Christianthebuckmaster

Hey all, im wanting a new deer rifle. I want it to be a semi auto or pump in 270 or 308. Im on a budget though no more than 500 dollers. Let me know what type of guns you guys know of in this price range.

salukipv1

Browning BAR,
perhaps used? Is there any other semi-auto on the market? haha.

I have a .270 that shoots great, but I'd consider a short action like the 7mm-08, 308, .243, maybe even a 270wsm.

rgs1975

3 letters -----> B A R

Sheridan

Bar = best autoloader

$500 = very used Bar

sconnyhunter

Remington 742 Woodsmaster, had one for a few years. It was easy to shoot, had very manageable recoil (it was a .308).

As was already suggested, the Browning BAR.

Those are the only two I have any experience with.

bigcountry

I have a BAR, and 7400. Both work great. Of course the BAR looks prettier, and cycles much better. But I bet I killed more deer than you can put in a railroad car with that 7400. 7400 has an inherent problem of changing POI with the forearm screw.
BARs can be finicky with forearm fit also.

I got both to shoot under 1.5MOA.

hometheaterman

The older Remington 740's and 742's have issues with the guns wearing out prematurely, so I'd stay away from them if it was me.

The Remington 7400's don't seem to have this issue and seem to be pretty decent guns. This may be the only thing you can find in your price range unless you luck up on a cheap BAR. The 7400's aren't bad, but not great either. I've got a couple of hunting of hunting buddies that have these, and they don't seem to be any more accurate than the BAR's or R1's. I wouldn't hesitate to buy one of these, I just think the Browning is a nicer rifle.

The Benelli R1's and Browning BAR's are probably the best two options in the semi auto world. Contrary to what Big Country tells you, your semi auto will probably not be the most accurate thing in the world. I've learned that with my BAR that 1.5-2" groups are about as good as it gets and that's with bullets it loves. This is for Pre 93 Bars without the BOSS. Ones it doesn't like produce huge groups. 98% of the guys I've talked to claim that this is all you can expect from a BAR and Browning says 2" is the normal for them. Yet somehow Big Country seems to think they are all sub moa guns, yet they are often not. This accuracy is plenty fine for deer hunting which is what they are made for, but it's nothing great either. IMO they are great hunting rifles, and if that's what you want it for these are a good choice. These two are far better in quality than the Remington 7400, but at the same time, they are usually out of your price range.

35REM180grFP

save up and get a browning BAR. never had a problem with them. good quality and accurate out of the box with factory ammo ( iron sights ). i have owned 2 rem 7400's and 2 rem 7600's. the semi's jammed and both became one shot's. tried several weights brands of ammo and mag's.

my browning safari topped with a VX-II 2-7X33mm will shoot 165gr. sierra gamekings .582" at 100yds all day. it will also shoot rem 180gr. psp under 1" aswell.

Ruger-Redhawk

Save a bit longer and get the BAR. I had two Remington 742's. Notice said had. I wouldn't own another one on a bet.

GRIZZLYMAN

I have a 742 that is 40 years old that is still shooting well and killed two deer so far this year with. My BIL has a 740 that is obviously older and still is shooting fine and taking deer also. My BIL's brother has a 742 that has had problems, but he doesn't clean it.

Semi-autos require a little bit more care and maintenance because they have more moving parts than say a bolt action. If they aren't maintained, they will wear out quickly.

I had a BAR in 7mm RM that I traded a few years ago. I wish I had it back.

With that said, if I was going to buy a new rifle, I would probably go with a pump action instead of a semi auto.