you have 500 dollars, what rifle are you buying.

[KsSkaEnthusiast]

Rather open ended question but you have 500 bucks to get a primarily hunting rifle to do all in your area. What are you buying? I would probably go for a savage 111 trophy hunter combo in 270 for my neck of the woods.

 

[Mr. Hill]

A savage or ruger in .30-06.

 

[NorthBorder]

I have always had a thing for 300 Win Mag and I don't know why. Probly because it is a good round number, and because a friend had one. So I would look for a Savage 111 or Stevens 200.

 

[Bfh_auto]

A Ruger American in 22-250 with 1-9 twist. To that with a Nikon Prostaff and I'm golden.

 

[someguy2800]

Does $500 include a scope? A local place has ruger americans on sale for $409 so I would pick one of those up in 308 or 6.5C. For an optic I just looked on amazon and they had a bushnell banner 3-9x40 in their warehouse deals for $62. That would suffice for a few years until I could swap out the scope for a burris 3-9x40 E1.

 

[I6turbo]

I'd probably be searching the used racks or on-line for a nice, older .243 because the caliber is pretty flexible and I appreciate the way some of the older guns are built. Some examples, both older and newer. If I went with a newer gun I might go to a 6.5 of some sort.
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/909623341
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/908561502
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/909179240
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/907947860
https://www.gunbroker.com/Item/907824010

 

[LoonWulf]

Howa 1500 or Ruger American

 

[12Bravo20]

I would go with a Savage for two reasons. One is that they are known for their out of box accuracy. Two is they have the best selection of left handed rifles at that price range.

For those that do not need a left handed bolt action, then you have a lot more options.

 

[Bwana John]

I'd probably save a little more money, and get something better.

 

[jmr40]

I'd probably save a little more money, and get something better.

Yea, a year ago $500 went a lot farther than it does today.

 

[herrwalther]

My LGS has a Mossberg Patriot 308 for $400. Leftover to get a scope (unlikely) or ammo.

 

[Dave DeLaurant]

Either look for a find on the used rifle market or put it back in my wallet until next season when I have $1000 to spend.

I'd look for something like this -- FN Mauser action, Husqvarna barrel and stock: https://simpsonltd.com/husqvarna-1640-z48401/

As it happens I just spent $500 on a rifle today, though I seriously doubt it would meet your needs

 

[Captcurt]

There are several good ones to choose from like Savage, Ruger American, or Mossberg. Last year I tried a M18 Mauser 6.5 CM and was pretty impressed with it. The action is smooth and has a 60 degree bolt lift. The stock is not tupperware and the trigger is very nice. Possibly the best that I have seen on a rifle under $1000. It is even better than my Bergara. At the time I bought mine Eurooptic had them for $400 but now they are closer to $500.

 

[Hokkmike]

Rather open ended question but you have 500 bucks to get a primarily hunting rifle to do all in your area. What are you buying? I would probably go for a savage 111 trophy hunter combo in 270 for my neck of the woods.

CZ bolt action .22

 

[tomrkba]

Something from Savage

 

[mavracer]

I'd probably just blow it on a new barrel for my Ruger Precision Rifle if that's an option.

 

[chicharrones]

$500? I'd be tempted to get this.

 

[wombat13]

Does the $500 have to include tax and transfer?

If $500 price for the rifle and I have money for scope, taxes, transfer, etc, then eurooptic has the Mauser M18 in 6.5 CM for $499.99.

If the $500 has to cover everything, then a Savage Axis II XP in .280ai.

Although, my boy is 7 and I’m getting him started on .22lr. I should probably get a good bolt rifle in .223 for him to step up to in a couple years. Course, that wouldn’t cover everything in my area.

 

[J-Bar]

An appearance challenged pre-‘64 Winchester Model 94 in .30-30. Still one of the best in deer woods, ammunition available everywhere, will not deprecate.

 

[IdaD]

An appearance challenged pre-‘64 Winchester Model 94 in .30-30. Still one of the best in deer woods, ammunition available everywhere, will not deprecate.

I have one and absolutely love it, my uncle bought it new back in the 1950's.

But my answer for a hunting rifle would definitely be some sort of bolt action chambered in 30-06. It's still the best do-it-all caliber in my opinion, and you can get a huge variety of factory ammo. I've used a 30-06 on everything from Pronhorn to an Alaskan Bull Moose.

 

[illinoisburt]

I'm going to be practical in case folks read this for actual advice
I agree the American is a good rifle but with only $500 budget people will be very limited on glass. Vortex around $150 is about as cheap as likely to find for decent lifetime quality. Preferably spend a little more to get into the low 200s for reliable optics but that really limits rifle choices. Seems like most of the budget guns are more than capable accuracy wise though they may be less than beautiful.

Probably best bet for that money is a Savage Axis XP for $349 and swap out the package scope for a Vortex Crossfire II 2-7, 3-9, or 4-12 for $149. Pick favorite flavor of cartridge either 243, 6.5, 270, 308.

>> OR <<

Go a bit more traditional wood stocked Mossberg 464 30-30 for $429. Lever guns and open sights do still work for walking the hills and forests where a quick shot at 50 yards might present itself.

 

[caribou]

Only the best;

SAKO M-39 Finish Mosin, 7.62x54r.

 

[sarduy]

Rather open ended question but you have 500 bucks to get a primarily hunting rifle to do all in your area. What are you buying? I would probably go for a savage 111 trophy hunter combo in 270 for my neck of the woods.

Challenge accepted

 

[Robert]

$500? Nothing.

 

[JCooperfan1911]

Only the best;

SAKO M-39 Finish Mosin, 7.62x54r.

You might be surprised but the going rate on M39s is through the roof. You might struggle.