon's action, fit and finish seemed like those guns of my mentor's that shot well. Otherwise, your friend could grab a crusty 700 SA at a Pawn Shop stolen from Grandpaw Jones on Mulberry Street, replace the barrel with a new take off from here, blast, sand, re-finish the action, bed the stock, glass it with a K-4 Weaver, Weaver rings, Weaver aluminum bases, 2-piece and if the stock looks like it was trampled during the Calgary Stampede, or Festus used on Gunsmoke, sand it 400 and Krylon it Flat-ass Black or Purple Haze with Clear Kote. Degrease and Blue Loc-Tite every screw and bolt on the mounts and stock to action. Adjust the trigger n loctite them too. Float the barrel. Roll out with that and shoot the crap out of it. Let him shoot nothing else. He'll be an expert with by next hunting season if he shoots it 50 rds in every shooting position once monthly, and dry fire every other night. If you custom chamber a barrel do it for a heavy Barnes or ask the hunters. I'm not one. Do this and happy, happy hunting.
In any event, Graham is an expert in rifles and related gear. I know him and have competed and had dinner with him and Anthony's Steak & Seafood in Shrevepatch, Louisiana on December 5, 2009 at 8:00 p.m.
I wouldn't buy a gun from a sporting goods store for a number of articulable and inarticulable reasons, both of which would only bore you.
I would get Graham's Icon. Graham would honor the sale, his word, and even help if needed, and I handled an Icon recently.
While in high school my shooting mentor who'd been on the Allen Military Academy ROTC rifle team, and AMU had collected 750 various guns from first gen Colt SA Army to a rail gun. At age 15 to 25, he'd let me shoot any gun I wanted, load ammo....anything, as long as he could drink Old Charter and Coke and I drive us to range. He'd spot. I'd shoot - from concrete benches, out to 500 meters. He had / has the only full length Metallic Silhouette Range in Louisiana.
The Icon's action, fit and finish seemed like those guns of my mentor's that shot well. Otherwise, your friend could grab a crusty 700 SA at a Pawn Shop stolen from Grandpaw Jones on Mulberry Street, replace the barrel with a new take off from here, blast, sand, re-finish the action, bed the stock, glass it with a K-4 Weaver, Weaver rings, Weaver aluminum bases, 2-piece and if the stock looks like it was trampled during the Calgary Stampede, or Festus used on Gunsmoke, sand it 400 and Krylon it Flat-ass Black or Purple Haze with Clear Kote. Degrease and Blue Loc-Tite every screw and bolt on the mounts and stock to action. Adjust the trigger n loctite them too. Float the barrel. Roll out with that and shoot the crap out of it. Let him shoot nothing else. He'll be an expert with by next hunting season if he shoots it 50 rds in every shooting position once monthly, and dry fire every other night. If you custom chamber a barrel do it for a heavy Barnes or ask the hunters. I'm not one. Do this and happy, happy hunting.
In any event, Graham is an expert in rifles and related gear. I know him and have competed and had dinner with him and Anthony's Steak & Seafood in Shrevepatch, Louisiana on December 5, 2009 at 8:00 p.m.
Re: Best Hunting Rifle On a very tight budget
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Casey Simpson</div><div class="ubbcode-body">...I know him and have competed and had dinner with him and Anthony's Steak & Seafood in Shrevepatch, Louisiana on December 5, 2009 at 8:00 p.m. </div></div>My reputation is that I get around.
Rumors of my having been recently in a town near you are greatly exaggerated!
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Casey Simpson</div><div class="ubbcode-body">...I know him and have competed and had dinner with him and Anthony's Steak & Seafood in Shrevepatch, Louisiana on December 5, 2009 at 8:00 p.m. </div></div>My reputation is that I get around.
Rumors of my having been recently in a town near you are greatly exaggerated!
Re: Best Hunting Rifle On a very tight budget
My suggestion, and it is an oddball one, is to buy a surplus Mosin-Nagant and do a small amount of sporterization to it. Have the receiver drilled and tapped, and put on one of the number of available mounts, with good glass, in good rings, cut the forend down a bit, and I bet you'd be in in it $400 or less all total, even if you had to have the bolt handle bent. S&B makes some accurate factory soft point ammo.
My suggestion, and it is an oddball one, is to buy a surplus Mosin-Nagant and do a small amount of sporterization to it. Have the receiver drilled and tapped, and put on one of the number of available mounts, with good glass, in good rings, cut the forend down a bit, and I bet you'd be in in it $400 or less all total, even if you had to have the bolt handle bent. S&B makes some accurate factory soft point ammo.
Re: Best Hunting Rifle On a very tight budget
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 30378</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Walmart!! They carry several low end Remington 700 models in several calibers with a scope for less than $500. Stay away from the 710 and 770 models. </div></div>
Sure right, there's a Remington 700 chambered in 7mm mag for sale at my local walmart for $397 bucks, and it comes with a cheap Bushnell on it. But for that price you could afford to buy some decent glass.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 30378</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Walmart!! They carry several low end Remington 700 models in several calibers with a scope for less than $500. Stay away from the 710 and 770 models. </div></div>
Sure right, there's a Remington 700 chambered in 7mm mag for sale at my local walmart for $397 bucks, and it comes with a cheap Bushnell on it. But for that price you could afford to buy some decent glass.
Re: Best Hunting Rifle On a very tight budget
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: rth1800</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Buy used and stay away from Savage. JMO </div></div>
I've never seen a Savage that wouldn't shoot. In fact, on our 6-man sniper team, we had 3 Savages running at one time. No problems whatsoever.
Michigan doesn't have a caliber restriction, but you can only use rifles in Zones 1 and 2. We have some monster deer in MI, but they are mostly in Zone 3 where muzzleloaders and slug guns rule.
A .308Win, .243, or 7mm-08 are perfect for anything in the mitten.
I'm going to snag a Savage Axis in 22-250 for woodchucks and 'yotes this spring. Bud's has them for $280 shipped. I don't need a heavy bbl varmint rifle, since I'm not heating a tube up on a p-dog town.
I'm NOT buying it at Wal-Mart though. Plenty of good mom & pop gun shops out there that could use the business.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: rth1800</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Buy used and stay away from Savage. JMO </div></div>
I've never seen a Savage that wouldn't shoot. In fact, on our 6-man sniper team, we had 3 Savages running at one time. No problems whatsoever.
Michigan doesn't have a caliber restriction, but you can only use rifles in Zones 1 and 2. We have some monster deer in MI, but they are mostly in Zone 3 where muzzleloaders and slug guns rule.
A .308Win, .243, or 7mm-08 are perfect for anything in the mitten.
I'm going to snag a Savage Axis in 22-250 for woodchucks and 'yotes this spring. Bud's has them for $280 shipped. I don't need a heavy bbl varmint rifle, since I'm not heating a tube up on a p-dog town.
I'm NOT buying it at Wal-Mart though. Plenty of good mom & pop gun shops out there that could use the business.
Re: Best Hunting Rifle On a very tight budget
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Brandon05_88</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I know the importance of shot placement. The most recent incident of this was November of last year. I was hunting with my neighbor who is possibly the best hunter I know, and a very good shot with any rifle or bow. I can honestly say the man has brought in 50-60 deer in the 8 or so years I've known or hunted with him. He shot a buck on opening morning of rifle season. Great blood trail. We tracked the blood trail for a day and a half. No deer to be found. Again, this man to me knows the most about tracking game. He made the comment that wasn't the first time he lost one with a .270. A friend of mine from college kept having trouble killing with his .270. He always said there wasn't expansion of the bullet after trying multiple types of bullets (Partitions, Core-Lokts, Triple Shocks). I suggested he try a ballistic tips as a last resort. He switched to a .308 and couldn't be happier. I've also hunted with a close friend of the family who talked of 'the best deer cartridge for deer with a flat trajectory and enough energy.' Yeah, he switched to a .30-06 too. Maybe it's just that the seasoned outdoors men from West Virginia I'm speaking of don't know how to place a shot with a .270, but I highly doubt it. </div></div>
You are hereby nominated for the most preposterous post thus far for 2011. Common sense tells us anyone in their right mind could drop a deer in their tracks with a 270 Win. I'll put my money on the seasoned outdoorsmen from West Virginia that you mention not knowing how to accurately place their shots, lacking proper bullet placement, shooting too far, lacking competance and common sense, etc.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Brandon05_88</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I know the importance of shot placement. The most recent incident of this was November of last year. I was hunting with my neighbor who is possibly the best hunter I know, and a very good shot with any rifle or bow. I can honestly say the man has brought in 50-60 deer in the 8 or so years I've known or hunted with him. He shot a buck on opening morning of rifle season. Great blood trail. We tracked the blood trail for a day and a half. No deer to be found. Again, this man to me knows the most about tracking game. He made the comment that wasn't the first time he lost one with a .270. A friend of mine from college kept having trouble killing with his .270. He always said there wasn't expansion of the bullet after trying multiple types of bullets (Partitions, Core-Lokts, Triple Shocks). I suggested he try a ballistic tips as a last resort. He switched to a .308 and couldn't be happier. I've also hunted with a close friend of the family who talked of 'the best deer cartridge for deer with a flat trajectory and enough energy.' Yeah, he switched to a .30-06 too. Maybe it's just that the seasoned outdoors men from West Virginia I'm speaking of don't know how to place a shot with a .270, but I highly doubt it. </div></div>
You are hereby nominated for the most preposterous post thus far for 2011. Common sense tells us anyone in their right mind could drop a deer in their tracks with a 270 Win. I'll put my money on the seasoned outdoorsmen from West Virginia that you mention not knowing how to accurately place their shots, lacking proper bullet placement, shooting too far, lacking competance and common sense, etc.
Re: Best Hunting Rifle On a very tight budget
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Jayman_10X</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Brandon05_88</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I know the importance of shot placement. The most recent incident of this was November of last year. I was hunting with my neighbor who is possibly the best hunter I know, and a very good shot with any rifle or bow. I can honestly say the man has brought in 50-60 deer in the 8 or so years I've known or hunted with him. He shot a buck on opening morning of rifle season. Great blood trail. We tracked the blood trail for a day and a half. No deer to be found. Again, this man to me knows the most about tracking game. He made the comment that wasn't the first time he lost one with a .270. A friend of mine from college kept having trouble killing with his .270. He always said there wasn't expansion of the bullet after trying multiple types of bullets (Partitions, Core-Lokts, Triple Shocks). I suggested he try a ballistic tips as a last resort. He switched to a .308 and couldn't be happier. I've also hunted with a close friend of the family who talked of 'the best deer cartridge for deer with a flat trajectory and enough energy.' Yeah, he switched to a .30-06 too. Maybe it's just that the seasoned outdoors men from West Virginia I'm speaking of don't know how to place a shot with a .270, but I highly doubt it. </div></div>
You are hereby nominated for the most preposterous post thus far for 2011. Common sense tells us anyone in their right mind could drop a deer in their tracks with a 270 Win. I'll put my money on the seasoned outdoorsmen from West Virginia that you mention not knowing how to accurately place their shots, lacking proper bullet placement, shooting too far, lacking competance and common sense, etc. </div></div>
Or sometimes $#!+ just happens. It's the nature of killing stuff, or not. It could happen with any caliber.
We've all seen weird stuff happen. I was turning ground squirrels inside out with a .204. This one however, the bullet went in and appeared to stop against the inside of the shoulder blade causing minimal damage (other than killing it). This at inside 100 yards. It's just one of those things that make you go hmmm. I'm sure I could think of several others.
I vote Savage/Vortex. Or, I got one of the Nitrex scopes for a great price at Natchez and really like it so far.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Jayman_10X</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Brandon05_88</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I know the importance of shot placement. The most recent incident of this was November of last year. I was hunting with my neighbor who is possibly the best hunter I know, and a very good shot with any rifle or bow. I can honestly say the man has brought in 50-60 deer in the 8 or so years I've known or hunted with him. He shot a buck on opening morning of rifle season. Great blood trail. We tracked the blood trail for a day and a half. No deer to be found. Again, this man to me knows the most about tracking game. He made the comment that wasn't the first time he lost one with a .270. A friend of mine from college kept having trouble killing with his .270. He always said there wasn't expansion of the bullet after trying multiple types of bullets (Partitions, Core-Lokts, Triple Shocks). I suggested he try a ballistic tips as a last resort. He switched to a .308 and couldn't be happier. I've also hunted with a close friend of the family who talked of 'the best deer cartridge for deer with a flat trajectory and enough energy.' Yeah, he switched to a .30-06 too. Maybe it's just that the seasoned outdoors men from West Virginia I'm speaking of don't know how to place a shot with a .270, but I highly doubt it. </div></div>
You are hereby nominated for the most preposterous post thus far for 2011. Common sense tells us anyone in their right mind could drop a deer in their tracks with a 270 Win. I'll put my money on the seasoned outdoorsmen from West Virginia that you mention not knowing how to accurately place their shots, lacking proper bullet placement, shooting too far, lacking competance and common sense, etc. </div></div>
Or sometimes $#!+ just happens. It's the nature of killing stuff, or not. It could happen with any caliber.
We've all seen weird stuff happen. I was turning ground squirrels inside out with a .204. This one however, the bullet went in and appeared to stop against the inside of the shoulder blade causing minimal damage (other than killing it). This at inside 100 yards. It's just one of those things that make you go hmmm. I'm sure I could think of several others.
I vote Savage/Vortex. Or, I got one of the Nitrex scopes for a great price at Natchez and really like it so far.
Re: Best Hunting Rifle On a very tight budget
Prolly too much gun, however My wife got me a christmass present from WalMart. 300 Weatherby Mag(vanguard) and Simmons 3x9x50 and scoperings to match. All Total $550.
Not a Vanguard fanatic but this riffle is damn good for a Walmart special. Keeps 3 shots at 200 yrds in under a inch. 5 shots in 1.8 inch(is a cold bore gun). The scope is well good for a hunting scope. Comes back to center on a box test. I have also taken it off did 4 consecitive 3ft drop tests re mounted it and was almost(think I miss allighned it) still sighted in. but good enough for a $500 set and hunt gun.
Walmart might be the way to go. He might be intrested in Browning A-bolt or the Ruger bolt. Decent hunting riffles as well.
Yes I will put better optics on this riffle and put a test to its range accuracy.
Prolly too much gun, however My wife got me a christmass present from WalMart. 300 Weatherby Mag(vanguard) and Simmons 3x9x50 and scoperings to match. All Total $550.
Not a Vanguard fanatic but this riffle is damn good for a Walmart special. Keeps 3 shots at 200 yrds in under a inch. 5 shots in 1.8 inch(is a cold bore gun). The scope is well good for a hunting scope. Comes back to center on a box test. I have also taken it off did 4 consecitive 3ft drop tests re mounted it and was almost(think I miss allighned it) still sighted in. but good enough for a $500 set and hunt gun.
Walmart might be the way to go. He might be intrested in Browning A-bolt or the Ruger bolt. Decent hunting riffles as well.
Yes I will put better optics on this riffle and put a test to its range accuracy.
Re: Best Hunting Rifle On a very tight budget
I'd look around in the pawn shops and ignore the price tags. When a pawn shop takes in a firearm they only give pennies on the dollar, but are usually required to hold on to the firearm for a specified period of time before they can sell it. By the time they can sell it, they are usually looking to move it. Make them an offer. You'd be surprised at what they would take for a nice rig.
If you just have to buy new, I really don't think that the Stevens 200 gets the attention that it deserves. It might be a name thing. It's essentially a Savage without the Accu-trigger. I know that many here are, to an extent, optics snobs, but I know lots of guys that have bagged MANY deer using a cheapie 3-9X40 Bushnell.
I'd look around in the pawn shops and ignore the price tags. When a pawn shop takes in a firearm they only give pennies on the dollar, but are usually required to hold on to the firearm for a specified period of time before they can sell it. By the time they can sell it, they are usually looking to move it. Make them an offer. You'd be surprised at what they would take for a nice rig.
If you just have to buy new, I really don't think that the Stevens 200 gets the attention that it deserves. It might be a name thing. It's essentially a Savage without the Accu-trigger. I know that many here are, to an extent, optics snobs, but I know lots of guys that have bagged MANY deer using a cheapie 3-9X40 Bushnell.
Re: Best Hunting Rifle On a very tight budget
I'd look around for a good used older Rem 700 ADL in 308Win. I'd then look around for a used Leupold Vari-XII. That settup will kill ever deer under 200yds and will cost less than your $600.
I'd look around for a good used older Rem 700 ADL in 308Win. I'd then look around for a used Leupold Vari-XII. That settup will kill ever deer under 200yds and will cost less than your $600.
Re: Best Hunting Rifle On a very tight budget
Have him grab a Marlin XL7 or XS7 in any of the calibers offered. There really isn't a bad choice in there. The Marlin is basically a Stevens with an added adjustable trigger. Just a quality rifle with no frills, but options many would add anyways, like the adjustable trigger and a good recoil pad. He can take his pick of scopes.
If he doesn't want, or wouldn't take the time or money to add an adjustable trigger, the Stevens would save a little money.
Any rack of used rifles at a pawn or gun store will hold a bunch of gems, too. Anything from Savage, Stevens, and Remington (with the exception of 710/770...) should be fine and reasonably priced. With a little bit of cleaning and attention to detail to clean up issues, most used rifles will shoot just fine.
Have him grab a Marlin XL7 or XS7 in any of the calibers offered. There really isn't a bad choice in there. The Marlin is basically a Stevens with an added adjustable trigger. Just a quality rifle with no frills, but options many would add anyways, like the adjustable trigger and a good recoil pad. He can take his pick of scopes.
If he doesn't want, or wouldn't take the time or money to add an adjustable trigger, the Stevens would save a little money.
Any rack of used rifles at a pawn or gun store will hold a bunch of gems, too. Anything from Savage, Stevens, and Remington (with the exception of 710/770...) should be fine and reasonably priced. With a little bit of cleaning and attention to detail to clean up issues, most used rifles will shoot just fine.
Re: Best Hunting Rifle On a very tight budget
For optics I would look at the bushnell 3200 4x12-40AO, Cabelas has them on sale right now for $219 as of yesterday.
For optics I would look at the bushnell 3200 4x12-40AO, Cabelas has them on sale right now for $219 as of yesterday.
Re: Best Hunting Rifle On a very tight budget
I'd look for a Howa/Vanguard special at Walmart. Bed it, float it, and work the trigger. Put a $200 Nikon or Vortex 3-9X40 on it. Most any caliber will work for deer at 200 yards. A 270, 308, or 30-06 will give you a variety of factory ammo to play with. Killing deer is usually the easy part, getting the shot can prove more difficult.
I'd look for a Howa/Vanguard special at Walmart. Bed it, float it, and work the trigger. Put a $200 Nikon or Vortex 3-9X40 on it. Most any caliber will work for deer at 200 yards. A 270, 308, or 30-06 will give you a variety of factory ammo to play with. Killing deer is usually the easy part, getting the shot can prove more difficult.
Re: Best Hunting Rifle On a very tight budget
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: NY700</div><div class="ubbcode-body">So guys I have been trying to help out my brother in law. he is looking for a bolt gun for whitetail hunting in Michigan so realistic range is 200yds and under. He is on a real tight budget and everything im stearing him towards if a little pricey. Graham has an icon for sale in the $600 range and that was more than what he was looking for. He is trying to stay around $500 w/ basic glass. Any ideas, I'm not well versed in available firearms in that price range. </div></div>
If you are going to help out your BiL find out more info first...where is he going to be hunting, is he a beginner, has he had any rifle experience, etc.
The best reply I saw here thus far was the suggestion of a .30-30 lever action, from a pawn shop, you did not state he had exacting requirements.
Also if he has good eyesight he doesn't need, or have to have a scope, allow him (or have him learn from a well seasoned hunter how) to really "learn" to hunt.
All you are getting here at this point from what you've asked are aimless suggestions.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: NY700</div><div class="ubbcode-body">So guys I have been trying to help out my brother in law. he is looking for a bolt gun for whitetail hunting in Michigan so realistic range is 200yds and under. He is on a real tight budget and everything im stearing him towards if a little pricey. Graham has an icon for sale in the $600 range and that was more than what he was looking for. He is trying to stay around $500 w/ basic glass. Any ideas, I'm not well versed in available firearms in that price range. </div></div>
If you are going to help out your BiL find out more info first...where is he going to be hunting, is he a beginner, has he had any rifle experience, etc.
The best reply I saw here thus far was the suggestion of a .30-30 lever action, from a pawn shop, you did not state he had exacting requirements.
Also if he has good eyesight he doesn't need, or have to have a scope, allow him (or have him learn from a well seasoned hunter how) to really "learn" to hunt.
All you are getting here at this point from what you've asked are aimless suggestions.
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