$250 Rifles

[CmdrSlander]

Heading to Cabela's** with $250 in my pocket, I want to walk out with a centerfire rifle* - most likely used, in good overall condition, not picky about calibers as long as they are easy enough to find and aren't any heftier than 7.62. Thinking a milsurp bolt gun or maybe an old 336. Any suggestions?

*Why? Because I want to add something interesting to my collection.

**Its one of the really huge ones, great selection of used guns.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

In with Mosin before somebody else says it...LOL.

 

[Dr.Mall Ninja]

You could get a Yugo Mauser, I just picked up a k98 today but i'm in love with history.

 

[CmdrSlander]

Mosin

I have one already... Not that multiple Mosinkas are a bad thing, but I want a new experience.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I wouldn't have really bought a Mosin, anyway. If I had 250 bucks, I wouldn't let it burn a hole in my pocket and run out to a big box store and just grab something used of the rack. I'd do a little classified shopping or front door of the gunshow cruising and likely end up with a gun twice what I paid for it.

 

[CmdrSlander]

@coltpythonelite

I see what you mean but I am too busy - no gunshows in town this weekend and Cabela's has enough to keep me occupied.

 

[WALKERs210]

Mosin is a great rifle, even with my old eyes and shaking hand I was about to put 5 round in the bulls eye at about 35-40 yrds. Recoil was practically non exsistant just a good push cost in the $100-$120 range. Wal-Mart has the Mossberg 100ART in .270 cal for around $265. My 11yr old grandson handles the .270 with ease. K-98 Mauser is basically where the BOLT action got its beginnings, and it served the German and other armies well for years. Go to pawn shops, regardless of price on tag they will barter with you even if you have to faint waking out the door.

 

[gunner69]

You missed the "Kimber" 6.5x55 Swedish Mausers by a few years. I picked up two of them and they shoot the 140gr bullet to less than 1" at 100 yards (Rifle IS scoped). The 6.5x55 doesn't kick much and really does a job on game or targets. Heck, maybe they have one at Cabellas.

 

[El Mariachi]

I would seriously take a look for any 'Department Store' brand guns they may have laying around-----Sears, Westernfield, JC Higgins, Western Auto......etc. You just never know when you might be able to go home with a nice Ted Williams Winchester lever strapped in your passenger seat......

 

[Bobson]

or maybe an old 336.

GL with that. Every single legit used Marlin 336 (read: not a Remlin) at my local Cabela's is $500+. They have one of the "legit Marlin" .45-70 Guide Guns for around $800.

Again, these are used rifles, with the stamp "JM" on the receiver. The used Remlin 336s (marked "REP" instead of "JM") are priced around $100 cheaper.

If you find a real Marlin 336 you can buy for $250, do it. I sure would.

 

[Smith357]

Centerfire rifles that can be had for under $250, just not at Cabella's

Remington 760s or 742s
Sporterized Mausers
Savage 110s
SKSs
K98s
Mosin Nagant
Sears & Roebucks Ted Williams Lever actions
JC Higgens Bolt Actions (built on FN Mauser actions)

I recently bought this Remington 742 in .30-06 for $250 minus the scope mount.

 

[Sav .250]

$250? Save some more and get something nice. J s/n.

 

[tubeshooter]

I would seriously take a look for any 'Department Store' brand guns they may have laying around-----Sears, Westernfield, JC Higgins, Western Auto......etc. You just never know when you might be able to go home with a nice Ted Williams Winchester lever strapped in your passenger seat......

Something like this happened to me. It's just a modest .243, but cost was $200 and I'm pretty happy with it. Actually has a decent wood stock and open sights on it too, which I wouldn't get if I bought new nowadays. That was a plus.


You could probably get a used lever .30-30 or decent SKS for around that price also. Or a couple of Mosins if you like those.

 

[sogarimfire]

Look for a Remington Sportsman 78 bolt action.They can be purchased right.Great guns for the $$$$$$.Just got one in 30-06 with an older Redfield scope for $200 at a local shop.

 

[Abel]

A 30-30 of some sort.

 

[wingman]

IMO Cabela's good only for window shopping firearms much to over priced, especially on used,I've seen rifles there 500-$600 that I would not have given50% of that, some sales on new guns are fair.

 

[El Mariachi]

Smith, someone spilled the beans on those Sears Model 50's and 51's with FN actions and the chromed barrels. Cheapest one I've seen since last March was $435.00. And trust me, I've been looking......

 

[gunner69]

Sometimes the Guns America website has a good deal or two. Gunbroker is usually too damn expensive. My neighbor found one heck of a rifle at a yard sale. Right place... right time I guess.

Another tactic is to sit at the door of a gunshow and catch a good deal on the way in to the show. Back in the 1980s I used this tactic and bought a Krag Carbine for $35.00!

 

[shiftyer1]

If central texas means Austin area I would hit some pawnshops on the way to cabelas, I haven't had much look finding a steal at the buda cabelas. Right now pawnshop employees are getting alot of pressure to sell because #'s are not that great and inventory needs to go before the new year. I'd rather sell four rifles for 250 than 1 for a thousand!

 

[madcratebuilder]

A Yugo Mauser or a Swiss straight pull. Either can be found in very good condition for around $250 and have continued to increase in value.

 

[Redbeard55]

I would check the local guns stores before heading to a big box store. Picked up a 30-06 Remington 1903A3 yesterday for $250. Books put manufacture date as late 1943. It had a NRA sporter type military barrel, millled, drilled/tapped with weaver bases. Bolt was bent. Fully adjustable trigger, Buehler style safety and what appears to be a Reinhart Fajen stock with recoil pad and sling. Barrel was bright and shiny. Can't wait to get it to the range. The rifle was originally manufactured with a stamped floor plate. However it looks as the stamped floor plate had been replaced with a steel floor plate. Whatever gun smith that had done the work knew his craft.