cheap bolt action rifles?

[Boneszee]

Hey everybody, I'm looking for a cheap bolt action rifle to order online to shoot for fun. My budget is about $200 max. I'm new to owning guns and I'm also wondering what licenses I need in order to own a rifle.

Thanks

 

[armoredman]

Legal stuff is where you live, here in AZ, if you are 18 and not a prohibited possessor, (felon, Lautneberg), you go to the store, plunk your money down, fill out the paperwork, suffer a 15 minute check, and walk out with it, and any ammo/accessories you want to get.Check with your locla gun shop to see what you need, and don't fudge it.
Now for cheap and good, if milsurp there is always the ubiquitous Mosin Nagant, I reccomend the 91/30 for nothing but range, the M-44 with attached pigsticker for fun. The sticky bolt phenomenon is pretty easily cured with a dril chucked with a 20 gause brush and some heavy degreaser sprayed in the chamber after firing abotu5 rounds, otherwise the bolt can be REALLY sticky to open with cheap surplus ammo.
Another favorite is the British Enfield No4Mk1*, but factory ammo is not cheap, I reload all mine, great rifle.
Or, hit the pawn shops and see what's out there, Savage usually is had cheap, good solid rifles.

 

[NCsmitty]

What kind of rifle were you thinking of getting? A 22 rimfire or a centerfire?

NCsmitty

 

[Boneszee]

Thanks for the info armoredman, I'll check around some surplus shops around my area and maybe I'll find one a Mosin.

@NCsmitty: I'm not sure what the difference between those is. Honestly as long as the rifle is bolt action, accurate, and a good price, I really don't care about bullet size.

 

[C-grunt]

Then I would suggest a Savage Mk II .22lr from Walmart. Its pretty darn accurate, in your price range and .22lr is the most inexpensive round you can get. 550 rounds for under 20 bucks is awesome.

The synthetic stock ones are cheaper but for 200 I think you could get one with a nice looking wood stock.

 

[greyling22]

maybe find an old savage at a pawn shop? don't forget that you'll likely want a scope (minimun 50 bucks, rings, 10, scope bases 10) as far as caliber, .22's are $15 for 500 or so. most other calibers are $15 for 25 or so. if you do get a .22, I really really think you will want a semi-automatic. you might find a ruger or marlin semi-auto at walmart for under 200. I know many people's budgets are tight, but if you are willing to strech your budget just a bit you can get a better gun.

 

[52grain]

I have 2 Savage Mark IIs in .22 lr. They are good guns for the money and widely available. A lot of people think that they are cheap guns, but they are really a good gun on a cheap stock. Assuming that you are new to shooting as well, I really recommend .22 lr. The ammo is cheap which is really important when you are learning. After all the only way to learn is to practice.

Mark IIs are available with open sights that will do you the first couple of times at the range, but you will want a scope pretty soon.

Have fun, but remember safety.

 

[rangerruck]

if cost is your number one priority, then a 22lr is the way to go. any of them should be under 150 , new, for a marlin or savage . and ammo is way cheaper, than even a mosin for a centerfire. if you go to a gunstore, or a pawnshop, you can get a used rifle, anywhere for 50 to 100 bucks used.
a box of 50 rounds, of 22 lr ammo , is usually from 1.50 to 4 bucks a box.
Mosin ammo, which is about the cheapest centfire ammo you can get, is about 7 to 10 bucks a box, for 20 rounds. same with a 762x39 ammo, maybe a dollar or so cheaper for a box of 20.
so if you are not a shooter, or have not ever shot, or are very inexperienced in shooting, do yourself a favor, and start on a 22, and get good and comfortable, and shoot a whole lot, for a little money, then you can allways move on to a centerfire later.

 

[Sunray]

"...I'm not sure what the difference between those is..." If you don't know that, you're not ready to buy anything at any price. Go to your local public library and read every firearm related book they have.
Then go buy a used .22. If you find you don't like shooting, you won't be out a pile of money and you can easily sell whatever rifle you buy. Learn the basics first.

 

[Quiet]

For a rimfire rifle...
You can get a (semi-auto) Marlin Model 60 + 1000 rounds for around $200.

For a centerfire rifle...
If you shop around, you can still get a Mosin-Nagant 91/30 and 440 rounds for around $200.

 

[natman]

If you are new to guns you should get a bolt action 22. Ammunition is cheap, recoil is not an issue so you can afford to practice until you learn trigger control, breath control, aiming, etc.

Once you've mastered the 22, then think centerfire.

 

[Boneszee]

Thanks for all the responses everybody.

@Sunray: No thanks, that sounds boring. I don't need to know the difference between centerfire and rimfire because I'll just be shooting milk jugs or other targets in my back yard anyways.

 

[Dazen]

Sunray did give you good advise... It sounds as though you are relatively new to fire arms and if so Learning the basics needs to come first IMHO.

 

[dubbleA]

@Sunray: No thanks, that sounds boring. I don't need to know the difference between centerfire and rimfire because I'll just be shooting milk jugs or other targets in my back yard anyways.

Bonezee, are you for real? From your OP it sounds like you dont have a clue, that is sound advice that Sunray gave.




....and by the above quote that reinforces my thinking :banghead:

 

[iiranger]

PLEASE, go find a NRA training course. City? "Safe gun handling." "Gun Handling for Women" SOMETHING. If you don't know the difference between a centerfire and a rimfire, you are not ready to handle a gun, let alone shoot it.

Or hang out in a gun shop and ask lots of questions. Like a few other passtimes, this one can get you killed EASILY if you make just one BIG mistake... JUST ONE! KILLED!

"Read all the books in the public library..." Yeh, both of them... Hopefully a "Gun Digest" with a whole lot of guns pictured in the back to help you "get acquainted." LUCK.

 

[Boneszee]

99% of the time the gun will be sitting in my room looking badass. Sorry but I'm not spending my Saturdays at the library. I know how to handle a gun safely.

 

[natman]

99% of the time the gun will be sitting in my room looking badass. Sorry but I'm not spending my Saturdays at the library. I know how to handle a gun safely.

Please do not buy a gun until you're mature enough to recognize good advice when you get it.

 

[dubbleA]

Maybe you should start with a airsoft gun, some as you say look "badass" and that's all that really counts.:banghead:

Watch out with them, they can still put your eye out.

 

[gidaeon]

I apologize if the questions seems odd to the OP.. I've learned over time to not make assumptions... but how big is your backyard? Will you have a suitable backstop in place? How far is the closest neighbor? Seriously.
(I enjoy all my firearms collecting\buying\using but I'm only on 2.5 acres which is why am I starting to look at target air pistols so that I can someday appropriately use something here for fun.)

As long as you absolutely know the 4 rules inside, outside and upside down then ask away on anything here. But those are a non-negotiable beginning to buying, owning, and using any gun

+1 on pursuing a rimfire bolt action. I have a number of semiauto rimfires but I still want a nice bolt action.

 

[Floppy_D]

99% of the time the gun will be sitting in my room looking badass.

Based on this, I'd recommend something in the 6mm plastic pellet caliber. Air-something, they call it.

I know how to handle a gun safely.

A lot of people who have had negligent discharges have, too. Training is always a great idea. You make mistakes when you "know what you're doing," too.

It might be a good idea to get out to a range with someone you know who is a firearms enthusiast, and try out a few things. It really sucks to spend a lot of cash on something that sits in your room doing nothing. +1 22lr for a first gun.

 

[Jmacalpine]

Dont feed the troll

!!!!

 

[Jmacalpine]

please

 

[ThomasT]

Ya'll have at it. I ain't touchin' this one.

 

[addavis]

Boneszee, go buy a BB gun if all you want to do is shoot cans in your back yard( if you can do so safely ). You are responsible for where your bullet ends up.

 

[theotherwaldo]

Wanting to buy a gun without knowing the difference between center fire and rimfire is like wanting to buy a motorcycle and not knowing the difference between a dirt bike and a chopper.

Do some surfing, guy. Wikipedia, even.

PS: I don't think that 19-year-olds can get any firearms in Sycamore, Illinois.