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.

I'd have another Ruger American Predator in a heartbeat.

yep^^^^^^

Add $20.00 to your budget (Grabagun, local pickup) and Tikka T3X is in the mix.

Yep. Available in 6.5, already threaded and railed, and at that price you won’t mind beating it up.

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.

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.

The Ruger American is solid for the price

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.

Any of the three you mention would be great choice. But out of those three I would choose the Ruger.

+1

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.

Mauser M18 is available on Europtic for $549

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.

+2

Did you try hand-loads in the Savage for a true apples-to-apples comparison?

Ruger American for me too

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!!

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

A used mid priced rifle.

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.

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.

Me too

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.