I am looking at buying a rifle soon and was wondering what brand to go with. Also what caliber and what model. I will be using it for target shooting and possibly hunting in the future. Currently you can only use shotguns and muzzleloaders for deer. I have considered coyote hunting. I am on a high schoolers budget of 650 dollars. Also should I consider reloading. I am open to any brand. Please don't suggest a modern sporting rifle, unless it is a Ruger Mini 14.
Help on which gun to get
- Thread starter acman
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why no modern sporting rifle? what do you plan to hunt? coyote only? what is your experience with rifles?
brand is more of personal preference than anything else. sure some are better than others, but at the $650 pricepoint it mostly boils down to what features you want.
does the $650 include glass, or is it rifle only?
also, in my opinion, everyone should consider reloading if you plan to practice enough to become procficient, and want to get the most accuracy and performance from your firearm.
brand is more of personal preference than anything else. sure some are better than others, but at the $650 pricepoint it mostly boils down to what features you want.
does the $650 include glass, or is it rifle only?
also, in my opinion, everyone should consider reloading if you plan to practice enough to become procficient, and want to get the most accuracy and performance from your firearm.
Art Eatman
Moderator In Memoriam
I've traded guns for years, and I can't recall a "bad" rifle that I took in on trade. So, I suggest checking out the pawn shops for "good used" rifles. They generally have half or less of the asking price invested in them, so there's lots of room for bargaining.
Same for reloading gear. Check out Craigslist. Absent abuse, reloading gear doesn't wear out.
If you're figuring on getting halfway serious on paper targets, a bolt action is your best bet in your money limit. A .223 will do fine on targets and is excellent for coyotes.
Same for reloading gear. Check out Craigslist. Absent abuse, reloading gear doesn't wear out.
If you're figuring on getting halfway serious on paper targets, a bolt action is your best bet in your money limit. A .223 will do fine on targets and is excellent for coyotes.
BCRider
Member
Since your budget is so limited and you're primarily looking for a target shooting gun I'm going to suggest a bolt action .22. Eventually the present ammo idiocy will sort itself out and then you can do a lot of practicing for cheap. And there's lots to learn from shooting a .22LR rifle. I've read and heard from more than a few sources that a .22LR rifle at 200 yards acts for drop and wind effect similarly to a .308Win at 500'ish yards. So there's a lot to be gained by buying a .22 and learning to shoot well with it.
Since you're on a budget I'm going to suggest you get a Savage Mk II with a bull barrel in one of their various flavours and set it up with a Simmons 3-9x40 Pro Target scope. Both items are light on the wallet but big on value. Another scope option is the Nikon 2-7x32 Prostaff rimfire scope. Another quality item that packs a light punch to the wallet.
My favourite MkII option is their BTV thumbhole stock version. I like it because the high comb on the stock lines my eyes up with the scope neatly when the comb is tucked in under my cheekbone. Not may regular style stocks can say the same when used with a scope. One usually ends up with a lower jaw weld instead.
The Savage in some form with one of these two scope options will add up to far less than your $650 budget.
Since you're on a budget I'm going to suggest you get a Savage Mk II with a bull barrel in one of their various flavours and set it up with a Simmons 3-9x40 Pro Target scope. Both items are light on the wallet but big on value. Another scope option is the Nikon 2-7x32 Prostaff rimfire scope. Another quality item that packs a light punch to the wallet.
My favourite MkII option is their BTV thumbhole stock version. I like it because the high comb on the stock lines my eyes up with the scope neatly when the comb is tucked in under my cheekbone. Not may regular style stocks can say the same when used with a scope. One usually ends up with a lower jaw weld instead.
The Savage in some form with one of these two scope options will add up to far less than your $650 budget.
I have a remington 597 .22 and have become an even better shot than my father who can still beat me with handguns and shotguns. I was not interested in an AR type of rifle just because I have a list of firearms that I want and when I plan to get them. The AR-15 or similar variant is lower down on my list and will not be purchased at this rate till after college. The reason for the ar being low on the list is because my parents would be shooting it more than me so I have to wait so I dont have to share.
TexasPatriot.308
Member
Savage or Weatherby Vanguard come in package deals, Weatherby sometimes will also throw in a gun case for less that $600. don't know what kinda scopes they put on them. go to their website and shop, same for Savage....or shop Budsgunshop.com for some great deals, no sales tax, no shipping only FFL.
Mosin Bubba
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If you want an AR, now would be the time to get one. It's a buyer's market right now, and they've never been cheaper. You can get a name brand one new for under 600 bucks. Another reason to buy now is that their future availability is far from guaranteed. I'm sure your parents will leave the gun alone if you ask them to - Hillary won't be that kind.
Well thanks. The AR was fifth on my list but now it is number two. I will plan on missing school on my 18th birthday and go out and buy a AR. Thankfully it is at the beginning of next year. It will be just one more thing to annoy my liberal classmates.
redneck383
Member
As much as I love my AR it's illegal to hunt deer in my state with the 5.56/.223. So if your state allows rifles in the future it may not allow a small caliber and I'd bear that in mind. As far as bolt actions go I have nothing but praise for my Savage 111. I think the scoped package with Accutrigger would fit your budget and the scope and stock could be upgraded later if you see fit. Mine is .30-06 but anything from .243 up is acceptable and legal for deer here.
MachIVshooter
Member
You need to be watching the used shelves for a good Remington, Ruger, Browning, Winchester, Savage/Stevens, etc. chambered in a reasonable cartridge such as .243 win, .25-06 rem, .270 win, 7mm-08, .280 rem, .308, .30-06. You can probably score a nice rifle with decent glass and still have a couple bucks left over.
dprice3844444
member
well,you can get something like a knight kp1,where available.you can buy the receiver setup with a 50 cal bp,308,3006,270 bbl,and a 12 gauge shotgun barrel.
If $650 is your max budget, forget the thought of an AR. A $650 AR would be a disappointment in regard to accuracy. A new bolt action rifle with scope that is very accurate can be had in your budget. Best choice: A Savage 111 with accutrigger and accustock and it will be very accurate and serve you well.
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