Dr.Mall Ninja
Member
im looking for my first rifle, and im on a budget im thinking of going in the direction of a 308 or 30-06. but im open minded. what do you guys suggest
rifles under $600
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Drgong
Member
I got my CZ 550 right at the $600 level...
Tennessee Ned
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I'm in the same boat. That's why I just signed up. People are going to want to know if you want semi-auto or bolt though.
I've been doing some research and I'm thinking the Remington 770 in 7mm Remington magnum for a bolt action coming in at $452-$532 msrp.
Also a Weatherby Vanguard for about $500 but does not include a scope like the Remington unless you can find a "package" deal and then it will run about $150 more.
For a semi it might be hard to find one for less than $600. I want a 30-06 semi.
I was thinking Remington 750 until I read some bad things about them and now I'm looking at the BAR Lightweight Stalker.
If anyone has any knowledge of these rifles or could recommend anything else I would appreciate your help and expertise.
Budget is important but so is quality and reliability. Thx Ned.
I've been doing some research and I'm thinking the Remington 770 in 7mm Remington magnum for a bolt action coming in at $452-$532 msrp.
Also a Weatherby Vanguard for about $500 but does not include a scope like the Remington unless you can find a "package" deal and then it will run about $150 more.
For a semi it might be hard to find one for less than $600. I want a 30-06 semi.
I was thinking Remington 750 until I read some bad things about them and now I'm looking at the BAR Lightweight Stalker.
If anyone has any knowledge of these rifles or could recommend anything else I would appreciate your help and expertise.
Budget is important but so is quality and reliability. Thx Ned.
Tarvis
Member
Take your pick, nearly every manufacturer has a rifle for under $600. I'd say remington because I like them and the SPS is accurate out of the box, sub .5 MOA if you change the stock. Someone that likes savage will say savage because they're accurate, someone that likes CZ will say CZ because they're accurate, someone that likes winchester will say winchester because they're accurate.
Caliber-wise, I'd say 308, but someone that likes 30-06 will say 30-06, as will someone that likes 243 or 25-06 or 223 or what have you. 308 is a good choice as it is widely available, moderate recoil and good ballistics for the ranges you will most likely be shooting at. It's an excellent do all cartridge. Plan on getting a .223 in the near future as well.
Scope: if you're planning on getting one, you should really try and get something like a Leupold vari-x III (can be had for $600). The glass and the warranty are superb. You will be able to find a scope for much less, even around $40; but you get what you pay for and $40-$100 scopes are cheap for a reason. Buy something you won't have/need/want to replace.
Edit: Do not get the 770 or any rifle with a scope package. It may look like a good deal but it's not for the reasons I stated above. Don't go el-cheapo unless you plan on shooting this rifle 15-20 times a year. If you plan on getting into shooting, get a bolt gun. I can't really tell you about any other rifles in your price range other than the remington 700 SPS which I have read several reviews on.
Caliber-wise, I'd say 308, but someone that likes 30-06 will say 30-06, as will someone that likes 243 or 25-06 or 223 or what have you. 308 is a good choice as it is widely available, moderate recoil and good ballistics for the ranges you will most likely be shooting at. It's an excellent do all cartridge. Plan on getting a .223 in the near future as well.
Scope: if you're planning on getting one, you should really try and get something like a Leupold vari-x III (can be had for $600). The glass and the warranty are superb. You will be able to find a scope for much less, even around $40; but you get what you pay for and $40-$100 scopes are cheap for a reason. Buy something you won't have/need/want to replace.
Edit: Do not get the 770 or any rifle with a scope package. It may look like a good deal but it's not for the reasons I stated above. Don't go el-cheapo unless you plan on shooting this rifle 15-20 times a year. If you plan on getting into shooting, get a bolt gun. I can't really tell you about any other rifles in your price range other than the remington 700 SPS which I have read several reviews on.
Dr.Mall Ninja
Member
i really like the bolt action 308
jackdanson
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Everyone will have an opinion, almost all will be valid. Look into savage, they can be had for less than you stated and are very accurate out of the box.
doc2rn
Member
M1A from CMP $599 what a great way to start shooting!
Ridgerunner665
Member
I just bought a Remington SPS Tactical 308 off gunbroker for $589 shipped...hell of a good deal I think.
I didn't even need it (that makes four 308's for me)...just wanted it after I saw it.
I didn't even need it (that makes four 308's for me)...just wanted it after I saw it.
savage116
Member
Do you want a rifle for shooting, hunting or both.
ctgmi
Member
It would be helpful if you listed what use will this firearm will be used for.
savage116
Member
Also a Weatherby Vanguard for about $500 but does not include a scope like the Remington unless you can find a "package" deal and then it will run about $150 more.
Dont buy a nice rifle and get a cheap scope you will regret it. Believe me everyone always told me that and i didn't believe it. I was shooting a ruger m77 stainless 7mm mag with a $100 bushnell that wasn't clear and that didn't hold up. So instead of $200-$300 for a good scope it's going to be $300-$400 for 2 scopes
Dont buy a nice rifle and get a cheap scope you will regret it. Believe me everyone always told me that and i didn't believe it. I was shooting a ruger m77 stainless 7mm mag with a $100 bushnell that wasn't clear and that didn't hold up. So instead of $200-$300 for a good scope it's going to be $300-$400 for 2 scopes
Tennessee Ned
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- Jul 18, 2008
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I need an all purpose type rifle.
I only have a .22 right now so I want another rifle or two (a semi-auto 30-06 and a bolt 7mm) for my personal collection, shooting at range, coyote control, and ability to hunt deer or bigger than deer.
Thanks for the heads up on the scope. I think the Rem 770 comes with something like a Bushnell Banner 3-9x40 which is a pretty cheap ($70) scope.
I only have a .22 right now so I want another rifle or two (a semi-auto 30-06 and a bolt 7mm) for my personal collection, shooting at range, coyote control, and ability to hunt deer or bigger than deer.
Thanks for the heads up on the scope. I think the Rem 770 comes with something like a Bushnell Banner 3-9x40 which is a pretty cheap ($70) scope.
I'd recommend a Tikka Varmint in .308 - very accurate, if just a tad out of your price range. I don't think you can go wrong with a Savage 12BVSS/VLP or a CZ 550 either. I own a Savage 12FV, but really do detest the stock. It is, though, as accurate as any other gun out there, arguably more so.
Whatever you do, try BudsGunShop or AbleAmmo or Gunbroker for some really good prices. Ebay will likely be your best bet for a high end scope for a very good price, usually 10-20% less than the lowest online sellers. I think Bushnell 3200 and 4200s are very nice, as are Nikon Monarchs. Another place to find VERY good prices on scopes is Arcadian Sales at:
http://www.arcadian-sales.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc
While I still buy things from a nearby independent gun shop, it's increasingly hard to do so when you can get such better deal online.
Whatever you do, try BudsGunShop or AbleAmmo or Gunbroker for some really good prices. Ebay will likely be your best bet for a high end scope for a very good price, usually 10-20% less than the lowest online sellers. I think Bushnell 3200 and 4200s are very nice, as are Nikon Monarchs. Another place to find VERY good prices on scopes is Arcadian Sales at:
http://www.arcadian-sales.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc
While I still buy things from a nearby independent gun shop, it's increasingly hard to do so when you can get such better deal online.
Mark K. C.
Member
I've said it befor and I'll say it forever, check out your nearest gun shop for a used one. You can throw 100$ into a used rifle to bring it up to new condition and still be $$$ ahead.
Asherdan
Member
The Banner is an inexpensive scope, not a cheap scope. They are a good value for their price.
The Marlin XL7 bolt in 30.06 and 270 Rem is getting great reviews from both the mags and owners. I'm waiting for the 25.06 currently. Good functional bolt action that leaves you a little more room in the budget for glass.
The Marlin XL7 bolt in 30.06 and 270 Rem is getting great reviews from both the mags and owners. I'm waiting for the 25.06 currently. Good functional bolt action that leaves you a little more room in the budget for glass.
savage116
Member
A good scope for the money is a Nikon Buckmasters. I have had good luck with these scopes. I have one on my savage 30-06 which I should mention puts bullets through the same holes at 100yards. And I also have one on what my grandfather tells me is my 300 win mag which is a tikka. That gun and scope also put bullets through the same holes.
Here is were I bought one of my Nikons. This guy has a good price ships fast and is great to do business with.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Nikon-Buckmaste...ryZ31714QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Here is were I bought one of my Nikons. This guy has a good price ships fast and is great to do business with.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Nikon-Buckmaste...ryZ31714QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Chris [Risk]
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- Jul 2, 2008
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- 12
Remington 700
savage116
Member
I have had good luck with savage, ruger, winchester, weatherby, tikka, and cant speak for any others. And for scopes leupold, nikon, redfield,falcon, and with a good simmons but not a cheap simmons
younganddumb
Member
look at the marlin xl7 its a sub 300 $ and sub moa so you can still afford nicer glass
Tarvis
Member
Here's a good scope for $480 from the link posted above:
VX-3 3.5-10X40 Duplex Reticle, Gloss Black Finish
7mm Rem Mag is a good choice for a flat shooting magnum cartridge with lower recoil than other belted magnums.
Tennessee Ned: I'm not sure why you want a semi-auto, but you could look into getting a CMP garand. You have to be a member of a certified club and take a certified class, but the juice is worth the squeeze, and you will own a piece of American history.
Also, before you go and spend a bunch of your hard earned dollars on factory ammo, buy an intro press like this one. If you figure $1.50 per round ($30 per box of 20) for factory ammo and $.50 per round (if you are buying brass) of hand loaded ammo, the cost of the press will be recovered after 330 rounds (less if brass is reused), which in one year would be about 30 rounds per month. After that, you are saving money, learning and making ammo tuned to your rifle for better accuracy and performance.
VX-3 3.5-10X40 Duplex Reticle, Gloss Black Finish
7mm Rem Mag is a good choice for a flat shooting magnum cartridge with lower recoil than other belted magnums.
Tennessee Ned: I'm not sure why you want a semi-auto, but you could look into getting a CMP garand. You have to be a member of a certified club and take a certified class, but the juice is worth the squeeze, and you will own a piece of American history.
Also, before you go and spend a bunch of your hard earned dollars on factory ammo, buy an intro press like this one. If you figure $1.50 per round ($30 per box of 20) for factory ammo and $.50 per round (if you are buying brass) of hand loaded ammo, the cost of the press will be recovered after 330 rounds (less if brass is reused), which in one year would be about 30 rounds per month. After that, you are saving money, learning and making ammo tuned to your rifle for better accuracy and performance.
MCgunner
Member
I'd rather have a 300 dollar Stevens/Savage and shoot tight groups than a 600 dollar M1A and shoot patterns. Just me, I guess. I have a feeling the M1A I'd want would be closer to 2 grand, or better. I like the what the tactical crowd calls "Remchesters". But, then, I hunt animals, not black helicopters. There's plenty of rifles in the Remchester line for under 600 bucks that'll shoot sub-MOA, but you'll have to put glass on it and that can run the cost up.
Dr.Mall Ninja
Member
shooting im not really going to be hunting
Tarvis
Member
MCGunner was pretty close 
. He didn't exactly say it, but auto loaders are generally not as accurate and not required to make a follow-up shot. You can get one that is, but plan on working two jobs. I'm not really sure what Remchester is in reference to, but I get the feeling it's a metaphor for the firearms industry's bolt action rifles.
. He didn't exactly say it, but auto loaders are generally not as accurate and not required to make a follow-up shot. You can get one that is, but plan on working two jobs. I'm not really sure what Remchester is in reference to, but I get the feeling it's a metaphor for the firearms industry's bolt action rifles.- Status