" Budget " ( under 1K, preferably between 500-1K ) Hunting Rifle For Buddy With Limited Funds?

[Turkeytider]

Friend interested in casual range shooting with occasional deer, predator hunts. I have some thoughts, but interested in input from other shooter/hunters. Thanks in advance.

 

[ID_Matt]

Tikka T3x 6.5 creed or 223
SWFA or Trijicon scope.

Can close the thread now

 

[11boo]

Ruger American. Plenty of $ left over for a decent scope.

 

[wapitibob]

I went cheap and it cost me thousands in the end. If he doesn't care if, or how it shoots, buy a Rem 700. If seeing it shoot 3/4 one day and 2-1/2 the next or always, save a bit more and buy a Tikka. It'll last him his lifetime and every few years he can buy a new barrel and have it in 2 weeks, and screw it on in his garage.

The t3x and 6.5 is the direction I'd go.

 

[nobody]

I'll echo the above post

Tikka T3X in 6.5 Creed (Blued model is +/- $650 if he doesn't need/want stainless)
SWFA Fixed Power ($300 new, can be had used or from their Demo site for about $200)
Picatinny Rail ($50)
Seekins or Nightforce Rings ($100)

There's your $1k right there

 

[gtriple]

BAT..... Buy a Tikka.

 

[ElGuapo]

Tikka or Bergara

 

[GetWestern]

Brother in law bought a CVA 6.5 prc for that’s a lights out shooter for $500, that leaves some money for a decent scope.

 

[gtriple]

Will add to the below...

I'll echo the above post

Tikka T3X in 6.5 Creed (Blued model is +/- $650 if he doesn't need/want stainless)
SWFA Fixed Power ($300 new, can be had used or from their Demo site for about $200)
Picatinny Rail ($50)
Seekins or Nightforce Rings ($100)

There's your $1k right there

If you want a rifle that he can buy and it will be more accurate than most people can ever shoot... plus he can slowly build it out later to get to a near-custom level...

Buy a Tikka T3X Lite Stainless. Do not get a superlite. Stainless is worth the extra money. I'd personally buy a 6.5prc or 7prc, but there's lots of good options.

Buy a pic rail. EGW is pretty cheap but good.

I'd go with Nightforce or Hawkins rings. The single-bolt is a little better IMO.

You can get away with a cheaper scope for awhile. SWFA is the go-to cheap one here. Eventually, I'd upgrade to a Nightforce.

You can build a cheek rest on the factory stock with a cut up yoga mat, double-sided tape, and vet wrap/athletic tape. That'll cost $10 and make it much more ergonomic.

Adjust the trigger down to as low as you want.

 

[gtriple]

Ruger American. Plenty of $ left over for a decent scope.

I had a Ruger American Go Wild that was a shooter. But the lack of aftermarket support and just some general deficiencies won't ever allow it to be more than a budget rifle. If you'll never upgrade it, it's a solid option.

 

[Banded_spooney]

I'll echo the above post

Tikka T3X in 6.5 Creed (Blued model is +/- $650 if he doesn't need/want stainless)
SWFA Fixed Power ($300 new, can be had used or from their Demo site for about $200)
Picatinny Rail ($50)
Seekins or Nightforce Rings ($100)

There's your $1k right there

where are you finding Tikkas for $650?

 

[gtriple]

where are you finding Tikkas for $650?

I bought a stainless Lite last year for $500 flat. It was like new. Just gotta do some digging.

 

[Turkeytider]

Thanks everybody! I sort of figured most would recommend a Tikka. They are fine quality rifles. They need to be because they`re saddled with Beretta USA service. Without question, at least according to internet input, maybe the worst in the industry.

As I stated in another post, the preponderance of "regular " hunting rifles I see at our local range are Savage Axis IIs. At least with that very limited sample, the owner/shooters I`ve spoken with have been very happy wih them.

 

[nobody]

where are you finding Tikkas for $650?

They're blued, not stainless, but here's a few links:

https://lockedloaded.com/product/ti...5-creedmoor-24.3-31-synthetic-black-stk-blued

Tikka T3 JRTXE382 T3x Lite 6.5 Creedmoor 3+1 24.30' Black Right Hand

<p>Tikka's T3x Lite combines high performance with lightweight ease. The T3x receiver introduces a widened angular ejection port making it easier to feed one cartridge at a time, and extra screw placements on top of the receiver to robustly attach a Picatinny rail. The Lite models are equipped...

dackoutdoors.com

Take these links to Scheels and ask them to price match, they'll do it lickety split! As long as the link says "in stock" or "add to cart" they'll do it no questions asked.

 

[TheViking]

100% buy a Tikka.

 

[Pony Soldier]

Used and local?

 

[gtriple]

Used and local?

Yea, that's how I've bought 3 Tikkas for several hundred under MSRP. I just keep an eye out for them and snatch em up quick.

 

[grfox92]

where are you finding Tikkas for $650?

Blued tikkas are 750. 650 is 2 years ago pricing.

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[long hunter]

Run the pawn shops in your area, I am sure the tikkas are fine rifles, I am a Remington shooter note they are all older models with the exception of the latest .308 it's a XCR model and does very well out to 500 yards. killed my first antelope with it in 2019 at 350 yards. Heading towards 70 years old never had a problem with the Remys. It's all in the shooters liking as to brands of manufacturers.

 

[grfox92]

As someone who recently bought a Ruger American Predator and am perfectly happy with it, I will say, buy a blued Tikka.

Do not buy a Begara.

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