TUK101

For under $400, I would get a Marlin XL7 in a lighter caliber like 25.06 or .243 then you have a varmint and deer rifle.

Father Forkhorn

.243 would be a good choice as it doesn't look like you've got something in that category, but it sounds like you'd want something a little more fun.


How about a classic lever action? A winchester model 94 in .30-30 or a savage model 99 in 300 savage, if you can locate one at the right price.

statjunk

Do you reload?

If so pick up a K31 Swiss in 7.5x55. It shoots .308 bullets and you can resize 264 Win or 284 Win brass to make brass for it. Can't recall off hand which one.

It's a straight pull bolt so it's really unique. They are very accurate. Power is on par with a .308

You can get a really nice one for $175.

Tom

Centaur 1

How about an AR-15? For under $400 you can get a complete lower receiver including a buttstock. Then it'll just be a matter of saving a few hundred more for the upper receiver and a barrel. It's about as cool of a gun as you can get. You can get one with a longer barrel in .223 for varmints. My son is building one right now that's chambered for 9mm, that way it's cheaper to shoot and he can use it at the indoor range.

triggertadpole

i was looking to day at guns its hard to pick but ive got it down a little
.223 vangaurd
.243 vangaurd
walter p 22
17 hmr model unkown
7mm mag vangaurd
30-06 vangaurd
some type of suplues rifle
or a 30-30 mariln

Centaur 1

You should narrow down a little more what you want to do with this gun. You're kind of all over the place with the guns that you've mentioned, but I'll stick in my two cents.

The .223 is a nice varmint rifle, they can kill deer but you're stretching it.

The other three Vanguards;
.243 - great for deer and varmints, if you don't hunt elk or moose I would think that it would make a great choice. Much lower recoil than the 7mm or the 30-06.
7mm magnum - good choice if you make extremely long range shots, but if not the recoil is more than I like.
.30-06 - good all around choice.

30-30 Marlin - I just bought a Marlin 336 in stainless steel, and I love this gun. Very low recoil and if you limit your shots to the range that the cartridge was intended, it will kill deer as good as anything else. In all reality unless you live out west, I think that people worry too much about taking long shots. With the Hornady leverevolution ammo, the 30-30 makes an acceptable 250 yard rifle.

.17HMR - If you squirrel hunt this is the ultimate caliber. The ammo is too expensive for a plinking gun, but it's really cool when you pop a squirrel at 125 yards, or even longer.

Walther P22 - Awesome plinking gun, lots of fun but totally inaccurate. A soda can at 20 feet is a challenge to try and hit.

Surplus rifle - When you say surplus rifle I think of an sks, ak47 or a bolt action rifle that originated from some communist nation. If I were you I'd get a deer and a varmint rifle before I played around with one of these.

okboarhunter

get a
savage
stevens model 200

I just got a camo one scoped and evrything brand new for $334.00 plus shippin so it was around $400.

They had the scoped package special in Jerry's Supply Catolag (JSC).

It come in 243,25-06 and quite a few others
i dont remember...