First hunting rifle

The new Mossberg Patriot package in black synthetic with a Vortex scope is getting good reviews. I have held one and it feels like a decent rifle. it is very close to your budget as well.
http://www.gunsholstersandgear.com/2014/12/29/new-mossberg-patriot-rifles/

In your price range I have been able to find a Savage 99C in .308 with less than a box of rounds through it and a CIL 950 (Savage 110) also in .308 from the late fifties or early sixties that is unfired. The deals are out there for quality rifles in the used market if you are prepared to go that route.
 
Alozon1 most of these post all have good facts about your purchase. To me, a good used bolt gun from yesteryear is the better deal as stated by boomer and a few more. Only problem is that me and boomer have been buying guns for 40+ years so we know a 500 dollar deal when we see one that you wouldn't be disappointed in ever. For you that could be a big black hole of buying someone else's junk, pasted around from one unknowing buyer to the next.
My daughter has the muddy boy;) .243XP package and her boy friend has the .270. He's already put a boyds stock on, different scope etec etc, and yes that 300 dollar rifle is now at 800ish and rising and it will never be a good used 70's, 80's vintage M77Ruger, M70 Winchester or M700 Remington.
Now leave it as it came out of the box as described by one gentleman except for tightening up scope and zeroing etc, and you know I could hunt with that little XP carbine any day of the week and whack a deer or a coyote.

If someone with real experience and knowledge of firearms value and condition can help you buy used, maybe wait for a decent quality lightly used unit(rarely on the EE sorry but sometimes available at a neighbor or gun store near you) if not, get the Axis II, do the minor adjustments, don't add any do-dads, use it, enjoy it, then when you can move up and you want to, just keep it, or maybe pass it along to another new shooter like yourself at a decent price. A win-win.
I'm not a big fan of the Axis stock and the pistol feeding type magazine's and it feels cheap, but hey they deliver the bullet very near point of aim so what else is a basic rifle package about anyway?
 
I started with a savage axis in .308. Seriously it worth every cents of its price.
The gun shoot very very well, i did hit the bullseye at around 100 yards shot after shot.

The only downside was that the bolt handle became a little loose but nothing bad.
 
Of all the discount rifles I suggest a used one. But if you must by new, I would recommend a Ruger American. They still have some quality to them and tend to shoot very well.

One of these in a .270 would be a great choice for a first rifle.
 
I'd just buy a tastefully sportered and scoped .303 enfield and call it a day. Then save yer coin for a quality rifle with a solid reputation.
That's what I did... Hunted successfully with an enfield for years then bought a winchester m70 classic sporter.
Watched my brother as he "tried" to get into hunting. He bought a budget, new in box with scope package deal rifle and it was a total piece of garbage within a couple years.
You get what you pay for.
 
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