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I have $650.00 and can afford one Hunting Rifle

chuckfromnj
I have about $650.00 dollars and want to buy 1 rifle that will let me hunt all of N.A. with the exception of the big bears (cope to be purchased from other funds). I'm thinking 30-06 and the Remington 700 has been recommended.

Up until now I've primarily been a shotgun hunter and handgun range shooter.

I have 3 kids so cash is tight.

I thought about a T/C for the versatility but I'm open to anything in any caliber.

Can I please get some guidance here?

Thanks!

Chuck from NJ
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Comments

10 comments

Date Votes
  • moreammoplz
    I think the Remington 700 would be a good choice, but maybe look at the 7mm mag. Buy going up in caliber a bit will give you more options for Elk, Moose or Caribou if you deside to hunt them. Remington is also making 50% recoil shells that are really nice if you shoot alot. I have the Remington 700 ADL (7mm)which doesn't have a magazine or floor plate. The advantage is that when I hold it up to shoot in cold weather there is no metal floor plate that freezes your hand. The down side is that you have to chamber every round to eject shells. Most gun stores sell the 700 adl for under $400 (walmart included) for the rifle and then I would pick up a Leupold 3x9x40 scope for $199 and there you have a nice set up for under $650.

    NOW>>>>> if you are looking to save more money you may want to look for a used deer rifle since now is the time of year to pick up a deal. Most people don't shoot a 30-06 or 7mm enough to wear out a barrel and you may pick one up with scope and all.

    If you would really like to save some dough you may look at the Mossburg Rifle which I have seen sell for $250 BRAND New, but I have not shot one as of yet. Hope this helps.

    Find a gun that fits you, length of stock, style Stainless / Blue and weight.

    Good Luck
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  • Frogdog
    Forget T/C. For $650 you could get an H&R single-shot handi-rifle with 4-5 extra barrels. They're great guns! How about this set up for versatility:

    45-70
    30-06
    .270
    .243
    .223

    5 guns for $650. How can you beat that!
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  • sandwarrior
    Personally, I prefer the Savage as the best all around deal followed by Winchester's new line of synthetics. More accuracy for the buck I think. Anyhow, keep the costs down that way and quite possibly look for a good used scope on Gunbroker. With the money you save get the basic reloading equipment and if you shoot a lot it will save you $7-14 per twenty rounds. -good luck

    We have the second amendment so that all the rest are secure....UNK>
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  • Wehrmacht_45
    I have a nice CZ 550 in 30-06 with a nice full length mannlicher style Walnut stock. Its in your price range and a very nice rifle, It is available in a wide variety of calibers such as 9.3x62,30-06,270,6.5x55,308, and 243. So you can choose to your liking. A 30-06 or the 9.3x62 is a suitable caliber for what you want, although the 9.3x62 is more a European caliber and may be a bit tough to get sometimes.
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  • 39ford
    I personaly had a Howa /Weatherby vangard synthetic/blue /light barell in 300 wea. The 300 weatherby has enough stoping power for any beast in north am.Alot off people say thats its over kill for white tail but i would disagrea to that remark.I never had a chance to use this set up for hunting but it always stoped the paper dead in its tracks[:D]. I have used a 300 win. mag on a few white tail though and it did not seam at all like over kill to me,a perfect shot at 250yrds and that butten buck didnt take a single step.Anyway i highly recomend the howa vangard,with the right load mine shot 1'' at 200 and 1.25 at 300.I bought a bushnell sportsman 4-12x40 and it never moved from zero.Gun $400,scope$65=money left over.
    The savage was mentioned before and yes they are accurate probably more accurate than the howa's but im just telling you my first hand exp.Ive had plans to make the bv12ss-s my next rifle purchas but we seem to have similar diet problems with the wallet [:D]
    hope this babling in some way benifits you.


    Welcome to america now speak english
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  • jptatum
    The 30-06 is an ideal choice. I think Howa, CZ, Savage and Tikka give you the most bang-for-a-buck. Think about buying a used rifle. You can get a really good scope for about $200 from Nikon, Bushnell or Burris. Good luck

    J. Patrick Tatum
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  • dcso3009
    Ill
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  • 01DUSE
    Savage will give you the best out-of-the-box accuracy. Get something along the lines of a 7mm or 300mag to get the best bang for your buck.

    Men, like bullets, go farthest when they are smoothest.
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  • dcso3009
    Oops.....
    Ill second for the Tikka. Great little gun with a nice fit and finish, and a free floated barrel. It's price will leave some $ for a good piece of glass for the top, and some ammo...
    As for the caliber, It is hard to go wrong with a 30-06. It is the most versitle caliber around. There are a few that will out perform, but these may be hard to find if you forget your ammo on a hunting trip to Booieville, Nowhere. For the larger game I would recomend a high quality bullet such as a Barnes TSX, or Speer grand slam.
    Good luck in your decision, and please handle many rifles before making a decision. They all have a different feel and you need to make sure you like it.
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  • James Ayers
    [8D]Yo chuck, I agree with the Savage and Weatherby Vanguard choices. If money is tight either one in their package offers is the best ie: synthetic/3-9/40mm scope for nnder $550, just look around- I personaly would go for the WBY Vanguard combo (in 30-06), but only because I'm Weatherby poor. Remember in 30-06 you can buy practice ammo cheap and handload from 110 gr to 220 gr bullets.[:D]JIMBO

    On your mark-get set- go away!!
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