Best Value Used Rifle...For Straight Use, Or a Re-Barrel

[Rman]

I thought, for a change, I would try and start one of those thought provoking threads.
We see a lot of fellows looking for advice on rifle purchases, and what to buy, and for what purpose.

A lot of these same fellows often buy what would be considered an inferior new rifle, for the same or more money, as a superior used rifle would had cost. This logic is kind of baffling, as one would think that the better used rifle would get the nod.

So, what are some of the better used rifles out there that can be had for not a pile of scratch? Lets say in the $500 range?
Why do fellows buy new over used, in this price range?

My go to would be a Parker Hale 1200C with the nice lumber and "deluxe" stock. They can be had for not a lot of dough, and could easily be re-barreled...if one was looking for a 375, or a 404, or...
For a thick bush rifle, I'd go for a Parker Hale "Smelly" FTR in 303, again, with the nice lumber, with the option of synthetic aftermarket stock.

R.

 

[kman300]

I bought a flamer s2 vanguard for $399 when they had the sale. I'd look for a s2 when they go on sale with ugly or unpopular stock decals and snatch one up.

 

[BC30cal]

Rman;
Top of the morning to you sir, I believe you must be the same gentleman I've corresponded with on another forum?

If so then hello again, I trust all is well with you and yours - and if not well then it's nice to make your acquaintance.

Out here - and I'm a bit loathe to answer your question as it might mean more competition for me - but one can find some wonderful lightly used Husvarnas in that price range.

I've repaired, bedded and tweaked two in .308 in the last couple of years and both owners reported back that their rifles shot stupid small groups.

As you know about me, I'm quite fond of anything based on a 98 action as they're dead simple to work on, relatively trouble free and comparatively easy to rebarrel should that be in the budget. So with that in mind then your Parker Hale choice - along with the Centurion line which used Santa Barbara actions is a good place to start. Similarly any of the Mark X variants are a good place to start. Sometimes they got the stocking reasonably close and sometimes not at all - but the actions and barrels are usually pretty good inside.

Then there are the "unique" or rare"ish" rifles like the JC Higgins that used an FN action and Marlin Microgroove barrel, or the H&R Mausers that were imported in the '70's.

Anyway sir those would be my first choices if I was directing young/new shooter toward a good foundation for a lifetime of hunting.

All the best to you all this summer.

Dwayne

 

[The Kurgan]

I would go for a nice Mauser 98 based sporter and have it rebarreled to a calibre of your choice (check out Trade-ex), or, buy a new Tikka T3 Hunter in a calibre of your choice. Tikka's are, IMHO, the best value in a modern bolt rifle by far, though they aren't a low cost rifle as compared to other "budget" guns.

 

[9.3mauser]

Husqvarna's are generally under rated and still a good bargain IMO.

 

[Throttle_monkey1]

What he said ^^^

 

[Buckmastr]

I really have to restrain myself watching these beautiful, blonde, minty, glossy Parker Hales sell for 400$ on the exchange. I agree with Rman that these are absolutely the best value of anything out there today.

 

[NL-Hunter]

Win Model 70, Rem 700 BDL, M98 etc can all be had in that price range.

 

[blueoval56]

Tikka T3 would be my first choice but they are out of that $500 price range. For a close second my pick is the Vangaurd or Howa rifles. They represent excellent value for the features the action has.

 

[Cole]

Iwould have to agree with the Santa Barbara , Husqvarna guns as a starting point for a quality bush gun. I have a Alpine supreme .30-06 that I picked up at the local gunny store for $280.00 and after a bit of attention, it is perfect for the bush, and is I rifle I would trust my life to, unlike those savage axis guns.

 

[Dogleg]

Its all well and good for a confirmed gun nut to go looking for bargains on higher end guns and builds. He's probably conceded that there is more than likely something wrong with it or it wouldn't have been for sale in the first place. It matters little because he has a possible barrel priced into the equation, and there didn't appear to be any big chunks missing. It doesn't matter because he'll have found two possible bedding problems, a binding mag box, a long action screw and reset the trigger on his way home from the post-office. After shooting it, he'll likely glass bed it whether it needed it or not, and is planning round two of his reloading scheme. He doesn't even count those sort of things as problems and deep down is a bit choked if he can't come up with an excuse to swap barrels.


Other people though, they might just be better off with a new gun they can afford.

 

[hoytcanon]

Money Schmoney... you get what you pay for... throw $300 or $400 extra at it up front, get what you want and forget the barrel swap...

The base platform + barrel + smithing is going to run you $1200-$1400 "if" all goes well... just budget that up front and get the right rifle the first time.