As much as I’d like to buy a top of the line rifle this season it’s not going to happen. Buying a house and finding a million issues in the process has limited my amount of fun money to spend. I do want something new this year since I’ve been borrowing. Have plenty of guns just hunting related lacks.

Of the budget guns what’s best right now

My son has the Thompson venture and while it’s a good shooting gun I don’t personally want one

Main ones I’ve considered
Mossberg patriot
Savage axis 2 or 110 would probably lean on the 110/111
Ruger American
Remington 783 but with Remington as a company issues I’m Concerned with quality now

Not sure what else is out there to consider but $500 is about max this go around

Savage 110 then Ruger American. Both are good guns but the Savage can be easily upgraded later if you wish.

I would go with one of these. It's well in your budget and is a step up in my opinion.


https://www.eurooptic.com/Mauser-M18-308-Win-22-Synthetic-5rd-Mag-Bolt-Action-Rifle-M180308.aspx

https://www.eurooptic.com/Mauser-M1...c-5rd-Mag-Bolt-Action-Rifle-M18065C.aspx

Of the above mentioned I only have experience with the Ruger but I have absolutely no complaints. Good trigger and the accuracy far exceeded my expectations.

Mossberg Patriot with the wood stock. God, that's a beautiful rifle! Had one, shoots like a laser.

I have seen some great groups shot by a friend’s Ruger American Predator. Not sure which version of the Ruger you are getting but the predator is impressive accuracy wise.

I have looked at the Mossberg Patriot especially the Revere version, it is a good looking rifle, definitely prettier than the Ruger. Have not shot one so I can’t speak for it’s accuracy.

I have experience with 3 different Mossberg Patriots. They've been the biggest hunks of chit I've ever seen in production rifles. Ruger and Savage are both great shooters.

Ruger American Predator

Ruger American

^^It and Savage both shoot well. The Ruger chambers and ejects better.

Strange. The one Patriot I had shot like a house a'fire. I have two Savage Axis rifles in the youth size. A 223 and a 243. Both are tackers.

I only have experience with the Ruger American in the 450 BM ,It's a smooth running little rifle and stupid accurate

Savage is the ugliest of the rifles you listed and they do well in the market. People don’t buy savages for the way they look. They buy them for the way they shoot. Of the rifles you listed, Savage would be my pick.

Stock Ruger American Predator 243. Group on the left is Winchester 58's, group on the right is Hornady 58's

This would be my choice, in the same order.

Don't sleep on the 783-- esp the heavy barrel 308 and 6.5. Timney also makes a trigger for them now and MDT makes a chassis if you decide on future upgrades. My 6.5 is my go to for a point, shoot, die rifle-- had a .308 that was equally accurate. Also had 3x in .270 that were donated to veterans on a whitetail hunt. I mounted the scopes and put a 100 yard zero on them-- each of the 3 shot 1" or better with Winchester Deer Season XP ammo.

Hard not to love that!

The Ruger American and Savage definitely own the market share and there are probably more of those two rifles out there by a wide margin but the 783 heavy barrel isn't an option I'd be scared of.

For the same or maybe a few dollars more the Weatherby Vanguard S2 is a mighty fine and solid built rifle and it’s offered in probably the widest variety of cartridges.

Another Savage fan.

Even a ugly rife looks better with the right backdrop.

Buy the Savage 110b 270 in the classifieds. $350

How about the Winchester XPR?

Of those Ruger American

Oddly enough, I helped sight in a 783 yesterday.

1” at 100 all day, the fit and finish lacks as to be expected but I was surprised

I’ve had several Ruger Americans and they have all been tack drivers!