Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles What to buy in a Budget Rifle

Looking at the idea of spending $3-$400 net net in a "budget" rifle in something beside a Ruger American. RAR's jusr leave me cold about like a Remmy 710.

The Howa deal at Whittakers comes to mind, and I got a EMail blast recently from the guys in Abilene for a Rebate deal on AB III's with the usual limited amount of inventory that both IMO are a much better rifle than a RAR.

What would ya'll buy in a do all everyday shooter 'tween those 2 ... or is there a better something out there I'm missing in the designated price range. Most likely will be a 7mm something or even a 270, since I've been shooting them since 1969.
Ron .

Savage

+1 on Savage.

Check out the Savage 11 and 111 specials on cdnnsports.com. $349 to $350 with Bushnell Trophy scope. Not a great scope but better than I used for the first 20+ years.

Never had a Savage that didn't shoot. If you shoot the barrel out you can replace it yourself with a barrel wrench and go-nogo gages.

cdnnsports.com also has Ruger Hawkeyes for $449 to $499 in useful cartridge chamberings: .22-250, .270, .280, .308, .30-06, ..300RCM, .338RCM, .338WM.

Can't disagree with a Savage.

On a $400 budget, I'd buy a Howa 1500 from Whittaker's and a Weatherby V2 take-off stock wherever I could find one.

Or, I'd look for a lightly used Marlin XL7 on GB.

EDIT: There is a NIB Marlin XL7 in 270 currently on GB with a buy now price of $400 shipped, $365 + $35..

Whittaker's has a few different calibers in Remington M700 SPS for $399.

You know, it's really a good problem to have a lot of serviceable budget rifles to choose from. I like the SPS at Whittaker for $399. 7mm-08 at that. The CDNN Savage Combo is a great deal, especially if you think you could use the scope.

Ruger American Predator 6.5 Creedmoor, easy MOA gun and it's like a blank canvas for CereKoting any colors you want.

BUT since you are not a fan, look at the new Thompson Center Compass, 5r barrel,

don't scrimp on optics, more important than budget shoppers realize. Same with triggers

If it was me, I'd go slightly more and get a Tikka. They have been great shooters for me without any drama.

One of my savages may be the first rifle I ever sell. Leupold doesn't fit, rings cantalevered over magazine. Ftf about every 150 rounds. Bolt passes over round once in awhile.

Only thing good is you can replace your own barrel. But with the remage nuts you don't need a gun smith.

I'll probably keep my other savage, it's a 243 for coyotes, if it fails, not like a big buck or bear.


Anyone measuring to lands on budget guns? One savage I mrasured, very close. It could be how they are getting accuracy with factory ammo.

Agree about optics. Though I think most of the cheap rifles have triggers around 3.5 and adjustable. I got timneys too.

While I like a light trigger and find value, good trigger operation is fine at closer ranges. Most if us grew up with heavy triggers.

As others have mentioned, find a good used Marlin 7. Heck, there is one in a 30/06 at a pawn shop near me they have marked down to $200 with a Bushnell on it. I see them pretty regularly for around 250. I have been hunting exclusively with my Marlin in a 25/06 for 6 (I think) deer seasons now without a problem.

Keep the ideas coming. I'm learning something about stuff I've ignored for too long. Very aware of and planned to probably buy a Howa from Whittakers, and add the Wby V2 stock to it was the initial plan ... but thought I'd run the idea up the flagpole and see what all else is out there. Interesting that nobody has mentioned the AB III's ...too spendy for this comparison or the price parameters? Bad choice Quality wise?

Still kicking my arse on missing the recent Ruger 280 One Day Sale at CDNN @ $429. Texas's State Sales Tax and shipping is a deal killer for me usually and why I usually buy out of state. My little protest against the Lege for continually robbing the TXParks & Wildlife Dedicated Funding Programs and ignoring the State Parks System's needs and poor state of maintanence while the state's population growth is booming year over year.

Need to go look at the Savage's and Remmy SPS's again. Just seeing enough Browning ABIII's on GB go for cheaper prices than earlier.this year to catch my attention.
Ron

What you should do is handle a bunch. That may eliminate or move some up the list.

Another vote for the Marlin X7. I have one in .30-06 that shoots very well.

Good advice

Palmetto State Armory has Weatherby Vanguards in stainless 30-06 for $400 shipped and blued for $350

UY Thx for that info .... had never looked at that resource...and right down my price line requirements...

Was in a Cabella's in Allen TX north of Dallas last week and could not get waited on with customers standing at the gun case's and Sales folks wandering around like lost children ...got more info from scouring their used rack than anything else..came away after handling a Howa Alpine, that are too spendy for me but the diff X 's a Lightning is bigtime better...even at Cabella's used prices.... 2 1/2+ hours away from me with no Dallas traffic is the problem getting there.
Ron

Vanguard, Axis, American, Thompson, or a good old used win 70 or Remington 700

Walmart 700 ADL combo .270win for $379. Trip the scope/mounts for $40 and send in for the $50 rebate. Even with tax, you're in there at $325 or so. Buy a trigger spring from ErnieTheGunsmith, scrub the bore, snug the screws with the middle one half snug, and go shoot it.