Low budget Minded Hunting Rifle Options

I spent a long time trying to figure out which hunting rifle was the best bang for the buck and talked to people with a lot more experience than me, and the Weatherby Vanguard was the most recommended gun. I bought my first one (plastic stock 30-06) about a month before they went on sale at Wholesale Sports. It is such a good rifle that when I saw the sale, I picked up a wood stock .243 for almost $200 off. During load testing for the 30-06, I found a load with the second powder and first bullet that I tried that will do three shots into a perfect little 1/2" triangle at 100 yards. With the original crappy plastic stock and no adjustments to the trigger. I haven't tried the new Vanguards yet, but you better believe that the next new hunting rifle I buy will be a Weatherby. Both the ones I have are great shooters, plus the fit and finish is way nicer than any of the cheap Savages and Remingtons I looked at. Plus if you buy a Vanguard and it won't shoot under 1.5" (1" for the S2) at 100 yards, you can return it for a new one. I don't see other companies offering a warranty like that on cheap rifles.
Kristian
 
Tikkam65 said:
No joke everyone I know there vanguards can't shoot better groups than 2 inches at 100 yards and at 300 they really start to open up
we are long range shooters with custom rigs nothing we do can make those vanguards shoot
Click to expand...

You are either basing your opinion on a sample of one, which happened to be a lemon or...well, I've seen way too much to say that Vanguards don't shoot. In fact, I have yet to see one that doesn't shoot well. Your comment is especially curious given that you are "long range shooters".
 
I was looking for a cheaper rifle as well a while back. I looked at the Vanguard, Ruger American, Remington 783 and the Savages. The Remington seemed to be well built, but was too light for my liking, as was the Ruger. Do not care for the Savage mag system and really liked the Vanguard. Then I looked at used rifles. For the same price, there are some fantastic deals and quality out there.

Bought a Midland and Parker Hale Safari in 30-06. Sweetest deals I ever made.
 
Well if he wants to tinker a bit the Stevens is often bought for that reason. When one steps up to a 300WM it's usually a better option to get a gun that isn't too light, and the \savage axis is a lightly constructed rifle. There are enough brands of guns out there that are reasonable priced and most of them have been named here already. I wouldn't steer towards - one of the scoped/rifle packages because while scopes will do the job, they are inexpensive and these package scopes lack clarity in the early morning and evening shooting. It's always a good idea to buy the best scope one can afford. $1,000 is a good place to start for a gun, rings, bases, scope and sling. $1,500.00 gets a good package - with ammo. Also a more powerful cartridge like at 300WM should be shot routinely. A good all around cartridge is a 270 WSM, which has reach, power and is accurate.
 
As I have said before the Vanguard is the best of the "economy rifles" by a mile. I did not need to comment on what has already been said a lot but had to laugh when I heard that they wont shoot better than 1.5" to 2". someone who supposedly owns $4000 custom rigs and would seemingly know how to shoot should know better. I hate to bash any firearm but the axis is a for sure no go. The triggers are so horrible I don't even know where to start. I did handle a Ruger American and they seem decent. Another thing I recommend to anyone is look on EE here for used 700's, 70's, Hawkeyes, A-bolts as there are great deals to be had and are much better than the economy line-up these days. Put me in a 20 year old 700 BDL anyday for the same price as these new throwaways.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom