Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Suggestions for sub-$500 rifle for elk

Posting this for a friend working in Afghanistan . . .

Anyone got any suggestions for a good bolt rifle for about less than $500-new that would be a good all-around rifle for white-tail deer through elk. He wants something that would be relatively light for hunting elk in the mountains of Colorado, but he would also use it for the local white-tails. Either synthetic or wood stock and either stainless steel or regular steel options would be fine.

For caliber, I was thinking he should get something good for elk (like a .300 Win. Mag or .300 WSM), and then just use it on the white-tails, too.

And, he's a lefty.

TIA.

--shinbone

Get him a used REM700 in 30-06 and go hunting. I saw one in GA here for $300. Throw a Leupold VXI 2-7 on it and he's good to go...

Here is one on Gunbroker.
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=147634070

RH

buy a savage i would suggest 300wsm personally.

Vanguard in 300 Roy

Find a tikka t3 30-06 in excellent shape should be able to find one for $500 and less used.165 gr accubonds will do anything you need to do.

Used/new 30-06 or 308 of some stripe.

Ruger would suit me.

I'd second the 300 Weatherby in a Vanguard.

Remington 798 in 30-06. NIB < $500. Mauser action. Nice laminate stock. Great value IMHO.

Thanks for all the suggestions. BTW, it is $500 for the rifle.

I deleted my post because I went back and reread your original, and you mentioned he was a southpaw. Neither rifle I suggested is available in left hand.

Durn post wasn't up but for just a couple of minutes, you are quick.

I bought an as NIB Rem SPS SS with a Nikon 3x9x40 on gunbroker for 525 bucks to my door, hard to beat......

Lots have had great things to say about the new Marlin. Think it's the XL7?? 30-06.

Looks like alota gun for $300 bones. Then grab a VX-1 or a Weaver 6X!

http://www.shootingtimes.com/longgun_reviews/ST_Marlinxl7_200804/

If you'll be hunting more deer than elk a 270 would fit the bill.

like I said top with a VX-1 or a Weaver and for $500 bucks your hunting!

My youngest "thinks" he wants to hunt. So I see the marlin in either the 25-06 or 270 and maybe the 308 as a cheap way to find out if he really wants to hunt or not. I'll buy a used Weaver 6X and be in it for less than $400bucks. I believe they shoot great. Great trigger and a stock that is much better than the [bleep] they have on the Savage.

+1 on Brad's advice. Don't turn down a .270.

When I was doing the same thing for my brother, I got him a bottom of the line M700 in 30-06, and put a Leupold 2-7 on it.

If the focus is on function, the options for a sub-$500 elk rifle are almost unlimited.

On the low end of new but very functional are the Stevens rifles for $289 or there about. The Savage .30-06 I gave to my son-in-law as a wedding present was $299 new. On the used market you can find many very good rifles for $350.

You need a scope and used rifles will often come with a functional scope. The first twenty years I hunted elk with my Ruger M77 in 7mm RM and a Bushnell Sportview 3-9x. I think I paid $39 for the scope in 1982. Never liked it, but that scope served very well and never cost me an animal.

One of my favorite scopes these days is a Burris Fullfield II 3-9x with Ballistic Plex reticle. You can buy them for under $175 at �Buy it now� prices on eBay.

I know you said new, and your best bet would be a Vanguard or Howa or T/C Venture. But I would go used on a Ruger or Remington.

If it's got to be new, you're talking about a Savage or Stevens or such. If he's willing to go used, he can get a better grade of rifle, some of which will be in surprisingly good condition. You will seldom find any "steals" in a pawn shop or at a gun show however. Those folks aren't in business to save you money.
Estate sales or private sales can be a good opportunity. I've never used any of the online gun auctions but have heard you can get some good deals there.
I would want to know the history of any magnum before I bought it for fear that the throat might be gone.

Again, thanks for all the suggestions.

I know there are some great used rifles out there, but a new rifle is preferred just to avoid the potential hassle of buying someone's problem rifle.

--shinbone

+1 on the Weatherby Vanguard/Howa. The .300 WBY is perfect, but the cost of factory ammo is about x3 over .30-06. I have read very reports on the Marlin XL7. I see them on sale in the $270 range. Good luck.