Best 30.06 hunting rifle for under $400.

[silver2525]

Good morning.

i reload for 30.06 already for the M1 garand and i have $400 coming back from taxes......

i want to buy a starter hunting rifle. HOGS and DEER.


Unfortunately in live in the great socialist state of California (Socialism sucks......... it does not work in Europe or in California.) I would move but this is where i found work.........

 

[rori]

I would look at the Savage bolt actions. They are inexpensive but very accurate. I've had a 270 model 110 for over 40 years and it hasn't failed me yet!!!!! FRJ

 

[kaferhaus]

The only rifles in that range are the entry level Savage (NO accu-trigger), Marlin XS7 and the Mossberg ATR. Chances are the Savage will be the most accurate, but I've seen a few Marlins that also shot well. And the entry level Marlin has a decent trigger.

 

[Nico Testosteros]

California isn't socialist. Look up the definition in Webster's.

 

[jrdolall]

I have a Savage Model 110 in 30-06 with the accu-trigger that I consider to be my main deer rifle now. I also have a Mossberg, can't recall the model, that I don't like at all. I have several older model Rem 700s that I really like in varying calibers but I bet I use the Savage 75% of the time. I really like the trigger. It is a synthetic stock which I originally did not like as much as the wood on the 700 but I have gotten used to it.

 

[acmax95]

I really like my Marlin XL7 in .30-06. It is more accurate than I am, and I have seen them for less than $300 in my area.

 

[R H Clark]

In a new gun I would get a Savage.Around here I could pick up a used Rem 700 or Winchester M70 for that price,which would be my first choice.

 

[Telekinesis]

I used to have a Howa 1500 (nearly identical to one of the Weatherby entry rifles) that was just under $400 and would shoot 1MOA. It was a very nice rifle for the price.

Keep in mind that for most of these guns, you'll still have to buy a scope.

 

[BP Hunter]

I had a Marlin XL7 but in .270 winchester. It was an excellent gun and well worth its price.

 

[H2oPumper]

+1 on the Marlin XL7. Another player that is in your range is Ruger with the American Rifle.

 

[LoonWulf]

Id really suggest you get out an handle as many rifles in your price range as possible, you might well find one or two that feel alot better then the others. I would also suggest staying away from the rem770s, they are generally accurate, but aren't very user friendly.

My personal suggestions would be a used rifle. Its hard to shoot out a 06, so check for cleaning rod ware, and rust in the bore.
Or a stevens 200, but thats mostly because i like savage rifles, not so much because i think they are alot better then the other rifles in their price range.

Another option besides the xl7, and 110/stevens series, is the Axis.

 

[Dr. Sandman]

Where will you be hunting and what's legal to use there? I don't know of any restrictions to wild pig hunting in Indiana, but I do know that you can't use high powered rifles like 30-06 to hunt deer here, only pistol caliber rifles. I need some more info to give a good opinion.

 

[cpt-t]

30-06 under $400 for hunting

You might think about a used Savage rifle. My Son and I are always on the look out for a used savage, we have saveral and have yet to get one that won`t a inch at a 100. Hit the pawn shops, used rack at the gun store, rifle range in your area, want adds in the paper. Deer season is over and there has got to be somebody needing to sell or wanting to sell and you might as well get the bargin. I sure agree with your choice in calibers can`t beat a 30-06. Hold out for a rifle in very good shape and might as well hold for the accutrigger. Good luck on your search and I hope you enjoy your rifle. ken

 

[six 4 sure]

I'm not in the market for another 30-06, but if I were it would be hard to pass up the stainless Rem 700 ADL's Dick's Sporting Good's is selling for $450ish. I got one in 7mm-08 about a year ago, dropped it in a TI take-off stock, topped it with Tally's and 6x Lupy. Now have a fine 6.5lb rifle that balances near perfect.

 

[SharkHat]

WalMarts around here have either a Savage 110FXP3 (with Accutrigger) or a Remington 700 ADL for $389.

Both are discontinued model holdovers. They have synthetic stocks, internal magazines (no floorplate), and come packaged with a 3-9x40 scope.

 

[Gtscotty]

There are alot of used 30-06 rifles floating around in the $400 range, I'd look for Ruger Hawkeyes, Tikkas, older Rem 700s, Weatherbys, etc.

If you want a new rifle, I'd take a serious look at a Howa 1500/ Weatherby Vanguard (series 1). You should be able to find series 1 Vanguards below your $400 ceiling now that they are being sold off to make room for the S2 Vanguards. Right now, Buds gunshop has 30-06 DBM Vanguards for $412... seems like a pretty good deal. Another option if you don't mind camo stocks would be the Howa 1500's in '06 that CDNN is selling off for $339.

 

[Legionnaire]

For that price, I wouldn't buy a new gun ... actually, I'd not buy a new gun, anyway. There are lots of older Remington 700s (ADL or BDL) in .30-06 and you should be able to find one for less than $400. They can be spendier in the less popular cartridges, but in .30-06 it ought to be doable.

 

[H2oPumper]

I have two XL7's, one 30-06 and a 270. The 30-06 is about an 1.25" shooter with 150gr blue box Federal and the 270 is about a 1" shooter with 130gr blue box Federal; based on my ability. They fit me real well and the stock seems more solid than some of the other economy rifles out there. Now I did do some tuning to the rifles. I put on a metal trigger guard and floated the barrels. They do have the blind magazine, which I continuously debate with myself about that or a removable mag which I could lose. A floor plate would be nice, but guns with that seem to go up to the next price range. The bolt does not lock down in the safe position, which I have had open on me when my coat hooked it while carrying. That really isn't a deal breaker, at least I can cycle the rounds out with the safety on.

My primary rifle was supposed to be my Ruger Hawkeye in a 270. Loved the gun and it's features, but couldn't get it below 2" at 100 yards and that just didn't sit well with me when I had two sub-$300 guns next to it that would. I just recently traded it off for another Hawkeye, but this one is chambered for a 280, this one shoots and is my best shooter in the group. I dealt with Ruger directly on the 270 and they were wonderful. Unfortunately, their acceptable specs on it were within what they deem acceptable, but not for me.

I will say that I am intrigued by the new Ruger American, I have not shot one, but handled one in the gun shop. My concern with it is the stock. I don't like the term cheap rifle, but rather economy rifle. The action felt solid, but I thought the stock felt cheap. I could, however, live with that if they turn out to shoot well. The American Rifle would still be in my safe before a Remington 770, or even some of the 700's that are cheapened up to get into the upper end of the economy priced rifles.

I have shot a Savage with the standard trigger and it was that particular gun that gave me a great example of what trigger creep is. The gun did group well, but probably could have done better with a crisper trigger.

 

[jmr40]

The Savage, Stevens 200, Marlin XL-7, Howa, Vanguard, and the new Ruger are all priced under $400. I feel the Howa and Weatherby Vanguard are the most gun for the money, but both are really heavy. Heavier than I like at around 7.75 lbs. Get a scope and mounts on them and you are close to a 9 lb. rifle.

All the others are 6.25lbs- 6.5 lbs. Once scoped you can still be 7-7.5 lbs. if you choose your scope and mounts carefully. I think all are good, but would choose the Marlin for me.

The only ones I'd say never buy are the Mossberg ATR and the Remington 770. While they do function safely, and are reasonably accurate. The others are basically the same price, no more expensive than 1 or 2 boxes of ammo, and are MUCH, MUCH better. Well worth the tiny extra price difference. Especially if you ever decide to sell or trade up to a better rifle. You will find them worthless to a dealer at that time.

 

[Fullboar1]

The Savage, Stevens 200, Marlin XL-7, Howa, Vanguard, and the new Ruger are all priced under $400. I feel the Howa and Weatherby Vanguard are the most gun for the money, but both are really heavy. Heavier than I like at around 7.75 lbs. Get a scope and mounts on them and you are close to a 9 lb. rifle.

All the others are 6.25lbs- 6.5 lbs. Once scoped you can still be 7-7.5 lbs. if you choose your scope and mounts carefully. I think all are good, but would choose the Marlin for me.

The only ones I'd say never buy are the Mossberg ATR and the Remington 770. While they do function safely, and are reasonably accurate. The others are basically the same price, no more expensive than 1 or 2 boxes of ammo, and are MUCH, MUCH better. Well worth the tiny extra price difference. Especially if you ever decide to sell or trade up to a better rifle. You will find them worthless to a dealer at that time.

What JMR40 said
IMO if you want a good cheap rifle about the best bang for your buck will be the Marlin XL7(long action) or XS7(short action), next best (again IMO) would have to be Howa 1500/Weatherby Vanguard, but it weights more. I don't think many people have seen them but the best value cheap rifle may very well be the new Ruger American Rifle, they just need to get them on the market and into the hands of shooter so we will have to wait and see, but by all accounts for the money they look to be a good rifle with some great features (I probably wont buy one but I cant wait to get one in my hands and give it a good going over).