whats the best 300 dollar rifle

I'd go used personally. Of the models you mentioned, I would lean toward the Savage due to their barrels. You might also consider Howa.

If I were you I would scour the used gun racks. You can find some truly excellent rifles with character at a fraction of their original cost.

yup the best 300 dollar rifle is a used 500 dollar rifle

stevens 200... its a savage action with a junk stock... you can always throw on a different stock later

Lloyd nails it!

As proof, 2 weeks ago picked up a barely shot Rem 742 Woodsmaster (precursor to the 7400) made in 1977 with a Weaver k-4 scope for $325. On a test fire ar 50 yds with a poor rest, all 3 holes touched. From the bench at 100, this could be a one ragged hole semiauto.

They're out there. Check the gunshops, check the internet, and google the gun plus the word "problems" and you'll quickly find the problem spots and things to avoid.

Wolverine, is $300 your budget for just the rifle? Are you budgeting for glass and mounting hardware too?

Look for a sporterized Mauser in .30-06. ~$200 at gun shows around here. ~$150 if you get it in the original 7.92x57. Put a decent fixed power scope on it and your set.

Happy Marlin X7 owner here. I have a X7VH in 223 and it shoots almost as well as my Savage 10FP for 40% less. Here is a scoped 30-06 X7 for ~$360.

You will not beat the Marlin X7 at that price point. It simply is the best sub $400 bolt rifle made.

Early this year field and stream magazine ran an article on this exact question testing lots of new budget rifles. Look for the article.

Jackal said:

You will not beat the Marlin X7 at that price point. It simply is the best sub $400 bolt rifle made.

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+1

It's amazing how nice a rifle you can get for so little money, but the Marlin is the pick of the litter in this class.

I have a ruger M77MKII in .264 winmag I bought used for $350. So I'm going to agree with everyone who says to buy a used rifle.

petrey10 said:

stevens 200... its a savage action with a junk stock... you can always throw on a different stock later

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This. I bought a Stevens 200 in .308 for my hunt last year, and it's great. Threw in a Timney trigger and replaced the cheap scope it came with. It's fantastically accurate for what it is.

I found a good condition sporterized 8mm Mauser last week that I almost bought. It was $199. I'd take that over any of the ones you mentioned just about any day of the year. They also had a Swede for, I think, $299, though it might not be as powerful as you'd want for Elk. It would be good enough for me, but seeing as you're looking at .30-06, probably not for you.

On top of that, I've seen far better modern used rifles between $300-$400 quite often. Savage 10s, 11s, 14s, Remington 700s, Vanguards, etc. If the $300 is THAT strict, and you don't want to go old-school like a sporterized Mauser, than any of the three you mentioned are OK. Don't prefer any of them over the others.

I'd save a bit more, or look used if $300 is a firm limit. The Savage Axis is the only one you listed that is actually going to be slightly under $300. The others will be a bit more. I could recommend the Savage 10/110 series or Stevens 200, not the Axis.

The Marlin is the best rifle of the ones listed.

Savage 111

Jackal said:

You will not beat the Marlin X7 at that price point. It simply is the best sub $400 bolt rifle made.

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I keep hearing this but both of mine have had bad extractors. I won't have another one. Of the three listed the Ruger would be my pick. The stock sucks but the guns function and shoot well.

Stevens 200....1/2" groups....ugly rifle, beautiful results.

TexasPatriot.308 said:

Stevens 200....1/2" groups....ugly rifle, beautiful results.

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Tex is right on here. With a little trigger work these guns rock. You might look at the Mossberg ATR too. They are a sleeper.

Look on Buds Gun shop online for this: Savage-Stevens 17751 200 30-06 - just copy and paste that into the search engine on the website.

~$350.00 shipped to your dealer. You will probably need to pay a small transfer fee to your dealer.

I bought two guns from Buds in the past couple of years, including a Savage 11. Couldn't be happier - good deal from Buds, very good hunting rifle.

Or get this one: Savage 111 HUNTER XP 3006 BUSHNELL

It's ~$400, comes with scope and rings on it, and has a detachable box magazine (very important to me, may not be to others). Pull the Bushnell off it and sell it for $40 or so to make up the difference between that one and the Savage-Stevens, put your Nikon on it, and you're gold.

You have months to save up a bit more cash before hunting season, or borrow the difference from your dad and pay him back in a couple of months while you practice with your new rifle.

Good luck!

Captcurt said:

I keep hearing this but both of mine have had bad extractors. I won't have another one. Of the three listed the Ruger would be my pick. The stock sucks but the guns function and shoot well.

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Buy a couple of Savage extractors and file them narrower until they fit. I broke two Marlin extractors on mine until I thought to see if a Savage would fit. The Savage extractor is wider but a few minutes with a diamond whetstone will fix that.

The Marlin extractors appear to be MIM parts and I think the Savage might be forged. It's the only flaw I've seen in what is otherwise a great inexpensive rifle.

I have two Howa 1500s that are darn good for the money. Both were 400 with glass. >.308and .223. Poor mans Weatherby.