Budget hunting rifle

[glass eye]

Back in 1992 I bought a Ruger M77 in 7mm rem mag. Very accurate and reliable, not expensive.

 

[slick]

Always find it hard to disagree with Form..

But easier said than done- although I should do it. I bought a tikka 7-08. Put a Leupold vx2 2-7x33 I had laying around on it. Put 4-5 boxes through it and its a damn laser beam compared to the accuracy I'm getting from a Tikka 300WM (probably poor habits to recoil sensitivity) Lightweight mountain rig that has killed an elk, a goat, and a deer this year at 140, 282, and 302. All 1 shot. I'm not a good shot, this rifle just flat out shoots.

My vote is Tikka. But if you can't swing that go Ruger American 270 and then save for a Tikka.

 

[Michael54]

Although I haven't owned one due to the fact that I use my weatherby 7mm mag everywhere. I'm a big fan of the Ruger american. I actually bought my brother one in 30-6 that is a tack driver. Not only is it accurate but it seems like the action is just a lot smoother than a lot of the rifles in the next price point up. I bought my weatherby mark v used for $550 which i thought was a steal and use it here in PA and out west although my load changed a bit for PA deer. I went heavier and slower and don't seem to have bullets just zipping through my deer under 100 yards now? (I'm no expert on loads by any means...complete amateur at best )

 

[zeroforhire]

Budget? Thompson center compass.

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[ColeKira]

I finally got around to sighting in my new Ruger American Predator in .25-06. I bought this gun for $350 (used/never fired) and dressed it with a Vortex Diamondback Tactical 4-16x44 that I purchased for $300 new on Ebay. I'm getting clover leafs to 1" groups with 5 brands of ammo from 85g to 117g @ 100y. I'll be shooting this out to 400 and 600 next weekend. I'm very impressed and will get the 6.5 Ruger American Predator next.

 

[Mike 338]

Savage makes good budget rifles. Also the Thompson Contenders. Tikka's are no longer cheap but a nice rifle too. What you want is something that is utterly reliable, of average weight and acceptably accurate. You don't need to drop a lot of coin for that. I wouldn't skimp on boots though. Blistered feet can prevent you from being in position to take any shot. Being in reasonable shape will be a big help as well. If your overweight, just imagine humping a 50 pound bag of dog food strapped to your already heavy hunting pack, up and down the Empire State building for days on end. That's not an exaggeration and it gets harder if you get something.

 

[Scottiem]

I second the Thompson Center Compass for a budget rifle. I picked one up in 300 win mag at cabelas for $230. Put a vortex diamondback 4-12 on it for roughly $500 total including tax. I’m currently getting 1.75” groups at 200.

 

[recurveman]

Tikka T3 superlite in a 30-06 and be done with it. They are plenty accurate and will weigh in at about 7-7.5# scoped. Plan on shooting 300-400 yards and be done with it. Most hunters I know have no business shooting past 400 yards on their best day. Shooting that far in the field is even tougher.

I've got a .308 and it drives tacks. Shot it this weekend and the first two shots were touching at 200 yards. Can't beat that.

 

[LightFoot]

308, 30-06, or 300
Go with as much as you can shoot comfortably

Tikka T3 lite
Weatherby Vanguard S2
Savage 110 Storm (or LWH)

Leupold 3.5-10x40 CDS








>>>----------------->JAKE
Have gear, will travel.
-Katy, TX

 

[fmyth]

I second the Thompson Center Compass for a budget rifle. I picked one up in 300 win mag at cabelas for $230. Put a vortex diamondback 4-12 on it for roughly $500 total including tax. I’m currently getting 1.75” groups at 200.

I have the same rifle and am curious what ammo you are using. I picked up my TCC in .300 WM with a Vortex 3-9x40 for $320 shipped. I sighted it in, shot 2 boxes through it and took it elk hunting in WY this year. I shot a spike in the shoulder at 150 yards and it went a bang flop dead, never took a step. The only things I dislike about the TC is the bolt is sloppy and the safety is hard to disengage when wet and frozen.

 

[marshland_max]

My hunting partner has a 20 year old Remington ADL in 30-06 with a Leupold Rifleman 3-9x40. It's a basic bare bones set up that works wonderfully. He's used it on hunts out west and in Africa. It's his go to rifle and matter of fact he shoots blue box federal 180's on everything that walks. Hes got a 53" kudu with that set up and countless other game. Kinda funny how sometimes "cheap" is absolutely perfect.

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[menhaden_man]

Savage 110 Apex Storm XP Stainless 6.5 Creedmoor 24-inch 4Rds with Scope

The Savage 110 Apex Storm XP is a great choice for a ready-to-go scope combo hunting rifle, chambered in popular precision cartridge, 6.5mm Creedmoor. It features a durable, ergonomic synthetic stock with recoil pad, user-adjustable Accutrigger, and a factory mounted Vortex Crossfire II 3-9x40...

grabagun.com

Have an older 110 in 25-06 with about a dozen mule deer and antelope on it... 6.5 CM would be hot too, though I can’t speak to that Crossfire scope (but suspect it’d be ok?).

 

[Scottiem]

I have the same rifle and am curious what ammo you are using. I picked up my TCC in .300 WM with a Vortex 3-9x40 for $320 shipped. I sighted it in, shot 2 boxes through it and took it elk hunting in WY this year. I shot a spike in the shoulder at 150 yards and it went a bang flop dead, never took a step. The only things I dislike about the TC is the bolt is sloppy and the safety is hard to disengage when wet and frozen.

So far the best groups out of mine are with Federal Premium Trophy Bonded Tip 180 grain. I tried the federal Nosler Partition 180, but groups weren’t great.

 

[sunuvuhgun]

You need a long range practice gun, not a long range hunting gun.


I see a lot of rounds fired a year. It takes around 500 rounds a year of real focused and STRUCTURED practice to be capable at 300 yards from field conditions.

When you say structured practice do you mean field shooting as you state below and being diligent about tracking your progress?

[/QUOTE]

No one is shooting normal weight big guns a thousand plus rounds a year. PRS shooters don’t shoot thier match rifles 4,000 rounds a year in practice, even though they’re small 6mm’s. Most have 223 trainer rifles.

I understand shooting will make you a better shooter but what does a long range shooter / hunter need to consider when switching from the practice rifle to the hunting rifle?

Also, should my trainer be similar in form and function to my hunting rifle? Same action, similar weight, scope etc?
[/QUOTE]