Please advise on a rifle for father N law..

[DML2007]

THR,

My father N law had a blast at the range with my .308 and AR15 in .223. Now he would like to purchase a rifle, and become involved in riflery as well. He even became a member of teh NRA to support the cause. A gun show is in town this weekend, and he is excited for a potential purchase. This will be his first rifle, and he reports that he would enjoy something that could get out and touch 500 yards after he learns the some of the many fundamentals of shooting. I have to say, that I am very excited to see the enthusiam he displays after a morning at the range.

The only problem is budget. Without going into the subject, I know that he (like me) cant afford to go much higher than $400. A COMBO (rifle with scope already mounted) would be great, so Im turing it over to you all for the advise....THANKS, I look forward to any suggestions to get him out on the range.

I hope this isnt the most vague post ever....

 

[mp510]

Last time I was at Dick's they had Remington 700 Varmint Tactical Rifle models in both .223 and .22-250, paired with a scope, for $539 (or something like that).

 

[dakotasin]

look for a used heavy barrel rifle in a varmint chambering (smaller than 25 cal).

if it has to be new, you're going to be looking at sporter weight rifles. nothing wrong w/ sporter weight guns, but they are not near as fun for pure range purposes as heavy barrels.

regardless of sporter or heavy barrel, keep the chambering small. a 223 or 22-250 and the like have no troubles making 500 yards.

 

[BsChoy]

+1 to dakotasin's post....223 in a heavy barrel is just plain fun!

 

[Vaarok]

M-39 or K-31, clamp mount, and lots of ammo.

 

[LongRangeInternational]

A 10/22 would be fun too. If he's not interested in that, the .223 would be a blast provided he has at least 100 yard range to shoot at.

 

[rangerruck]

i agree with 223; first off, he might get bored and lose interest walking too many 500 meter lines!!! so if we can vary it , he will be more interested, especially if he can see his stuff from the shooting line. Get a spotter scope or a pair of hi power binos at the show as well, used , or at a pawn shop. plus if he does not have a lot of money , 223 and 308 are your best options, just get 308 in milsurp stuff, any american ammo or former british empire 308 should be fine, except Indian. Also ex nazi S. american ammo is pretty good, I had good luck with Argentine and Venezuelan. You should be able to get a good bolt gun combo with 400 bucks. I say a Howa , with a OD green Hogue overmolded stock, with scope , for 380 , a few months ago, In 243 cal. 243 cal, with the right bullets will actually let you get out to 1000 yds if need be, without a bunch of recoil, but 243 is more expensive, unless you handload, which is something he may wanna look in to, if he has the time. But if you can find a Howa or Savage combo gun, heavy bbl, I would jump on either one of these, Heavy bbl will let you shoot 1 shot about every 30 seconds or 1 minute, and keep the groups very tight, without you having to worry about stressing the bbl , or overheating.

 

[rklessdriver]

CETME's and FAL's can be had for around $400 when you shop around sometimes. Both are .308 and would get to 500yrds no problems, if he was into the assault rifle thing.

As for a scoped hunting type rifle, just pick your caliber and a good scope. .308, 30/06, .270, 7mm o8, 7mm mag, 260 Remington all would be capable 500yrd calibers with fairly low recoil. For the money the Mossberg 100 ATR's I have seen were all accutate. Weatherby Vanguards and Howa 1500's are also very accurate rifles on a budget.
Will

 

[skinewmexico]

There was a guy on the Savage forum that had a bunch of 204s with scopes for $425.