Good Inexpensive Hunting Rifle?

Question

Hi, I have a Mod. 98. It is really nice, my grandpa picked it up when he was in WWII and he had one of his friends cut the barrel and basically make it for hunting.But the thing is, with the Mod.98 the trigger is just awful it take about 10 pounds to fire it because the trigger is really bad. My grandpa told me that when he died that he didn't want me to change a singe thing on the gun. The only thing I can do is ad/remove scopes and blue the metal. So I can't hunt with it because it is messing with my aim.

So I am wondering if anyone has any ideas on a rifle that I can hunt with? I will be hunting big game, deer, elk, caribou, and maybe black bear. It needs to be around $300-$500. I'm willing to buy a new or used gun. I don't expect to get a good rifle for $300 brand new. Thanks

Answer 1

The Savage Axis has been mentioned already,it has gotten a good share of the economy rifle market. You can get one for about $300,sometimes with a cheap scope that would need eventual upgrade. The Marlin XL/XS 7 is a pleasant surprise to most people looking for a $300-$350 rifle. What you want to stay away from are the Remington 770 and Mossberg ATR, they both use cheap stocks and have bolt cycling issues. Maybe best bang for the buck is a Weatherby Vanguard Series 2 for about $500-they have upgraded stocks,a new adjustable trigger with a 2 stage option,3 position safety and a Sub-MOA claim from the factory using recommend ammo (your results will vary depending on your ammo choice).

Walmart sells both a Savage 10 FPX combo and a Rem 700 ADL (no scope) with X Mark trigger for about $425-$450. Both have good reputations in the field. Cabela's sells a 700 ADL for about same. T/C Ventures go for about $500,may catch a sale for $50 off-solid newer design,similar to the Axis.

Ruger also has an economy rifle called the "American" that should be $450 or so,again using a lot of the features seen on the Axis,T/C,even Tikka T3,but seems to have some unique stock/action blocks for stability and a little Browning A-Bolt and Tikka DNA in the features.

I like the idea of an Axis in 223 or 22-250,not so much 30-06,which is what you should consider as your cartridge choice. Yea,I recommend looking hard at the Vanguard-even in base model it is solid.

I own A-Bolts and have used CZs,Rugers,Colt-Sauer, others; like the A and X Bolts,CZs are like bank vaults.

Answer 2

you can buy a new-issue condition (aka factory refurbished) Mosin Nagant 91/30 for $80.

it shoots 7.62x54r and enemy wise it's about the same as 308 Winchester. ammo's cheap, the rifle's accurate, and they're very reliable. trigger pull is not 10 pounds.



You can get a H&R Handi Rifle for $200-$300. available in a variety of calibers such as 308 Winchester or 30-06. break action, single shot, very reliable, pretty accurate, lightweight and simple to maintain.



in the $300-$500 range I recommend a Savage short action .308 or long action 30-06. about $450-$500.

very accurate, reliable, sometimes with a scope package, designed for hunting.

Answer 3

I'd bet your grandpa wouldn't consider a trigger job as changing the gun.A gunsmith could probably clean up your original trigger and make your gun a shooter you can use without changing a thing on your gun.Wouldn't it be nice to see your grandpa's gun used instead of just something to look at?

Answer 4

i took a deer with a russian SKS, they run around $200 or less. it can be used for the others, but deer is best for it. Mosin Nagant which you cna get in the US for like $100, is a larger round, and would be able to take all of those down no problem! i have both and love them both! take a look :)

Answer 5

Consider looking around for a Lee Enfield in .303



You can replace the wood stock with a nice composite stock, they're very accurate when mated to a decent scope, reliable, durable, and the Remington .303 Corelock rounds are pretty hard hitting at range.

Answer 6

Savage axis. Great gun for around 300 new in your basic calibers 30-06 etc.

Answer 7

You could get a trigger for about $80 and temporarily install it. Just keep the old parts.

Answer 8

Last time I have been in MC Sports , I have seen several rifles under $350.00 , brand new .

I don't care for hunting at all so I can't help you to choose , but there are rifles in your price range .

Answer 9

I will second the Savage Axis. I've got one in .243 that has 100% exceeded my expectations.

Answer 10

SKS.One of the best rifles ever and its very cheap.

One Con:Semi-Auto.