Budget Rifle

[RyeGuy74]

My mother has recently gotten into Hunting and she absolutely loves it but she's always used my 6mm Remington. We are looking for her first rifle so I'm here to get any advice on a budget Rifle that anyone recommends. Thanks for any and all help

 

[VikingsGuy]

This thread may help: https://www.hunttalk.com/threads/ranking-10-common-bolt-action-hunting-rifles-under-750.291265/

 

[SticksMcKinley]

Howa makes a good rifle and it's really hard to beat a Tikka. I'd rather have one of those in used condition than a cheap Ruger American, Savage, Mossberg, etc.

p.s. VikingsGuy is leading you in the right direction.

 

[AggieHunter]

I have a Ruger American which is pretty good for only $350. I also have a Remington in a 700 that's a youth model that could potentially fit her better if she needs a smaller rifle.

 

[homers]

Give her your 6mm and go use that as an excuse to go buy yourself a new rifle.

 

[Brian in Montana]

For the $ I think it's pretty hard to beat a Remington 700 SPS.

But the term "budget rifle" can mean something different for everyone. How budget are you looking?

 

[coleslaw]

Sounds like a minuscule thing, but when I bought my girlfriend her .243, I ended up getting her a Savage because of the fact that the thumb safety is simple to operate even with gloves on, and that it requires less effort to operate the bolt (easier bolt lift) than other similar priced rifles.
A lot of new shooters struggle operating a bolt and I'm not sure how old your mother is or what her familiarity with bolt rifles is. Just a thought.

 

[TN2shot07]

For the $ I think it's pretty hard to beat a Remington 700 SPS.

But the term "budget rifle" can mean something different for everyone. How budget are you looking?

+1 on the sps, it’s as good of a platform to start with as anything. They will generally shoot fine for hunting purposes with no work and if you decide to, there’s plenty of custom options too. Plus they seem to hold value a little better than some of the other base rifles

 

[VikingsGuy]

Sounds like a minuscule thing, but when I bought my girlfriend her .243, I ended up getting her a Savage because of the fact that the thumb safety is simple to operate even with gloves on, and that it requires less effort to operate the bolt (easier bolt lift) than other similar priced rifles.
A lot of new shooters struggle operating a bolt and I'm not sure how old your mother is or what her familiarity with bolt rifles is. Just a thought.

I am not disagreeing with your experience, but in my experience savage rifles have oft reported challenges with sticky bolt slides if the user isn't attentive to the angle they are directing pressure while opening and closing. In my experience, the Tikka, Bergara and Howa have the smoothest bolt function of the "budget class".

 

[brnsvllyjohn]

Don't be afraid to shop for a used rifle. There can be great deals on name brand rifles and who knows what you might find in a month or 2. Most of my guns were actually purchased used and I have never had a bad experience yet.

 

[runningmt]

I’ve been super impressed with my son’s youth model Ruger American in 7mm-08. It is just as accurate as my $2500 custom rifle, and only cost $299 brand new. Certainly the fit and finish is cheap and the Tupperware stock is nothing to take pictures of, but in the end it’s a deadly, light, accurate rifle.

 

[Dougfirtree]

It's a tad on the heavy side for my tastes, but my sons have a TC Venture and it's pretty impressive for the 300 dollars I paid for it. The bolt is very slick, it's solid, doesn't feel like crap and it's probably the most accurate rifle in the family...

 

[noharleyyet]

Bargain for you. 6mm for your Mom.

257 weatherby just because I’m bored

Just because I’m bored I’m selling my vanguard 257 weatherby 26” blued barrel. Comes with Talley 1” low rings (scope not included) 51 weatherby brass and rcbs dies. Guns been shot right at 60 rounds. I don’t have any group photos with it but 3/4” with 100 grain swift scirocco is pretty normal...

www.hunttalk.com

 

[Pucky Freak]

Savage axis ii if you take time to doctor up the stock. No specialty tools required except an epoxy mixer. https://www.hunttalk.com/threads/junk-stock-build.296979/
My least favorite part of the rifle is the barrel is not crowned, and I don’t know if there’s anything I can do to change that (electrical tape, I guess)

 

[BuzzH]

Savage axis ii if you take time to doctor up the stock. No specialty tools required except an epoxy mixer. https://www.hunttalk.com/threads/junk-stock-build.296979/
My least favorite part of the rifle is the barrel is not crowned, and I don’t know if there’s anything I can do to change that (electrical tape, I guess)

Have it crowned...it's pretty cheap.

 

[CUElk]

It's a tad on the heavy side for my tastes, but my sons have a TC Venture and it's pretty impressive for the 300 dollars I paid for it. The bolt is very slick, it's solid, doesn't feel like crap and it's probably the most accurate rifle in the family...

Agree. We only have one, but that rifle is crazy accurate. Every time I take it to the range, it will stack em on top of each other.

 

[morgaj1]

I have been very surprised by the performance of the 2 Ruger American rifles we have. I bought a .243 Compact a few years ago when my son was 9 and started hunting. This year, the compact model was too small for him and I got him a Ruger American 7mm-08 in the standard length. Both rifles, with handloads, consistently shoot 1/2" groups at 100 yards. My, now 12yo, son killed 4 deer and 4 hogs with it this year. Very impressive guns for little money.

 

[Walkathon]

I'm happy with the Ruger American in 7MM-08 that I bought a couple of years ago. I'd say it is a great gun for the price

 

[1_pointer]

If it's in her price range, might want to have her look at the Savage Lady hunter. The stock is designed to fit women better than the traditional, classic style stock.

I've been happy with the Ruger American that my sons use. They shoot LH so their options are quite limited. If she shoot's RH, there are a lot of options in the same price range that have been mentioned. Have her handle a bunch of them and go with the one that fit's the best. Unless you get a lemon, I'd would be more than adequate.

 

[3855WIN]

Do you have siblings who could help you buy it? Might be a great time for y’all to get mom a nice gift. Weatherby has a line made for women. Camilla or something like that. Take care of mom if you can. I understand money is tight for many these days.