I love the bolt action rifles simply because I simply love performing the cycle. I love pulling the bolt back, watching the ejected case fly out, and pushing the bolt forward and feeding the next round. I'm looking for a non-military surplus rifle that has a smooth bolt action and is fun and cheap to shoot. I'm not looking for a .22LR. I want a larger caliber than that. Any suggestions on what I should look for? I will be using this rifle to plink only. No hunting will be done. I would like to stay around the $200 range. My absolute max budget is $300. Is there a rifle out there for me?
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Cheap(er) Bolt Rifle
- Thread starter Dynasty
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Auburn1992
Member
Look at a Savage Stevens model in .223
skinewmexico
Member
And it's easier to change the barrel on the Savage, if you want to spend more some day and change calibers.
Schleprok62
Member
Marlin just put the XL7 on the market. I can get i locally for $276 + tax.. new. Comes in 25-06, 270, and 30-06 - have eard there is a .243 version also available... but it is not listed on their website.
rangerruck
Member
agree with the savage /stevens, or if you want a package rifle, with scope included, the Savage, and the mossberg will be the best, and closest to the 300 dollar range. If you can go a bit more, the howa 1500 package is the best entry rifle package gun you can get.
doc2rn
Member
More rifle you say?! How about a Mossin-Naggant in 7.62x54r, they run around $90 and that would leave you $110 for ammo. I bought a tin of 300 rds for $40 making it cheaper to shoot than my .223.
jpwilly
Member
Right on Doc...can't get much more bang for the buck than a Mosin Naggant!
BorisDaBastid
Member
My mosin was smooth as a proverbial baby's buttocks right off the rack. Apparently, this is a fluke, because I've heard time and time again stories of how folks have had to remove all sorts of cosmoline off of their actions in order to operate the Mosin smooth-like. But hell, for the 80 bucks I paid, I wouldn't have minded a few hours worth of intensive grease removal.
Mosins are incredible, BUT....for the price you're wanting to pay, why not a Mauser? Check on the Yugo M-48 or M-48A. They are post-war copies of the famous German K-98. Also, if you don't mind a straight bolt, the Yugo 24/47 is a great shooter as well.
We're talking $130 to $180 for the action that is THE definitive action that ALL bolt guns are still judged on to this day!
We're talking $130 to $180 for the action that is THE definitive action that ALL bolt guns are still judged on to this day!
chris in va
Member
You don't want a Mosin if you're looking for 'smooth'. Mausers are much better, but ammo is getting pretty costly.
Too bad your price range is lower, I have GREAT fun with my CZ carbine in x39.
Too bad your price range is lower, I have GREAT fun with my CZ carbine in x39.
scythefwd
Member
A springfield 840 in .30-30 or 222 would fit the bill if you arent looking to shoot over 300 yards. You can get those or the savage equivalent for about 250.
You don't want a Mosin if you're looking for 'smooth'
all my mosins are smooth. but its a different action than all the Mausers and Mauser based RemChesters. that might be where people start to have problems, they are 2 different actions.
Ridgerunner665
Member
Another vote for a Savage in 223.
ImARugerFan
Member
Sorry, but with today's ammo prices .22 or hm2 is all I can justify plinking with.
scythefwd
Member
skinewmexico
Just to help me wrap my mind around this, are you saying that all that is needed to change the caliber on a savage is change the barrel? I have a springfield/savage .30-30 bolt gun. Would all I need to change it to a .222 is to change out the barrel? What about the ejector and having the bolt line up properly? I don't see how that would work, would you mind expounding on your post a little?
Just to help me wrap my mind around this, are you saying that all that is needed to change the caliber on a savage is change the barrel? I have a springfield/savage .30-30 bolt gun. Would all I need to change it to a .222 is to change out the barrel? What about the ejector and having the bolt line up properly? I don't see how that would work, would you mind expounding on your post a little?
Not quite that simple. Cartridge heads must be the same size, a new barrel must be headspaced, and you may need an action wrench and barrel wrench. Then there are issues with magazine and feeding.
Just because it can be done doesn't mean it should be, or that it can be done economically.
Just because it can be done doesn't mean it should be, or that it can be done economically.
Mojo-jo-jo
Member
I know you said no milsurps, but take a second look at a Lee-Enfield. Smoothest, fastest bolt-action ever. Most are in .303 British, but Ishapore 2A models are in 7.62 NATO. You should be able to find one for about $200, maybe a little less.
skinewmexico
Member
Just because it can be done doesn't mean it should be, or that it can be done economically.
Good one, using "economic" on a gun board. If we wanted to be economic....we'd all buy one M38 and stop.
I don't know how big the head is on a 222, but Savage only has 3 bolt heads - 223, magnum, and .473. If you don't mind working on your own rifle, it ain't that big a deal. It's about like changing the oil on your car.
lvcat2004
Member
I think mosins are great, but the OP is looking for a "non-military surplus"....I'm not quite sure what that is, however. I guess he means NEW?? or Police surplus?? or just a non-military gun?? I'm not sure what's wrong with a military surplus, some great deals are found in military surplus with plethora of cheap ammo, especially for plinking, which is what he is looking for.
I'd say Mauser or Mosin, but if you want to shoot cheap for plinking, then Mosin it is. Plenty of <$100 Mosins out there and cheap ammo.
I'd say Mauser or Mosin, but if you want to shoot cheap for plinking, then Mosin it is. Plenty of <$100 Mosins out there and cheap ammo.
mudslinging79
Member
where did you find a tin at that price?????
xsquidgator
Member
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Get a milsurp, but that might just be me...
I've had a couple of Mosins that were fun but neither of them were anything like a "smooth" action. You can't go wrong for a typical FFL03 price of about $70 and everyone should have one as a beater gun, but it wouldn't be my most-favorite rifle.
My most favorite bolt action milsurp is my 8mm Mauser K98. Much smoother action and it's a pleasure to shoot.
That said, I've been thinking of getting either a .303 or a .308 SMLE Enfield. I've held one and worked the action on it, and I think the Enfield HAS to be the absolute smoothest bolt action I've ever felt. All I've ever felt is milsurps, so maybe there are hunting rifles out there that are even smoother, but the Enfield is really butter smooth.
I've had a couple of Mosins that were fun but neither of them were anything like a "smooth" action. You can't go wrong for a typical FFL03 price of about $70 and everyone should have one as a beater gun, but it wouldn't be my most-favorite rifle.
My most favorite bolt action milsurp is my 8mm Mauser K98. Much smoother action and it's a pleasure to shoot.
That said, I've been thinking of getting either a .303 or a .308 SMLE Enfield. I've held one and worked the action on it, and I think the Enfield HAS to be the absolute smoothest bolt action I've ever felt. All I've ever felt is milsurps, so maybe there are hunting rifles out there that are even smoother, but the Enfield is really butter smooth.
Chuckulator
Member
Another vote for the Mossberg ATR. Very light and accurate. The bolt is very smooth. Incredible deal for the money. I have a Burris scope on mine.
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