Abel
Member
The Stevens 200 in 308 or 270 would be my #1 pick for a budget deer rifle new out of the box.
http://www.savagearms.com/firearms/models/
http://www.savagearms.com/firearms/models/
Great deer rifle for around $400
- Thread starter GWARGHOUL
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Smith357
Member
Buy used, a nice used Savage 110 can be had for $250 or less, a Howa or Mark X Mauser action for $3-350 with milled steel trigger guards and other nicety's no longer found on cost cutter budget guns. My buddy just picked up a nice J.C. Higgins made with an early Commercial FN Mauser action in .257 Roberts with double set triggers and receiver sights for $375 there were three of them on the table a .270 and an 06 all in the $400 range. There are plenty of fine used rifles out there that stand head and shoulders above any of the new budget junk. I bought a mid 70s Winchester with a Leupold 3x9 for $425.
Frozen North
Member
Savage/Stevens are WAY ahead of the curve when it comes to budget priced rifles. After my experiences with some of the low end Remingtons, I would not touch them with a ten foot pole.
I have a Savage 111 that is a shooter, you won't see tighter groups at a lower price.
I see those Savage Axis rifles on sale all over the place.
I have a Savage 111 that is a shooter, you won't see tighter groups at a lower price.
I see those Savage Axis rifles on sale all over the place.
Sale at my LGS just ended today selling the Venture for $299 after rebate....I almost jumped on that.
armysniper
member
770 Great for the price!
There is absolutely nothing wrong with the Remington 770. People who hate on it have not most likely owned one. Biggest complaint is that your stuck with the barrel because it cant be changed out. I submit to you, there is no way you can wear out that barrel in your lifetime. It is a reliable accurate rifle. Elitists are the ones telling you that the rifle is bad. It will get you into the hunting game and keep up with the best of them. Now here is the best part about this rifle right now.
Currently on sale at walmart for $279 as of todays date. And that is for any caliber. If they dont have the one in stock they can have it shipped there within a couple of days.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with the Remington 770. People who hate on it have not most likely owned one. Biggest complaint is that your stuck with the barrel because it cant be changed out. I submit to you, there is no way you can wear out that barrel in your lifetime. It is a reliable accurate rifle. Elitists are the ones telling you that the rifle is bad. It will get you into the hunting game and keep up with the best of them. Now here is the best part about this rifle right now.
Currently on sale at walmart for $279 as of todays date. And that is for any caliber. If they dont have the one in stock they can have it shipped there within a couple of days.
Owen Sparks
member
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- 4,523
Get an old Swedish Mauser and mount a scope on it.
R.Ph. 380
Member
OK, where's the folks who wouldn't buy one at any price. That 279.00 would have sold me. But Wait, Already got one, called a Whitetail Pro in 308 and I love it. Accurate at 100 yds and I can enjoy it all day. Don't think I'll ever wear out the barrel and if I do, I've saved that 2 to 300 extra that I would have spent and will be able to afford another when needed. Too many naysayers in the rifle fields. If it performs for you and does what you want for the price you want to pay, why bum someone out and tell him his rifle(which he loves) is a piece of sh@@?
Think you should get that 30 06 in the camo for 279.00!! HE** Yeah.
Bill
Think you should get that 30 06 in the camo for 279.00!! HE** Yeah.
Bill
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/51929
Look at that.. American made, stainless barrel, good looking stock..
Hows the trigger and action?
Look at that.. American made, stainless barrel, good looking stock..
Hows the trigger and action?
rem22long40x
Member
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- Oct 22, 2011
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- 111
the marlin xl7 or hevey barel model in 308 or30-06 are more accuret out of the box than a 700 R5 and my fother and I have proven it at our local gun rang. I have a 700 that has had a 1000.00$ worth of work and will not do what my 373.00$ marlin xl7hv will I even shot a 3/4 in. group at 300yd. with Rem. corelocks and 1/4 in. groups with hand louds at the same dist.
I do like Marlins, and they have a XL7 is 30-06 or 270 at buds for even less than the 770.
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/52887
I only wish it had a stainless barrel, but seems like a heck of a deal. Adjustable trigger too.
Does it have a field worthy trigger guard?
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/52887
I only wish it had a stainless barrel, but seems like a heck of a deal. Adjustable trigger too.
Does it have a field worthy trigger guard?
I'm not into the heavy barrel thing, I just want a good hunting rifle. That 770 and Marlin that I just posted really appeal to me, and my wallet.
The marlin seems to have better features, but the 770 has a stainless barrel..
I assume the Marlin is drilled and tapped ready for a scope?
The marlin seems to have better features, but the 770 has a stainless barrel..
I assume the Marlin is drilled and tapped ready for a scope?
1/4 inch at 300 yards is .083333 MOA
Frozen North
Member
People are steering you away from that 770, I suggest you listen. It is based on the crap action used on the 710. The 710 is the only gun I have ever owned that I grew to really hate. It was accurate, but that is all it did right. The action got sticky and gummy no matter what I did with it, the magazine fell out when I fired it, and the bolt handle broke off not once, but two times. It was a basket case.
Any of the other choices you have listed will be much safer bets.
People said the same things when the 710 came out. Some said it was great and the haters must have never shot one, and others said it was a turd. I was talked into one, but never shot a deer with it because it was always back at the mothership for repairs. It's gone now and I don't miss it. It's new owner hates it too.
Why are you worried about a durable trigger guard? They are not known for being a part that often breaks...
Any of the other choices you have listed will be much safer bets.
People said the same things when the 710 came out. Some said it was great and the haters must have never shot one, and others said it was a turd. I was talked into one, but never shot a deer with it because it was always back at the mothership for repairs. It's gone now and I don't miss it. It's new owner hates it too.
Why are you worried about a durable trigger guard? They are not known for being a part that often breaks...
I have a Winchester 670 ( a cheaper version of the model 70) built in the late 60's and it is a good rifle. I have shot it off a support in field conditions and at 150-200 yards with cheap ammo it hits fragments of clay pigeons the size of your thumb and first finger together easily. I traded a GP100 for it and a decent scope, and am very pleased with the trade.
Yes the XL7s trigger is quite good, I believe (from handling them) its a knockoff of the Accutrigger from savage. It feels almost exactly the same as the one on my model 11. The guard itself is plastic, but it seems like a pretty sturdy piece. The plastic guard on my 110 is almost 12 years old and still doing fine.
Well, looks like the XL7 is the winner. It may not be the best in every category, but its good, affordable, has features I like, and is definitely a better choice with my budget, leaving more money for a better scope. Its either that or a Vanguard 2..or a 700 Stainless.
We'll see what the Christmas budget is.
We'll see what the Christmas budget is.
jimmyraythomason
Member
The original plastic trigger guard is quite good but if you prefer a steel one, it is very easily and cheaply replaced. This is the one I got for my Steven's 200.<http://www.midwayusa.com/Product/119847/savage-trigger-guard-savage-10-through-16-110-through-116-steel-matte>
bad_aim_billy
Member
The older XL7's are well-made and ridiculously accurate for the money. Triggers are fantastic as well. Mine was more accurate than I am for sure, but no lockable bolt didn't work too well going up hillsides at 6000 ft.
However, I wouldn't buy a new one, because as has been stated before, Remington has gone down the crapper. And while a 770 is the best(worst) example of this, I wouldn't trust a newer XL7 either imho.
Go with the Vanguard or a Savage with the accutrigger.
H2oPumper
Member
The Marlin is a solid gun. Yes, the plastic trigger guard was a concern for me, so I just replaced mine. It cost about what a box of cartridges do. Too much of the gun's accuracy depends on a screw going through the guard and it isn't worth a chance. As far as a scope base, the Marlin's should come with a base, otherwise it's compatible with Winchester 70 bases. To tell if you have a purebred Marlin, look on the barrel for a JM stamp, if it was made in the Remington factory, it will have an REP stamp on the barrel. I have not heard of any ill reports of the REP stamped Marlin bolt actions. Just clean and lube the gun before shooting it.
I wouldn't recommend a 770, simply because it's too hard to live with.
Controls are difficult, stock isn't the easiest to grip, fit and finish isn't good.
But it is VERY accurage at long distances.
Clearly the barrel is made very well,
even though the rest of the rifle has
no redeeming features.
The problem with threads like this, many of those posting haven't actually
owned the rifles they are recommending or criticizing. Some of these guys
haven't even seen or handled the rifles they are reviewing. You have to
take everything with a skeptical eye. Don't be afraid to be cynical when
viewing gun advice on the internet. Yes, you can be cynical of me, too.
Just asking:
Are you capable of a kill shot at 400 yards?
The gun is half of it, but the shooter is the more important half.
I wouldn't be afraid of a 400 yard shot.
But I've been deer hunting since 1960.
I know the difference between 170 and 400 yards.
Controls are difficult, stock isn't the easiest to grip, fit and finish isn't good.
But it is VERY accurage at long distances.
Clearly the barrel is made very well,
even though the rest of the rifle has
no redeeming features.
The problem with threads like this, many of those posting haven't actually
owned the rifles they are recommending or criticizing. Some of these guys
haven't even seen or handled the rifles they are reviewing. You have to
take everything with a skeptical eye. Don't be afraid to be cynical when
viewing gun advice on the internet. Yes, you can be cynical of me, too.
Just asking:
Are you capable of a kill shot at 400 yards?
The gun is half of it, but the shooter is the more important half.
I wouldn't be afraid of a 400 yard shot.
But I've been deer hunting since 1960.
I know the difference between 170 and 400 yards.
wlewisiii
Member
If you want a bolt, my choice was a Marlin XS7 in 7mm-08.
If you want a lever, my choice was a Winchester 94 in .30-30.
The Marlin was more expensive.
If you want a lever, my choice was a Winchester 94 in .30-30.
The Marlin was more expensive.
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