clydeNY

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.

emtrescue6

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.

Bbj270

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

stalkingbear

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

Sheridan

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.

Nomercy448

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.

rockport

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

Murdy

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.

rockport

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

At $325 that would be my choice.

Bbj270

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.