Tight Budget Deer Rifle
11-16-2008, 07:30 AM
#11
Super Moderator
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Seagrove N.C. USA
Posts: 7,281
RE: Tight Budget Deer Rifle
ORIGINAL: Whootsinator
Hello to all, in the merry land of firearms. If I had one wish it would be a giant personal armory filled with weapons and to have nothing in the world to do but cherish them in every way possible. Unfortunatly, firearms are expensive... very... expensive.
I've loved firearms all of my short life (I'm only fourteen, but I consider myself a bit more... intelligent... than the average fourteen-year-old), and generally understand them, but I'm not very in tune with the current market. Actually, I'm not in tune to any market other than the Soviet Mosin-Nagant market, of which I am a connoisseur.
Now that my introduction is finished, I present to you my problem:
I live in semi-rural Kentucky, prime deer hunting land, and I am on a VERY tight budget. I won't say the specifics, but it is very tight. All of my life I've borrowed firearms from family or friends of family, be it a bolt action 12 gauge deer rifle or a .300 WinMag. I hate borrowing things... anything, really. A pencil from a classmate, money from friends, or a rifle from family. I like being independant and self sufficient. It's about time I purchase my own rifle so I can stop pestering everyone else. What do you recommend, specifically? Recoil does not matter in the slightest, I will shoot anything. Take into account where I live, with many rolling hills and a mix of thick forest and open farm plots. Also take into account the cost of the cartridges. I am not opposed to muzzleloaders. Please do not reccomend youth-only rifles, unless it's just a wonderful rifle for the money. I honestly find them to be a little bit lighter and smaller than I prefer.
As a final thought, wish me luck, I'm heading into the woods tomorrow morning for that elusive buck!
Thank you in advance.
Hello to all, in the merry land of firearms. If I had one wish it would be a giant personal armory filled with weapons and to have nothing in the world to do but cherish them in every way possible. Unfortunatly, firearms are expensive... very... expensive.
I've loved firearms all of my short life (I'm only fourteen, but I consider myself a bit more... intelligent... than the average fourteen-year-old), and generally understand them, but I'm not very in tune with the current market. Actually, I'm not in tune to any market other than the Soviet Mosin-Nagant market, of which I am a connoisseur.
Now that my introduction is finished, I present to you my problem:
I live in semi-rural Kentucky, prime deer hunting land, and I am on a VERY tight budget. I won't say the specifics, but it is very tight. All of my life I've borrowed firearms from family or friends of family, be it a bolt action 12 gauge deer rifle or a .300 WinMag. I hate borrowing things... anything, really. A pencil from a classmate, money from friends, or a rifle from family. I like being independant and self sufficient. It's about time I purchase my own rifle so I can stop pestering everyone else. What do you recommend, specifically? Recoil does not matter in the slightest, I will shoot anything. Take into account where I live, with many rolling hills and a mix of thick forest and open farm plots. Also take into account the cost of the cartridges. I am not opposed to muzzleloaders. Please do not reccomend youth-only rifles, unless it's just a wonderful rifle for the money. I honestly find them to be a little bit lighter and smaller than I prefer.
As a final thought, wish me luck, I'm heading into the woods tomorrow morning for that elusive buck!
Thank you in advance.
Maybe they would let you make payments, and even sell it to you very cheap.
Since you are a friend or family.
If you were a family member to me,
I would sell you one for a LOT less than you could get one for at a pawn shop.
And let you pay for it for as long as you needed.
And even let you work off the price in yard work, or something like that.
I got my first shot gun, by mowing my Uncles yard for a summer.
In 1970 he went and bought a brand new IverJohnson Champion, Single barrel 12 ga.
And I got it in time to hunt with.
Try it it might work.
Good Luck
jrbsr
11-16-2008, 08:14 AM
#13
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Charlotte/NC
Posts: 157
RE: Tight Budget Deer Rifle
ORIGINAL: jrbsr
Ask one of the people you borrow a gun from, if they might consider selling the gun to you.
Maybe they would let you make payments, and even sell it to you very cheap.
Since you are a friend or family.
If you were a family member to me,
I would sell you one for a LOT less than you could get one for at a pawn shop.
And let you pay for it for as long as you needed.
And even let you work off the price in yard work, or something like that.
I got my first shot gun, by mowing my Uncles yard for a summer.
In 1970 he went and bought a brand new IverJohnson Champion, Single barrel 12 ga.
And I got it in time to hunt with.
Try it it might work.
Good Luck
jrbsr
ORIGINAL: Whootsinator
Hello to all, in the merry land of firearms. If I had one wish it would be a giant personal armory filled with weapons and to have nothing in the world to do but cherish them in every way possible. Unfortunatly, firearms are expensive... very... expensive.
I've loved firearms all of my short life (I'm only fourteen, but I consider myself a bit more... intelligent... than the average fourteen-year-old), and generally understand them, but I'm not very in tune with the current market. Actually, I'm not in tune to any market other than the Soviet Mosin-Nagant market, of which I am a connoisseur.
Now that my introduction is finished, I present to you my problem:
I live in semi-rural Kentucky, prime deer hunting land, and I am on a VERY tight budget. I won't say the specifics, but it is very tight. All of my life I've borrowed firearms from family or friends of family, be it a bolt action 12 gauge deer rifle or a .300 WinMag. I hate borrowing things... anything, really. A pencil from a classmate, money from friends, or a rifle from family. I like being independant and self sufficient. It's about time I purchase my own rifle so I can stop pestering everyone else. What do you recommend, specifically? Recoil does not matter in the slightest, I will shoot anything. Take into account where I live, with many rolling hills and a mix of thick forest and open farm plots. Also take into account the cost of the cartridges. I am not opposed to muzzleloaders. Please do not reccomend youth-only rifles, unless it's just a wonderful rifle for the money. I honestly find them to be a little bit lighter and smaller than I prefer.
As a final thought, wish me luck, I'm heading into the woods tomorrow morning for that elusive buck!
Thank you in advance.
Hello to all, in the merry land of firearms. If I had one wish it would be a giant personal armory filled with weapons and to have nothing in the world to do but cherish them in every way possible. Unfortunatly, firearms are expensive... very... expensive.
I've loved firearms all of my short life (I'm only fourteen, but I consider myself a bit more... intelligent... than the average fourteen-year-old), and generally understand them, but I'm not very in tune with the current market. Actually, I'm not in tune to any market other than the Soviet Mosin-Nagant market, of which I am a connoisseur.
Now that my introduction is finished, I present to you my problem:
I live in semi-rural Kentucky, prime deer hunting land, and I am on a VERY tight budget. I won't say the specifics, but it is very tight. All of my life I've borrowed firearms from family or friends of family, be it a bolt action 12 gauge deer rifle or a .300 WinMag. I hate borrowing things... anything, really. A pencil from a classmate, money from friends, or a rifle from family. I like being independant and self sufficient. It's about time I purchase my own rifle so I can stop pestering everyone else. What do you recommend, specifically? Recoil does not matter in the slightest, I will shoot anything. Take into account where I live, with many rolling hills and a mix of thick forest and open farm plots. Also take into account the cost of the cartridges. I am not opposed to muzzleloaders. Please do not reccomend youth-only rifles, unless it's just a wonderful rifle for the money. I honestly find them to be a little bit lighter and smaller than I prefer.
As a final thought, wish me luck, I'm heading into the woods tomorrow morning for that elusive buck!
Thank you in advance.
Maybe they would let you make payments, and even sell it to you very cheap.
Since you are a friend or family.
If you were a family member to me,
I would sell you one for a LOT less than you could get one for at a pawn shop.
And let you pay for it for as long as you needed.
And even let you work off the price in yard work, or something like that.
I got my first shot gun, by mowing my Uncles yard for a summer.
In 1970 he went and bought a brand new IverJohnson Champion, Single barrel 12 ga.
And I got it in time to hunt with.
Try it it might work.
Good Luck
jrbsr
Yeah go with what jrbsr said. It's the cheapest way you are going to get a weapon...
11-16-2008, 08:22 AM
#14
Typical Buck
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Possum Kingdom, SC
Posts: 545
RE: Tight Budget Deer Rifle
Honestly, why not use one of the moisan-nagants that your are so fond of?
Sporterizing one is very simple and cheap. Soft point ammo can be had in 7.62x54R for the same price as .30-06 Springfield. There are two different scope configurations you can choose from (scout mount at rear windage ramp or drill and tap reciever and install Weaver base) and it's plenty gun to hunt any north american game.
I bet you could do all that for under $100. But, you could get lucky like me and find a weathered Savage 110 in 30-06 at a gun show for $200. Best deer rifle I've ever owned. Good luck in the woods today!
Sporterizing one is very simple and cheap. Soft point ammo can be had in 7.62x54R for the same price as .30-06 Springfield. There are two different scope configurations you can choose from (scout mount at rear windage ramp or drill and tap reciever and install Weaver base) and it's plenty gun to hunt any north american game.
I bet you could do all that for under $100. But, you could get lucky like me and find a weathered Savage 110 in 30-06 at a gun show for $200. Best deer rifle I've ever owned. Good luck in the woods today!
11-16-2008, 08:24 AM
#15
Fork Horn
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 144
RE: Tight Budget Deer Rifle
Take a look at the Marlin XL-7 rifles. You can get one in a .270, 30-06, and I think a .308for right at $300 brand new. I bought one in a .270 a few weeks ago and it will put 3 bullets under an inch at 100 yds. Plus its a bolt action just incase you need an extra shot and an adjustable trigger like the accu-trigger on a savage. After I bought the gun, scope, andrings I had right at $400 in the whole thing.
11-16-2008, 09:30 PM
#16
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 29
RE: Tight Budget Deer Rifle
I've really been looking into the Savage 110. Conincidentally, that's the gun I borrowed today, in .243.It had a very smooth action and the owner had nothing but wonderful things to say about it. He got it new for around $250 at a shop.
I also just found out one of my neighbors has a connection to one of the better local shops. I think I'll ask him about it too.
mcraddock - I was thinking of doing that, but I'd definately want to inspect the rifle beforehand, and Mosins are hard to find in the area.
I also just found out one of my neighbors has a connection to one of the better local shops. I think I'll ask him about it too.
mcraddock - I was thinking of doing that, but I'd definately want to inspect the rifle beforehand, and Mosins are hard to find in the area.
11-17-2008, 04:59 AM
#17
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Ohio,mid
Posts: 1,275
RE: Tight Budget Deer Rifle
Let's face it the season is on the downward swing. I think if you wait you will begng to see deals at gun shows, shops etc. that make it affordable. Some people buy them and sell them in the same year. Also w/ the new slug guns you have the capability of 125+ yards shots w/ accuracy. That way you get 2 guns for large and small game/ Rifled slug barrels can be bought for a pump or semi shotgun just about any online site fairly inexpensive. Check your game laws for whta you can use of course. The Wolf in 50 caliber is a nice inexpensive package that can be scoped. I have one, have read positive reviews on them. But I own't say they are accurate much beyond 125 yards of 100 yards. Good Luck
11-17-2008, 06:02 AM
#18
Typical Buck
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: SE Wisc
Posts: 677
RE: Tight Budget Deer Rifle
as others have said, i would look at the Savage package. For under $400 you get a great rifle that will last and has one of the best reputations for accuracy. I was in the same boat as you a few years back and bought one myself. It's now my go to rifle. right out of the box it was almost dead on. Shot a group of 3 within 1.6 inches at 100 yds. And i still think part of that was my fault. But even if it wasn't that is damn good.
11-17-2008, 06:19 AM
#19
Typical Buck
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Person Co. NC
Posts: 884
RE: Tight Budget Deer Rifle
Mossberg ATRisn't bad for the money, I've seen one shoot 1.25 moa out to 300yds. AVOID remington 710 and the new 770. Haven't seen the marlin yet. If you buy a package dealplan on replacing the scope next year.
And a big +1 on the savage if you have the extra $$$, it will shoot with the best of them for half the price. I have 17hmr and a savage ML that out shoot my A-Bolt, atleast up to 200 yds.
And a big +1 on the savage if you have the extra $$$, it will shoot with the best of them for half the price. I have 17hmr and a savage ML that out shoot my A-Bolt, atleast up to 200 yds.
11-17-2008, 04:05 PM
#20
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 29
RE: Tight Budget Deer Rifle
I've heard mixed opinions on the ATR... So many people that I talk to dislike it, that I'd rather not pay that much money and risk it. I'm going with the Savage so far.
With a week left in the season, I didn't have any hope of gettinga rifle for this year, I would just like to know what I want.
With a week left in the season, I didn't have any hope of gettinga rifle for this year, I would just like to know what I want.