I know this is a bowhunting website but I know most of you gun hunt. Can some people help me out with a good rifle for under 500. It will be greatly appreciated
I am not sure what you can get for a deer rifle for under $500. I bought a Browning A Bolt in 7 MM MAG 21 years ago and it is as nice now as ever. I know I paid over $500 but it will last me as long as I keep taking care of it.
Get a used gun. You can pick up a great gun for 5ish. If your only going to own one gun I say go with a 30-06. If you want a new deer gun you can pick up a new savage for 5 and under.
Some of us rifle-hunt, yes. The bow season is a chance for us to get out and do some scouting and wishful thinking with archery. Others are die hard bowhunters only though, from what I have seen here. Any local (not a chain) hunting store is going to have used guns for sale. That would be your best bet to find an inexpensive rifle. If youre trying to stick to $500 then you will want one with good iron sights on it. Because a scope can easily run another $500.
depends. How far is your shot? If you want a great brush gun (shooting a deer within 125 yards) Marlin 30-30 lever action is your best bet. big bullet, big knock down power. beyond that range as previously stated, go with a savage in that price range.
Just go with a Savage package (includes scope). I would go to wal-mart and pick one up in .270. Best value for your dollar. It should easily be under $500.
Easily...and then save money for a great scope in the future and you'll have a gun if kept up that will be handed down to your kids. Makes me sick guys dropping thousands and thousands of dollars who can't really throw that type of money on a rifle/shotgun whatever it is...when a well taken care of more affordable weapon will kill just as well.
I also like savage guns I have a .270 bolt that has put em on the ground over the years,just passed it down to my son last season.
as for caliber...if you think you're more likely to go antelope, hog or anything similar go .243 because it "can" be used. If you foresee possible Elk or bigger game hunts in your future go .270. If you go lever just get a 30-30 and be done. Again though I vote Savage or like some have said Remington 700 great deal price wise.
A Savage in .308 is good enough for just about everything out there except I wouldn't recommend it for Grizzly or Elephant. Moderate recoil - readily available ammo for large variety of purposes...from cheap plinking, varmints,medium-large game, and match shooting...As for the .243 I think it is undersized for whitetails - in fact the 8pt I shot last year had a 243 slug in his back...only penetrated about 4.5 inches into the tallow(no it wasn't a 223 - I matched up the base of the bullets to compare). Good predator round though. The 7mm-08 is another good round but pricier for ammo. 30-06 barely outperforms the 308 and recoil is significantly higher...if going that route might as well go to 7mm Mag or 300 Mag.
First question, do you reload? If so, I would be looking for a 7/08, very under rated chambering in my opinion. It will kill any deer that you point it at. If not then the .308 is by far the best option for you. Tons of factory loaded ammo with good bullets abound. Just remeber deer can't read head stamps. It is all about the bullet. Next I would look for something light weight and handy, I have several rifles that come in around 10 pounds and they get left in the safe for the one's around 7lbs all up. I would hit the local pawn shops and see if I could find a used Remmy 700 in .308, not the tactical crap either. Just a standard SPS. Blued will be cheaper but I would hold out for one that is stainless. Once you have that you have the base for a custom rifle on down the road when you can afford to upgrade it. Next would be the scope, a used Leupy fixed 6x42 can be had for about 250.00 bucks if you look hard, and you won't find a better scope for the money. A set of Talley light weight rings and bases and you are there. A little trigger work to smooth things out and wah lah you have a great deer rifle. Here are a few of mine that I have upgraded....Blake These get left in the safe as they are too heavy to tote
Savage is a makes a good low cost rifle and I think I have read reviews where Marlin does also. If you can afford it, a Remington 700 is hard to beat. If it is for deer only a 243, but if bigger critters may be in the future, then a 308. The 308 has a huge bullet selection, low recoil, good knock down power, short action, and excellent accuracy – hard to beat for hunting.
Mossberg ATR or 4x4, Savage 110,111 are some for less than $500. the Savage have a good rep. Personally i don't have either one.
