affordable hunting rifle

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ShootToThrill

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looking for an affordable rifle just to get through deer season this year so I can upgrade next year. Any suggestions within the 4-500$ range? Ideally a package deal that comes with a decent scope. I have heard savage has a package deal but I am unfamiliar with savage and the quality of the gun. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
 
Savage Axis XP Stainless with 3-9x40mm scope. Around $450.00, depending where you buy it. Comes in most of the popular deer calibers. It's a real decent gun, imo, and you just might find that you don't need to 'upgrade' at all.....
 
Can't go wrong with a Savage. The stock will be average at best, but they are well made and accurate rifles. Good enough that you may not feel the need to upgrade next year...or maybe just get an aftermarket stock for it. I've heard the scopes that come with the Axis rifles are garbage...but the Weaver scopes they put on the 11/111 packages are better (these are over your $500 budget however). The Accutrigger on the 11/111 is worth the price over the Axis rifles too, though you can adjust the Axis trigger easily enough too.
 
The combo comes with a "below entry" level scope . . . cheap.
It may last for some time as most new gun owners will be using factory ammo, sticking with one brand and making few adjustments.
Most are bore sighted and will be on paper at 25 yards
A 30-06 will generally be more inherently accurate with 180 grain bullets, a 308 with 165 and a 270 with 130.
Once sighted in, do not make a great number of adjustments.
Once the scope crashes then it is time to upgrade, perhaps the scope first and the rings or bases next.
My recommendation is to upgrade the scope quickly and save it for a .22 (it might be more satisfactory there) but they will never be great in quality or dependability.
 
mlehtovaara said:
Do not buy a combo with the cheap bushnell!!!

That scope is garbage, and cannot be depended on.

Try and find an Axis without a scope for $300-$350, and the pick up a Redfield scope for $200.
Click to expand...
I endorse this as well. buy the Axis w/o scope and get a Redfield Revolution, not Revenge. Wholesale may still have the Axis on for $309.
 
Ditto for the combo. You can also get a Nikon for about $200. It will last you a lifetime. On the other hand, Bushnell has excellent customer service and they will replace it if it ever goes wrong. The only problem is, depending on how you hunt, it could ruin the shot or the trip of a lifetime. On the other hand, I've got a super cheap Tasco on a 300 WM that I use only for shooting paper, and after 500 or so rounds, it is still holding up great. I would also be tempted to check out the new Ruger American line. If they are like other Rugers. you can't go wrong. Thompson Center and Weatherby are also good choices. I've got a Mossberg 4X4 (300 WM) that is MOA accurate and I've never had the slightest problem with it. the only issue I have is that it doesn't have the LBA adjustable trigger. So I guess, in the end, pretty well any of the entry-level guns will give you good service, so find one that fits you well.

Just as a closing comment, if I were to throw my money at a gun, sight unseen, it would be a savage, I think. They have a proven track record and I've heard very few complaints.
 
Personally, I'd go with the Zastava Commercial M98. Can't go wrong with a solid Mauser action with CRF for $395 brand new.
 
The Zastava M98 is a much better gun, compared to the Savage Axis... Although now that Boyd's is making replacement stocks for the Axis, it is a more attractive option.
 
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Think sentences and proper punctutation. Geez.
"...unfamiliar with Savage..." High end kit with middle end prices. It's very hard to beat any Savage for out of the box accuracy.
"...scope is garbage, and cannot be depended on..." Nonsense. Aside from not being a Bushnell, they're serviceable but low end and made by Simmons, as I recall
 
sunray said:
Think sentences and proper punctutation. Geez.
"...unfamiliar with Savage..." High end kit with middle end prices. It's very hard to beat any Savage for out of the box accuracy.
"...scope is garbage, and cannot be depended on..." Nonsense. Aside from not being a Bushnell, they're serviceable but low end and made by Simmons, as I recall
Click to expand...

The original poster said he had $400-$500, so he doesn't have to suffer with the packaged scope. A better scope should still be top priority.
 
As mentioned the Zastava is a good deal, although after taxes and shipping you will have no $ left for a scope (in your price range of $400-$500).

This seems like a prettey good deal to me:
http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/983004-Parker-Hale-Safari-308-norma-mag

You can save up for a 3-9x40 Bushnell Elite or Burris Fullfield II - they often go on sale for right around $200.

Ammo is a bit pricey, but if you reload it is easy to make .308 Norma out of cheap and easy to find 7mm RM or .338 WM.
 
Please avoid the axis and save a couple hundred more and look at a 116 savage xp package with weaver scope and accutrigger for the $650 range. Also ruger American looks decent but these are what I would consider minimum IMHO. a good trigger and decent glass is something that are really appreciated when you have made due for a long time without.
 
Cabela's has a Weatherby vanguard package for $629.99. http://www.cabelas.ca/product/36640/weatherby-vanguard-series-2-synthetic-combo-bolt-action-rifle
It's over $500 but they are top notch rifles for the price. The scope is cheap but they often stand up for a few years and can be upgraded later.
Frontier Firearms has a Weatherby vanguard series 1 DBM for $499 http://frontierfirearms.ca/firearms...ire-rifles/wby-vanguard-30-06-24-syn-dbm.html
This model has a cheaper stock and trigger but is still good value. I bought a .270 two years ago on sale for $399, added a VX 1 Leopold for $200 and it was my go to deer rifle instantly. It
shoots almost any load inside an inch and just feels solid. Spare clips are $50 at Cabela's.
 
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