wyoelkfan15
Well-known member
I have a friend that is getting into whitetail hunting in West Virginia. He's on a budget. What would be your best Bang for your Buck first time rifle?
Best Bang for your Buck
- Thread starter wyoelkfan15
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Nick87
Well-known member
All relevant to his budget. So what's a budget? Some guys that means $250 others $500 big difference there.
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belshawelk
Well-known member
Tikka, Bergara, Howa 1500 all in .308 or 30-06.
seeth07
Well-known member
Used gun rack. Anything that's bolt action and by ruger or browning is a safe bet.
seeth07
Well-known member
He said budget
VikingsGuy
Well-known member
The two links below will get you started in the right direction from a bolt action perspective and cartridge selection - these will work in the WV woods and in the west if he every tries that. If he is only doing whitetail in the woods I would go with a Marlin 336 lever action in 30-30Win.
www.hunttalk.com
www.hunttalk.com
Ranking 10 Common Bolt Action Hunting Rifles Under $750
Seems like every day somebody on HT posts looking for a basic rifle recommendation for themselves or a kid. In 2019 just about any factory gun will shoot 1.5 MOA (and many 1 MOA) right out of the box with factory ammo. So, within 350y and with appropriate cartridge/bullet and shot selection...
www.hunttalk.com
For RockinU - Common Cartridge Choices
@RockinU asked for my and @mtmuley's cartridge thoughts in another thread. Here goes . . . . My advice on common recommended hunting cartridges loosely in order of recoil lowest to highest Whitetail Deer in wooded area/Black Bear - 30-30Win, .243, 25-06Rem, 6.5CM, .260Rem, 7mm08Rem, .270Win...
www.hunttalk.com
wyoelkfan15
Well-known member
My gut reaction was the same rifle
R
rwc101
Guest
Whatever he picks, make sure he budgets enough for good glass that he can transfer to a nicer rifle in the future.
wyoelkfan15
Well-known member
I don't know much about hunting in WV, would he need a scope in that thick timber?
Fullquiver
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In all likelihood with lever guns being in demand cheap lever guns aren't common.. Having hunted a couple of years in WV I would suggest getting a used Savage bolt gun. Probably easier to find a decently priced one than a cheap lever gun.. Get one in any good common caliber, 30-06, 308 243 or 270.. I would say that you can have plenty of opportunities for shots well beyond 100 yards and if your friend can become proficient with a bolt gun it would be in his best interest..
R
rwc101
Guest
Hard to say without seeing where he'll be hunting. The leaves will all be down by the time deer season starts, so longer shots are possible. I wouldn't go with anything with real high magnification, but a 2-7 or fixed 4x wouldn't be out of place.
Fullquiver
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Depending on the areas hunted much longer shots could be common so a 30-30 and it iron sights might not be best..
antelopedundee
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A Savage Axis or Rem 783 in .270 Win or 6.5 Creedmoor.
They sell new for around $320 + tax around here. Available in left hand too and the budget scope [usually a 3 x 9] that sometimes comes with them is decent enough for the job.
They sell new for around $320 + tax around here. Available in left hand too and the budget scope [usually a 3 x 9] that sometimes comes with them is decent enough for the job.
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bullbugle307
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He said budget
Howa has some nice budget rifles. My wife picked hers up for just under 400. I think they've gone up a bit since then though.
seeth07
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Budget rifle = under $200? Or am I crazy
Fullquiver
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Crazy,. Under $325 is cheap in today's market.. Gun prices are magnitudes higher than even several months ago..
VikingsGuy
Well-known member
It creeps up with inflation so hard to compare over time. In general, I would view budget rifles as the first tier of rifles that aren't really crappy. So in 2020, I view it as $250-$450.
seeth07
Well-known member
I can't say for this exact moment but back in February I just bought my dad a gun with a scope on it for 250. Do prices vary state by state maybe?
bullbugle307
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Yeah, I guess I'd consider anything under 425 that's quality budget nowadays. If I wanted to spend less than that I'd be looking for a used rifle.
seeth07
Well-known member
Get used is the best bang for your buck! The rifle I just bought in Feb was 15 years old, ruger m77 Hawkeye with a 3x9 scratched up Leopold. Shoots 2 inch groups at 100 yards with factory federals. For 250? That's good bang for buck. Doesn't have to look pretty.
