Cheapest new whitetail gun worth buying
 

I'm trying to get my cousin into deer hunting this fall but he's getting married and can't afford to spend much on a new gun. In your opinion, what is the cheapest whitetail gun worth buying? Preferably in 12 ga or .270.

If you want a bolt action rifle I'd look at the Savage Axis, Remington 783, Mossburg 4x4, Ruger American...I don't own any of these but hear good things about them...I think all can be had for under $400 You could also look at the NEF Hand-rifles...I have one in a heavy barreled 243 and it's a shooter for the $. ....12g? Singleshot...again, look at the NEF Handi-Rifle....I have a Mossburg 500 with rifled slug barrel that I have hunted with, one can probably be found for under $400....or even less used.

The gun Smith use.says the ruger is the best budget gun on the market. He buys a lot of guns to see how they are then resales them.the ruger he says is one of the most accurate ones on the market. For 2014 they make it in stainless. They also have a package deal with a redfield scope.
http://ruger.com/products/americanRifle/index.html

I was going to suggest the Ruger American or the Savage Axis in that order but I've been beat to the punch lol.

IMO Buy a second hand gun - best bargain for the money if you can't spend more than +/- $400 new.

Do NOT buy a "package" gun & scope - spend more on your scope than you do on your rifle.

You might just find a used gun with a good scope at your local gun shop.

Given the option between a low end NEW rifle, or a better quality used rifle with a limited budget, I'd ALWAYS go with the better quality used rifle. $300-450 will buy you a used Savage 10, Ruger M77, Rem 700, etc. (anybody else remember when you could get a used Win 70 for that, heck, even a NEW Win 70 for that!?!?!?)

I am, personally, not a fan of the Axis nor the American, but either are good workhorse rifles for guys looking for that. Given the choice, I'd probably buy a Stevens 200 over a Savage Axis, for the simple fact that I could ACTUALLY upgrade it later to essentially be a "mis-marked Savage 10", rather than make a lateral move to another crappy aftermarket Axis component. Pretty sure the Stevens is cheaper than the Axis anyway.

Throw the Mossberg MVP into the mix with the Axis and the American. I'd normally never go Mossberg, but I've shot a few of them over the last couple years. The Savage-copy action does well, and whatever barrel they put on them doesn't screw it up. One of them I sighted in for a guy at the range (his first rifle) put up half inch groups at 100yrds (indoor range off a bench).

If I were looking for a "crutch" rifle to get me a few seasons to try something out until I could afford something better, I might look into an NEF/H&R Handi-Rifle. I know prices have been going up on these, but I'd venture you could find a used Handi-rifle for $200, new for $250 maybe (please tell me they aren't over $300 these days?). Nothing wrong with them at all, accurate enough (usually 1-1.5" at 100yrds from a rest), handy to carry, and super affordable. Very overlooked rifle by new hunters.

For my money, it'd be 1) used, 2) Stevens 200, 3) Handi rifle, 4) roll a die for Ruger American, Savage Axis, or Mossberg MVP, 5) don't buy anything until I saved up more money.

I'm not sure its fair to put the Ruger American in the budget category.

The Ruger American is closer to the price of the Savage 11/111 than it is the Savage Axis.

Bass pro

Ruger American no scope----$399

Savage 11/111 with cheap scope--------$419

Savage 11/111 with nikon scope--------$519

Savage Axis with cheap scope-----------$329

You can get a savage axis at wal mart for less than $300 or a Remigton 700 ADL for about $420

I'm not sure the Axis can be beat for around $280 at wal mart.

Seems like to me the Ruger American should be compared to the Remington 700ADL and the savage 11/111

I've read good things about the Marlin xl7 as a budget gun as well. I've handled them but haven't shot one. You can get one for around $325 or so.

Those are great as well but where can you get one for $325?

At $325 that would be my choice.

Wal-Mart has the ruger american for around $320. The savage axis walmart has for $288. i like the rem 700 adl
My nephew has a set of adls with wood stocks in 22/250, 25/06,270,7mm. The adl is a fine rifle. Where I am from you can't get a used ruger for under $450, a rem 700 bdl goes for about $550. Yes you can find them cheaper but it is rare. Before they stoped production of the win 70 in 2006 Wal-Mart.had the black shadow for $350 with a cheap scope. Cabelas in Hamburg pa last year had a couple.model 70 for.less.then $400.

My bad. I just looked, and I was a tad low. Bud's has them for $334:

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/p...+Black+Synthet

Then, of course, you have to find a cheap FFL (I have a guy that will accept shipment for $20, but I realize the normal price is higher). So you should be able to get one for $350 or so.

What state is he going to be hunting in? Some states restrict you to shooting only shotgun.

Buying used is no doubt the cheapest way into this. Since the objective is to get him into the game, don't get all wrapped up in buying something expensive. When was the last time someone missed a deer because of using a worn-out firearm? Clean it up, maintain it properly, and it will shoot.

On this theme of getting into the game cheaply . . . a scope is not a necessity. A rifle with open sights will still shoot and kill deer. I think I read somewhere that over half the deer shot in the US are shot at under 100 yards. If you can't shoot a deer with open sights at under 100 yards the fault is with the shooter, not the gun, not the open sights.

Having said that, every big game rifle I use has a Leupold VariX III or a VX-III on it. But I appreciate that this is not necessary to get started.

Still a very good rifle at that price.

That puts it halfway between the Savage Axis and the Savage 11/111

For some reason the Marlin seems to be a little harder to come by.

I still stand by the Axis though as being "the cheapest .270 rifle worth buying" no shipping cost,no ffl cost, just about $280 at the local walmart.

We could certainly say "for another $50-$100" all day long though.

If wanting new, I'd throw my opinion behind the Ruger American or the Marlin X7, in that order.

If a used rifle is acceptable you could find a good rifle with good scope for about the same cost as one of these brand new scope-less rifles. If you know what to look for and can see past cosmetic superficial stuff, there are very good deals to be had.

Just make sure you understand the function of the used gun you're looking at and know what elements are important and which superficial things you can live with. A little surface rust or a dinged up stock does not always indicate a poorly cared for rifle. Good, hard, honest use with proper firearm maintenance can result in a rough looking rifle with a great bore and fine shooting functions.

Magazine feeding, bolt function and cartridge feeding and extraction ... full functioning safety... these are the real issues for firearm use. Being pretty isn't necessary but we all seem to like it.

BTW, buying new does not guarantee all the items listed above will be perfect either.

What is his budget? Is it real low like under $400 or low like under $700? Get what ya pay for...

I definitely won't argue with you, the last 3 long guns I've bought have been Savages. Last year I was looking for a reasonably priced deer/antelope rifle, had the Axis, Marlin, Ruger American and a few others on the list, ended up spending a bit more on the 11 series, but one thing I liked about the Marlin was the adjustable trigger, which the Axis lacks.

Take a look at these;


http://www.ableammo.com/catalog/ruge...-p-127532.html

http://www.ableammo.com/catalog/weat...-p-121954.html

http://www.ableammo.com/catalog/marl...-p-117249.html

http://www.ableammo.com/catalog/ruge...h-p-99578.html

http://www.ableammo.com/catalog/tikk...h-p-90826.html

http://www.ableammo.com/catalog/remi...h-p-86358.html

http://www.ableammo.com/catalog/howa...h-p-99595.html

http://www.ableammo.com/catalog/sava...m-p-86703.html

http://www.ableammo.com/catalog/thom...-p-112298.html

http://www.remington.com/product-fam...model-783.aspx

I agree with you that the Marlin is the better rifle. I just disagree within the context of the question.

The Axis is IMO the cheapest rifle worth buying.

Like you I would go with the 11/111 but I don't think its the cheapest rifle worth buying.

Academy sports has Remy 700 ADLs for $379. If I wanted to be under 400, that would be the one for me.

I've looked at the RAR, Axis, and the 770. I havent had a chance look at the marlin. I'm wanting a short barrel 308 for hog and deer hunting in the thickets. Between the 3 I've looked at the ruger by far had the best trigger and feel to me. The range reports I have read on them accuracy seems to be about the same on all of them.

x2.
My dad bought one about 10-12 yrs ago. Its a .270 adl (black on black) that will shoot 1/4" cloverleaf groups at 100yds with factory Rem 130gr corelocks. I know, its crazy. I can't explain it, other than some guns just shoot.

I think he paid $350 for it back then and it came with a cheap tasco scope that he sold to someone for $50, and bought a Leupold for it. Sweet setup and overall inexpensive tack driver.

X3) You can't beat that price for a 700. I've paid way more for a 700 just to use a donor action for a custom build. And the end of the day, 10-20+ years from now it will still be worth what you paid for. That can't be said of $400 throwaways being made.

Yes the remington 700 adl is a good rifle. Can't beat the price of them.at Wal-Mart. Used one's are going for more then you can get a new one at Wal-Mart for.

Here's the best part, Academy has the Rem 783 for the same price as a 700 ADL. Why would anyone with any brain at all choose the 783 over a 700?

I got a good look at the new Ruger American at the range the other day, it has a good feel and for <350$ it looks hard to beat for a new entry level gun. the Marlin X7 is close also!

Not saying it is the "best" buy in an entry level rifle but I bought an Axis for my grand daughter and put a nice scope on it. Shoots great groups but the trigger is about what to expect in a rifle in this price range.