**UPDATE 3-26**Inexpensive Bolt Rifle recomendations

[brian5271]

*****NEW UPDATE IN POST NUMBER 120*****


*****UPDATE IN POST NUMBER 88*****



Hi All - I am thinking about buying an inexpensive bolt rifle to start to get into long(er) range shooting. The range that I will be using it at is only 200 yards, but I want to be able to put a gong out considerably farther when I get out to the desert for some fun.

I am looking to keep it around $450 out the door, not including scope. I usually do not like to buy "cheap" guns, but in this case I am really just looking for something to play with and learn some basics of long range shooting. I figure by the time I outperform a cheaper rifle, I will have a good idea of what I need / want to get into longer range and more precision shooting. Even if I sell it in a year or two and take a $200 loss I think it will be worth it.

I have been thinking maybe a Ruger American in 308 but am open to suggestions.

With all that being said, what would you folks recommend for rifle and caliber?

[Sam .223]

Savage is a good rifle for not a lot of money, I have a 111 in 30-06 and I love it, I paied 450 for it, and added an optic and the rifle performs very well, it's my only bolt gun and I don't see a reason to buy another.

[Germ1]

Savage.

[G-Man WC]

Used Rem700 with short action to shot now and rebuild later.
-g

[novabrian]

Mosin Nagant

[Steponmytoes]

For $450 out the door, I would go with a 30-06 or 243 winchester. 308 is nice and all, but for your budget, a decent rifle is hard to find. With a .243 winchester, you have a rifle that fires a common and plentiful round, has soft recoil and will allow you to learn the fundamentals.

You will be looking at Savage, Ruger and Mossberg most likely. Ruger will likely be out of your price range at the store. Check out a Savage Axis in .243

[BHP FAN]

Another vote for a 91/30. Aim Surplus sometimes even has the ''Enemy at the Gates'' sniper version of the Mosin Nagant rifles.

[Varg Vikernes]

91/30 is the worst choice if he actually wants any sort of accuracy.

Its like if someone wanted to get into car racing and you told them to buy a Yugo

Look for a used Remington 700 short action. Black Friday you can get a R700 ADL for $450 or something.

edit: looking at Gunbroker you can get a 700 ADL for around $450.

at $450 you are gonna be getting a hunting rifle though. Barrel is gonna be too light for much target shooting.

[musketjon]

91/30 is the worst choice if he actually wants any sort of accuracy.

Hog wash and baulderdash. My 91/30's are every bit as accurate as my Remington 03A3. You either have no first-hand experience or you got a lemon.
Jon

[SandBlastedSkin]

Remington 783 with choice scope. The gun is absolutely capable of shooting sub MOA. You can find the cheap scoped version for the same price as the rifle itself if you look around.

[NapalmCheese]

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=1166184

[Jet Setter]

700 ADL. Usually in the $500 range.

[ar15barrels]

Hi All - I am thinking about buying an inexpensive bolt rifle to start to get into long(er) range shooting. The range that I will be using it at is only 200 yards, but I want to be able to put a gong out considerably farther when I get out to the desert for some fun.

I am looking to keep it around $450 out the door, not including scope. I usually do not like to buy "cheap" guns, but in this case I am really just looking for something to play with and learn some basics of long range shooting. I figure by the time I outperform a cheaper rifle, I will have a good idea of what I need / want to get into longer range and more precision shooting. Even if I sell it in a year or two and take a $200 loss I think it will be worth it.

I have been thinking maybe a Ruger American in 308 but am open to suggestions.

With all that being said, what would you folks recommend for rifle and caliber?

Whatever you get, make sure it has a heavy barrel on it.
The skinny barrelled "sporter" rifles are no good for target use, even at only 100yds.

[ziconceo]

Whatever you get, make sure it has a heavy barrel on it.
The skinny barrelled "sporter" rifles are no good for target use, even at only 100yds.

This isn't due to accuracy though, skinny barrels are a poor choice for target shooting because you only get through 30 rounds and you have heat waves rising through your scopes view.

Just thought I'd clarify.

[ar15barrels]

This isn't due to accuracy though, skinny barrels are a poor choice for target shooting because you only get through 30 rounds and you have heat waves rising through your scopes view.

Just thought I'd clarify.

The problem with sporter barrels is that their zeros wander by the 3rd to 5th round through the barrel, making it unlikely to make consistent shot placements throughout a day of shooting.