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What’s the best cheap rifle?
#8177565
02/20/21 05:05 AM
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Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 1,423
Sewer rat
OP
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OP
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I have a really nice custom rifle now that is main hunting gun but I baby it. I am looking for a cheap (<$600) rifle to let bounce around in the truck and on the UTV while poking around on the ranch. Mainly will be used for shooting hogs and coyotes.
I was looking at the Ruger American, TC Compass, Savage Axis. Any opinions on which of these is best or other recommendations? Most likely will be 6.5 CM as that is what I have the most ammo for and finding ammo in this environment is a challenge.
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Re: What’s the best cheap rifle?
[Re: Sewer rat]
#8177569
02/20/21 05:14 AM
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Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,993
ImTheReasonDovesMourn
Snarky Mark
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Snarky Mark
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,993 |
I'd have another Ruger American Predator in a heartbeat.
Haha yea I polished that thing for hours.
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Re: What’s the best cheap rifle?
[Re: Sewer rat]
#8177667
02/20/21 11:51 AM
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 3,777
P_102
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Sep 2008
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Do not trifle in the affairs of dragons, for thou art crunchy and taste good with ketchup.
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Re: What’s the best cheap rifle?
[Re: Sewer rat]
#8177763
02/20/21 01:57 PM
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Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 6,348
onlysmith&wesson
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 6,348 |
Add $20.00 to your budget (Grabagun, local pickup) and Tikka T3X is in the mix.
An unethical shot is one you take, that you know you shouldn't.
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Re: What’s the best cheap rifle?
[Re: ImTheReasonDovesMourn]
#8177972
02/20/21 04:27 PM
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Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 15,658
QuitShootinYoungBucks
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I'd have another Ruger American Predator in a heartbeat. Yep. Available in 6.5, already threaded and railed, and at that price you won’t mind beating it up.
https://web.archive.org/web/20170223065011/http:/www.rrdvegas.com/silencer-cleaning.html
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Re: What’s the best cheap rifle?
[Re: Sewer rat]
#8177990
02/20/21 04:47 PM
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Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 178
Txblklab
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 178 |
I still carry my H&R handi-rifle in 22-250. Has been used over the years as a cane, crutch, and boat paddle. It is just like the old 870's. You clean it off, oil it up, and it is ready to go.
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Re: What’s the best cheap rifle?
[Re: Sewer rat]
#8178077
02/20/21 05:58 PM
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Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 464
Gw123
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 464 |
Can’t beat a Weatherby Vanguard s2. They shoot great and feel natural to me anyhow. As far as cheap guns go I think they’re the best bang for your buck.
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Re: What’s the best cheap rifle?
[Re: Sewer rat]
#8178079
02/20/21 06:01 PM
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 11,658
GusWayne
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The Ruger American is solid for the price
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Re: What’s the best cheap rifle?
[Re: Sewer rat]
#8178086
02/20/21 06:08 PM
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,540
okstatefan
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I have to agree with the Ruger American as well. Bonus for those of us who shoot left handed as well. I like mine enough that I'm considering as aftermarket stock. <---- thank you guys that recommended a cheek riser. It has been good, but I think a Boyds At-One will end up on there.
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Re: What’s the best cheap rifle?
[Re: Sewer rat]
#8178130
02/20/21 07:18 PM
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 4,243
Erny
Extreme Tracker
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Any of the three you mention would be great choice. But out of those three I would choose the Ruger.
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Re: What’s the best cheap rifle?
[Re: Erny]
#8178132
02/20/21 07:19 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,206
J.G.
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Any of the three you mention would be great choice. But out of those three I would choose the Ruger. +1
800 Yard Steel Range Precision Rifle Instruction Memberships and Classes Available
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Re: What’s the best cheap rifle?
[Re: Sewer rat]
#8178347
02/20/21 11:06 PM
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,884
jlsbassman
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I would also check out the Howa 1500 in 6.5CM. I’ve had several and the are nice setups also. Of the ones you listed I would also go with the Ruger in the Predator or Go Wild models.
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Re: What’s the best cheap rifle?
[Re: Sewer rat]
#8178363
02/20/21 11:17 PM
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Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 5,176
scottfromdallas
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 5,176 |
Mauser M18 is available on Europtic for $549
Last edited by scottfromdallas; 02/20/21 11:18 PM.
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Re: What’s the best cheap rifle?
[Re: Sewer rat]
#8178373
02/20/21 11:28 PM
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Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 267
AZ_Hunter_2000
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 267 |
If you want a beater that will shoot, then I do recommend the Savage Axis II. I have one in 223, it loves Barnes (one ragged hole @ 100), and the coyotes hate it. I had one in 6.5 CM that was just as accurate with commercial ELD-X and it killed everything in its crosshairs. Only sold it to a friend after confirming that my 6.5 CM Tikka T3X would out shoot it; it did but barely and that took hand-loads.
Spend the savings on getting a better optic.
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Re: What’s the best cheap rifle?
[Re: J.G.]
#8178375
02/20/21 11:31 PM
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 4,582
Son of a Blitch
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Oct 2012
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Any of the three you mention would be great choice. But out of those three I would choose the Ruger. +1 +2
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Re: What’s the best cheap rifle?
[Re: AZ_Hunter_2000]
#8178683
02/21/21 03:59 AM
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 22,269
Texas Dan
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If you want a beater that will shoot, then I do recommend the Savage Axis II. I have one in 223, it loves Barnes (one ragged hole @ 100), and the coyotes hate it. I had one in 6.5 CM that was just as accurate with commercial ELD-X and it killed everything in its crosshairs. Only sold it to a friend after confirming that my 6.5 CM Tikka T3X would out shoot it; it did but barely and that took hand-loads.
Did you try hand-loads in the Savage for a true apples-to-apples comparison?
Last edited by Texas Dan; 02/21/21 04:17 AM.
"Some people will never like you because your spirit irritates their demons."
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Re: What’s the best cheap rifle?
[Re: Sewer rat]
#8178711
02/21/21 04:22 AM
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 4,567
patriot07
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Ruger American for me too
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Re: What’s the best cheap rifle?
[Re: Sewer rat]
#8178722
02/21/21 04:29 AM
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 6,349
Blank
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 6,349 |
I waited until the upgrade, then got the Ruger American Ranch Rifle in 5.56. Wanted to be able to use Mag-Pul magazines, instead of proprietary Ruger ones. It shoots fantastic with a half dozen different 223 and 5.56 factory loads, and with the 1:8" twist stabilizes the 62 and 70 gr Barnes for antelope. Permanent companion in my truck out in the desert!!
Last edited by Blank; 02/21/21 04:30 AM.
Beer and whiskey, 'cause you can't drink bacon!!
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Re: What’s the best cheap rifle?
[Re: Sewer rat]
#8178742
02/21/21 05:02 AM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 31,985
txtrophy85
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My favorite cheap rifle is a Remington 700 ADL. My buddy picked one up at wal-mart in November for $379. Best deal out there.
Next favorite cheap gun is a weatherby vanguard/Howa 1500. No frills but solid built guns.
Personally I don’t care for Savage Axis, Ruger Americans, etc.
For it is not the quarry that we truly seek, but the adventure.
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Re: What’s the best cheap rifle?
[Re: txtrophy85]
#8178793
02/21/21 07:43 AM
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,640
LeonCarr
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My favorite cheap rifle is a Remington 700 ADL. My buddy picked one up at wal-mart in November for $379. Best deal out there.
Next favorite cheap gun is a weatherby vanguard/Howa 1500. No frills but solid built guns.
Personally I don’t care for Savage Axis, Ruger Americans, etc. This. IMO the Savage Axis and the Ruger American are inexpensive and shoot lights out, but they feel cheap. Just my .02, LeonCarr
"Whitetail Deer are extinct because of rifles with telescopes mounted on them." - My 11th Grade English Teacher
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Re: What’s the best cheap rifle?
[Re: Sewer rat]
#8178867
02/21/21 01:32 PM
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Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 7,759
snake oil
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 7,759 |
A used mid priced rifle.
Last edited by snake oil; 02/21/21 01:33 PM.
"You may all go to hell and I will go to Texas".
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Re: What’s the best cheap rifle?
[Re: Sewer rat]
#8178871
02/21/21 01:44 PM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,050
HicksHunter
Veteran Tracker
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Posts: 2,050 |
The T/C compass is about the best bang for the buck you can get. I'd pick one up as a beater in a heartbeat, and I'm sad I didn't grab one when they were getting cleared out for $200 a couple years ago.
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Re: What’s the best cheap rifle?
[Re: Sewer rat]
#8178917
02/21/21 02:29 PM
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Joined: May 2006
Posts: 31,056
HWY_MAN
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I've only got one Ruger American and it's the Predator Model in 243, my others are a Tang Safety Ruger in 243 and a Styer Pro Hunter in 243. The little American out shoots them both and I'm not concerned about it getting bounced and knocked around in the truck. Yea it feels cheap because it is cheap but only in the area's that don't effect it's accuracy. I have put a Swagger bipod on it and to be honest it's not the prettiest or smallest bipod you can get but it's one of the most useful for the type of varmint hunting we do. Since I put the bipod on it, it sure makes it cumbersome as a truck gun so I'm in the market for another Ruger American. Might go with a 22-250 on this one but most likely it will be another 243, in my opinion it's just about the perfect round for coyotes with bullets in the 75 and under class. I've never shot another American other than the one I have but I suspect all will display the same degree of accuracy.
Yes! A Weatherby does kill them deader.
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Re: What’s the best cheap rifle?
[Re: HicksHunter]
#8178997
02/21/21 03:30 PM
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Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 19,316
Biscuit
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The T/C compass is about the best bang for the buck you can get. I'd pick one up as a beater in a heartbeat, and I'm sad I didn't grab one when they were getting cleared out for $200 a couple years ago. Me too
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Re: What’s the best cheap rifle?
[Re: Sewer rat]
#8179007
02/21/21 03:35 PM
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 4,567
patriot07
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 4,567 |
I wouldn't take a modern, factory 700 if you gave it to me. Nothing but problems. "Feels cheap" is fine for a beater rifle - unreliable is not.
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