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.

Some of the least expensive and best shooting rifles I have owned are Savages.

Remington 700 ADL's from Walmart - $379. Toss the scope that comes with it and put on a Leupold VX-1 and you are good to go under $600.

There is nothing under $500 that comes close to the Ruger American and I can buy standard models for under $350 OTD. The Predators are $389 OTD. You won't get a better rifle, but if you just want to spend more money the Savage 10/110 series would be next.

remember,

"you get what you pay for"
"only cry once"


Find you an interest free credit card, and pay it out before they tag you with the interest. help build your credit in the process, be SURE you pay the balance before the deadline though !!!

Jmr just fyi the venture and vanguard select are both under 500 and so is the howa

The Whittaker Howa deals are hard to beat. I like the Howa quality control a little better than Remington these days.

Good advice thus far, but you have to look at the total cost of acquisition. I used to hit the shops weekly hoping to find a firearm that I wanted for $50-75 less than retail. Then I saw how much I was spending on gas that could have gone to guns and ammo. I also realized that I was spending a lot of potential range time driving from shop to shop. I could have just paid the extra coin up front and gone to the range or gone hunting.

You also have to consider the total cost of ownership. I focus on the 308 and 30-06 these days because ammo is cheap and sold everywhere. Over the long haul, you pay a lot more for ammo than you do for the rifle. There are several used Tikkas for sale around here for $400, but they’re all either 270 WSM or 7 WSM. $308 is less than $15/box if you buy online, but the WSMs are $25-26/box. That adds up quickly if you shoot very much. It’s a little different if you handload, but only a little.


Okie John

Depends if you want Jap.

Just make sure you work the safeties on them sumbitches. Some of them are noisy and require 2 hand operation. Ok...only if you're a Yooper but you still should check. You might have to shoot one way out there, like 50 yards. So this stuff is important.

I dunno never shot one so far out.

But I think it us to late, to try making yourself look smart.

Blued Vanguards are little, if any pricier than the Howas sold by Whitakkers, and have a decent stock as is. Lots of cartridge choces too.

Much as I admire the accuracy of out-of-the box RARs, the Howa/Vanguards are made from forgings, have one-piece bolts, excellent hinged floorplates, and nice triggers, all out-of-the-box as well. For a bit more, you get stainless. Traditional construction at a Tupperware price. That may not be a factor for you, but I like it!😛

Blued vanguard is 550.

It shows the 30-06 sold out but they show other calibers left at Palmetto.

http://palmettostatearmory.com/weat...ington-bolt-action-rifle-vgt7m8rr40.html

The PSA deal is about as good as you'll find. Look on the scratch and dent sale vanguard blue synthetic display rifle in 7mm-08. $349 shipped. Dang I'm tempted and I don't need one. A lot of rifle for the $$.

Uh Oh...UY 's secret at PSA is outta the bag...Yup I took notes on the S&D Sale stuff and started the "conversation" at lunch with the BH aka Keeper of the Checkbook. Reminded her I was debt free to the House Acct "at the moment" so whaddabout it & thats a steal of a deal kinda conversation.didn't strike gold just yet, but at least she listened and dinnit walk off at once. Hmmmm May Be a new shooter gonna happen for my September B-Day yet.
Ron

I have 2 savage model 11 223s. They both shoot tiny groups with most loads and I wouldn't hesitate to buy another.

Howa 1500. Nothing else in it's price range is even close.

I have owned two Thompson Center Ventures. Bought the first one in .338 WM as a "back-up gun" to take along in case of a baggage handling mis-hap. Liked it so much I bought a second in .30-06. The .338 was sub-MOA with handloads and the -06 was sub-MOA out of the box with Winchester factory 168gr. Great guns for the money. I think they are going for around $400 new ...

Let's all read that one again.

TC Venture all day long, preferably the Weathershield model. An FFL dealer in PA on Gunbroker has them for $399. American made and a guaranteed 5 shot MOA accuracy. A buddy has 3 (6.5x284, 308 and 338) and they are all one hole rifles (he handloads). I have a 6.5x284 that is a one hole rifle with my buddies handloads (140 Berger or 140 Nosler BT), my 308 is a 3/4'gun.

TC Venture all day long, preferably the Weathershield model. An FFL dealer in PA on Gunbroker has them for $399. American made and a guaranteed 5 shot MOA accuracy. A buddy has 3 (6.5x284, 308 and 338) and they are all one hole rifles (he handloads). I have a 6.5x284 that is a one hole rifle with my buddies handloads (140 Berger or 140 Nosler BT), my 308 is a 3/4'gun.

CDNN has Winchester XPR's with Vias camo stocks for $299 after rebate. They're available in .270, 30-06, 7MM RM, and 300 WM. Never shot one or handled one but it's another inexpensive option.

That said out of everything mentioned I'd go with a Vanguard as I don't care much for plastic parts. A friend of mine had a Vanguard 30-06 from the 70's and aside from the hunting marks it's perfectly functional and in great shape. I have both Vanguards and Howas but prefer the bolt differences on the Vanguard.

CDNN has the Marlin XS-7 in .243 on sale for 239.99. Buy a box of Remington Coreloct 100 grain ammo and it will kill any deer or hog in TX.
https://www.cdnnsports.com/marlin-xs7-243-synthetic.html

I strongly disagree with you statement. I think that the Marlin X guns are superior to the Ruger Americans in stock and magazine design and equally accurate. The powers that be at Freedom Group cut the legs out from under the Marlin X guns, otherwise they would probably be the entry-level market niche leader today.

Jap, Crap, or Portuguese?

Decisions, decisions.

Only one poster had mentioned the T/C Ventures. They're among the most accurate out-of-the-box rifles I've fooled with, with fine triggers that can be adjusted if for some reason you don't like a very crisp 3-pound pull.

It all depends on what other features you want.

I suppose if I had to choose I'd take Portuguese winchester. But given all the American riflrs, I don't think you have to.

I would be looking at 7RemMag in the Ruger 77 series, used on GB. Lots available cheaply.

A nice Ruger Hawkeye in 270, used, just sold today for $400 on GB.

Does how make the Weatherby vanguard?

They make the action.

What is wrong with Japanese rifles other than racial bigotry?

Racial bigotry. But I prefer to support people in the country I live, for selfish reasons. Not like you can't find an affordable American gun.

I like the Remington 783. I work part time in a gun store and we sell Ruger Americans , Savage Axis and Vanguards . A lot of the local ranchers have bought the Remington 783's. Use them all year round to control pigs and coyotes . Once they put on a good scope they are tough rifles.

If they rounded out the corned and trigger Guard I would like the 783. Looks cheap as it is.

I'd rather hunt with a Wham-o slingshot than anything Remington.

I owned a Rem 710 many years ago. I haven't shot a 783 but I did handle one in a store. It's weight and the way it felt, balanced, and shouldered reminded me of why I got rid of the 710. They may have improved the trigger and internals, but I have no interest in one.

I think that when the decision makers at Freedom Group decided to take the X guns away from Marlin and give that market niche to Remington, Remington would have been ahead of the game if they had just changed everything marked "Marlin" to "Remington" and started a new serial number sequence in lieu of developing the ugly as a mud fence 783.

As do I, so long as they make something that meets my requirements and tastes, which increasingly isn't the case with rifles made here, especially in the "affordable" class. MIMed and plastic action parts, cheap plastic magazines, etc, are unacceptable to me, so I don't buy stuff that have them. Some companies, Remington stands out, have consistently produced guns with serious quality and safety issues, and just don't seem to give a rat's ass about it. Ruger 77s are solid rifles with traditional features, and I've bought a couple recently, but they've edged out of the affordable class, except for internet close-outs. The Marlin X guns are decent, and if my money and opportunity align, I might pick one up, but they apparently fell victim to "not invented here" syndrome at the Freedom Group, who dumped them in favor of the Remmy crap specials. Honestly, I can't think of anything I like currently made here that retails for under $800, so in the affordable range, Howa/Vanguards and maybe Tikkas are what I look at. Haven't really checked out the Ventures, but the TC recalls, DMs and the lack of stainless models make them less attractive, the 5R barrels more so. One of those might happen in a moment of weakness.

Not directed at you, but it's funny how many decry foreign rifles, then slap Chinese or Japanese scopes on their American ones.

All my rifles have Leupolds except a Savage that 24 that came with a Nikon. If I keep using it, it will get one. So far just punching paper.

I am not saying Jap rifles are crap. It is just that I work in America, so it benefits me to work in a country that people have money to spend. Also I have dealt with Asain people, pushy culture. I also think the Japanese people have so serious moral flaws. Rape of Nankin. Pearl Habor. China holds human rights violations against Japan, so what does that say?


But in general I try to avoid Chinese products, because I don't want to prop up an enemy of the US. Obviously I can't 100% of the time. But there are more American products made than what lazy people say there is. I will also choose other 3rd world countries over China.


While not an enemy, you can also bring up some of these items with German, after WW1 and 2, and all the Jews they tortured, and they people looked the other way. We do tend too tend to look the other way because they are white. I have German hertigage. But it still crosses my mind


Budget rifles to me are this current crop of $500, Ruger American, Savage 110s, some 700s, and all the others. $800 is not high end, but a step up. Your better 700s and Rugers. I havn't done enough comparing, but I would think you could find a budget American rifle. I also realize sometimes we just want something. I am not saying I toe the line 100%, but I do keep it in sight. I could see Tika/Sako, I got some Finn, and they have not been a problem on the world stage. Plus beat back Russia in the Winter War, were somewhat neutral in WW2 with German, they didn't like the Russians.


But again I believe it is my interest to keep as much money in the US I can, since I live in the US. I am not one of these people who believe it is a global economy. That is for people to lazy to check the level.

Ruger American rifle . Lots I don't like about the darn thing .but hot in in z trade and the SOB works too well will embarrass many a rifle 3x the $$
And I have Howa ( vanguard) mark v 's custom 700'd ,sako, Takkis, savages. You get the idea

Zerk -

Japan has changed a lot since Hirohito and the Imperial Army and Navy sent their "postage stamps" into battle. I don't hold the Japanese people as a whole responsible any more than I hold white people responsible for the slavery and racial repression that preceded them but in which they had no part. It is easy to argue that many American goods are better quality because of foreign competition.

When I bought my Browning .22 Auto back in 1974, people told me I got screwed because it was after the switch from FN to Miroku and mine was Japanese. 43 years and untold thousands of rounds later and the only 'problem' is I've put some scratches in the wood. Dad gave me his Miroku-made Browning B92 lever-action carbine in .44 Mag. I've had it for about 35 years and the only problem is a spot of rust on the steel butt-plate, caused by Dad storing it where the butt-plate got scratched and damp.

The fact is it IS a global economy. If you try to buy a computer without foreign parts you will have a long wait - until one is made, if ever again. Same thing with cars and many other products.

When it comes to firearms, I'm going to buy quality and value. That may mean a new or used Savage or Ruger or Remington or 'Portuguese' Winchester or a Japanese Weatherby or Howa or a European CZ or Sig or Glock or whatever. What I will not do is spend my hard earned money on what I consider a POS just because it says "Made in America".

My S&W Walther had to go back to the factory because of a recall. t seems that if you used the decock safety with a loaded chamber, some would go boom. We all know the stories and many of us have seen the photos of Remington bolt handles coming off, but I've never heard of a Howa bolt coming off. I've also never heard of a Howa having the Remington FOR (Fire On Release) safety problem. My Mossberg shotgun was a POS from day one.

YMMV.

You can play the game I never heard of this brand or that brand having an issue, all day long. I live Mosberg, I ike the the safety location. I do not shoot trap, so I haven't put enough through to really say. But I tend to think they get a bad rap.

The 700 safety, can be debated too. The lawsuits were questionable, as to what realy happened. I have flicked mine off and on, loaded, in a safe direction. I am not
familar withe X trigger recall.

But you can say lots of guns have never had recalls. Which obviously is a good metric, but does it mean a gun that was improved is bad? Obviously it can show poor design standards or pushing a rifle to market to quickly.


As for Japan, they are not that far removed from their war with China. We have a couple generations on them when it comes to slavery. Slavery was normal. I also think when we did it, we didn't full understand that blacks were human, same with Indian. When they took sex slaves from surrounding countries, it was not because they though they were subhuman. Maybe because they thought they were better than them. But mostly they just wanted sex slaves. Which is how I think they see many things still.

In general look how savage or immoral non European based countries are. When I say immoral, I am not talking about watching porn.

As I said I realize I can not by everything American, so please don't waste our time going down a list. But guns are one thing you can buy American. I get it if you want some high end foreign rifle, but are talking budget guns. In my opinion there are alot of American guns for $500 that will do just fine. I do not consider them to be POS, as you say. I am not even sure how you come with such a low rating. Most rifles under a certain price range have nuicances that we do no like, maybe they all do, depending on who you ask.


I do have a CZ over and under, beacuse I wanted a ultralight, and I wasn't seeing that in the price range I was looking at.J Though I tend to grab my Mosberg. I get buying foreign if it fits your need, and nothing else does here. But a bolt action rifle?

Zerk =

I've done enough research on the Remington trigger issue and read enough court documents to believe Remington put profits over customer safety. They are not the first company to do so nor will they be the last. Choose not to believe that if you wish. For the record I currently own three Remington long guns (M700, M700M, 870) and had another M700 I sent down the road to fund an AR.

Most of the people responsible for Japan's actions in China and the Pacific are long dead. The current generations are far removed from the culture that was responsible for those actions. If you want to hold the current generations responsible you must also hold yourself responsible for American slavery. "Separate but equal" never was equal and wasn't that long ago. I'm old enough to remember it.

As to American guns, most of mine are. High Standard. Kimber. Ruger. Savage. Marlin. Remington. Ithaca. Aero. Kimber. S&W. Thompson Center. Rock River. Pioneer (Stevens). Iver Johnson. My Browning Buckmark and BDM. Some were acquired used, some new, one built from parts. My 950B Beretta is Italian. My Browning rifles are Japanese. My Interams is a Yugoslavia action with an American trigger, barrel and stock. But I don't really care where they were made - what I cared about was the quality and value at the time of purchase, whether buying complete rifles or parts.

Like you, I try to support American manufacturers. When the quality and value isn't there, I am happy to look at foreign made. Yes, even for rifles. Most of my rifles cost me under $500, including those purchased new. A small fraction cost more but are no better, so I agree there are a lot of $500 American guns "that will do just fine", at least from a safety/reliability/accuracy/functionality standpoint, which is my primary concern. Dad gave me his Ruger American before he passed away. In spite of everything I tried, it failed the accuracy test and went down the road - a $0 rifle that didn't make the grade.

If I was in the market for a new rifle and a foreign made rifle best suited my needs, it would get the nod. With no apologies to anyone.

As I already said, slavery is further generations removed from US, and we did not believe them to be humans like us. With Japan, it was not as long ago. I am not aware if Japan viewed other asians countries as sub human.

Do companies make profits a priority. Sure

Curious you a liberal?

I am curious what you find sub par about American Ruger, Savages, ect?

You do realize the Watherbies are still an evil American capitialist company, they are just manufacturing in Japan.

CZ 527 OR 550 used, single set triggers, hammer forged barrels, accurate.....................buntingmiester

Vanguard or Howa by a mile.

Remington 700 from Wal-Mart would be my choice #2.




Dave

Slavery per se is long behind us. Racial bias is not. As I said, "separate but equal", which was anything but, was in effect long after WWII was over. The current generation of Japanese are no more responsible for what happened in WWII than you are for what the Nazi's did to the Jews. Oh, that was a European culture thing, wasn't it?

Me a liberal? Not in this lifetime. Libertarian/conservative, yes.

I am not driving a BMW either. But as a percentage, looking a Germans compared to Europe, and African and Asian countries view morality, compared to ours

Asain, African, and Middle Eatern countries are kill each other, with guise of other person being a sub species or no equal. Rape, killing, murder, and kidnap, is just the way life is for them.

Zerk. Imo if you are willing to boycott japanese made products because of deeds that imperial army did back in world war 2 you should also do so with US made products. Because of all pointless armed conflicts US has been part of after WW2. Otherwise you are just hypocritical. That is my opinion.

Today Japan has really respectable and hard working culture that should not be judged because of deeds they did years ago.

I dont mean to be offensive but my writing may be a bit rough because english is not my native language.

Zerk, Pay attention and do some background research about the Finn's trials and tribulations over the just the last 125 years, then re read Roinaa's post with that history in mind...and see if you are being more than a little over zealous in boycotting countries products because of their past transgressions.

FWIW I spent 6 years working for an American company that was owned jointly by a Nokia div and another European based company. That partnership has since ceased to exist. However in 1984 on a plant tour I got the short indoctrination course of the abuses of other countries on Finland and came away with an overwhelming level of respect and admiration for the Finn's dogged determination to excellence in manufacturing, education, the only country in history to repay the US's loans after WWII, loss of a 40K wide strip of land the length of the country and a warm water port on the Baltic to the Russians who declared war on Finland in 1946 simply to grab physical manufactiring assets and land, Nokia Corp's enginerring and techological innovations from cutting edge computer innovation and technology, the largest mfg'er of tungsten tie studs in the world, a major ship building industry, building the Aswan HIgh Dam in Egypt, to inflicting the highest enemy kill count by a single shooter in WW II or maybe in history... on and on and on. For a country about the size and population of Oklahoma, they can Walk Tall with Pride IMO.

One of the most moving things I have ever witnessed anywhere, was testimony by an Old Gentlman about his feelings towards his enemies and occurred at the end of a Company sponsered moose hunt in 1984. We were allowed to take a box of ammo anytime we got off the company bus at the Hunt's jump off site and this really Old Gentleman was our "greeter", who would stop us to say good morning and if he'd seen one of us pick up a box of ammo & leave the empty carton in the open case behind the driver as directed, would reach into our pocket where the loose ammo was, jabber in Finnish with a super serious look on his face for a few seconds holding the round of ammo up in front of our faces and then grin and drop it in our shirt pocket, and go to the next person. At the end of the several days long hunt, the Hunters and the Hunt Club members who'd served as our guides, beaters & drivers and handlers gathered on the side of the road to exchange goodbye's and thank you's for the wonderful experience...and anytime there are more than 2 Scot's or Finn's or even American's together a bottle or two of elixer will appear. Lots of short speech's later as we began to break up to leave, an American from my company asked our corporate host The Question...who is this Old Gentleman and what's deal about the round of ammo in the shirt pocket thingy all about.

Our Host asked who? and the Old Man stepped forward his face wet with the sudden tears...they talked for a moment and both men began to shed tears, enough tears to run off their faces. It was explained that the Old Man was in his late 80's and had fought the German's twice and lost ...but they went home after the war, leaving Finland with no building having more than 2 stones on top of each other north of Helsinki. Fought the Russians twice and lost, and they looted Finland of every peice of manfacturing equipment they could get on a truck or ship , even stealing the land that his family had owned for hundreds of year and still lived behind the New Russian Border where he could not see his aged children and their granchildren ever again ....and he only lived each day to fight those enemies again, so he kept a round of ammo out of every box he opened to do it with...we all cried for him ...40-50 strangers felt the Moment of Truth in that Old Man's voice even though we could not understand his language.

On our last full day in Finland our large party of international guests, was taken to a famous resteurant in Helsinki, The Russian Tea Room I think it was called, and again I witnessed the Finn's spur of the moment Honoring of an otherwise unknown Hero, a Hungarian refugee who'd immigrated at an early age to England is all we knew about him but had thought it strange that he had a Finnish Military Officer "keeper" at all times who had participated in the Hunt too whenever the faux Brit was out of the hotel's building near the plant some distance up country from Helsinki. As we were leaving The Tea Room, ALL of the Staff lined up and respectfully but heartily applauded our refugee Brit as he walked by...it seems that at the age of 12 as a boy in Budapest, he had "killed" 3 Russian tanks singlehandedly with nothing but molotov cocktails and escaped,,,and Russians has already made several attempts on his life in England.

Again of all the people who could feel a reason to boycott another country's product's IMO the Finns legitimently have Cause but I did not see it then or now...and my former Finnish employer had/has many business operations on both sides of the Russian border.

Zerk, boycott who you want to, that's your right as an American, but understand why and how th World Economy today works, and Boycott those countries that deserve it for what they are doing TODAY...and Russia is at the top of MY LIST.
Ron

No worries, your English is much better than Zerk's.

I am not boycotting any country. I weight it in purchase deciscion. If I can buy an American product I can. When I can't I try to buy that is not enemy of ours, which I consider China. I look at the possible options and buy the best one.

There are alot more American products then people think. In the case of cheap guns, I am not even sure why we are having this discussion.

Instead of reading an entire thread...

simple answer, is Howas are at Sportsman's Warehouse for $379 if you like the Hogue Rubber stock...

otherwise then the deal from Whittakers on them...

recently ordered one from Darrik for a friend...

like $345 into the hands of the local FFL gunshop...

But no matter if I have to choice between a country that gives rainbows to orphans, and American, I choose American. I work and live in America, and do it for selfish reasons. It is an investment into myself. Sad more people don't realize this.

Savage if you must have new...lot's of good bargains out there used, I still consider a used M98 sporter to be about the best budget rifle going. Find them all day in your price range(sure can't build them for that).

OK back to budget rifles. I had a gift card and the store had a sale and tc had a rebate so this weekend I bought a tc compass for 189 bucks. Will let you know it does. I dismissed them based on looks and price until I held one and examined closer, it's basically a venture with a cheaper stock and better magazine. Cheap looking stock but it's stiff and fits me. Rotary mag that holds 5 and is better designed than the American from ruger. Crisp trigger designed like the old winchesters. A real recoil pad. Threaded for suppressor, 3 lug bolt, 5r rifling for those of you who like that.

Shaking my head. 189 bucks for any rifle is pretty good but this one could be dropped into a nice walnut stock and most would think it's a 700 dollar gun. Nice design and accidental good timing on my part.

Like a lot of us, I can afford a 600 dollar rifle but I have a couple customs and I keep them and occasionally try a new toy out or buy a truck gun or want a project.

Oh. And it's guaranteed to shoot into an inch. Also has a 3 position safety like a winchester.

mjbgalt, is that a lefty action?

Nope, I don't think they make anything lefty. ..maybe check their website

Didn't see one on the website. Couldn't remember if you were a Savage guy and a lefty or just a Savage guy.

I hit the Howa deal at Whittakers myself. 6.5 Creedmoor. It doesn't suck.

I also got a deal on a Savage 16 lightweight hunter in .308. It's under 6.75 pounds with 4.75x Weaver Grand Slam mounted in Talley lightweights. Not a bad "budget" mountain style rifle.

That's a steal at PSA on those Vanguards!

The Marlin X/L/S 7 rifle is a great buy for those on a limited budget

You know JB keeps mentioning the TC Icon as does another friend of mine, you might want to try one out.

I think the Savage deal at CDNN is a safe bet as well.

So many good affordable rifles these days.

I don't know much about the ABolt III, in general A Bolt's don't get a lot of love on this site. I've owned a few A Bolt II's and known many friends that did as well, never seen one that wasn't accurate.

I am surprised also by the 24HCF's lack of interest in the Browning ABolt III's at CDNN. Traded into a SS ABolt 300Wmg about 10 years ago that shot pretty good with what little time I put into it, and absolutley HATED the trigger. It went down the road PDQ...but this last minute short term extra pop in the discount on 270's is grinding on my reluctance against buying one of the Stalker closeouts...and of course it's all in the name of experimentation. At 6 3/4 lb's. it answers my complaint about the Howa's being too heavy too. We'll see what they got left in stock first thing manana, and go from there.
Ron

I'm having good luck with my tc venture in 308

Went and reclaimed a nib Marlin XL 7 SS 270 I'd stashed that a friend of a friend had wanted and did'nt want to pay for it as fast as I did....that was going to be the funding for another brand in a 7mm of some sort to pair with the M70 XTR Mauser I picked up last fall. Adv'd the NIB Marlin on another site for a couple weeks and got no takers...so I'll scope it up and go from there Thanks all for the comments and input.
Ron

Of the current crop of econo rifles on the market, I favor the Marlin X7 / XS7 rifles. My real preference though is for used commercial mauser variants. There are plenty of sub $400 Zastava variants (Interarms MK X, Parker Hale, Charles Daly, etc) as well as FNs ( JC Higgins, Westernfield) and Husqvarna ( Check Simpsons Ltd).

I'm pretty sure that I get to Simpsons, LTD., in Galesburg, IL, more often than 99% of the people on this site and I would have a really hard time recommending that anyone buy from them without visiting the store and holding the firearm in question. Their website descriptions tend to be a little "inconsistent", in that you probably have less than a 50/50 chance of getting a firearm that is in sync with the website's description. That said, just like anyplace, there are occasionally firearms priced for less than their real value, but just like anyplace, those situations are typically few and far between.

Marlin X7 HB 223 and Remington 783 243 are two that I own and like.

http://mysticprecision.com/2016/01/remington-783-the-best-donor-for-prsmag-fed-rifles/

I am not a fan of 3 posistion safety. Like on or off. Why lock the bolt?

Leupold scopes have foreign glass in them. Japanese if I'm not mistaken. At least that's what the lady at Leupold told me.

Some binoculars have japanese glass. Not sure about scopes.

I just bought the identical rifle today.

And with a $75 rebate going on them right now, they are a great deal.

Marlin X-7 rifle. I have 2 a 308 and 30-06 both are very accurate.

Savage or a Vanguard.

The bolt lock 'Safe' position keeps the bolt from partially opening if caught by brush, clothing or anything else, as can happen with the middle 'Safe' position. Prevents a 'click' when you are ready to fire.

That said, it is one of those things that is there to use or ignore, whichever you prefer.

No contest...Buy a HOWA.

Agreed. Howa is the most for the least $

We drive a Toyota and a Nissan, and I've had several Howas that shot quite well, and were built exceptionally well, too.Got no problem with the Japanese, they build quality stuff.