Inexpensive but good "real" rifle for longer-range plinking ?

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Wanderling

Wanderling

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Nobody in my family hunted when I was growing up, so no experience with rifles. I've shot quite a few AK's and AR's owned by friends, but never owned a rifle myself.

I have a couple of 9mm pistols and a .22 scoped Marlin that I bought to teach my kids the basics of shooting. I actually enjoy shooting that Marlin immensely, and was thinking about getting something more "real".

My requirements:

- not expensive and easy to find yet powerful and accurate round.
- inexpensive, bolt-action or semi-auto, accurate, easy to scope rifle, relatively light / not too large so that it could double as HD weapon. I hate "tacticool" and would prefer a clean, classic design.

I looked at Mosins but heard very different things about their accuracy. Also they seem kind of hard to outfit with a scope, and the round may just dry up in a few years.

I guess that leaves me with choice of either a .223 or .308. The first is more economical and probably less recoil, the second more accurate / bigger punch but also more expensive.

Range wise, I would likely not shoot past a couple hundred yards. No good place around here (most ranges are up to 100 yards) and my vision is not the best.

Any suggestions ?
 
So... Your looking at brands? Buy used and go from there, your already set on the caliber choice(you have to make that one for your self) rifles? Used you can get a lot of guns for your money, got a sako this year in 30-06 with glass for under 500.
 
I am looking for brands, models, or even the calibers - my mind isn't set.

Since I have close to no experience with maintaining any rifles, only shooting them, I'd rather buy an inexpensive new than someone's problem.
 
Right now the AR market is glutted and it is a good time to buy one. Ruger and S&W's base models come to mind as being cost efficient with good factory warranty should that be needed or desired.

I was going to suggest a Ruger American bolt action till I re-read "for HD"... and truth be told, I consider most rifles to be more offensive in nature rather than defensive... but that's just me and semantics... but it does eliminate bolts from your selection IMO. But do look at Ruger and Savage if a bolt action would satisfy your perceived needs. Lord knows they can shoot well and you'll learn to shoot up to the rifle in a few years/thousands of rounds (and some good coaching).

Put a bayonet on a MN and I guess you could use it for HD... :)
The Finns did spectacular things with their MNs and they are known as accurate shooting rifles.

.223/5.56 is good up close and far enough to hunt coyotes with good glass atop out to 500+ once you know your rifle and can read wind. Ammunition is typically easy to find and easy on the wallet.

For my own HD, I stick to either handgun or shotgun, neither of which enter into your equation so we won't go there.
 
When you ask for accurate and inexpensive, the first brand that comes to my mind is Savage. Consistently accurate out of the box and a good value, the Savage bolt action rifle is easily as accurate as most shooters. When I favored bolt actions and small bores, I always had a couple.

http://www.savagearms.com/firearms/finder/

Like others, I do not consider a rifle to be practical for home defense.

Kevin
 
Mossberg patriot is getting incredible reviews for the price point, is walnut and steel, and I can't find a bad review of Mossberg rifle barrels anywhere. I think they are serious sleepers.
 
If you like mil-surps, I would look hard at a Schmidt-Rubin K31, they are built like the figurative Swiss watch, fire the 7.5x55 round which is quite the equal of .308, and they are known for their accuracy. You can find them about $300-250. Their straight pull design is slick and very fast.
 
I would grab a savage axis in 223 ive seen new ones with a cheap scope for 275. You can always upgrade the stock and scope down the road and savage makes some really accurate guns. I think 223 is cheap plentiful and more than capable at 200 yds. If you want a hd rifle just take the easy route and pick up a ar.
 
In keeping with this:
I guess that leaves me with choice of either a .223 or .308. The first is more economical and probably less recoil, the second more accurate / bigger punch but also more expensive.

Range wise, I would likely not shoot past a couple hundred yards. No good place around here (most ranges are up to 100 yards) and my vision is not the best.
Click to expand...

I would consider either a Ruger or Savage rifle in 223. Personally having a few of each I happen to prefer the 308 but for what you have stated a 223 will do fine and for a few bucks less for the ammunition. This since I assume you will be shooting factory ammunition. Ruger and Savage both market very affordable bolt guns in 223 which while not great offer up reasonable accuracy. Finally while a 308 bolt gun isn't punishing to shoot it is more thump than the 223 rifles. I would find an inexpensive Ruger or Savage new or gently used in 223 and go with that.

There are other calibers like any of the offspring of the 308 but in keeping it simple and per your post, including 200 yards, I would get the 223. Maybe someday load for it and expand your horizons.

Ron
 
Wanderling, there is nothing inherently more accurate about .308 than .223. In either caliber, there is accurate ammo and not-so-accurate ammo. Either one would work fine for what you want. .223 is cheaper, so that's what I would stick with. AR-15s are cheap, accurate, and easy to build, so that's the rifle I would go with, especially if you're wanting to use it for home defense. If you want a somewhat light weight rifle, stick with gov't or pencil profile barrels. If you want to mount a scope, you will want a flat top. If you want non-tacticool, stick with factory furniture.
 
Doc7 said:
Mossberg patriot is getting incredible reviews for the price point, is walnut and steel, and I can't find a bad review of Mossberg rifle barrels anywhere. I think they are serious sleepers.
Click to expand...
I have had 2 patriots to play with and for an economy gun they are a good buy. My main gripe is their trigger. Both had a gritty trigger. My second gripe is the sloppy bolt. There is enough play in the bolt when opened fully that you could damage the stock comb when working a long action. Unfortunately they don't chamber the Patriot in 223. You have to go to the MVP for a 223.

My first Ruger American had a gritty trigger too, but the one that I got last week is pretty good. I think for my money I would opt for the American and probably in the Predator model.
 
Scoped bolt action Ruger, Savage, Marlin etc. in.223. You dont need more power to poke holes in targets at 100 yards. Much cheaper and generally easier to shoot than a .308, and while no one would choose a bolt action rifle to defend their home against a motorcycle gang, it is highly unlikely that you will need to either. And no bad guy in the world wants to come face to face with an awake, competent homeowner holding a loaded rifle regardless of action or style.
 
henschman said:
Wanderling, there is nothing inherently more accurate about .308 than .223. In either caliber, there is accurate ammo and not-so-accurate ammo. Either one would work fine for what you want. .223 is cheaper, so that's what I would stick with. AR-15s are cheap, accurate, and easy to build, so that's the rifle I would go with, especially if you're wanting to use it for home defense. If you want a somewhat light weight rifle, stick with gov't or pencil profile barrels. If you want to mount a scope, you will want a flat top. If you want non-tacticool, stick with factory furniture.
Click to expand...

My thoughts exactly.

Unless there is a specific reason an AR is to be ruled out, it is almost always going to be the right answer to a general "What kind of gun should I get?" question. There are valid reasons why it is so popular today.

If extreme long range and very large game hunting are ruled out, it will probably always be the best answer.
 
CZ 527 in 7.62X39

http://cz-usa.com/product/cz-527-carbine-223-rem/

7.62X39 will seem really powerful compared to 9mm and .22lr. the 527 is designed for steel cased ammo. And 7.62X39 surplus dried up long ago and it is still really cheap to shoot. Shooting new ammunition its really not much more expensive to shoot than .22lr for that matter.

Dan
 
While I like shooting my bolt guns a little more, the obvious answer to your question would be an AR-15. Cheap to shoot, plenty of power for shooting out further than you are likely to, and of course could be used for defense. Also, as others have stated, the market is currently hammered, and you can get something that used to cost at least 8 bills for Glock type money. I'd take a close look at the newer Ruger AR, and PSA's offerings, but there are really many other good options as well.
 
Ok, first of all I am very grateful for all replies and advices.

When I talk about HD I don't mean "someone is trying to break through the sliding door" but more of a riot protection. Which I don't anticipate to ever need but if I buy a rifle I want it to be useful for that. I do have a couple of handguns for HD. I guess what I meant was no wimpy rounds like .22LR and no single shot competition rifles.

As far as AR... it's just a bit overwhelming to be honest, too many choices and at least around here they are starting around $700+. What I kind of had in mind a more classic bolt action or semi auto magazine rifle with nice wooden stock and a nice scope.

I will look at Savage. A friend of mine bought a Savage 64 just when I bought my kids their Marlin and his had been a jamomatic, so I was weary of the brand.
 
Savage, or Ruger American for bolt guns. If you really want to go milsurp a Yugo, rework K98k, or M48 would be my choice. I don't know what French MAS 49/56's are going for these days, but for a semi auto, they are nice rifles, and plenty accurate with a powerful cartridge. 7.5MM French ammo is readily available from PPU (Prvi Partisan), or you can reload it.
 
I'll be the odd man out.

At a recent gun shot I was stunned by all the old "traditional" bolt rifles at amazingly low prices. I'm talking about those such as the Remington 721. I recently bought one for my son in 270 Winchester for about $300. A nice wood and blued steel rifle in a superb cartridge. The old sporters built on military Mauser and Springfield actions and chambered in common calibers such as .270, .308 and 30-06, all of which are great long range calibers. I've seen many examples selling for under $400.

I guess it's a personal thing but I really have grown tired of all the soulless, characterless bolt rifles with plastic, sorry, "composite" stocks and matte finished receivers and barrels with plastic...oops...composite trigger guards and floorplates. And AR15's, don't even get me started.

35W
 
A savage bolt action rifle in .17 HMR would be an interesting choice.

I want one now!
 
How about a Winchester 670. You can usually pick them up with a scope for 3-400. The advantage of the older rifle is it comes with iron sights.
 
Mossberg Patriot
Ruger American
Savage's 11/111

- All ~$400
- Get it in the do-everything* cartridge: 243Winchester




* short a bit for grizzly bear, but good for everything else from ground squirrels to mule deer -- and available anywhere ammunition is sold
 
If you hate tacticool but want something for HD, the best choice off the top of my head might be a Mini-14. Fires a relatively cheap, common round too. Look for a newer one - I'm told they're more accurate.
 
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