Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Best Entry Level Rifle

Looking for an economic deer rifle. I know that this has been hashed out before, but now there are new entries. So, what's the one to buy - The new Remington, the Marlin, The Ruger, or the Savage? Leaning toward the Marlin x7 and it seems a little cheaper than the others.

Second hand.

why not go to a big box store and have the clerk lay out the various choices. handle and mount each one and one will probably say, take me home with you.
I would suggest avoiding kits or combo sets. the rifle may be okay but usually the scope is bottom drawer. but then, if you're just interested in going out and killing something a couple of times a year, you don't have to have a scope that cost more than the rifle.

the marlin is probably the best blend of all the best features. it's also made right here and very affordable.

besides that. personal preference is important. go handle each of them, i'm sure you can't go wrong.

This, by far.

Avoid the cheap crap. Buy a quality rifle, used.

Boat paddle rruger, .270.. around $350 used in good shape at your local pawn shop. Fill it with blue box federals and kill the chit outta deer.

For around $580, a tikka T3 in various chamberings will shoot great without any fuss.

Several Years Ago, I Bought My Best Buddy A Stevens 200 In The Vulnerable And Weak .270. Been A Great Rifle For Him.

Used 700

Stevens or Marlin are the best bets in my experience.

You can almost always find a Howa or Vanguard for less than 4 bills at some of the bigger stores. I think they offer a lot for the money, though there are lighter options.

Tough to go wrong with a used Ruger though.

I'd be all over the used Ruger m77 idea if you can find one for around $400.00. I happen to know where a nice boat paddle '06 is for about that too...Next option I'd opt for would probably be a stevens 200 or maybe TC venture....

Yep, same price as stuff that is built cheap to start with..and a hell of a lot better quality.

held a model 783 remington today. not a bad rifle at all. way nicer than the stevens and mossberg and even axis.

I like the Marlin X7. It is light and they shoot well. It seems as well built as a Stevens or Savage 10.

A used Remington 700 would be a better choice.

If you are not familar with rifles and know what to look for or have a mentor to help you out, I'd avoid a used rifle. The fact that it's used doesn't mean it's better; it merely means someone else has owned it. how they used or abused it is a mystery unless you know what to look for. the previous owner(s) sold it for some reason.

I have had a few youngster ask me this and I always recommended they go buy one of those cheaper Savage combos.

In their 30's now, most are still using them.
You don't need a$220-$300 scope on a gun to start off with and most of the Savages are one of the most accurate rifles right out of the box.
I killed a heck of a lot of deer with an $18 Bushnell Banner scope.

Buying used is not bad advice if you know what you are looking at, but if you happen to pickup someone's reject who sent it down the road because it would not shoot straight, you are in for a lot of heart ache.

Mossberg rifle should be listed to choose from. As for me, own several Marlin rifles, a 7mm-08. 25-06, 308, and they have been decently accurate rifles for me. I own a Savage Axis and would not recommend it...I'd buy another Stevens 200 instead. Ruger Americans seem to be pretty decent too and would have bought one to try, but just don't need or want cartridges its presently available in.

I have eight of the Marlin X guns and think that they are the best of the current entry level CF rifles. Whoever designed the X guns took that best features of the proven Savage 110 series and improved the looks of the action and the ergs of the stock.

One of my XS7s has been rebarreled with a 1-9" Stevens 200 barrel that has been rechambered in 22-250. This rifle is very accurate and has accounted for four whitetail does with four shots at ranges out to 200+/- yards. As a group, the Marlin X guns have been among the most accurate, out of the box, CF rifles that I have owned. That said, all of my X guns were made by Marlin before they were bought by the umbrella company that owns Remington. The more recent Marlins are reputed to have serious QC issues, but I have no direct experience of that nature.

Rem ADL $379 at Academy. Our local store has all the long action calibers including 7 Mag and had a 308. I think the 243 would be perfect or maybe a 7-08.

Ruger M77's are tougher'n woodpecker lips and there are a lot of great used ones out there for good prices. You can damn near beat a rhino or hippo to death with a boatpaddle stocked 77 and it'll be none the worse for wear. And the new Ruger American's are available for, usually, a little cheaper than used 77's, and they are terrific shooters, right out of the box. And the actions on most of 'em are slicker'n snot on a glass door knob.

If'n you can't afford one of the Rugers, then used Savage 110's or 111's can be had really cheap and Stevens 200's (which are same as pre-Accu Trigger 110's) can be had even cheaper. With a little cleanup of molding lines on the stock and adjustment of the trigger, those Stevens 200's are great shooters and handle pretty good too.