Inexpensive range rifles?

[Whiterabbit]

Actually, mosin might not be a bad choice. If you get a cheapy, they are fun tinker toys. You can bubba up a mosin cheaply, learn about crowning, barrel shortening, etc which a college student would be well to do (learn how to use a file) rather than go drinking in the evening.

Ammo reasons already stated.

Strong focus on learning to shoot irons, but not impossible to mount a scope.

Great rifle to ding steel with.

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I'd say it's a great rifle if OP wants a cheap rifle he can tinker with cheaply. 1 MOA is not unreasonable at all on a good day. On a bad day it's still a reliable steel dinger. If your mosin can;t do 1 moa on a good day no matter what you do, your bore is no good or needs a recrown. I bet a recrown would go a long way to improving performance.

If OP just wants to cheaply get trigger time (and nothing else), then my vote is back to a 223 bolt action with a budget scope and go shoot.

[MongooseV8]

Mosin is not a good choice. After buying one and adding a scope mount you could have bought a used 700 or savage in 223 or etc.

[Whiterabbit]

(shoot irons)

Used to be OK to shoot guns without magnified optics!

[bombadillo]

Because I would say consider either a Mossberg MVP in 308, or a Howa Targetmaster package that includes a Nikko Stirling scope that is a detachable magazine bolt action set up that most people claim shoots really well for. My preference would probably be to save up, buy a Remington 5r for a thousand bucks and a decent scope but you're going to be eating ramen for the better part of six months to afford it

[MongooseV8]

(shoot irons)

Used to be OK to shoot guns without magnified optics!

I hear ya, but the OP wants a scope.

[ar15barrels]

(shoot irons)

Used to be OK to shoot guns without magnified optics!

The OP has expressed his desire to hit the steel targets at 600yds.
A mosin is typically going to shoot 12"-30" groups at 600yds.
Groups those sizes would miss many of the steel plates at his range with a perfect hold.
Missing targets is a very poor way to instill confidence and build marksmanship.

[Merc1138]

First, I've got to wonder about the vision of people(or how terrible their monitors must be) to not be able to see the quite clear thumbtack.

Second, a mosin is not the solution for everything.

[MongooseV8]

⬆Haha quite true ⬆

[lowimpactuser]

You probably won't be able to reload for it, but the rifle I have next on the list is a k31: http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/201...t-rubin-rifle/

[5.56]

Turners has the Mossberg MVP Patrol .308 on sale for $499 today, 12-15-15 only. I own one and its a great sub MOA rifle with a 16" barrel. It also takes detachable magazines of many types and an adjustable trigger. It's hard to beat for the price.

[jdben92883]

Used Howa 1500.

[beerman]

$405 new 200 yards on a pistol target.

My savage 110 FP ( in .308) Shoots the same using Federal gold, right out of the box...with no accutrigger. My buddy let me shoot his, after that I had to have one. Paid $350 slightly used. Amazing rifles for the price.

[510rick]

My Savage Axis shoots just like that one ..and kills Bambi's no problem

[morepoop4u]

Lol it can be done with a mosin if you like to tinker. Here's my build cost break down.

$79 BIG5 mosin
-sold stock and accessories for +$85
-bought used ati stock $35
-Remington sight base $15
-bolt knob $20
-used primary arms scope $100 4x16 mildot
-used muzzle break $30
-misc materials $50

Here I am blasting away with cheap ammo at 600yards. I'm an ok shooter at best shooter . Still want to try a timney trigger and handloads before I rebarrel it.

[MongooseV8]

Its been a long time since you could get a Mosin for $79 at Big 5.