The Workin' Man's Rifle.

[Brian Williams]

Marlin 336 in 30-30, between it and a Win 94 probably have killed most animals in the contiguous 48. Maybe a 35 rem would be better but 30-30 has done it all.
Put a good receiver sight and a nice gold bead front and you are good to go.

 

[nc35hunter]

+1 to JackofAllTrades: I'm pretty sure you haven't even touched the price point of a working man's rifle. Not even close!

If you want a working man's rifle, go for a Marlin XL7 or 336. Or both, and you'll still have plenty left for glass.

 

[kenjs1]

If you love the Browning you have- I agree with the poster who said to just buy a synthetic stock for it. I have a Bell and Carlson that transformed my Stalker into a very soft shooting, most accurate rifle. I love that thing and hunting with that thing. You could get a McMillan stock for half what you want to spend on a new rifle. For something even more custom get it with a swirly paint job. They look great. I did my own camo job and it turned out pretty dang good and actually works well.

 

[aka108]

For a "working rifle", ie in the weather and subject to rough handling, best I found was to take a few beat up old 98K's, rebarrel to 270, 308, 30-06 or leave in 8mm if the barrel is decent. Rework the original stock a bit and you have a great working rifle for very little cash out.

 

[ThomasT]

For a working rifle I think one of the Ruger Hawkeye or model 77s with a synthetic stock would do just fine. Then you can paint away. You could also buy the more common blued steel and weather proof it with paint.

 

[mickeydim468]

I voted other because none of the rifles you listed would fall under my definition of a "Working Man's" Rifle.

I would buy a Stevens with a blued barrel and go from there.

That's just my opinion, to me that is a working man's rifle. If a working man saved for a few extra months then I would think he would get a Savage with the accu-trigger!

 

[Ed Ames]

Get yourself an H&R handi-rifle - a true working man's rifle.

 

[Deer Hunter]

I'm with Ed. Make it cheap and durable.

My M44 is more of a workin' man's rifle than any of the rifles listed.

 

[oldFred]

Forget the bolts! Get a semi. Browning BAR in .308

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

Voted Browning in this one, Sako in the other one. Any of those will serve well - gotta love the short bolt throw of the Browning.

But I should add my voice to those who say this ain't a workin man's rifle - anything that costs $1K is a middle-class / white collar man's rifle. Workin man's rifle would be a Rossi SS, NEF Handi, Mossberg 100, Stevens 200, Marlin XL7, Marlin 336, or mil-surp.

 

[black_powder_Rob]

marlin 336.

 

[danlnga]

Working Man's Rifle

"06" is talkin true to you. Older 742 in 30-06 will take anything in north America. A GOOD 742 will run you $300 +/-. I bought mine new in 1964. It did not shoot accurate at first. To fix that, put 20 rounds thru it as rapidly as possible. Gets hot & Seats the bolt. You just have to keep it clean & you will have one fine "Workin Man's Gun".

My first choice in the north Georgia woods.

 

[blindhari]

working mans rifle

For $1000 get a Handi rifle in 308 ($275), have it barreled in 357 & 12 Guage ($150), buy a 38spl hand gun used ($200) spend $300 on ammo Knock over any game in the lower 48 states, or stand and defed your home and person.

blindhari

oh yeah, PRACTICE

 

[Bob Spangler]

I agree with the Savage recommendation. It's a 15 minute job to change the barrel.

Mine's in 7mm08 with a fast twist to stabilize 162 grain amaxes. If I run out of my them, and can't get more, it's a breeze to put on my old 308 barrel.

Also, I don't mind duracoating it, getting it muddy, tinkering with it, etc. If I had my dad's Model 70 I'd be nervous all of the time.

My buddy just bought one used for $450, and it had a nice (walnut) stock and adjustable trigger on it.

Bob

 

[SpeedAKL]

Try the Browning, Kimber, or Sako if you can stretch for the $$, Weathery Mark V if you really wanna stretch it.

 

[altitude_19]

Savage 111. Cheap, light, detachable magazine (REALLY nice) and dead accurate.

 

[Legionnaire]

Seems almost by definition, the older Remington 760 or newer 7600 pump in .30-06 is the classic "working man's rifle." If not that, it has to be a Winchester 94 or a Marlin 336 in .30-30. But I wouldn't trade the Gold Medallion for either!

 

[shaggy430]

I really wouldn't consider any of the ones in your poll "working man's rifles". You want a working man's rifle, get a Marlin.

If you mean a good accurate rifle at a good price that you are not going to worry about getting dinged up, get a Tikka T3.

 

[messerist]

Ruger, Savage, Handi-Rifle, Marlin, K98. All good choices. Now make up your mind already and post some pics!