Poll

Your vote for inexpensive yet still decent 30-06 rifle?

Howa 1500
3 (14.3%)
Marlin XL7
1 (4.8%)
Savage 111
8 (38.1%)
Stevens 200
1 (4.8%)
Tikka T3
5 (23.8%)
Weatherby Vanguard
3 (14.3%)
Other (post below)
0 (0%)

Total Members Voted: 21

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Author Topic: Bang-for-buck ~$500 hunting rifle?  (Read 1324 times)

Offline 9Shooter

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Bang-for-buck ~$500 hunting rifle?
« on: March 21, 2011, 12:38:15 PM »
I am looking into getting a 30-06 rifle but I'm on a budget.  What is your opinion and why?
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Offline fj40mojo

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Re: Bang-for-buck ~$500 hunting rifle?
« Reply #1 on: March 21, 2011, 12:59:32 PM »
Are you dead set on a new rifle? I've got a used Ruger 77 MII Stainless .30-'06 with a custom laminated Fajen stock that I'd part with for about that.

If new is what you want I voted for the Howa. The Weatherby is the same action with their style of stock which I'm not fond of. The Howa can be had as a barrelled action as well so if you don't like the Hogue overmolded stock you can put a B&C or some other stock on it. Comes with a decent adjustable trigger too.
« Last Edit: March 21, 2011, 01:33:47 PM by fj40mojo »
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Offline 9Shooter

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Re: Bang-for-buck ~$500 hunting rifle?
« Reply #2 on: March 21, 2011, 01:10:35 PM »
I'm not set on new although I like the idea knowing how it was "raised" from its purchase.  I know there are used options for about that price, and I'd consider it, especially if it was local/someone I knew.  Before I turn to the swap meet I wanted to get a feel for what folks here thought of the options.  Thanks for the heads-up though, I'll keep it in mind ;D
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Offline NoviceHunter

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Re: Bang-for-buck ~$500 hunting rifle?
« Reply #3 on: March 21, 2011, 01:28:26 PM »
I've never had a savage/stevens, but I've got all of the rest.  Vanguard/Howa's are nice, but heavy and chunky (nice and cheap way to get a .300 wby, though.)  Marlin's are great cheap guns; I use mine as the backup gun in the truck.  Lots of Tikka haters out there due to the plastic, but hey, I prefer Glocks too.  They are hands-down my favorite hunting gun. 

Tikka's are the one rifle where I just attach the scope and sling, and go hunt.  Everything else always requires some tinkering or modifying or finding whatever load it likes best, before I consider it huntworthy.  I don't really ever feel the need to add to a Tikka, and every one I've got has always been crazy accurate with the first box of shells I put through it.
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Online Joey

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Re: Bang-for-buck ~$500 hunting rifle?
« Reply #4 on: March 21, 2011, 01:51:54 PM »
Voted for the Vanguard as a good price point, and they shoot pretty good.
But I've always liked the Savage Rifles, and even more with the Accu-trigger.

So Bottom Dollar - Vanguard
Best bang for your buck - Savage

Just my thoughts
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Offline codethree

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Re: Bang-for-buck ~$500 hunting rifle?
« Reply #5 on: March 21, 2011, 07:58:22 PM »
Tikka is a great gun. Very accurate, great trigger, and the action is like... butter. Amazing value for the price.
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Offline Grumblecakes

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Re: Bang-for-buck ~$500 hunting rifle?
« Reply #6 on: March 21, 2011, 08:11:07 PM »
i voted savage. i dont own any of the others but i have shot the howa, it was a loooong time ago so i cant make a comment on it.

I love both of my savages 22 and a 308. both are straight shooters and the accutrigger is probably one of the best factory triggers you can get. savage has a reputation for out of the box accuracy thats the biggest plus imo. their stocks are pretty cheap though but it doesnt bother me much. bang for your buck i think it wouldnt be a bad choice since you wouldnt have to dump money into it to make it a great gun. only thing you would have to get is bases, rings, glass and a sling, pretty much standard for all rifles though.
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Offline Nomad

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Re: Bang-for-buck ~$500 hunting rifle?
« Reply #7 on: March 21, 2011, 10:30:23 PM »
 Have a Tikka in 30-06 T-3 SS shoots a sub min and nice light weight unit Has put meat on the table and has allowed to place very well in a couple of matches....
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Offline rnrphoto98

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Re: Bang-for-buck ~$500 hunting rifle?
« Reply #8 on: March 21, 2011, 11:55:06 PM »
I just got the Savage 11 FCXP in .243 at Cabela's ;D.  I havent had a chance to put many rounds through it yet.  I think it is a good rifle.  The action is nice, it has really mellow recoil, not that a .243 is bad anyway.  The scope on it is nothing to brag about, but for just a straight up hunting rifle it shoud be just fine.  It does not have the accu trigger on this model but the trigger pull is fine for hunting.  There are some after market triggers if you might need something different in the future.  I looked around a lot and for me this was the best bang for my buck. 
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Offline Farlo

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Re: Bang-for-buck ~$500 hunting rifle?
« Reply #9 on: March 22, 2011, 09:21:04 AM »
Honestly, I'd be happy with any of the guns you listed as a deer/elk slayer.  Run around town a feel them up and see which tickles your fancy.
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Offline Jrhoney

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Re: Bang-for-buck ~$500 hunting rifle?
« Reply #10 on: March 24, 2011, 09:28:06 PM »
I had a Weatherby Vanguard in .30-06 a little while ago, I mounted a new 3x-12x Redfield on it and it shot sub MoA out of the box, I kinda wish I kept it but the right offer came along and there went the rifle.
Plus a weatherby is really solid, never know when you'll need to butt stroke a boar or a feisty deer.
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Offline 9Shooter

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Re: Bang-for-buck ~$500 hunting rifle?
« Reply #11 on: April 03, 2011, 09:23:22 PM »
Thanks for all the input, the results were close to, but not exactly, what I expected.  I was leaning toward the Tikka but it looks like the Savage would have served well too.  It's not one of the handful I asked about, but I ended up buying a Ruger M77 MkII stainless from fj40mojo and am looking forward to using it.
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