Good Rifle for under $500?
#2
Fork Horn
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 220
RE: Good Rifle for under $500?
I just picked up a savage 116fhss (stainless/synthetic w hinged floorplate) in 30-06 for 496.00 plus tax and comes with the new accutrigger. They have a rep for being ugly, but it's def a shooter and personally I find no flaw in it's appreance
#3
RE: Good Rifle for under $500?
Several good ones; I like Savages (have owned two) in the cartridges you specify.
BUT HEY -unless you expect to be taking some loooong shots - check out a Marlin 336 in 30-30. I've recently gotten one, and it is a delightful rifle - handy, pleasure to carry, little recoil, pleasure to shoot, looks GREAT (esp. compared to ugly-duckling Savage, or ANY bolt gun) and it is accurate. Shot a doe this evening, and for the first time I tried out the 170gr bullet (I've been using 150). These 170gr absolutely hammered the deer, making hole about 2-3" on both sides of ribcage.
I like this 30-30 better than either of the Savages I've owned. If you're DEER HUNTING... get one, you won't regret it. You can get the Marlin for around $300 new I think (mine was 2nd hand) and then ad a decent scope, you'll be under budget and ready to make venison.
BUT HEY -unless you expect to be taking some loooong shots - check out a Marlin 336 in 30-30. I've recently gotten one, and it is a delightful rifle - handy, pleasure to carry, little recoil, pleasure to shoot, looks GREAT (esp. compared to ugly-duckling Savage, or ANY bolt gun) and it is accurate. Shot a doe this evening, and for the first time I tried out the 170gr bullet (I've been using 150). These 170gr absolutely hammered the deer, making hole about 2-3" on both sides of ribcage.
I like this 30-30 better than either of the Savages I've owned. If you're DEER HUNTING... get one, you won't regret it. You can get the Marlin for around $300 new I think (mine was 2nd hand) and then ad a decent scope, you'll be under budget and ready to make venison.
#4
Typical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 917
RE: Good Rifle for under $500?
I just went through a very similar search. My preferences, in order:
Remington M700 SPS
Tikka T3 Lite or Hunter
Ruger M77 MkII
Weatherby Vanguard
Howa 1500
Savage 111 or 116
The Remmy is a really nice rifle for the money...tough to beat at about $465 with matte blue finish. I got the stainless version in 7mm-08 for $517 out the door.
The Tikka is pretty light and will kick harder with the larger cartridges. Accurate, great trigger and barrel, though.
Ruger is coming out with a new model to replace the existing one, so you may be able to find some nice closeout prices soon.
The Weatherby Vanguards are really nice...almost all are tackdrivers right out of the box.
The Howa is the same thing as the Weatherby with a different name...
The Savage guns are very acurate, too. If you like the Accutrigger, they may be the best thing going. If you don't (like me), they're still pretty nice.
Remington M700 SPS
Tikka T3 Lite or Hunter
Ruger M77 MkII
Weatherby Vanguard
Howa 1500
Savage 111 or 116
The Remmy is a really nice rifle for the money...tough to beat at about $465 with matte blue finish. I got the stainless version in 7mm-08 for $517 out the door.
The Tikka is pretty light and will kick harder with the larger cartridges. Accurate, great trigger and barrel, though.
Ruger is coming out with a new model to replace the existing one, so you may be able to find some nice closeout prices soon.
The Weatherby Vanguards are really nice...almost all are tackdrivers right out of the box.
The Howa is the same thing as the Weatherby with a different name...
The Savage guns are very acurate, too. If you like the Accutrigger, they may be the best thing going. If you don't (like me), they're still pretty nice.
#6
Fork Horn
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 248
RE: Good Rifle for under $500?
Tikka T3 Black on Black in any caliber you want for $469-499 depending where you buy it. Guranteed to shoot 1" or less at 100yds. It's one of the best deals going IMO. I've personally bought 2 of them this past summer. One in 300wsm and one in 308. Shot a 185lb 7pt in ALthis past weekend with the 308. Dropped him in his tracks. Got to get one with the 300 now. Here is thegun shop I got mine from. They willnegotiate with yousome on the price if you get seriouson buying one.
http://www.scottsoutdoors.com/products2.cfm?id=1004300&show_selection=YES
http://www.scottsoutdoors.com/products2.cfm?id=1004300&show_selection=YES
#7
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Texas
Posts: 32
RE: Good Rifle for under $500?
I held both the Tikka and the Savage before making my choice. Both nice rifles and I don't think either one will treat you badly.
I had pretty much set my heart on the Tikka until I actually got to play with the Savage 110 a bit. Some people say the stock is uhgly, well I like functionality over looks and the critters don't admire your gun before ya kill them
As far as Rems go- I'm not a lover of them nor a hater, some are good some aren't and I didn't feel like rolling any dice for that much money.
Go to the gun dealer and hold each one and cycle it a few times before you decide.
Good Luck!
I had pretty much set my heart on the Tikka until I actually got to play with the Savage 110 a bit. Some people say the stock is uhgly, well I like functionality over looks and the critters don't admire your gun before ya kill them
As far as Rems go- I'm not a lover of them nor a hater, some are good some aren't and I didn't feel like rolling any dice for that much money.
Go to the gun dealer and hold each one and cycle it a few times before you decide.
Good Luck!
#10
Fork Horn
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Hamiltucky, OH
Posts: 485
RE: Good Rifle for under $500?
I've been trying to talk myself out of one of these in 7mm-08!
It's one hell of a rifle for $419!
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=700+sps
It's one hell of a rifle for $419!
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=700+sps