re: Whats some bottom end rifles "$300ish"?

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I have a Swedish Mauser in 6.5x55 that is a blast to shoot. I love shooting old military rifles and that round is very close to the .25-06. That gun in particular can be had for $200-250 and is super accurate. Have you gone that route yet? I know you say you have a safe full, so I'm probably telling you something you already know.

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Actually no i dont have one nor looked into them. The only military style gun i have is an sks.

Didn't read all replies, I recommend used Rem700 or new T/C Venture

VolsFan,
Despiite the fact that he's an Arkansas fan, I have to give credit Hawgon :-) and his rec:

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You only need four names, Stevens, Marlin, Ruger, and Howa:

1) The Stevens 200 is simply the Savage 110 without the accutrigger;

2) The Marlin X series is one of the best deals out there right now and can be had for right at $300 at Budsgunshop.com;

3) The Ruger American Rifle is getting great reviews and really stands apart in the feel category. It is very slim and lively and can be had from around $350 to a little less than $400 depending upon where you get it; and

4) The Howa can be had at Acadamy or any number of places online. Howa is a Japanese company and they make the Vanguard. The Howa you can get at Acadamy is simply a Weatherby Vanguard without the price increase that comes with the Weatherby name.

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He's spot on w/ his rec, especially if you're looking for a NEW gun. Of course, you might find a really good buy on a USED Remington M700, Winchester M70, Savage M10, M12, etc, or Ruger M77 and others.

I've bought a number of Steven's M200s. I've found them to be very accurate. In addition, if you'll do a little internet research, buy some piano wire and spend 10 minutes or so of adjusting the trigger, you can get a very nice 3-4# trigger pull.

I had a 30-06 Howa many years ago. It would shoot 3/4" groups at l00 yards w/ my handloads. The trigger was easily adjusted. Sold it only because I no longer needed a 30-06. In times past, Howa has also made bolt actions sold under Mossberg and Smith and Wesson's names.

3-4 years ago I bought a Marlin XL7? in 270 Win on sale at BPS for $280. Didn't really need a new gun, but wanted a "camp rifle" if needed to loan out to friends and such. Put an $80 low end Pentax scope on it in Burris rings. When first shot, I couldn't hardly keep it on paper using 20-25 year old factory rounds, but the rings were to low (bolt was hitting the rear ring). Bought Burris Signature high rings and put it up for a while. Decided to resurrect the project a few weeks ago. Using NEW factory 130 rounds and 3 shot groups at 100 yards, it shot 1.5" w/ Winchester Power Points and 0.8" w/ Remington Core-Lokt. Looks like it was a good investment after all.

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I have a Swedish Mauser in 6.5x55 that is a blast to shoot. I love shooting old military rifles and that round is very close to the .25-06. That gun in particular can be had for $200-250 and is super accurate. Have you gone that route yet? I know you say you have a safe full, so I'm probably telling you something you already know.

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That's an amazing rifle and caliber. I have one. However, I don't shoot it anymore since the surplus ammo dried up. The new stuff is just too darn expensive for me to enjoy.

If you know of any sources, I'm all ears.

Don't get any old Mausers unless you are gun crank. And I say this as a man who still has about seven or eight of them and every single one of my main hunting rifles is a Mauser.

First of all, they aren't exactly cheap anymore. I haven't seen one for $250 in several years. Second of all, they take a lot of work to get them like you want. By the time you bend the bolt, drill and tap them, do the safety work, and maybe put them in a new stock, you've got a thousand dollars in a gun you could sell for $350 if you are lucky. And that is if you do all the work yourself. If you pay someone to do it for you, well...

If all you want is a cheap rifle to knock around, get one of the new cheap rifles out there.

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Don't get any old Mausers unless you are gun crank. And I say this as a man who still has about seven or eight of them and every single one of my main hunting rifles is a Mauser. First of all, they aren't exactly cheap anymore. I haven't seen one for $250 in several years. Second of all, they take a lot of work to get them like you want. By the time you bend the bolt, drill and tap them, do the safety work, and maybe put them in a new stock, you've got a thousand dollars in a gun you could sell for $350 if you are lucky. And that is if you do all the work yourself. If you pay someone to do it for you, well... If all you want is a cheap rifle to knock around, get one of the new cheap rifles out there.

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I agree with this if you want to hunt with it right away, but as a fun gun to shoot with the open sites on it, and as a long-term project gun, I think it is pretty neat. I was given the one I have. It's the carbine version which was unfortunately "sporterized" after the war with some sort of pistol grip.

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Ruger American Rifle are nice rifles

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Not a bad choice.

Here's a thorough review.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Umn6kFpL-E4&feature=g-user-u

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The Stevens 200 is simply the Savage 110 without the accutrigger

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I've posted this on here before, but here goes again...I found this rifle on sale at Academy 2 years ago for $179.

I picked up one as well as two of my friends. We each put Nikon 3x9x50 scopes on them and have not been dissapointed. Not the smoothest bolt in the world, but extremely accurate.

It was one of the best deals I've ever found while gun shopping. I was just walking thru Academy and saw them on sale and had to have one.

I'm gonna get mega blasted for this, but the mossberg in .270 or .30-06 the best rifle in that price range for deer in louisiana.

Out of the calibers you listed I'd definitely go with 7mm-08. I had a .25-06 up until last year. It was a freakin laser of a rifle (tikka T3 lite) and every single bullet I ever sent went exactly where I wanted it to. The problem is getting good bullets at a decent price for it. I shot hornady 117gr SST's and was horribly un-impressed with them and do not recommend them to anybody in that particular caliber. Every deer was .25 going in and .25 coming out. They were accurate, but were piss poor performers for killing deer. Blood trails were very scarce when they where there at all.

You won't be able to out-shoot a mossberg ATR. I promise. The scopes they come with are not great by any means, but it'll definitely do what you want it to do. The triggers are good and the groups are great. Not sure what else you look for in a deer rifle.


For a strictly play rifle, get a .22-250 or .25-06

They both shoot very flat and recoil is nil. Great fun calibers.

My brother bought the savage 7mm-08 for his son. i believe its a single shot. thats all he uses now when his son isnt hunting. has killed four deer with so far and his as killed four. he said its awesome to actually see the bullet make impact through the scope because it has no recoil. I plan on buying one before rifle season this year as well.