More BARF Militia help

[DaveT319]

Hey all, I'm going to go hunting for the first time this fall, so I could use some recommendations for a decent rifle on a budget.

I'm thinking I want something in .300 Win Mag as I will be hunting whitetail and probably black bear, and maybe in the future will try to get an elk tag, so I want something that will work on just about the full spectrum of big game.

I don't want top-of-the-line right now. Frankly, I don't have the budget for it at the moment. Something nice is on the wish list for a year or two from now, but I want to get something for this season. Probably just need something that will be reasonably accurate out to maybe 3-400 yards (maybe not even that far) since most of the hunting areas around here are pretty heavily wooded. Not many wide open areas that require a 1000 yard rifle.

$200, $300, $400, something around there. What would you suggest?

 

[outbrakeridah]

Are you set on the caliber? A 30-06, 308, 270 will be able to take down any of the game you mention. As for brand around your budget look at the Ruger American and Savage. Both are great shooters out of the box. For a few more hundred the Tikka T3 lite or weatherby vanguard. Don't forget about scope too so budget for that.

 

[LongGoneJohn]

My model 70 that I have for sale would do it. It's a 270 weatherby mag.

It's a little out of your price range but you're welcome to try it and see if you like it.

 

[RRR70]

Nothing decent new in your price range.

 

[CoorsLight]

300WM is a belted round and it's expensive. You sure you want to go that route?

You should look at used guns. that's a tight budget. What about optics? You already have your binos and other gear?

Seriously on that budget, how about a Mosin.

 

[Marlowe]

For ammo availability and pricing reasons, I'd suggest going with .270 Winchester or .30-06.

.270 Win is one of the classic North American hunting cartridges.

You're limited to the used market, for the most part, there are few factory guns new in your price range. Savage might have something for you.

You could probably pick up a sporterized Springfield or Remmy 700 for $350ish, if you look around a bit.

 

[RRR70]

Ruger American is in his price range

 

[LongGoneJohn]

Savage too.

I have a Savage rifle, it's a damn nice rifle for the price. Under $400 out the door with a 4x9 scope on it. *Shrug*.

 

[Marlowe]

They are nice for the price, but hunting guns are a dime a dozen in the pawnshops.

You can get a 700 ADL in one of those calibers for that, lightly used.

 

[glenizen]

Mosin-Nagant cannot be beat for a solid, dependable rifle on a budget. Between $100 - $200 at Big 5 or just about anywhere is what it will cost you. And there is plenty of cheap ammo available.

It is plenty accurate for your needs. And many Finns still use it as their preferred weapon for hunting Polar Bears

 

[Marlowe]

Mosin-Nagant cannot be beat for a solid, dependable rifle on a budget. Between $100 - $200 at Big 5 or just about anywhere is what it will cost you. And there is plenty of cheap ammo available.

It is plenty accurate for your needs. And many Finns still use it as their preferred weapon for hunting Polar Bears

Mosins haven't been $100 in a while, they're hovering around $200 these days.

If he's going to go the C&R route, I'd skip the Mosin, spend $300, and pick up a Swiss K31 and a few boxes of ammo. I like the Mosins a lot, but the Swiss made a better bolt gun. Hunting rifles don't get shot a lot, so the cheap surplus 7.62x54R isn't that big of a draw here.

 

[Godsdarling]

Where would you go Elk hunting in Cali at?

Your price range is low, anything in that range your gun is going to be unbalanced (made with plastic parts), I like wood stocks.

Big 5 had some rifles on sale. Go check them out. See how you like the feel of the plastic stocks.

 

[glenizen]

Mosins haven't been $100 in a while, they're hovering around $200 these days.

If he's going to go the C&R route, I'd skip the Mosin, spend $300, and pick up a Swiss K31 and a few boxes of ammo. I like the Mosins a lot, but the Swiss made a better bolt gun. Hunting rifles don't get shot a lot, so the cheap surplus 7.62x54R isn't that big of a draw here.

Really? So you're just going to shit on what I said like I don't know wtf I'm talking about?

Unfuckingbelievable. I said between $100-200. Guess what? $200 is within that set. Furthermore:

http://www.slickguns.com/category/rifles?caliber=12

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=364975490

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=365036480

http://www.gunbroker.com/All/BI.aspx?Keywords=mosin-nagant&Sort=5&PageIndex=3

http://www.big5sportinggoods.com/pr...n-mosin-nagant-bolt-action-rifle.html#content

I called my nearest Big 5 and was quoted in stock for $159.95 today. A gun store near me has one in excellent shape for $125 OTD.

I collect milsurps. I have collected them for many years. I was a rifle instructor in the US Army. I teach newbies basic and advanced skills. I am a skilled competitor. But please do continue to treat me with disregard and disrespect because...God only knows why you just discounted my advice as if it was shit.

BTW: I collect Swiss rifles also and own two. I have owned a K31 for 15 years. I reload for both 7.62x54 and 7.5x55. Swiss ammo is getting much more difficult to find and has never been reasonably priced.

And he might want to practice shooting the damned thing prior to going hunting. It is a lot easier to get proficient after 100 rounds than 20. 100 rounds of GP11 is going to be spendy.

But what the fuck do I know?

 

[Marlowe]

Really? So you're just going to shit on what I said like I don't know wtf I'm talking about?

Unfuckingbelievable. I said between $100-200. Guess what? $200 is within that set. Furthermore:

http://www.slickguns.com/category/rifles?caliber=12

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=364975490

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=365036480

http://www.gunbroker.com/All/BI.aspx?Keywords=mosin-nagant&Sort=5&PageIndex=3

http://www.big5sportinggoods.com/pr...n-mosin-nagant-bolt-action-rifle.html#content

I called my nearest Big 5 and was quoted in stock for $159.95 today. A gun store near me has one in excellent shape for $125 OTD.

I collect milsurps. I have collected them for many years. I was a rifle instructor in the US Army. I teach newbies basic and advanced skills. I am a skilled competitor. But please do continue to treat me with disregard and disrespect because...God only knows why you just discounted my advice as if it was shit.

BTW: I collect Swiss rifles also and own two. I have owned a K31 for 15 years. I reload for both 7.62x54 and 7.5x55. Swiss ammo is getting much more difficult to find and has never been reasonably priced.

And he might want to practice shooting the damned thing prior to going hunting. It is a lot easier to get proficient after 100 rounds than 20. 100 rounds of GP11 is going to be spendy.

But what the fuck do I know?

I'm sorry you think disagreeing with you is shitting on you.

Note that I said "I'd" in that post -- expressing a preference, nothing more.

I'd hate to lose a follow-up shot to a sticky bolt.

 

[DaveT319]

300WM is a belted round and it's expensive. You sure you want to go that route?

You should look at used guns. that's a tight budget. What about optics? You already have your binos and other gear?

I have a buddy who has quite a bit of ammo that he doesn't need and will give me, and I'm already planning to do handloads for the hunting (he has all that equipment as well).

I'm not opposed to used guns at all. I'm hoping for a package deal of gun and scope, so I'm prety much assuming used. Sorry I forgot to mention that before. And all the other gear is already a separate budget, which is part of the reason the gun budget is so low.

Where would you go Elk hunting in Cali at?

Your price range is low, anything in that range your gun is going to be unbalanced (made with plastic parts), I like wood stocks.

Not in Cali, I live in Oregon now.

I know it's low, but that's about the best I can do right now. I'm not opposed to plastic to get started, though I will probably get something with a wood stock down the road.

 

[glenizen]

I'm sorry you think disagreeing with you is shitting on you.

Note that I said "I'd" in that post -- expressing a preference, nothing more.

I'd hate to lose a follow-up shot to a sticky bolt.

It's okay. I understand it is difficult to give a shit about someone "else". Especially if they are "new" to you. I understand that you would rather treat me like an asshole than care even a little.

Go ahead. I won't fuck with you over it. I am just saddened that you are this way.

BTW: there are many very effective fixes for Mosin 2x4 bolt. Even if they haven't been applied and the rifle suffers from it, the bolt usually doesn't stick unless very cheap surplus ammo is used that has had lacquer applied to the exterior of the steel case. And then only after the chamber has been heated up beyond the melting point of that lacquer: almost always requires a minimum of three rounds fired in fairly quick succession.

I have a buddy who has quite a bit of ammo that he doesn't need and will give me, and I'm already planning to do handloads for the hunting (he has all that equipment as well).

I'm not opposed to used guns at all. I'm hoping for a package deal of gun and scope, so I'm prety much assuming used. Sorry I forgot to mention that before. And all the other gear is already a separate budget, which is part of the reason the gun budget is so low.


Not in Cali, I live in Oregon now.

I know it's low, but that's about the best I can do right now. I'm not opposed to plastic to get started, though I will probably get something with a wood stock down the road.

Right. You sound like you know what you're doing. So 300 WM is a good option for you. You've had some good advice already. Have you looked at Gunauctions.com? I've seen some superb deals on there for used rifle combos like what you are looking for.

Also, CDNN in Texas is an excellent source for overstocked and cut rate firearms and accessories.

http://www.cdnninvestments.com/dowournewcat.html

Brand new Ruger M77 in 300 WM for $579 at CDNN.

 

[DaveT319]

Right. You sound like you know what you're doing.

Well, yes and no. I've got the ammo all worked out, just been wondering about a gun.

What about the Remington 770? Comes in a package deal with a scope already mounted for pretty cheap, and I'm sure I could find a used one even cheaper. I'm not expecting top-of-the-line (sure won't be at that price), but would it suit my purposes?

 

[CoorsLight]

Swiss ammo is getting much more difficult to find and has never been reasonably priced.

As a K31 owner, I agree. OTOH, GP11 is very high quality stuff, but since it's FMJ, I wouldn't use it for hunting. Anything other than gp11 is too pricey IMO.

I have a buddy who has quite a bit of ammo that he doesn't need and will give me, and I'm already planning to do handloads for the hunting (he has all that equipment as well).

I'm not opposed to used guns at all. I'm hoping for a package deal of gun and scope, so I'm prety much assuming used.

That's cool you've got an ammo hookup on 300WM. But damn, that's a seriously small budget if you want reliable optics.

What about the Remington 770? Comes in a package deal with a scope already mounted for pretty cheap, and I'm sure I could find a used one even cheaper. I'm not expecting top-of-the-line (sure won't be at that price), but would it suit my purposes?

I've never shot one, but it's notorious for malfunctions of all sorts.

 

[RRR70]

Cheap gun over the internets + shipping + transfer fees + tax = not so cheap

 

[dmaxAl]

300 winmag is a good choice if you can only have one rifle and want to hunt any large game anywhere in the states.
Ammo is expensive, but you're going to reload so thats a bit better.
But it's really a lousy choice for a single rifle. It's overkill for pretty much any deer. Yes, it's great for Elk/Moose/Buffalo, and really good on boar, but any time you go to the range you might well regret the decision. I have a Sako 75 in 300wm, wood furniture and a 3-12x50 on it, weight what about 11lbs?
It is without doubt the nastiest recoil of anything I own, including the 338lapua.
I shot my buddies savage which he had a brake put on, and the recoil push was significantly reduced. But talk about noisy at the range!
The 270 as stated before would be an better "all-round" choice imho.

Shame your not in the bay or you could shoot mine before committing. But Im not kidding, the recoil is fierce! good luck in the hunt.