What rifle to buy...

[KingMedicine]

So for christmas i got a cabela's gift card for 200.00 bucks. I have been totally wanting to get a nice bolt action rifle, perfer something with a bull barrel or tactical. The only hickup is, i dont have a ton of cash to throw in on top of the card. Maybe 200-300 bucks. Any Opinions? I was leaning towards a Remington 700 or maybe the Savage 10fs, but i dont know much about these type of rifles.

Also, i am planning on using this rifle mainly for target shooting, and maybe hunting if it came up.. But i'd put money on seeing groups and distance shots for the life of the rifle...

 

[Olympus]

For $500, you can get yourself a pretty good used rifle at a gun show. Remington 700 is my personal choice. I've just never been a fan of Savage, but people that own them say good things about them. You might also be able to pick up a Ruger in that price range. But then you're got to get optics and mounting hardware. Plan on about $50 for base and rings. A decent scope could be anywhere from $150 to $250. My advice would be to buy the best scope that you can afford.

 

[Uncle Mike]

So, you want the whole package for $500 out the door.

The Savage 10 with either Weaver 'Grand Slam' picatinny bases with your choice of STEEL rings or maybe the Warne or EGW 1 piece picatinny base.

After all that you might have to save up for a scope. Word...don't buy a cheap scope, you will regret it!

 

[Sock Puppet]

In your price range you should take a look at the Howa 1500 as well.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

Weatherby Vangaurd is a nice, very accurate rifle that is well within your price range. Doesn't have the bull barrel, but I would expect you would be hard pressed to find one of those for under $500, unless you went used. The gift card doesn't allow you that luxury though.

 

[sarduy]

get a Remington 700 SPS varmint or SPS Tactical in .308

 

[jonvon]

I have a savage 10fp that cost 545 when purchased new and It consistently outshoots my dad's Remington 700 varmit ....... Best group ever shot was about 1/2 in @ 100 yds.
I reccomend getting a Model 10 FCP with the removable magazine

 

[mickeydim468]

Weatherby Vangaurd is a nice, very accurate rifle that is well within your price range. Doesn't have the bull barrel, but I would expect you would be hard pressed to find one of those for under $500, unless you went used. The gift card doesn't allow you that luxury though.

^^^ +1

I wanted to add too. Just get the rifle at Cabellas with the gift card, then find your scope and mounting hardware elsewhere used or whatever. Or just save up for a little bit longer until you can put at least a Nikon Prostaff scope on it. I wouldn't go any lower in quality than that. They are good optics and only run about $170.00 New.

Mikey!

 

[hometheaterman]

Savage 10 is what I'd get. I wouldn't even consider the Remington 700.

 

[COgunner]

I've been looking in that price range too. Don't know if Cabela's carries T/C, but I'm very impressed with their Venture. It has 5R rifling, user-adjustable trigger, and a 1 m.o.a. guarantee. $469 at Sportsman's Warehouse. I was looking at the Vanguard and liked it also, but for $70 more, I'm thinking I will go with the T/C.

 

[Olympus]

I've been hearing a lot of good things about the T/C Venture as well. Seems like it might be a very good budget rifle.

 

[Mr. T]

Go with the savage or even go with the Stevens...same gun you just don't have the removable magazine; the Stevens have the internal box magazine. For the price that kind of inconvenience could be worth it, particularly when the performance will be about the same.

 

[KingMedicine]

Im just looking around 500 for the rifle. Ill get a quality scope and rings somewhere else on a different paycheck. Im edging towards the Savage 10fp, even tho i heard the basic stock is so-so

 

[KAC1911]

I've owned several Rem 700 BDL's in a variety of calibers and all were top notch. My favorite was the 700 laminated bdl 26" bull barrel in 22-250 with a nice Lepold on top. Miss that rifle.

 

[G27RR]

Look into the Marlin XL7/XS7. It's a very underlooked budget rifle.

 

[Jolly Green]

There is a lot you can buy for ~$500 ( as previously suggested), but I would save up just a little longer and get into the ~$700-1000 price range and research the options there. (This from a guy with only one gun (costed $500 dollars and is now 100 years old.)

 

[mdmax]

TC Venture: Bought one last week in 7MM Rem. Mag for 449.00. It is a tack driver. TC has several new calibers out for 2010. Great weapon for the money. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Olympus]

Good to hear about the TC Venture.

 

[gunsandreligion]

Look into the Marlin XL7/XS7. It's a very underlooked budget rifle.

not so much a budget rifle as just a great gun which ain't a ripoff.

 

[Bear70]

Look in the used racks at Cabela's for a Remington 700 bdl. I just have a thing for the bdl's. I'm also always on the lookout for a Husqvarna mauser in .30-06. I saw one at Cabela's....himmed and hawwwwed....put it back on the rack and regretted it ever since.