Best budget rifle

ONEHOLE said:
Would you seriously hunt bear or even deer with 6.5 CM? It may be accurate out to 1500 metres but it has low BC (and terminal energy) which is required for penetration. Just asking, I'm a newbie.
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Deer are large dogs. A 6.5 is way more then necessary to take out a deer.

Where legal, a centerfire .22 is perfect for deer.

In Nordic countries, they've been successfully taking big game like caribou and moose with 6.5x55 for decades.
 
You can find a Tikka T3x for well under $1000 especially used.

If stretching out to 400 6.5CM, 7mm-08 or 270 win will make life a little easier.

If 300 and under, 308 for cheaper ammo and components.
 
Weatherby Vanguard in 30/06.
Under your price point blued and just in your price point in stainless.
If you want a detachable magazine a kit is available for reasonable cost.
I wouldn’t consider it a “budget” gun given the performance of mine.
30/06 is so versatile, shoots light or heavies and can drop anything at ethical hunting ranges.
Not up on an optic for that cost but I would think a Redfield would be in there.
Or save a few bucks more and get a Leupold VX3.
 
If I was buying in that price range I would probably go for either a Ruger American or a Mauser M18. If you were willing to stretch your budget a bit I would recommend the Tikka T3x.

As for the chambering, inside 400 yards you're going to have a slight ballistic advantage with the 6.5 and a slight energy advantage with the .308 (past 400 yards the 6.5 will retain more energy, depending on the load). I you're recoil sensitive go for the 6.5, if most of your shots are going to be inside 200 yards and hunting will be the main purpose of this rifle then I would vote .308. Either way you'll be able to knock down a whitetail, a little more energy on target for a black bear doesn't hurt though.
 
kerkvliet said:
If I was buying in that price range I would probably go for either a Ruger American or a Mauser M18. If you were willing to stretch your budget a bit I would recommend the Tikka T3x.

As for the chambering, inside 400 yards you're going to have a slight ballistic advantage with the 6.5 and a slight energy advantage with the .308 (past 400 yards the 6.5 will retain more energy, depending on the load). I you're recoil sensitive go for the 6.5, if most of your shots are going to be inside 200 yards and hunting will be the main purpose of this rifle then I would vote .308. Either way you'll be able to knock down a whitetail, a little more energy on target for a black bear doesn't hurt though.
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This is excellent advice on the 6.5 vs. 308. I echo it.
 
I'd look for a CZ 557 with a walnut stock. Mildly used or NOS are often under $1000. Best bang for the buck. Howa 1500 is also excellent.
 
Can't beat the value of a Savage model 10.

Edit: Looks like they both got rid of the model 10, and upped their prices. I take back what I said.
 
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