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$500 rifle for deer, pigs #5651985 03/15/15 03:12 PM
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magspa Offline OP
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A buddy of mine want to start hunting deer, pigs, occasional nilgai. He said being his first rifle he doesnt want to spend more than $500 for rifle/and scope. Any recommendations? I think he may be better off buying used.


Re: $500 rifle for deer, pigs [Re: magspa] #5651989 03/15/15 03:19 PM
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I have seen a dozen threads like this in the last 10 years on here and there has never been a consensus.

If I were to buy only one gun for the species you listed and not predator hunt, I would go with the most popular big game round in North America....the 30-06. Savage makes a very nice starter package with a Nikon Prostaff scope installed. You should be able to buy one new in his range.

Re: $500 rifle for deer, pigs [Re: magspa] #5651996 03/15/15 03:22 PM
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Ruger American with Refield. It'll be in the mid $500's. If you have to go cheaper the Savage Axis II XP is cheaper. But I'd spend the extra cash and get the Ruger

Re: $500 rifle for deer, pigs [Re: magspa] #5651997 03/15/15 03:23 PM
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When I was able to save another $125, I would have the barrel threaded and install a muzzle brake. This will help with recoil, which in a new shooter, will help with grouping. This will also have you ready to add a suppressor if desired (although I wouldn't do this on that gun).

Re: $500 rifle for deer, pigs [Re: magspa] #5652028 03/15/15 03:39 PM
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Savage axis and a nikon prostaff 3-9x40. The savage 111 with the prostaff combo retails for $599 I believe. It'll be a better rifle in the long run, but the axis will do everything he needs it to. I would also go with a 30-06 or a .270.


The very atmosphere of firearms anywhere and everywhere restrains evil interference. -George Washington
Re: $500 rifle for deer, pigs [Re: magspa] #5652034 03/15/15 03:43 PM
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he could also look for an old mauser that's been sporterized. Should be able to find one for under $300 easily. Then spend $100 on a prostaff and $100 on ammo. 7mm or 8mm mauser will both be potent rounds for the animals he's planning on hunting.


The very atmosphere of firearms anywhere and everywhere restrains evil interference. -George Washington
Re: $500 rifle for deer, pigs [Re: magspa] #5652048 03/15/15 04:05 PM
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Have the savage, was about 500 with a great trigger, recoil pad and is light but not bad recoil in 30-06.

Re: $500 rifle for deer, pigs [Re: magspa] #5652122 03/15/15 04:59 PM
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Re: $500 rifle for deer, pigs [Re: magspa] #5652141 03/15/15 05:24 PM
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There are better rounds than the 30-06, .270, .243, but if you forget your ammo or run out, it will be easier to find these calibers at the local walmart than the new calibers. Been hunting out of state when a buddy ran out of his 6.8spc bullets and he couldn't find them any where....he had to finish the hunt with my .243. He was lucky I was with him and shot a popular round.

Re: $500 rifle for deer, pigs [Re: patriot07] #5652154 03/15/15 05:49 PM
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Originally Posted By: patriot07


This is the best package deal around as several have already mentioned. Accurate rifles and hard to beat for the money. I too would recommend a .243


Custom hay cutting / baling, combining in Southern Dallas / Ellis county; please visit our website or send me a PM for pricing, etc: http://stewart-farms.net/

Re: $500 rifle for deer, pigs [Re: magspa] #5652164 03/15/15 05:54 PM
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Re: $500 rifle for deer, pigs [Re: JD4030] #5652165 03/15/15 05:56 PM
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Originally Posted By: JD4030
Originally Posted By: patriot07


This is the best package deal around as several have already mentioned. Accurate rifles and hard to beat for the money. I too would recommend a .243


I have to agree here. I was going to suggest the American, but this deal includes the Accutrigger and a Nikon 3-9.

Hard to beat for a new rifle. AND it comes in 7mm-08 Rem.! grin


Originally Posted By: theserxtremedays
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Re: $500 rifle for deer, pigs [Re: magspa] #5652175 03/15/15 06:04 PM
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Tell him to shop Gun Broker for a used or even a new something. I missed a NIB Thompson Center Venture 30'06 I'd been looking at that had had a cheap Buy Now price that had timed out, the other nite by couple hours that went for $250 + $30 shipping & ?$20-$30 for his local FFL Transfer...FWIW my guy charges $20 + TX Sales Tax, or about $22 out the door. ...and I don't even LIKE 30'06's but I'd buy ALL of 'em I could find at THAT $250 NIB price since the blue/syn's MSRP at $538.
Snooze Ya Looze

IMO the TC Ventures are head and shoulders better feature and practical use accuracy wise and have the reputation to prove it, than the other brands mentioned earlier...and have a Lifetime Warranty for the Original Purchaser, that TC's parent company Smith & Wesson backs up. Go look at the Home Page www.tcarms.com and compare feature x feature item by item to evertthing else in that $5-$600 MSRP price point to see the diff's. Tikka T3 Blue/syn used to MSRP at a little over $500 & come with rings, but they've gotten pricier this year...and are almost ALWAYS sold at Full List...but I got about %5 off from Bud's in January on my last one w/Free Shipping that surprised me.

Most of the TC Venture plain blue/syn one's on GB will sell for around $350-$400 NIB + Shipping and a 3% CC charge + the local FFL Transfer Fee,and apparently this dealer needed to move the gun or dinnit pay close attention to his bidnizz when he re-listed it the 2nd time - his Listing was all screwed up with split pages and and oversized pics that did not show what needed to be shown too...kinda like me missing THAT kinda deal asleep at the wheel.
JMHO & YMMV
Ron


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Re: $500 rifle for deer, pigs [Re: magspa] #5652347 03/15/15 09:25 PM
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ok thanks. That savage looks like a good deal. I didnt realize it came with a prostaff, i thought those combos came with a cheap simmons or something similar. .243 makes a great first rifle but I think too light for nilgai unless your taking neck/head shots. He'll probably go with 30-06 or 270. Ill also check out the TC venture.


Re: $500 rifle for deer, pigs [Re: magspa] #5652364 03/15/15 09:47 PM
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Palmetto state armory has a Marlin in .243 for $249.00

Re: $500 rifle for deer, pigs [Re: magspa] #5652854 03/16/15 02:41 AM
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Why are yall recommending a 243 for a possible tough animal ? Big time mis information

Re: $500 rifle for deer, pigs [Re: Brother in-law] #5652860 03/16/15 02:43 AM
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Originally Posted By: Brother in-law
Why are yall recommending a 243 for a possible tough animal ? Big time mis information


I agree.


The very atmosphere of firearms anywhere and everywhere restrains evil interference. -George Washington
Re: $500 rifle for deer, pigs [Re: magspa] #5652861 03/16/15 02:43 AM
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or various Savage Axis in 223/243/270/30-06/ and a personal favorite (25-06) from $321 to $410 depending on blued & stainless all w/3x9x40 scope. just down the street in Coppell.

http://grabagun.com/firearms/rifles-for-...nufacturer=3738


Last edited by hetman; 03/16/15 02:47 AM.

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Re: $500 rifle for deer, pigs [Re: TFF Caribou] #5652873 03/16/15 02:52 AM
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Originally Posted By: Tff caribou
Originally Posted By: Brother in-law
Why are yall recommending a 243 for a possible tough animal ? Big time mis information


I agree.


X3

I would probably favor the 30-06 caliber only because of the availability of ammo and bullet weights.

Re: $500 rifle for deer, pigs [Re: Brother in-law] #5652906 03/16/15 03:11 AM
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Originally Posted By: Brother in-law
Why are yall recommending a 243 for a possible tough animal ? Big time mis information


I didn't see he would hunt Nilgai. For deer and pig I have no problem killing them with a good .243 bullet.

With that said, Palmetto State Armory has the Marlin X7 in .308 for 249.99.

Last edited by bigjoe8565; 03/16/15 03:14 AM.
Re: $500 rifle for deer, pigs [Re: bigjoe8565] #5652911 03/16/15 03:13 AM
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Originally Posted By: bigjoe8565
Palmetto state armory has a Marlin in .243 for $249.00
also had it in .308


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https://web.archive.org/web/20170223065011/http:/www.rrdvegas.com/silencer-cleaning.html
Re: $500 rifle for deer, pigs [Re: magspa] #5652918 03/16/15 03:14 AM
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.243 is a great deer and pig caliber. I've never hunted nilgai, but ive heard more than once they have exceptionally thick skin and are tough as nails.


The very atmosphere of firearms anywhere and everywhere restrains evil interference. -George Washington
Re: $500 rifle for deer, pigs [Re: magspa] #5652966 03/16/15 04:20 AM
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My first pick would be a used 30/30. There are a ton out there in the used market, ammo is readily available, and works great on deer and hogs. IMO, anything is good for deer within reason. For hogs, especially night hunting, I want something that is a natural pointer and you can make an easy follow up shot without loosing sight of the target. Plus, a short lever gun is easy to move around in blinds, atvs, and vehicles.


http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=472322041

Last edited by Colt W. Knight; 03/16/15 04:24 AM.
Re: $500 rifle for deer, pigs [Re: magspa] #5652979 03/16/15 04:48 AM
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I suggested a 7mm -08.


Originally Posted By: theserxtremedays
Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large numbers
Re: $500 rifle for deer, pigs [Re: Colt W. Knight] #5653078 03/16/15 12:03 PM
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3030 sucks, why do that to yourself

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