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Centerfire Rifles - Semiautomatic or Gas Operated Centerfire rifles, carbines and other gas operated rifles.

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  #1  
Old 06-24-2010, 8:57 PM
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Default Whats a first good rifle on a budget?

Hey I'm looking to buy my first bolt action rifle. I am looking to spend around 400 bucks on it. It would mostly be used for target shooting. Possibly some hunting a little bit down the road. I already have a AR in the 223 so I'm looking to avoid the caliber. A friend of mine has a Rem Model 700 in the 30-06 and loves it but that's too much to spend. I have looked at the Rem 770 which is doesn't have good reviews but its in the price range. Any help would be appreciated, thanks.
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Old 06-24-2010, 9:01 PM
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I would suggest a good .22lr. You'll be able to afford to shoot it all you want to. For $400, you should be able to find a decent .22lr rifle and still have enough left over for rings and optics.

If you must have a centerfire rifle, either keep looking on the used racks (my first choice) or, look into a Savage 110.
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  #3  
Old 06-24-2010, 9:11 PM
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Marlin XS7 in 308 or XL7 in 30-06 for $279 at BassPro Shop. Accurate and light enough for hunting.
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Old 06-24-2010, 9:16 PM
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Remington 700 .308 SPS or VTR for Mid 500s, low 600s.
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  #5  
Old 06-24-2010, 9:17 PM
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Your best option for $400 is .22lr. Either that, or save up some more money to buy a good centerfire.
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Old 06-24-2010, 9:19 PM
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Look at the synthetic stocked Savage or Stevens models in .243, .308 or .30/06 at Bass Pro or a local gun shop, too.
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Old 06-24-2010, 9:20 PM
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I second the .22lr opinion. It's great for fundamentals. I learned the hard way.

For centerfire, I'd recommend Savage or Savage/Stevens. Although, I've heard really good things about the Marlin's though I haven't personally shot them yet. 30-06 is extremely versatile and probably has the most hunting ammo available as far as choices especially if you reload.
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Old 06-24-2010, 9:21 PM
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A used Remington or Savage in .243 or .308, either can be found on the used market for under $500.
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Old 06-24-2010, 9:21 PM
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Is $400 including glass? Or do you plan on iron sights?
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Old 06-24-2010, 9:23 PM
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swiss k31 is one of the best rifles of all time
accurate up to 1000 yards priced around 250
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  #11  
Old 06-24-2010, 9:26 PM
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Check out the savage at big 5 they have them in 30-06 7mm rem mag either one makes a great big game rifle.They go for around 400.00.
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  #12  
Old 06-24-2010, 9:28 PM
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Oh sorry, I didn't read $400. For $400, I'd try out one of those Savage FXP scope pkg guns and upgrade the glass at a later date.

If you're willing to go milsurp, I'd say Swiss 1911, K31, 8mm Mauser, hell even a Mosin Nagant or something along those lines.
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  #13  
Old 06-24-2010, 10:20 PM
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i 2nd the milsurp route. you can find some real nice shooters for an affordable price.
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  #14  
Old 06-24-2010, 10:23 PM
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In that range, I would go with a Mosin Nagant and spend the rest of the money on ammo. The quality of the rifles varies depending on how much they have been through, but if you inspect the guns you look at you should be able to find a good shooter for around $100, leaving enough money for ammo, a scope, and any other modifications you want to make.
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  #15  
Old 06-24-2010, 10:25 PM
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I saw a Savage Edge combo w/ 3x9 scope at turners for $319. The gun has good reviews in the current G&A Magazine. My personal experience with the Savages are very good !!!

EDIT: I just looked at the ad, it is available in 30-06.

Last edited by bjl333; 06-24-2010 at 10:28 PM..
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  #16  
Old 06-25-2010, 7:43 AM
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I agree with many of the others. Savage has some great deals right now. They have packages that come with a scope (not sure what make pr model) for AROUND your price. Although I will say that an old surplus rifle might be just the ticket. My first bolt action was a 1903A3 that was sporterized way back in the 60s. It came with an old Weaver scope, and plenty of miles on it. However, the bore was in amazing condition, and the bolt was new. Headspace was spot on. Paid $250. I've had a blast tooling around with that thing. With some slight work, I got it down to a 1.5 MOA shooter. Once I figure out how to do a trigger job on it at home I think it will be even better.
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  #17  
Old 06-25-2010, 7:43 AM
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Although I still think a .22lr is the best route, when I made first post, I wasn't thinking about mil sruplus rifles. You can still find a K31 for less than $200 and it's about the nicest shooting surplus rifle you'll find. Or, you can pick up a Mauser and have the second best <$200 surplus rifle on the market.
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  #18  
Old 06-25-2010, 8:37 AM
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I second the milsurp route. My first rifle was a Mosin M44. Great shooter and you can find plinking ammo for next to nothing.
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  #19  
Old 06-25-2010, 8:41 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rekrab View Post
I second the milsurp route. My first rifle was a Mosin M44. Great shooter and you can find plinking ammo for next to nothing.
If you want a precision shooter, I'd stay clear of Mosins. While they are big blaster rifles, 99% of them do not shoot better than 2-3moa. Yet +90% of K31s or Mausers should be capable of shooting 2moa or less.
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  #20  
Old 06-25-2010, 8:49 AM
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Have you shot your friends 30-06? I do not like shooting anything that big, but that's just me. Worst thing you could do is develop a flinch from getting something too big.

I would recommend a .243. Perfect for anything from Varmints to Deer and bigger. Awesome even out to 1000 yards. I highly recommend savage. Either used in your price range, or the new EDGE looks like a great entry level rifle. Keep in mind anything without a heavy barrel will heat up quickly at the range and lose accuracy.

http://www.wholesalehunter.com/produ...roductid=58450
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/p...ducts_id/64230
http://www.gunblast.com/Savage-Edge243.htm

Last edited by basalt; 06-25-2010 at 8:54 AM..
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  #21  
Old 06-25-2010, 12:53 PM
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This K31 is priced right if you want optics:

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/s...57#post4514457

I was thinking about getting this myself but, I ended up buying a 1933 instead.
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  #22  
Old 06-25-2010, 3:44 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by slomofo View Post
Oh sorry, I didn't read $400. For $400, I'd try out one of those Savage FXP scope pkg guns and upgrade the glass at a later date.

If you're willing to go milsurp, I'd say Swiss 1911, K31, 8mm Mauser, hell even a Mosin Nagant or something along those lines.
Funny you should mention this. I JUST opened an ad from AIMsurplus.com that has both the Swiss 1911 and the K31 7.5 Swiss rifles on sale for $270 and $250 respectively. They also have ammo in the advert that comes out to about $0.48 each before ship.

It is as if AIM were listening.
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Old 06-25-2010, 5:12 PM
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Savage, if not, used or surplus..
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Old 06-25-2010, 6:15 PM
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My first rifle purchase was a Mosin 44 as well. My lesson learned is that its better to save for the rifle you want and not settle for something of potentially questionable quality (unless of course you have the trained eye to spot the "shooters" from the duds). I recommend that you purchase a Savage in centerfire or a CZ in rimfire both of which have good out-of-the-box accuracy.
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Old 06-25-2010, 6:20 PM
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aimsurplus

has the K31 and Swiss 1911 rifles
Either one.

http://www.aimsurplus.com/catalog.aspx?groupid=12
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Old 06-25-2010, 8:32 PM
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are you married? if so, a crosman 760
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Old 06-26-2010, 8:38 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CSACANNONEER View Post
If you want a precision shooter, I'd stay clear of Mosins. While they are big blaster rifles, 99% of them do not shoot better than 2-3moa. Yet +90% of K31s or Mausers should be capable of shooting 2moa or less.
Part of the reason for that is that MNs are in terrible shape more often than not. I spent all day looking for one that didn't have a tore up bore and didn't succeed. The bore is the biggest deal to me with Mosins. Look in it, and ask the dealer to swab it out if need be.
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Old 06-26-2010, 2:22 PM
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Go Savage no doubt- Here is my Savage Model 111. Picked it up for $400 with a 3-9x40 mounted. I swapped that and a few other things but it wasn't 100% necessary. It would have worked out to 200 or 300 yards for big game. The rifle itself is stock and shoots well out to 1000 yards in 7mm mag. Same rifle comes in 30-06

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Old 06-26-2010, 4:19 PM
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Get a Howa M1500, Turners sells them. The only draw back with the Howa's are, very limited aftermarket products.

http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthr...Number=2395081

http://www.legacysports.com/products/howa/index.html
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Old 06-26-2010, 7:58 PM
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[QUOTE=CSACANNONEER;4511409]I would suggest a good .22lr. You'll be able to afford to shoot it all you want to. For $400, you should be able to find a decent .22lr rifle and still have enough left over for rings and optics.
well i actually have a 22 rifle but i never use it so I am not going to buy another one

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Is $400 including glass? Or do you plan on iron sights?
including glass






Wow you guys have given men lots of stuff tho look and think about. I have looked at some of the savage rifles and Im liking what they have to offer.
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Old 06-26-2010, 8:07 PM
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Mossberg ATR!
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  #32  
Old 06-27-2010, 6:58 AM
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[QUOTE=JLMXD;4521104]
Quote:
Originally Posted by CSACANNONEER View Post
well i actually have a 22 rifle but i never use it so I am not going to buy another one
That's a shame. A .22lr can be the BEST training rifle one can get. Also, if you just have ONE .22lr, you should really think about getting a few more. You can never have enough .22s!
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Old 06-27-2010, 8:58 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FUBAR View Post
Marlin XS7 in 308 or XL7 in 30-06 for $279 at BassPro Shop. Accurate and light enough for hunting.
Ive actually been looking at one of those for a hunting rifles.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Trapper View Post
A used Remington or Savage in .243 or .308, either can be found on the used market for under $500.
would be my suggestion. can not go wrong with either one for general shooting. With a lot of aftermarket support for either brand.

Quote:
Originally Posted by abusalim81 View Post
Mossberg ATR!
they are actually decent shooters. my friend picked one up in .30-06 for hunting. taken elk and other deer with it no problem



Howa rifles with hogue stocks with a scope are 500 or so. Ready to shoot with the addition of ammo.
http://www.legacysports.com/products..._scopepkg.html
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Old 06-27-2010, 7:02 PM
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I stopped by Big% today and they had Savage110s with optics for $399. The sale ended today but, they will go on sale again soon. If you feel the need for a BNIB rifle to shoot up to 1000 yards, I'd suggest one of these in .243.
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Old 06-27-2010, 9:26 PM
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Mossin or 10/22
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