Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Best of the current budget rifles

My vote is Ruger American. I have one in the rancher model .223. Very accurate and inexpensive enough that you are not always worried about it.

The RAR I had was accurate but I had to do some serious work on forend to float the barrel and the stock was flimsy/plasticy. The Sauer 100 I had was accurate but heavy and long lop that was difficult to shorten. The Vanguards I've had were accurate but overly clumsy. The XTR I have is accurate, not too heavy, not too light. The 26" barrel is a bit long but overall a good thing for 300 WM. Trigger needed work to smooth and lighten but $85 is not a bad thing considering...so far my favorite. Accurate is 1/2to 3/4 btw.

Great guns for the money

Just picked up, and set up, a VG Accuguard in 6.5-300 Wby. I got it for $729. I hope it is even half as accurate as my Accumark. If so, it will be well worth the money and then some. Just waiting on some ammo to arrive this week to find out.

I think you need either higher ceilings or lower floors. Great moose

Howa 6.5 man bun I have is in a different class than my Ruger Americans, Savage Axis, and Mossberg 100ATR.

The three position safety alone makes it worth the extra weight to me.

Honestly the list of not to buys is shorter than should buy. Everyone has their favorites. If cost is the primary driving factor, find a dollar amount they can afford, ($550 CAN let's say). Then go with a common caliber with reasonably priced ammo that will take the game you want (30-06, 270 medium to larger game or 223, 22-250 for smaller game).

Last piece scope (or no scope in the case of a light lever 30-30 say). There are other things to consider but but let's stop there. A good quality scope is important. Here again afford what you can, you can always upgrade later.

Me/myself/personally in the "budget" rifle category, I do have several Savage Axis II. These rifles for me represent calibers that I want to own and shoot but I may not take hunting. For me (and I do reload), each and everyone of my rifles shoot .5 MOA or better. There are a ton of aftermarket replacement barrels for Savage (side note nothing against the RAR but if you're interested in barrel swaps these tend to he pricer but still great rifles). There are aftermarket stocks and chassis systems. The Axis II cones with an AccuTrigger that is adjustable and has a clean break and if you don't like it you can always upgrade.

I would be confident in killing an animals with any of my budget rifles. YMMV

HaYen

ALL good choices!!

I've never met a VG that couldn't shoot. A problem for some is the weight. I personally don't care about weight but I'm not hiking up mountains. Something else to consider I guess.


@MainHawk that's a beautiful gun

I’d go to the used gun rack and look for an older Remington 700 in 270 or 30-06. Better than most new guns, and cheaper. May even come with a scope.

Great gun period

Thanks HY. I actually wanted the heavier #3 contour bbl on the Accuguard. I don't want to carry any more weight than necessary, but my .340 Wby Accumark, which has the same barrel, is the most accurate rifle I ever have shot. So, I'm just sticking with the one that took me to the dance, and hoping for the best.

Half my rifles were purchased used and still shoot great. And they were much less expensive than new. Includes Ruger, Remington, Savage, Marlin, multiples of each except for Remington.

Beautiful rig you go there.

Thanks BM. I just hope it shoots. Gotta wait 'til Thursday or Friday to find out.

Im seeing a small handful of brand new Marlin XLS7s in my area, most in the 329-339 price range

Ruger American

Xxclaro, I have had great success with the vanguards.

Some of the husqvarnas on Tradex are nice. All will need some love before they are ready to go.

Curious what advantages besides lighter weight the Ruger American has over the Howa or Vanguard.

The best budget rifle I’ve seen is that $500 Mauser M-12 I’ve got on the way. Hard to beat that.