Best budget 30-06.
- Thread starter Jsg81
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C-grunt
Member
While the newer "budget" rifles seem to be pretty decent from what people say I just can't get over how they feel to me. They just feel cheap. For 500 bucks you could probably find a nice used Remington/Winchester/Savage/Ruger.
Elkins45
Member
I like the Ruger best of the budget guns, but you can get several non-budget models for $500.
TexasPatriot.308
Member
Savage or a low end Weatherby, still a great firearm.
Jlr2267
Member
Marlin makes a nice bolt-06...I think they call the newest version the XS7.
adelbridge
Member
You can get Remington 700's for under $500.
If you can sniff out good from bad used rifles the world is your oyster.
If you can sniff out good from bad used rifles the world is your oyster.
Steel Horse Rider
Member
Before the mad rush I looked at a CZ American in 30-06 with a scope for just over $500 so if you are patient there were good ones out there, the trick is to be in the right place at the right time.
I own a pre-Remington Marlin XL-7, and I've got about your budget in it. The rifle itself was just over $300. The scope is a discontinued Bushnell 4200 Elite that cost me just under $200. I almost felt bad buying expensive Leupold rings to set it in. 
I have zero complaints. I've only had it to the range once, but just fooling around getting it somewhat sighted in I was easily getting 2" groups at 100 yards. I don't handload, so I'll have to experiment to find out what ammunition it likes best. I have no doubts that the rifle can shoot a heckuva lot better than 2 moa.
Sure it ain't fancy, and there are plenty prettier, but I think it's well worth what it cost.
I have zero complaints. I've only had it to the range once, but just fooling around getting it somewhat sighted in I was easily getting 2" groups at 100 yards. I don't handload, so I'll have to experiment to find out what ammunition it likes best. I have no doubts that the rifle can shoot a heckuva lot better than 2 moa.
Sure it ain't fancy, and there are plenty prettier, but I think it's well worth what it cost.
Onward Allusion
Member
I went through the same quandary a while back. The new budget entry level 30-06's like the Savage Axis, Remington 770, or Mossberg ATR all look and feel cheap. Don't get me wrong, everything I'd read about them was pretty good, especially the Axis, but when I actually handled one in the stores, it showed why they were all below $350 out the door.
I went with a lightly used Savage 110 in 30-06.
I went with a lightly used Savage 110 in 30-06.
MountainBear
Member
Howa 1500.
cal30_sniper
Member
I bought a used Savage 110 in .30-06 when I was in your shoes. Looking back, I really wish that I'd spent that same $300 on an old Interarms Mark X Mauser in .30-06. The Savage just feels cheap, no matter what you do to it.
One of my favorite $300 guns that I've picked up was an old Husqvarna Model 640 in .270, built off an FN Commercial 98 Mauser receiver. The rifle speaks pure class. It's topped off with a $75-100 vintage steel tube Weaver K6 scope. That's way more rifle and optics combo than you will ever get with $500 buying new budget stuff, IMO.
One of my favorite $300 guns that I've picked up was an old Husqvarna Model 640 in .270, built off an FN Commercial 98 Mauser receiver. The rifle speaks pure class. It's topped off with a $75-100 vintage steel tube Weaver K6 scope. That's way more rifle and optics combo than you will ever get with $500 buying new budget stuff, IMO.
T.R.
Member
You can certainly buy a new Savage complete with cheap plastic stock, plastic trigger guard, streamlined manufacturing processes, and stellular accurasy. But if it were me, I'd search for a lightly used Remington slide action 7600 or 760. They're very accurate and fast handling for a quick second shot. I really like the way they point quickly, too.
TR
TR
Weatherby Vanguard or Howa 1500 are essentially the same gun priced new under $500 with synthetic stocks. I wouldn't even consider them budget guns, but first quality rifles, put a nice stock on them and you have pretty good quality. The downside is that they are the heaviest rifles made. I've had a few over the years. Great rifles, but overweight for my needs.
You can find Remington 700 ADL's new for under $500. I think the Vanguard/Howa is a slightly better rifle, but I'd rank the 700 above it just to get a lighter rifle.
I cannot suggest the Savage Axis, Ruger American or Mossberg rifles. Nothing wrong with them, but for the cost of 2-3 boxes of ammo difference there are just much better choices.
Your best bet is a first quality Ruger,Remington, or Winchester bought used. I've bought/sold/traded hundreds of guns in my lifetime and have had more problems buying new than used. Very few centerfire big game rifles are shot enough to come close to wearing them out. At least 80% of the guns I've owned in my life were bought used.
You can find Remington 700 ADL's new for under $500. I think the Vanguard/Howa is a slightly better rifle, but I'd rank the 700 above it just to get a lighter rifle.
I cannot suggest the Savage Axis, Ruger American or Mossberg rifles. Nothing wrong with them, but for the cost of 2-3 boxes of ammo difference there are just much better choices.
Your best bet is a first quality Ruger,Remington, or Winchester bought used. I've bought/sold/traded hundreds of guns in my lifetime and have had more problems buying new than used. Very few centerfire big game rifles are shot enough to come close to wearing them out. At least 80% of the guns I've owned in my life were bought used.
Looking for a $500 .30-06 ? Here you go, take your pick. May take a while to decide.
http://www.tradeexcanada.com/produits/95 .
http://www.tradeexcanada.com/produits/95 .
lobo9er
Member
99-150 dollar Mosin Nagant. just say'n great ballistics on the cheap. Just an idea if your not totally set on 30-06
Zeke/PA
Member
I like the Savage offerings and my Savage Edge in .30-'06 is a great example.
I mounted a 2X -7X Nikon and 1& 1/4" groups with reloads are common.
I mounted a 2X -7X Nikon and 1& 1/4" groups with reloads are common.
MtnCreek
Member
When shopping, give the TC Venture a look too. IMHO, I'd take a venture over a 110 or 700 any day.
fanchisimo
Member
If you can wait till near firearms deer season, Bass pro has savages with a scope for under $500. Mine came with a bushnell a few years back but I think they are nikons now. They are non-accutrigger, though.
bluekouki86
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I bought a savage 110 pre acutrigger for $200 with a 3-9x scope on it. The trigger is factory adjustable, smooth action, and the walnut stock looks much better than the new plastic junk. It will shoot 1" groups at 200 yards all day long.
Elkins45
Member
I forgot about the Venture. I have one in .223 and it easily outshoots my (formerly owned) Remington 700 in the same caliber.
Howa is also a good choice, but the poster who mentioned the used Mauser takes the prize. Whenever a question involves rifles, the 98 Mauser or some variant is always my first answer. 100+ years later and they still haven't invented a better rifle. If I weren't a lefty every rifle I own would be built on a Mauser platform.
You can buy a walnut stocked Savage for under $500. I don't know why people think all Savages are plastic. They're not. For many years the Savage was considered to be by far the best budget rifle. Marlin was a close second. Mossberg was close in that field too.
Don't get a Savage Axis though. They are cheap and can't be upgraded. And whatever you do don't get a Remington 770 or a 710. They stink.
I bought a Savage 110 used. It came without an AccuTrigger. Now a 110 without an AT is called a Stevens 200. That's the best rifle for entry level prices. But $500 is not entry level money. For $558 you can get this Savage 110 TH XP 30-06 but remember this comes with a Nikon scope. That's actually a very good scope and not some cheap Mattel scope like most manufacturers will put on a rifle. And this is a walnut stocked rifle.
No doubt you could find this rifle somewhere else without the scope if you wanted and it would be under $500 for the rifle. That scope is about $175 these days. I have two of them myself and I use them a lot.
This rifle does have the AccuTrigger too. It is a big improvement over almost all other manufacturers stock triggers. This is a very nice rifle IMO and it is in stock. Oh yeah. That price includes shipping to your FFL. IMO you will be hard press to find a better rifle for around $500. Very hard pressed in fact.
BTW my 110 doesn't feel cheap at all to me and they have improved the looks of these rifles a lot. I forgot to mention this is a 30.06 rifle. And maybe most important you can upgrade along the Savage upgrade path to any point you want to say enough. You can change your own barrels and even change caliber with a few simple tools. You can't do that with most rifles. Personally I'd probably go with a .308 now because short action rifles have more options now but mine is a 30.06. And I love mine.
Don't get a Savage Axis though. They are cheap and can't be upgraded. And whatever you do don't get a Remington 770 or a 710. They stink.
I bought a Savage 110 used. It came without an AccuTrigger. Now a 110 without an AT is called a Stevens 200. That's the best rifle for entry level prices. But $500 is not entry level money. For $558 you can get this Savage 110 TH XP 30-06 but remember this comes with a Nikon scope. That's actually a very good scope and not some cheap Mattel scope like most manufacturers will put on a rifle. And this is a walnut stocked rifle.
No doubt you could find this rifle somewhere else without the scope if you wanted and it would be under $500 for the rifle. That scope is about $175 these days. I have two of them myself and I use them a lot.
This rifle does have the AccuTrigger too. It is a big improvement over almost all other manufacturers stock triggers. This is a very nice rifle IMO and it is in stock. Oh yeah. That price includes shipping to your FFL. IMO you will be hard press to find a better rifle for around $500. Very hard pressed in fact.
BTW my 110 doesn't feel cheap at all to me and they have improved the looks of these rifles a lot. I forgot to mention this is a 30.06 rifle. And maybe most important you can upgrade along the Savage upgrade path to any point you want to say enough. You can change your own barrels and even change caliber with a few simple tools. You can't do that with most rifles. Personally I'd probably go with a .308 now because short action rifles have more options now but mine is a 30.06. And I love mine.
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bantam9
Member
Browning composite stalker??
I was in the same boat as you a month ago. Looking around I found a $499
Browning A-bolt composite stalker. Way more gun in my opinion, than a lot of the $350 guns out there for not much more.
I was in the same boat as you a month ago. Looking around I found a $499
Browning A-bolt composite stalker. Way more gun in my opinion, than a lot of the $350 guns out there for not much more.
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