Mission: Deer rifle gift. Budget: $150. Can it be done??

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jamz

jamz

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My brother in law is in need of a more modern rifle than his grandfather's .303 (still will be hunted with, a venerable tool, but he also wants something updated).

I have a $150 budget, maybe a bit more. I don't have real high hopes, but can this be done without sporterizing a milsurp?

-James
 
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The NEF single shot rifles go for about $200 and sometimes a little less. The ones I've seen seem to be pretty solid and functional. Reasonable accuracy on the range too. Otherwise, military surplus is your best bet.
 
NEF or Rossi break-open single-shot is your best bet. The Rossis are within your budget if you go for a .357 or .44 mag, enough so that you may have enough left over for some ammo too.

That said, the Handi's are quite accurate, feel good in the hand, and are overbuilt enough that they're nothing to look down at. The Handi's are the value-kings IMHO.

I have no idea what the Mossberg or Spartan (Russian but imported by Remington) single shots go for, but they might be in the running also. I'd take the Spartan over the Mossy just for its ruggedness.
 
also wants something updated
Click to expand...

That's the tricky part of the question: what does he mean by "updated"?

If the goal is to not beat up a family heirloom, a pawnshop 30-30 would be the answer.

A mil-surp would be great, but I don't expect that meets his defintion of "updated". Sporterizing a mil-surp usually turns out cheesy, unless you find a mil-surp that someone already did a good job sporterizing.

Does he want a more modern finish (stainless steel?), a more modern cartridge (.308?), semi-automatic operation?

If ranges are short, would an SKS in a synthetic stock be "updated" enough, or would a stainless-steel NEF Handi-rifle be closer?

One random idea: sometimes you can find bolt-action 30-30 rifles by Savage and such for around $100 at a pawnshop or on Gunbroker. Same ammo, but in an "updated" format. Just throwing ideas out.

-MV
 
'Nuther vote for the NEF - ain't much better for $225 than a HandiRifle in 308, complete with scope base.

Save your pennies and get the NEF. It'll be yards better than any other choice within the same dollar range.
 
"Can it be done" No, but for $164.87 + Tax it can!!

If you can squeeze a Rossi or NEF with some sort of iron sights on them...that would be the ticket - but I seriously doubt you will find one in the $150 range unless used.

Check out WalMart's website, they have break action rifles there.

LINK


Doesn't have to be .308, they come in an a lot of other calibers.
 
Well, how about a deer shotgun? You can find plenty of used Mossbergs in your price range.

Also, how about some really fine Mauser actioned military rifle? Does not have to be sporterized right away, and Mauser action always leaves as much potential as you want.

Mosin is another choice. You can but unissued carbine for that money, and still have some left for ammo.
 
Hi there,

Hit the pawn shops!

I agree the NEF Handi-Rifle would be a great single shot solution to an updated rifle with classic technology.

There's something noble in hunting with a single shot rifle.

Chris
 
carolinaman said:
Hi there,

Hit the pawn shops!

I agree the NEF Handi-Rifle would be a great single shot solution to an updated rifle with classic technology.

There's something noble in hunting with a single shot rifle.

Chris
Click to expand...

+ 1 on the Pawn Shops - There's a few people that like to hunt, but don't want to deal with haveing a weapon in thier home year round, that's what I've been told anyway.

I picked up a Ruger M77 with a synthetic stock and SS barrel and a Satin Tasco scope, when I was 18 from a guy we deer hunted with, for $200. The price the pawn shop was going to give him back if he'd sold it back to them after deer hunting season. This was about 5 years ago, traded that rifle and got $400 on trade in.
 
FWIW..I have a friend that makes a quick stop in some of the local bars, VFW's, etc. after work. Kinda asks around if anyone has a _______ to sell (whatever he wants at the time). Guns, tools, bikes, etc.

He's got guns WAY cheap. You gotta have cash on hand and make the deal dead on the spot. This is the time of the year when construction guys get laid off and need money for electric bills, rent, etc.

Got another friend that got a NIB Rem 1100 for $25 :what:

Seller just wanted the $25. Probably needed a drug fix. He knew the guy and family and it was legit. Go figure
 
Around here, it's not that hard to scour pawnshops and find a nice, used Marlin 30-30 for $150.

Sometimes you even get a scope.
 
Just remember that any MilSurp in your price range is going to have mediocre sights (Mosin, SKS) or shoot ammo that's not exactly common or cheap (K31, Enfield).
 
You can get a nice Yugo M48 8mm Mauser surplus. They have modern looking stocks and are fairly short. You can get unissued grade for a pretty good price. The round has more punch than a 30-30 and surplus (but corrosive) ammo is very cheap. I see no reason to sporterize a M48. The main draw back would be availability of a wide range of hunting type bullets in factory loads. They are easy to find mail order though.
 
I thought about this for a little while and decided the first thought I had was valid .

The answer is NO ! I realy don't see much of an advantage over that old 30-30 that is available for that kind of money.

Particularly if wanting a deer rifle for woods hunting where the range is not long and the action can be quick. Many of todays hunters still like the 30-30 lever guns for deer hunting and there is a good reason why - they work !
 
MNRivrat makes a great point. What about getting him some other hunting tool? A good set of binoculars, nice pair of boots, new parka or a GPS unit?

Back to guns, if you're set on a rifle - of course there's nothing wrong with that :) - you might be able to find a deal on a used Remington 760. Great hunting rifle and I've seen them dirt cheap (of course only when I have no $$) at dealers who end up with too many hunting rifles as the season ends.
 
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