Fun Rifle for under $500

[Smithers]

So my coworker is looking for a fun rifle to plink and hunt with in the boonies. His budget is $500.

It seems he wants a semi-automatic, center-fire rifle. He's already got a poodleshooter. I think he's leaning towards getting a tactical-like rifle such as an AR. He prefers American arms.

So what can my coworker get for his budget?

 

[Kingcreek]

Not very tacticool but a Remington semiauto (74/7400) in a hunting caliber would fit well and be legal to hunt with most places.
If it has to be black and tactical with doo-dads hanging all over it then he will want something from communist military background or a Ruger mini 14 or 30 with some mods.

 

[tnieto2004]

a SKS and a bunch of ammo sounds just right .. Thats what I would do ..

 

[squirrel sniper]

What is he hunting, What range is he shooting at, how much does he want to spend on ammo, and how accurate does it have do be?

 

[Z71]

Wasr-10 or some other cheap AK. Provided you can find a 5 shot box mag to hunt with!

 

[chris in va]

Look at a Saiga in x39 or 308. Mine was less than $300 OTD at the last gun show. Put the right optics/sights on, you can certainly hunt with it.

EDIT: You said American, so probably rules that one out.

BTW you won't find an AR around his price range. Typically they start at $750 for basic models.

 

[mgregg85]

Used mini-14 or mini-30. I picked my mini-14 up for $300 used and its been a lot of fun, never stops shooting, just gets hot. It isn't the most accurate rifle in the world, thats for sure, but it easily gets the job done for most applications.

My dad has the mini-30 and has killed maybe 10 or 15 deer with it over the years, works great and he loves the light weight and compact size of it. He has never lost a deer he shot at with it and in only one instance has he shot a deer more than once to bring it down. He does admit that in that instance it was his own fault for making a bad first shot(deer fever).

Its not the most tacti-cool mall ninja choice but for less than $100 you can get a synthetic, folding stock for it to increase the mall ninja factor.

 

[ReadyontheRight]

www.odcmp.com

Definitely an M1 Garand. They will not be in the $500 range for much longer.

Blam! Blam! Blam! Blam! Blam! Blam! Blam! Blam! Ping!

 

[Detachment Charlie]

+1 Saiga
But, it appears you are in the PRC. I don't know if they allow any fun weapons inside their Evil Empire.

 

[HOLY DIVER]

readyontheright please tell me where your buying m1grand's for $500?
because i'd sure buy one(as long as its not stolen)

 

[Smithers]

What is he hunting, What range is he shooting at, how much does he want to spend on ammo, and how accurate does it have do be?

When he says hunting, it's more like he's going to wait outside on his Aunt's porch and shoot at things that move. Please don't tell me the legality of this, I'm not the one doing it.

But, it appears you are in the PRC. I don't know if they allow any fun weapons inside their Evil Empire.

Mostly no, but a saiga is perfectly legal.

I posted this question on THR since I couldn't really think of any tacticool rifle made in America that is semi-auto and can be used for hunting.

I think for his budget, a SKS, Saiga, cheap AK or used gun are his only choice.

 

[Firepower!]

Walther G22 with scope and laser.

 

[crazed_ss]

Go with the SKS.. too many legal hangups with a Saiga in California.

Do a search on calguns or this board and youll see what Im talking about..