Need Help Finding A New Budget Rifle

[Runs With Scissors]

It seems that finding a good budget rifle is a hard thing to do nowadays. I was looking for a bolt action 308.

Originally I planned to get a Remington 700 and then I started hearing stories about the company changing hands and that the rifle wasn't what it used to be.

Next I was going to get a Ruger American but then I found out after digging further that the barrel is kinda thin and it heats up from repeated shooting. And that's something I plan to use it for so had to pass on that one.

So I started my search again and discovered the Savage 10 FCP-SR. It seemed like a good fit and the reviews were positive. The addition of the accustock and DMB seemed nice. People really seemed to like it. But those reviews were old and the latest news on them now is that they're s***. Apparently the newer ones off the line have trouble with the mags feeding and the bolt sticks. *argh*

So long story short is I'm getting tired of going back to the drawing board so here I am asking you smart people: what would you recommend for a good budget rifle?

 

[Snora]

Define "budget."

 

[Runs With Scissors]

Define "budget."

$700..ish? Originally I set my budget at $600 but managed to talk myself up to $700. I could probably be talked up again with enough reason. Yeah so basically I'm bad at budgeting anything. But so far none of the ones I've considered broke the $650 mark.

 

[drgrant]

It seems that finding a good budget rifle is a hard thing to do nowadays. I was looking for a bolt action 308.

Originally I planned to get a Remington 700 and then I started hearing stories about the company changing hands and that the rifle wasn't what it used to be.

Next I was going to get a Ruger American but then I found out after digging further that the barrel is kinda thin and it heats up from repeated shooting. And that's something I plan to use it for so had to pass on that one.

It's a bolt gun, how much are you really going to shoot it?

After seeing ColdDayInHell's american, I think it is a decent budget rifle. At that price point frankly you're over analyzing the gun, your concern needs to be in the glass you're going to put on it, which is way more important than the gun is. There are tons of guns in this class that are accurate enough etc... but the biggest mistake I see people make with scoped rifles is putting shit glass on the rifle.

-Mike

 

[greencobra]

yeah. you're to picky for short money. what does "repeated shooting" mean? is this going to be a target gun? if not.....i like the american myself when i got a look at my buddies. he wanted a .223 rem and hunted a used one down at kittery for cheap. (uses it for close in varmint control on his farm). to hunt, i'd look long at the american and use the savings towards decent glass.

 

[northny]

Don't be too quick to give up on the new Remington 700. Basic ADL at Walmart with the plastic stock is $400and a bit on sale couple times a year. Add a Boyds laminate stock ($129 you can do better if you catch a sale) and add a drop in Timney trigger (basic model on Ebay $100+) For less than $700 you have a decent rig. My brother set up two like this early in the year, both in .223 rem, and when I visited in Amarillo in February with several different handholds had both consistently shooting sub inch groups at 100 yards (in the west texas wind). Just bolted together, not bedded or anything fancy.

Point I am trying to make is the barrel and bolt still very good. New trigger not great, but easy to replace and get an accurate set up.

 

[mac1911]

It seems that finding a good budget rifle is a hard thing to do nowadays. I was looking for a bolt action 308.

Originally I planned to get a Remington 700 and then I started hearing stories about the company changing hands and that the rifle wasn't what it used to be.

Next I was going to get a Ruger American but then I found out after digging further that the barrel is kinda thin and it heats up from repeated shooting. And that's something I plan to use it for so had to pass on that one.

So I started my search again and discovered the Savage 10 FCP-SR. It seemed like a good fit and the reviews were positive. The addition of the accustock and DMB seemed nice. People really seemed to like it. But those reviews were old and the latest news on them now is that they're s***. Apparently the newer ones off the line have trouble with the mags feeding and the bolt sticks. *argh*

So long story short is I'm getting tired of going back to the drawing board so here I am asking you smart people: what would you recommend for a good budget rifle?

Decide hunting or target
Hit as many shops as you can and look for a heavy barrel rifle.. I have seen some nice older target rifles out there. My friends son snagged a older guys prone rifle at his club... old guy can't go prone any more.
It's a 700action with a Lija barrel? Custom prone stock. 1000$ with a nice older leupold target scope.
First group he shot was 1.37" with FGMM ammo.

 

[straightshooterjake]

Drgrant has already made the point I wanted to make, but I'll still follow up on it a little.

I think of the rifle and optic as a package. The whole package needs to work together to meet your needs. If any part is weak, then the whole package is frustrating.

As a guideline, the scope and mount should cost anywhere from 50% to 100% the cost of the rifle. I frequently tell people with a $1000 total budget that they should spend around $600 on the rifle. They are usually planning to spend more than that on the rifle, and I tell them that if they can raise the total budget a little they'll be happier.

As far as choosing the rifle, the rifle market in your price range is highly competitive. You have already received several good suggestions, and I suspect any of them will be satisfactory. I recently handled a Savage rifle with the accutrigger, and the accutrigger was delightful as always. But the Savage is just one of several reasonable choices.

You might also want to think about the total weight of the rifle and the profile of the barrel. A lighter rifle with a thinner barrel profile is much easier to carry in the field and usually balances better for offhand shooting. But a heavier rifle and barrel can be more accurate for repeated shooting from a rested position. Choosing a rifle with a weight and balance that fits your intended shooting style may be more important than the brand.

 

[Mark from ?]

It seems that finding a good budget rifle is a hard thing to do nowadays. I was looking for a bolt action 308.

Originally I planned to get a Remington 700 and then I started hearing stories about the company changing hands and that the rifle wasn't what it used to be.

Next I was going to get a Ruger American but then I found out after digging further that the barrel is kinda thin and it heats up from repeated shooting. And that's something I plan to use it for so had to pass on that one.

So I started my search again and discovered the Savage 10 FCP-SR. It seemed like a good fit and the reviews were positive. The addition of the accustock and DMB seemed nice. People really seemed to like it. But those reviews were old and the latest news on them now is that they're s***. Apparently the newer ones off the line have trouble with the mags feeding and the bolt sticks. *argh*

So long story short is I'm getting tired of going back to the drawing board so here I am asking you smart people: what would you recommend for a good budget rifle?

700 rifle only, there are a ton of choices.

700 rifle and scope....that's tougher.

I just deer hunt, so I'm looking for something that can do well 250 yards and in. If your going to be long range shooting that's a different animal and the price goes up, good glass for long range shooting starts around 800 -1000 never mind the rifle.

I have a couple Savage bolt guns with the Nikon Scope package. One I got for an absolute steal $350 with the scope brand new and it had 75 dollar rebate. The stainless 30-06 was like 500 with a Nikon package. Both didn't do great with factory ammo, but both shoot under an inch with reloads tailored for their chamber length and and loads they like.

I have a Marlin XS7 243 that shoots under an inch with just about any load I put thru it. It was made by Marlin, not a Remlin. I think I paid 250, and I put a lower grade Leupold on it. for a total of like $400. My son shot his first deer with it at 230 yards. One shot kill.

All pencil barrels heat up, but are light to carry in the woods. If your shooting deer, your only shooting a few times at most. On the range, I just wait ten mins between groupings. If your shooting a ton, and not carrying that far a longer thicker barrel will do better.

There are a lot of good rifles in the used rack for sure as well. But you need to know the application. Get the best glass you can afford. Nikon makes good budget glass.

Also, you can make a pretty cheap rifle a tackdriver with careful reloading. Setting up for one caliber is not that expensive, I use budget Lee single stage for my rifles and it works out well.

 

[84ta406]

I have been very happy with my Mossberg .308 MVP and with optic it was under 700. Ive seen good reviews on the Patriot line of rifles as well and they are only like 400 without scope.

If youre in C.mass youre more than welcome to check out my MVP.

 

[headednorth]

Guy on Youtube was hitting at 1000yds with a Savage 10 and a Primary Arms scope for $1k total.

 

[Runs With Scissors]

Thanks to everyone who has replied.

I agree that the scope is very important. But the reliability of the rifle is equally paramount. Putting a good scope on a garbage gun gets you no where IMHO. I imagine it would be like putting a racing engine in an '82 Ford Escort. And regarding scoped I've heard good things about the Nikon P308 but it's price makes me doubt it. A Leupold would be my first choice but oh boy soooo many choices there. It's gonna take some time.

In answer to your questions - yes it's for target shooting, not hunting. So long range and frequency are the focus. Being light weight will not be a factor.

It's refreshing to hear people report good results with some of the rifles I've looked at. I think I often forget when reading reviews on the internet that too often the disappointed voices are usually the loudest.

 

[92G]

i own a nikon P308 and am not impressed with it. the glass is just so-so and the eye relief is meh. it does hold zero well and performs just fine out to 400 or maybe 500, but i wouldn't push it past that. there are many superior choices out there. the nikon M 308 is noticeably better glass but for the price it can also be beat. this is just my mileage.

 

[mac1911]

Thanks to everyone who has replied.

I agree that the scope is very important. But the reliability of the rifle is equally paramount. Putting a good scope on a garbage gun gets you no where IMHO. I imagine it would be like putting a racing engine in an '82 Ford Escort. And regarding scoped I've heard good things about the Nikon P308 but it's price makes me doubt it. A Leupold would be my first choice but oh boy soooo many choices there. It's gonna take some time.

In answer to your questions - yes it's for target shooting, not hunting. So long range and frequency are the focus. Being light weight will not be a factor.

It's refreshing to hear people report good results with some of the rifles I've looked at. I think I often forget when reading reviews on the internet that too often the disappointed voices are usually the loudest.

only thing I can note is keep a eye on the rules of any type of match you might be competing in IF you plan on competing at all.... as for optics try as many as possible.
I went with the Sightron SIII 8x32x50 side focus........ love it. its not "high end" by any means but its above the average 300-600 scope, has been great so far out to 200 yards and it tracks nice. Cant wait ti get out to 600 next month. Itsa clear scope with some great contrast I can see 22 holes with ease at 100 and 200 on 24x... im still getting used to HighX .....24-32x I get a little sea sick with the wobble

I don't know how they hold up but I tried a Mueller target dot 8x32x44 and for 350 it was pretty darn good. it was a older AO with the adjustment out on the front "bell"... Side focus is much better especially shooting prone.
My SIII sits on top of my AR at the moment but at some point in the future it will be on top of a heavy barrel bolt gun of some sort.

 

[rocket500]

The Ruger American predator models have a heavier barrel that should resist heating up a little more than the standard models.

 

[Lowbird]

The Ruger American predator models have a heavier barrel that should resist heating up a little more than the standard models.

This will be my next purchase. Since it seems I can't have a 6.5 CM Semi. I'll play with one of these.