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Inexpensive Hunting Rifle?

Discussion in 'Guns & Hunting' started by handyman, Jan 30, 2022.

  1. Feb 1, 2022 at 4:59 AM
    #31
    Ejp1234

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    ok, but where… your in MoCo county, so this should register with you… it makes a difference, your not racking a .308 there.

    As well, you think a .308 is a preferred round here on the shore where Im shooting 300-400+ yards across a field? It isnt. You think the .308 is the preferred round in the marsh for sika. You think the .308 is the preferred round for mulies?

    Your right, I was all wrong lol
     
  2. Feb 1, 2022 at 5:03 AM
    #32
    GODZILLA

    GODZILLA Hail to the King, Baby.

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    With your military background I would really suggest you look at the discount provided by Vortex to Veterans. If there will be intermittent hunting with lots of range time I would definitely go with the 308 as you can get bulk ammo for plinking at a lower cost than many other rounds, due to the NATO status.

    Keeping weight and recoil down is usually more expensive and best done by more modern rifles. With the budget you have expressed I would be looking at the Ruger and Savage Lines. My personal preference would be toward the Ruger. Get your hands on both and see what feels right to you.


    Twenty posts in an already acting like you own the place. You're gonna go far, Kid. :thumbsup: At least you admit to being a snob.

    Yes, but reading comprehension is for the poors, and his manservant was busy sighting in Master's rifles, also a task for the poors.
     
    Last edited: Feb 1, 2022
  3. Feb 1, 2022 at 5:14 AM
    #33
    nobodyintexas

    nobodyintexas What?

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    I like cheap ammo...

    I can't out shoot cheap 308 ammo.

    my goal is to ring the metal @ 300yds.

    I can do it with the cheapest ammo.

    for whatever that's worth.
     
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  4. Feb 1, 2022 at 5:28 AM
    #34
    ColoradoTJ

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    Post 14…please read.
     
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  5. Feb 1, 2022 at 5:30 AM
    #35
    ColoradoTJ

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    Internet high 5.

     
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  6. Feb 1, 2022 at 5:38 AM
    #36
    1794TX

    1794TX Should be taken in small doses

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    I read through these answers pretty well, and there's some good advice. @AzureNightmare 's is spot on and mature. If your game will be limited to deer and hogs in Alabama, you can probably get by with a lower caliber - .243 or .270 - but if your shoulder can handle the recoil from the .308, it's better all around.

    I'll add (this might have been added above and I just missed it), and this goes to part of the point Adam is making, that you should scrutinize package deals where the rifle comes with the scope already in the box or already mounted. Even the reputable brands listed so far will often use low-end to middling scopes in those packages, and they just won't serve you well. I have specific experience (albeit more than 20 years old) with Savage packaged deals. Their rifles are very accurate; but they put horrible scopes on the packaged products.

    A bare bones rifle from Savage (probably true of other brands) will have a low end trigger which, when you pull it a bullet comes out; a cheap synthetic stock which, when you place it on your shoulder fully steadies the rifle, a barrel and action that promise groupings tighter than are needed to dispatch your game; no scope, and often no directly attached means of mounting one. You'll need to buy scope rings and possibly the rail; and I'd advise you to either buy good mounting equipment or go get it professionally mounted. It matters. And while you'll spend a bit more over all getting the rifle and scope separately, you'll wind up with a much better platform.

    I have Nikon, Leupold, Vortex and a couple of low-end scopes; and snobbery aside, in my opinion the Vortex can (even if only barely) be classed with high-end scopes that cost twice or three times as much.

    Good luck with the purchase; and whatever the reason you're getting back into hunting, I hope you have plenty of fun. We'll want the rest of the story when it happens, along with pics.
     
  7. Feb 1, 2022 at 5:48 AM
    #37
    GODZILLA

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    Me? Mature? :laughing: Everything else in your post is dead on.
     
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  8. Feb 1, 2022 at 6:03 AM
    #38
    MadMaxCanon

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    My father in law still uses an old Mosin Nagant rifle with a decent scope on it. Its a $200 rifle and you can get old soviet block surplus ammo for cheap. Can probably get the whole setup for $500. If it was good enough to trim the mustache off a German officer at 500 yards 70 years ago, its still good enough to do it now. But, I am a fan of old stuff.
     
  9. Feb 1, 2022 at 6:05 AM
    #39
    shawn474

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    Wow dude…..it’s too early in the morning to engage your nonsensical drivel but I have been up for a few hours and am feeling froggy. I do hunt and I do use a .308. Most of my hunting is nowhere near Montgomery county as I tend to go to Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Plenty of .308 being shot at the range I have belonged to for close to 25 years…..why? Because that’s what many hunt with.

    never said it was the preferred round - I mentioned it as a versatile round (on a budget, easily found ammo, can take down larger game if OP ever wants to do so, easy to find aftermarket parts for, etc). After mentioning the shoulder injury maybe not the ideal recommendation but there are ways to reduce / absorb recoil.

    And, maybe you should read more closely to the original question before flapping your gums about being a Tommy tough nuts know it all on an Internet forum. It’s actually amusing that even with all you “knowledge” you still haven’t made a recommendation……

    Stick around though…..we like this sort of entertainment here.

     
    Last edited: Feb 1, 2022
  10. Feb 1, 2022 at 6:07 AM
    #40
    nobodyintexas

    nobodyintexas What?

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    Whatever this forum told me to do

    I concur with this answer.

    not that my opinion matters 1 bit.
     
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  11. Feb 1, 2022 at 7:41 AM
    #41
    1794TX

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    I have a Mosin Nagant. Love shooting that thing. 7.62x54R by the box is expensive at Academy or Cabela's. I don't really shoot it enough to warrant a bulk purchase, but it could happen.
     
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  12. Feb 1, 2022 at 7:55 AM
    #42
    MadMaxCanon

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    It is quite a thundercannon. The ammo is really expensive if you buy new. Few years back it was going for about 10 cents a round when you bought spam cans. I think my father in law bought about 2000 rounds at the time and it was about $250 bucks. He still has about 1500 rounds left lol.
     
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  13. Feb 1, 2022 at 8:14 AM
    #43
    GODZILLA

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    With recent events at a regulatory level the import of ammo has been curtailed, so I would expect the price on this ammo to go up from here.
     
  14. Feb 1, 2022 at 8:19 AM
    #44
    MadMaxCanon

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    Too many, but not enough....
    absolutely no doubt about that. It would still be a bargain setup though, relatively speaking.
     
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  15. Feb 1, 2022 at 9:16 PM
    #45
    handyman

    handyman [OP] New Member

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    And I answered "where" in comment #14. As for what, that depends on what's out there. Since I'm not from this state and have never hunted here, I'm not familiar, other than quick glimpses, with the game in this area. I guess that will be part of "the discovery." Lol.



    That's similar to what I hear from one or two of my friends. They won't be satisfied until I plop down $5-10k for a rifle. No going to happen. Thanks for the input through.
     
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  16. Feb 1, 2022 at 9:20 PM
    #46
    handyman

    handyman [OP] New Member

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    Thanks for your input. I'm getting a lot of good information to use in my "quest."
     
  17. Feb 1, 2022 at 9:37 PM
    #47
    ColoradoTJ

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    I was going to say earlier I have a 30.06 I could let go of, but with a shoulder injury…

    My two elk guns were 7mm mag and .300 win mag but my favorite rifle would be .243 and .270. I did hunt with my Dads old Springfield .06 a few times but was never as accurate with that weapon.
     
  18. Feb 1, 2022 at 10:23 PM
    #48
    handyman

    handyman [OP] New Member

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    Wow. So much advice in this thread. Will definitely be looking into military discounts, including Vortex. And I think I've locked onto the 308. A decent recoil pad on the rifle butt should help enough with the recoil (busted collar bone that never healed correctly, and too stubborn to let them cut me open to fix it better).
     
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  19. Feb 1, 2022 at 10:44 PM
    #49
    Pmac

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    If recoil is a concern in a 308, and you need more bullet weight than a .243, take a look at the 6.5 CM. 308 exterior ballistics, less recoil and plenty of bullet weight for deer, hogs and more.
     
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  20. Feb 1, 2022 at 11:49 PM
    #50
    handyman

    handyman [OP] New Member

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    Yes, I've been listening to his advice carefully. He seems to have a pretty good grip on what I'm shopping for, with good answers in response.



    Oh, I've had a few encounters with inexpensive scopes. The latest is with, believe it or not, a pellet rifle. Bought the rifle to help with a chipmunk infestation in the backyard, undermining trees, patios, and the house foundation. Little buggers are destructive and breed like wildfire.

    Took out 109 chipmunks the first summer (out to about 100-150ft) before the scope included with the rifle broke. Purchased another which, after a few weeks, wouldn't stay zeroed for ten minutes. Finally trashed it and bought yet another brand, but this one is wacky too. The chipmunks, coming in from neighboring yards and similar, seem to be increasing their numbers for another round in "the war," so a new, more powerful, pellet rifle with a better scope is on the shopping list.

    Also have a new surprise for them this year - a fast dog that likes to hunt, stalk, and kill rodents. Lol.



    Thanks. Lost interest in firearms for a number of years while living on the "left coast" and then overseas (Germany, Italy, etc) off & on for almost 16 years where firearms are difficult for a foreigner to obtain or even own. Now that I'm back (permanently), trying to renew my interest in firearms, hunting, fishing, and similar.
     
  21. Feb 2, 2022 at 12:22 AM
    #51
    timmyKGB

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    Just to stir the pot… 6.5 creedmoor is superior to 308 :rofl:

    but seriously, I picked up a killer deal on a ruger bolt action in 6.5 creedmoor and its great to shoot. A tad heavier than some care to handle in the woods but not unbearable. Just something else to possibly look into.

    Also midway had killer deals on vortex optics this past Black Friday. But with military I believe they do approx 40% depending on the optic. I purchased a viper pst 2 and have no complaints for the price point.
     
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  22. Feb 2, 2022 at 1:08 AM
    #52
    Kung

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    Seriously though, I WILL say this - I picked a Savage Axis II Precision rifle in early 2020 when both the pandemic and the ammo shortage were in full swing. First one was in 6.5 Creedmoor; second one was in .308.

    I sold the 6.5 Creedmoor for one simple reason - while neither caliber was 'cheap' at the time, .308 could be had for about $.65/rd, while 6.5CM cost *$2.50/rd. :eek:

    If money was no object I'd likely have stuck with the 6.5CM, but alas, money IS an object that I possess a finite amount of. LOL
     
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  23. Feb 2, 2022 at 3:40 AM
    #53
    nobodyintexas

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    Whatever this forum told me to do
    I'll give a real world example of 6.5 creedmoor.

    At my favorite gun store..Ables Ammo in Huntsville, they have a wall of 6.5 creedmoors.

    I asked about 308's...they said they don't even hit the shelves, they sell immediately.

    because ammo is avail for 308 & the 308 ammo price is bearable.

    yes - the Creedmoor is sexier with flatter ballistics...but it ain't so different that it would exceed my skill level. I'm going to dope the scope on both. I will ring the gong with both.

    I'll take the one with avail ammo.
     
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  24. Feb 2, 2022 at 3:46 AM
    #54
    ColoradoTJ

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    Man that .308 flies off the shelf here.

    F4DD2C33-DA61-4996-920B-092EBDD6BC40.jpg


    Must be a few AR10 owners. :anonymous:
     
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  25. Feb 2, 2022 at 4:05 AM
    #55
    PermaFrostTRD

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    Ring the gong with .308 - fill your plate & freezer with 6.5

    As some have pointed out, our ability levels won’t distinguish the differences in two ballistics properties and if you’re rolling bolts at white tails in the SE (or any game for that matter) at greater than 300 m (where those differences begin to appear), then shame on you.

    with your shoulder injury, I’d vote for the 6.5 in the woods (as you can get a more modern lighter rifle that won’t slap you around as hard). And take a .308 to the range with a heavier gun that you’re only taking from your vehicle to the lanes.

    i know that’s kind of out of budget for you at the moment, but if you’re serious about re-entering a hobby then the best way to stick with it long term is to make it fun for your self. Lugging something heavy up a treee that’s going to make your shoulder hurt every time you squeeze the trigger doesn’t sound like much fun. Just my opinion. Hope you get to enjoy whatever you decide for many years!
     
    Last edited: Feb 2, 2022
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  26. Feb 2, 2022 at 4:22 AM
    #56
    JimBeam

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    Pretty much what happens in our store

    I have zero 308 rifles available because they sell so fast

    I can send you home with a 6.5cm of almost any budget and variety but I got 1 type of ammo, its expensive, and I only got about a half case of it
     
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  27. Feb 2, 2022 at 4:24 AM
    #57
    JimBeam

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    Realistically, if you're concerned about recoil, you may want to look at 350 legend

    The ammo will be harder to find but its supposed to be super light recoil

    Its not gonna stretch as far as 308 or 6.5...but it won't kick your shoulder injury as bad either
     
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  28. Feb 2, 2022 at 4:31 AM
    #58
    nobodyintexas

    nobodyintexas What?

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    Whatever this forum told me to do
    I learned something:
    felt recoil

    6.5 creedmor = ~11lbs
    308 = ~14lbs
    270 =~18lbs

    12 gauge = ~20lbs
    12 guage 3" = 54lbs!


    No wonder a day at sporting clays leaves you sore.
     
    Last edited: Feb 2, 2022
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  29. Feb 2, 2022 at 5:18 AM
    #59
    Retired...finally

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    I remember seeing reduced recoil ammo. No, it doesn't come in pink boxes either.
     
  30. Feb 2, 2022 at 5:25 AM
    #60
    nobodyintexas

    nobodyintexas What?

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    Whatever this forum told me to do
    reduced range?
     

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