Best and cheapest hunting rifle?

Question

Under $300. What is the best rifle for hunting elk with? I know I'll have to get a used one. I was thinking of .270 or maybe 30-06... My grandfather owns a couple of m1903s that he might sell to me for pretty cheap, but I'd rather get a rifle that is cheaper to shoot, with a big bang, and low recoil. I looked at Savages...they seem ok. I was also looking at Rossi and H&R single shots, but those seem to have bad reviews. Mosin Nagants are becoming increasingly expensive and hard to find (Big 5 had one for $620!!!! Who in their right mind would pay that much for it?!? I used to be able to find them there for $50!), so they're out of the question. I tried Gun Genie, it pulled up Savages, and other rifles that are over my limit.

Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

Mosin Nagant. damn near hard to beat a $100 rifle.



Big 5 is ripping people off. pre-sandy hook they were asking $229 for a Mosin.

here's a place you can get Mosins for about $100.

http://www.classicfirearms.com/c-r-eligible/lng-m91-30-nagant

I've bought quite a few things from them, they sell very high quality surplus guns.



H&R Handi Rifles aren't bad, mine's pretty good, although I've never really cared for accuracy... I'm not hunting with mine, I shoot extremely powerful experimental ammunition in mine that is so powerful accuracy is not important. There's complications measuring MOA anyway, if it was in a reasonable caliber like 30-06 or 223 it would be easy. But no, mine's in 500 S&W Magnum which results in 1/2" holes in the paper and a 3 or 5 shot group results in huge holes that means measurements difficult. I'm guessing its a 2 MOA rifle...



Savage isn't bad, but for $300 limit you won't manage anything better than the absolute super-basic Axis which IMO is a poor deal. you can't rebarrel, it comes with a Sporter barrel that makes it unsuitable for anything else besides hunting, and there's no options for customization of any sort. no free floating of barrel, no custom stock, nonadjustable trigger, so unless you have no plans on upgrading later it's really a bad deal. spend $100 extra, buy a Savage 10/11/110/111/12 or 14 rifle that can be modified as you need later down the road.



You might find a used rifle (Winchester, Remington, Savage, Stevens- just about every rifle brand that exists) in your price range and in a suitable caliber, although i haven't checked the market right now, i imagine the choices are limited. maybe later after the panic is over you'll find some good deals.

used rifles typically pre-1970 is very good, they were all steel and wood back then. 270, 308, 30-06, 8mm, 7mm, 284, etc.

Answer 2

For your budget, I like the Savage Axis in 30.06. A .270 would get the job done for elk, but I'd be more comfortable with the .06 on an animal that big. If you can scrounge up an extra 50 bucks, I'd get yourself a Ruger American rifle. It's basically a Savage Axis with a nicer recoil pad and Ruger's version of the Accu-trigger. I wish someone made a mattress out of whatever stuff that recoil pad is made of.



I have heard similar feedback about the Rossis and H&Rs, but I have not fired one. I have seen a disproportionate number of used ones for sale in the pawn shops around me, though.



Even if you can find a reasonable Mosin, don't waste your time. Finding 7.62x54R loaded with hollow point bullets is virtually impossible. If you have the means to hand load your ammunition, then a Mosin could work, but then you have to get creative if you want to mount optics.

Answer 3

I was once just at WalMart and noticed Remington model 700s with the brand new X trigger for $445, and Savage programs with scopes for $335 to $375. I've obvious a first-class stainless laminate stock Howa 1500 in 270 WSM for $500, the Tikka T3 composite/blue is $500 most places. I've seen Stevens (Savage with out Accu-trigger) for $285 in a single situation, even CZ 550 in 6.5x55 Swede for not up to $600. I've even seen Remington model 7s for not up to $375. All of those are "low priced" rifles compared to prime of the road weapons. Should you stay away from the Remington 710/770 abomination you would be just exceptional with any. As for cartridge i would seem at 270 and 30-06 seeing that they provide the first-rate performance on deer and elk or undergo whilst offering the exceptional determination of bullet weights and manufacturing facility loadings. The 308 is close to both, but the 30-06 edges it in vigor and the 270 has higher sectional densities and ballistic co-efficient. Any person rifle is as correct as you make it with the aid of getting the right ammo, so you must are trying a number of extraordinary masses unless you handload. Does not subject the cartridge you use, however invariably use a BONDED of controlled expansion bullet on sport like deer,antelope, elk, and many others. Most states have a minimum of .243 Winchester as there large recreation loads, and that's only to be used with a ninety grain or better weight nice bullet. Beneath are links to cartridge/sport selection charts and an article by means of Craig Boddington on the usage of 223 rifles within the few states that allow for it.

Answer 4

You can not always go by reviews. Many of those reviewers are PAID. And paid to write glorious words to make you go buy the stuff they are paid to sell you. Time is the best prove of quality ever. The 1903 is a great rifle, I have been shooting one since I was 5 years old. BUT it is heavy ( for a hunting rifle ). Today there are much better choices. I would suggest looking for a used rifle. You can get allot more for your money. The best of the used rifles may be at the gun shops, but there are bunches of them to be bought privately. You can do much better if you can find people who have them. I would start at a local or the local gun clubs. Meet some people be nice and friendly. Soon someone may have something for sale, or tell you to talk with their neighbor about his old hunting rifle. You may be shocked what you can find, and what you pay for it.

Answer 5

Stevens model 200. Its not pretty but its basically a model 10/110 savage without the accutrigger and with a ugly stock. You can still rebarrel it like you do with the savage models and you can buy a stock easily because the standard savage stocks fit. They can be had around 300 new, I don't think you will find one for 300 with a decent scope however. You could pick up a used one with scope for 300 pretty easily.

Answer 6

I think I' d choose an old, rugged, glorious m1903. I have a k98 and at the range we shoot quite well as modern rifles....And i think that your Grandfather would be happy you hunt with his rifles....

Answer 7

Go with H&R