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 Affordable first deer rifle. - South paw
#395910
08/01/08 03:45 PM
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 391
killinNoob
OP
Bird Dog
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OP
Bird Dog
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Posts: 391 |
Hello gents,
This would be my first year hunting since I was 15 back in the '80s. What is your honest opinion for a first deer rifle ? (Left handed )
Model and caliber and not expensive (under $500).
Last edited by killinNoob; 08/07/08 09:56 PM.
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Re: Affordable first deer rifle.
[Re: killinNoob]
#395911
08/01/08 03:50 PM
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 16,466
txcornhusker
THF Celebrity
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Can't beat a Savage for the price and out of the box accuracy.
I'd get a .270 if it was me.
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Re: Affordable first deer rifle.
[Re: killinNoob]
#395912
08/01/08 03:52 PM
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 16,474
Crazyhorse
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Check the sales that are or will be going on at Academy/Cabela's/Bass Pro over the next few weeks/month or so.
They will have some deals on rifle/scope packages that should fit into your budget and do the job you are wanting from it.
As for calibers, 243/7mm-08/270/308/30-06, any of these will work, since it has been a while since you have been hunting, you might want to look at any of the models in your price range in 243 to start with. JMO.
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Re: Affordable first deer rifle.
[Re: killinNoob]
#395913
08/01/08 03:53 PM
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,841
twice70
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I bought a Mossberg 100 ATR yesterday and for the money I was very pleased, shoots great, action is smooth, not pretty but I like it, most of the reviews are good and they are around $300. Savage, Howa, and Weatherby Vangaurds are all in you price range as well, and even Remington 700's in the ADL and SPS models, and you can't go wrong there either.Any of these rifles in a caliber YOU feel comfortable with should serve you well.
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Re: Affordable first deer rifle.
[Re: killinNoob]
#395914
08/01/08 03:53 PM
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 22,495
Texas Dan
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If you want a new gun, I would suggest a Remington Model 715 in the .270 caliber. And you should have enough left over for a Nikon Pro Staff scope.
You might also consider dropping by your local pawn shop to see what they have to offer. I've known many guys who have taken deer routinely with slightly used guns purchased at pawn shops.
Last edited by Dan the Man; 08/01/08 03:55 PM.
"When the debate is lost, insults become the tool of the loser."
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Re: Affordable first deer rifle.
[Re: Texas Dan]
#395915
08/01/08 03:58 PM
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 32,620
sig226fan (Rguns.com)
duck & cover
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We have several Savage's with scopes for $400, 270, 7Mag, 30-06 etc, used but really clean. New Packages are right at $500.
Also have a Remington SPR18 in 308 that's a nice single shot, for $250.
Let me know if we can help at all!
Vernon
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Re: Affordable first deer rifle.
[Re: sig226fan (Rguns.com)]
#395916
08/01/08 04:14 PM
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 935
Sabrinavonbach
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It's probably not the rifle it's the glass. Any "name" bolt action rifle Howa, Remington, Ruger, Savage will give you what you want. I'd avoid 243 and get a bigger caliber. 308 will give you a lot of versatility and near 30.06 performance. Again the glass is what you want to spend your money on. It's too bad you can't find many fixed power scopes anymore. A fixed 6 power is perhaps the best thing you can find. You don't have to worry about front focal plane imaging in a cheap scope and most people shoot at powers way to high anyway. Fixed power scopes are tougher and lighter and cheaper.
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Re: Affordable first deer rifle.
[Re: Sabrinavonbach]
#395917
08/01/08 04:36 PM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 309
richbrismith
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
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Savage 243 works just fine for my son- fixing to buy one for myself as a back up, and don't forget my favorite caliber::::25-06 I just love it!
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Re: Affordable first deer rifle.
[Re: richbrismith]
#395918
08/01/08 06:21 PM
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 391
killinNoob
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Thanks for the replies. One thing i forgot to mention is i would like it in a lefty model, and that might limit my choices. I really like the "weather proof" series in stainless steel, but the prices are out my range at this point.
Gonna go look at the Savage and Remington..Thanks for the Pawn Shop suggestion, I don't know why I didn't think of it.
Vernon, any of your Savage models in LH ?
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Re: Affordable first deer rifle.
[Re: killinNoob]
#395919
08/01/08 06:37 PM
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,841
twice70
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I'm a lefty too and I primarily shoot a Ruger 77 MKII in left hand, the rifle is right around $500 by itself, or was when I bought mine anyway, but comes with rings and integral bases so if you could come up with a little more $$$ for a scope these are great rifles. You can still get a Savage package rifle in left hand though and still stay around $500.
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Re: Affordable first deer rifle.
[Re: Sabrinavonbach]
#395920
08/01/08 07:41 PM
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 41,343
BMD
Silver Spoon
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Silver Spoon
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Quote:
It's probably not the rifle it's the glass. Any "name" bolt action rifle Howa, Remington, Ruger, Savage will give you what you want. I'd avoid 243 and get a bigger caliber. 308 will give you a lot of versatility and near 30.06 performance. Again the glass is what you want to spend your money on. It's too bad you can't find many fixed power scopes anymore. A fixed 6 power is perhaps the best thing you can find. You don't have to worry about front focal plane imaging in a cheap scope and most people shoot at powers way to high anyway. Fixed power scopes are tougher and lighter and cheaper.
Pretty much any of the bolt action rifles will work, I would save there and have more for optics. I would recommend talley one pieces and some sort of leupold scope if you trying to save money you pick up a leupy on some of the forums at a great price and prolly be in to decent rifle and scope for not alot of money.
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Re: Affordable first deer rifle.
[Re: BMD]
#395921
08/01/08 08:22 PM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 838
uthornfan
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Savage has 20 or so calibers in left-handed guns, by far the most of any company I have seen. They also cost the same amount as their RH counterparts which is nice. I have a 111GL in .270 and I love it.
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Re: Affordable first deer rifle.
[Re: uthornfan]
#395922
08/01/08 09:25 PM
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 935
Sabrinavonbach
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Lazzeroni uses or was using the Savage as a base for his line of non-propietary rifles. Again a word on the scopes. I completely agree with BMD. If you're going to get a used scope go with Leupold. For practical purposes, when you're looking to buy a used inexpensive rifle, the scope is really worthless or near so in the deal, especially if it's a cheaper brand. Cheap variable scopes are just that cheap. Somebody here was trying to sell a used rifle here with a Simmons scope. While not the cheapest available, Simmons are low end and the company has been sold off several times. It's now owned by Meade who has put out a whole new line of scopes. It's debateable whether Meade will continue to service the older Simmons scopes. Most scopes focus in the front focal plane so that when the power is jacked up, the crosshair size will not increase in size with increasing power. Cheaper variables are not tough enough nor well engineered enough to keep point of impact the same with changes in power, especially after a number of rounds are put through it. They may work for a while and some not forever. Leupold is about as cheap as you can go with variables that work and print the same point of impact for changes in power, but you'll still see it happen. Military scopes are and were fixed power for reason and this is one of them.
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Re: Affordable first deer rifle.
[Re: Sabrinavonbach]
#395923
08/01/08 09:41 PM
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 41,343
BMD
Silver Spoon
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Silver Spoon
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 41,343 |
You can pick up a 6x42 leupy real reasonable.
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Re: Affordable first deer rifle.
[Re: Crazyhorse]
#395924
08/01/08 09:43 PM
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 16,474
Crazyhorse
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How about we look back at killinNoob's Original Post: Quote:
Hello gents,
This would be my first year hunting since I was 15 back in the '80s. What is your honest opinion for a first deer rifle ?
Model and caliber and not expensive (under $500).
I believe that he is just wanting a basic "Starter Gun" for the time being.
He is just looking for advice on an entry level rifle/scope package to see if he is even really that interested in hunting, I mean he stated that he has been out of it for quite a few years.
He also listed what his budget would afford.
Recommending rigs that we would be putting together for ourselves is not really gonna help him much at this point in time. JMO.
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Re: Affordable first deer rifle.
[Re: Crazyhorse]
#395925
08/01/08 09:57 PM
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 41,343
BMD
Silver Spoon
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Silver Spoon
Joined: Jun 2007
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Nope but why put money in something you cant get back, I dont think prolly three on a rifle and 200-225 on used leupy is alot of money and not hard to get your money back if you find out you are not interested as you thought, or if you do decide you want more you arent stuck with something you cant move. Thats sounds like a good starter gun in my opinion.
Last edited by BMD; 08/01/08 09:59 PM.
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Re: Affordable first deer rifle.
[Re: BMD]
#395926
08/01/08 11:14 PM
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 935
Sabrinavonbach
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Bingo BMD. You got it in one. You need what will WORK at the lowest possible price. I think we're both quite clear. The glass is the most important thing here. You're buying the scope with the rifle attached. A Savage in 270, 308 or 30.06 with a Leo vary 2 or 3 or a fixed power will get the job done and done well as well as get him into budget.
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Re: Affordable first deer rifle.
[Re: Sabrinavonbach]
#395927
08/02/08 12:34 AM
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,636
Texpppr
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Myself I recomend a .308 Reasonable recoil.. with the capacity to use for more than Whitetail deer.. Black bear, Hogs, Elk, Mule deer..etc.. Heres a link to Buds.. you can play around with their search engine.. but i did see a left handed model with scope.. right at $500.. at somepoint you might want to replace the scope.. but it would work for now.. http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/advan...TR_list%5B0%5D=
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Re: Affordable first deer rifle.
[Re: killinNoob]
#395928
08/02/08 02:55 AM
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 32,620
sig226fan (Rguns.com)
duck & cover
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duck & cover
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 32,620 |
Quote:
Thanks for the replies. One thing i forgot to mention is i would like it in a lefty model, and that might limit my choices. I really like the "weather proof" series in stainless steel, but the prices are out my range at this point.
Gonna go look at the Savage and Remington..Thanks for the Pawn Shop suggestion, I don't know why I didn't think of it.
Vernon, any of your Savage models in LH ?
No lefties in stock, new model 10F or 11F Synth are 449. G's in wood are 469; We have some entry scopes that can pot you into a package for right at 500 plus tax.
One good entry gun for less is ChrisBoc's semi auto 30-06, ambidextrious!
Again, let me know if we can help, here or on the phone...
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Re: Affordable first deer rifle.
[Re: killinNoob]
#395929
08/03/08 02:59 AM
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 973
NathanaelGreene
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Quote:
Thanks for the replies. One thing i forgot to mention is i would like it in a lefty model, and that might limit my choices. I really like the "weather proof" series in stainless steel, but the prices are out my range at this point.
Gonna go look at the Savage and Remington..Thanks for the Pawn Shop suggestion, I don't know why I didn't think of it.
Vernon, any of your Savage models in LH ?
I cruise pawn shops in Tarrant County pretty regularly, and left-handed models are pretty scarce. You might luck out, but don't hold your breath.
I've still got a left-handed Remington 700 up for sale right now:
http://www.texashuntingforum.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/470240/an/0/page/1#Post470240
I've also got a left-handed Savage 110 in .270 that I might part with.
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Re: Affordable first deer rifle.
[Re: richbrismith]
#395931
08/06/08 05:35 PM
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 250
Burrito
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
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If your shots are less than 150 yards, find a used lever action in 30-30, open sights. Winchester or Marlin.
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Re: Affordable first deer rifle.
[Re: Burrito]
#395932
08/07/08 01:59 PM
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 295
fwhunter
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
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Bass Pro is having a sale this weekend. They have the Savage clip package for 349. Comes in 270, 7mag, 30-06 and 300 winmag. Comes with 3X9 scope and synthetic stock. Looks like a pretty dang good deal. I'd go with the '06 or 300 winmag for versatility.
I bought my son a Savage for Christmas and was pretty impressed with them.
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Re: Affordable first deer rifle.
[Re: Burrito]
#395933
08/07/08 09:43 PM
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 391
killinNoob
OP
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
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Quote:
If your shots are less than 150 yards, find a used lever action in 30-30, open sights. Winchester or Marlin.
Although a great rifle of the good old west and a classic style. I don't like the lever action. Reminds me of my old BB gun.
Last edited by killinNoob; 08/07/08 09:45 PM.
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Re: Affordable first deer rifle.
[Re: fwhunter]
#395934
08/07/08 09:50 PM
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 391
killinNoob
OP
Bird Dog
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OP
Bird Dog
Joined: Sep 2007
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Quote:
Bass Pro is having a sale this weekend. They have the Savage clip package for 349. Comes in 270, 7mag, 30-06 and 300 winmag. Comes with 3X9 scope and synthetic stock. Looks like a pretty dang good deal. I'd go with the '06 or 300 winmag for versatility.
I bought my son a Savage for Christmas and was pretty impressed with them.
.308 is what I want, but i'll go check it out.
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