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$500 rifle for deer, pigs
#5651985
03/15/15 03:12 PM
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 778
magspa
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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.
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Re: $500 rifle for deer, pigs
[Re: magspa]
#5651989
03/15/15 03:19 PM
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 5,398
Pittstate
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 5,398 |
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.
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Re: $500 rifle for deer, pigs
[Re: magspa]
#5651996
03/15/15 03:22 PM
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 4,991
Varget 7-08
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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
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Re: $500 rifle for deer, pigs
[Re: magspa]
#5651997
03/15/15 03:23 PM
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 5,398
Pittstate
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
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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).
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Re: $500 rifle for deer, pigs
[Re: magspa]
#5652028
03/15/15 03:39 PM
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Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 4,440
TFF Caribou
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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
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Re: $500 rifle for deer, pigs
[Re: magspa]
#5652034
03/15/15 03:43 PM
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Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 4,440
TFF Caribou
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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
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Re: $500 rifle for deer, pigs
[Re: magspa]
#5652048
03/15/15 04:05 PM
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Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 282
trapperben
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Nov 2014
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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.
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Re: $500 rifle for deer, pigs
[Re: magspa]
#5652122
03/15/15 04:59 PM
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 4,567
patriot07
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Re: $500 rifle for deer, pigs
[Re: magspa]
#5652141
03/15/15 05:24 PM
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 5,398
Pittstate
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Sep 2009
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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.
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Re: $500 rifle for deer, pigs
[Re: patriot07]
#5652154
03/15/15 05:49 PM
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 695
JD4030
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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/
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Re: $500 rifle for deer, pigs
[Re: magspa]
#5652164
03/15/15 05:54 PM
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Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 788
hermano W
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Tracker
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Re: $500 rifle for deer, pigs
[Re: JD4030]
#5652165
03/15/15 05:56 PM
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 14,199
tth_40
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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.!
Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large numbers
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Re: $500 rifle for deer, pigs
[Re: magspa]
#5652175
03/15/15 06:04 PM
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 6,407
WileyCoyote
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Sep 2004
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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
It is TIME for Term Limits, cause Politicians are like childrens diapers and for the same reasons...Robin Williams "These are the times that try men's soul's"...Thomas Paine
"Those who fail to learn from History are doomed to repeat it" ....Santayana
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Re: $500 rifle for deer, pigs
[Re: magspa]
#5652347
03/15/15 09:25 PM
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 778
magspa
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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.
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Re: $500 rifle for deer, pigs
[Re: magspa]
#5652364
03/15/15 09:47 PM
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 7,941
bigjoe8565
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 7,941 |
Palmetto state armory has a Marlin in .243 for $249.00
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Re: $500 rifle for deer, pigs
[Re: magspa]
#5652854
03/16/15 02:41 AM
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 35,139
Brother in-law
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Why are yall recommending a 243 for a possible tough animal ? Big time mis information
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Re: $500 rifle for deer, pigs
[Re: Brother in-law]
#5652860
03/16/15 02:43 AM
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Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 4,440
TFF Caribou
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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
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Re: $500 rifle for deer, pigs
[Re: magspa]
#5652861
03/16/15 02:43 AM
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Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 5,585
hetman
"Trash Master"
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"Trash Master"
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 5,585 |
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.
"Lesser mortals are pitied for the misfortune in not being born Texan."
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Re: $500 rifle for deer, pigs
[Re: TFF Caribou]
#5652873
03/16/15 02:52 AM
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Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 1,985
TonyinVA
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
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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.
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Re: $500 rifle for deer, pigs
[Re: Brother in-law]
#5652906
03/16/15 03:11 AM
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 7,941
bigjoe8565
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 7,941 |
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.
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Re: $500 rifle for deer, pigs
[Re: bigjoe8565]
#5652911
03/16/15 03:13 AM
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Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 15,658
QuitShootinYoungBucks
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THF Celebrity
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Palmetto state armory has a Marlin in .243 for $249.00 also had it in .308
https://web.archive.org/web/20170223065011/http:/www.rrdvegas.com/silencer-cleaning.html
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Re: $500 rifle for deer, pigs
[Re: magspa]
#5652918
03/16/15 03:14 AM
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Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 4,440
TFF Caribou
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
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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
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Re: $500 rifle for deer, pigs
[Re: magspa]
#5652966
03/16/15 04:20 AM
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 2,101
Colt W. Knight
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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.
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Re: $500 rifle for deer, pigs
[Re: magspa]
#5652979
03/16/15 04:48 AM
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 14,199
tth_40
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 14,199 |
Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large numbers
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Re: $500 rifle for deer, pigs
[Re: Colt W. Knight]
#5653078
03/16/15 12:03 PM
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 35,139
Brother in-law
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THF Celebrity
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Posts: 35,139 |
3030 sucks, why do that to yourself
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