Low budget Minded Hunting Rifle Options

Dsmer4ever

Dsmer4ever

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Hello everyone, looking for a little bit of advice for a decent hunting rifle on a tight budget.
The rifle is for my uncle who has been using my Browning A Bolt in 300 wsm for the past few seasons. He decided its time to buy his own rifle but he is on a tight budget. Looking for a bolt action, he is quite fond of the 300 WSM but I haven't found anything budget minded in that caliber so looks like he will have to go for a 300 win mag.
I suggested a Stevens 200 in 300 win mag as I have heard they are pretty much a cheaper Savage. I have never had a chance to handle a Stevens, or really ever had any interest in them until now. Does anyone have any experience with the 200? Any other opinions or options you could suggest for a bolt action in 300 win mag?
Thanks for the help
Dan
 
I would look at a savage axis for the price can't beat them. Depending on what he wants to hunt he could go really cheap and get an SKS for deer and stuff like that hack it apart to make it more hunting friendly and not have to care if he hurts it. Or a mosin Nagant if he wants something bigger for cheap.

Dead is dead in the end...
 
The Stevens is a Savage in a cheaper stock. I have one in 223, it's accurate and light. The stock trigger is a piece of s##t though, I swapped in a Rifle Basix adjustable and it's much better now. Not sure how that stock would feel with magnum recoil though, Browning provides a far better recoil pad than comes on these.

For just a little more cash you can get a Ruger American or a Savage Axis in 30 06. Sounds like he'd be happier with a gun you don't need to mess around with and there's not a huge loss in performance compared to the WSM. Plus if money's a concern the ammo's cheaper!
 
I would try and find something a bit heavier like a Vanguard to help reduce recoil a bit.
Bonus would be a better recoil pad and adjustable trigger.
 
It will be used for deer, bear, and moose. I tried talking him into a non magnum but he wasn't too interested.
So the trigger and stock on the 200 aren't much good?
thanks
 
Maybe your Uncle could look over Tradeex's inexpensive offerings. Unless the big bears are on his hunting plate, a sported M96 Swede for $250 in 6.5x55 will do the job with aplomb. Moderately priced factory S&B ammo for this proven cal., is likely as close as your local hardware store. Plenty of .30 cal. and 8mm offerings are presented to choose from, as well.
The Husqvarna 1600's in 30/06, they are excellent hunting rifles, for $500 or so.
As are the Commercial FN 98 sporters.

IMO, a standard cal. with good bullets will bring down game every bit as well as the WSM or .300 mag will. Proper shot placement, all that is needed.
 
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I bought a Stevens 200 for my daughter a few years back.
The amount of dollars I have put into it to make it better I would
of been better to pick up a used Mauser.
There is a Timney trigger on the counter for her birthday coming up to
improve the trigger.
I have more into parts than the original purchase.
If I did it again, the S2 is a great offering.


Dsmer4ever said:
It will be used for deer, bear, and moose. I tried talking him into a non magnum but he wasn't too interested.
So the trigger and stock on the 200 aren't much good?
thanks
Click to expand...
 
I'm not sure how tight his buget is but why not help get him what he wants (if your able to)

http://www.cabelas.ca/product/36040/weatherby-vanguard-series-2-synthetic-rifle-package

Great guns, not too sure about the rest of the package. Or put up a WTB add for one in the EE.

I have had both bottom line savages and the weatherby vanguard, I think the weatherby is a great option.
 
I have a rem 700 sps I adore.. Keep it oiled and all is good... It's nice to have a rifle you aren't worried about scuffing... And there are a million aftermarket mods for it...
 
The Cabalas package doesn't look to bad, I have no personal experience with Weatherby rifles. How do the S2s compare to the sps line up? I see they also have the same deal with a Remington sps. I assume the scope isn't anything too special though, considering you can get a sps dm for less than $500 how much of a deal is it?
So its probably a no go for the Stevens if they need work to improve them. He isn't really the type to spend any extra on upgraded parts.
How are the axis? Is the trigger easily adjustable?
Thanks
 
Don't like the axxis personally and the scopes in the package are bushnell banners... No hell but they will get you through... That goes for both the rem and savage packages... I set a buddy up with a cheap package and went with 700 sps dm (I like setch mag rifles personally) and a redfield revolution and he has taken 3 deer with it... The x-pro trigger on the rems is great imop and saves a trigger mod down the road...
 
Weatherby Vanguard in caliber of choice.
Not only will you get a fine gun for starters it will be pretty dam accurate
without having to tweek anything...well maybe the ammo of choice, but thats
about it and I see BigBraz15 has beat me to it as well.
Tight Groups,
Rob
 
Listen to the guys that are telling you a rem 700 sps
in a 308 you can hunt anything
great ammo selection rifles 700 bucks and throw a Nikon 6x18 and you'll be good for life
Or listen to the guy telling you the swede in 6.5 x 55
off tradex used for 250-400
same scope again great round easy shooter I gust spent 4000 on a custom rig
just dumped 1 elk and 2 white tails with mine blew a base ball size hole out the back side
Y
 
Ps vanguards don't shoot well
ammo is way over priced
weatherby opens up there head spacing to allow for over pressure basically not tight
sloppy and they shoot that way got 3 buddies with them all shoot like crap
group 1.5-2 at 100 take it out to 300 and there bad enough to miss a deer
 
Anything in a full size 30 cal bullet would suffice for dropping game. Seems ironic to consider a tight budget but go with ammo that cost 2 or 3 times as much as standard hunting ammo. I'd suggest that the caliber needs reconsideration to actually fit a tighter budget.

On another note, I have all the fancy calibers, magnums, and no shortage of budget, but enjoy general hunting the most with a Mosin and iron sights. 200 bucks.
 
Another nice budget rifle in 30-06 would be the Marlin XL7, I have the XS7 in 308 ( the xs7 is short action and xl7 is long action but it is the same rifle). And it is an awesome shooter, remington style safety, Weatherby style fluted bolt, 1 piece weaver style base, savage style accutrigger, target crowned barrel, and for an inexpensive rifle an pretty good synthetic stock with a great recoil pad. It is worth looking at, Google reviews and I don't think you will find a single bad review. Also heard the savage axis are good, and seen some decent reviews of the new remington 783. But like I said the Marlin has been awesome and I recommend it to all hunters looking for a great rifle on a budget. Then top it with some decent glass like a Redfield or vortex and you are set.
 
Tikkam65 said:
Ps vanguards don't shoot well shoot like crap
group 1.5-2 at 100 take it out to 300 and there bad enough to miss a deer
Click to expand...

A deer hunting rifle that groups an inch and a half at 100 yards??? Wow, what a piece of sh*t!
There's no way in hell I'm going road hunting for Muley dinks with anything less than a 4000$ dollar weapon that puts all three in the same hole! :rolleyes:
 
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