Best lightweight hunting rifle in 308 / 30-06 for $300 or less?

[Mark-Smith]

So I have a great rifle that puts five bullets through the same hole at 100 yards on a good day, but it's built like a tank and weighs about the same.

Now that hunting season is coming up here in Texas, I've been thinking about getting an inexpensive lightweight hunting rifle. Only thing is, it will be used for feral hogs at some point, so I don't fancy going with a caliber smaller than 308 / 30-06.

I looked at the Ruger American but at $450 I was a bit skeptical as far as bang for your buck goes - is it possible to get a better rifle for a lower price used? Before you say 'Mosin up cowboy!', something that's reasonably accurate at 300 yards or less that you can mount a scope to easily.

 

[Deltaboy1984]

A used Remmington 760 will fit the bill

 

[jmr40]

760's are a bit heavy at around 7.5 lbs. Nothing under $300. A few around $350 would be a good choice. If you can still find a Stevens 200 they are a good choice, but are being discontinued. The Axis is replacing it. Not a bad gun, but no where near as good as the Stevens 200.

The Marlin XS-7, XL-7 would be another good choice. The Ruger is getting good reviews. I've handed one, they are no worse than any of the other disposable rifles being made today. Either the Ruger, Savage Axis, Stevens or Marlin are lightweight coming in at just over 6 lbs. All sell for around $350.

 

[rcmodel]

For $300 or less you might find a Remington 700 or 721 beater in 30-06 or .308.
Or a used Marlin 336 30-30 lever-action for less.

Once you go hog hunting in the brush with a 6 pound 30-30 lever-gun, you will wonder why it took you so long to get one.

Personally, I'd rather have one of any or either then the plastic fantastic cheap stuff coming out now.

rc

 

[Texaszach]

I'd probably check used gun racks for that price, though I have a Stevens 200 I bought for 250 at academy in Tyler. You might still be able to find one but they haven't had em at ours for a good while now.

I like my Stevens as a good inexpensive rifle but am just not as impressed with the savage axis though many guys on the savage boards are getting good accuracy but they mostly all complain about the stock just like on the Stevens 200 and savage 110

For 100 more you can get a brand new weatherby or savage but the weatherby is a heavier rifle.
It didn't seem to wear too bad on me on my trips with it last season

 

[greyling22]

yay a fellow tylerite

 

[Texaszach]

Yessir greyling I still plan on getting ahold of you for a range trip.
I am just super tied up with summer classes at the moment.

 

[greyling22]

I"m going tomorrow morning. new AR upper to test out and some 9mm loads to try. I'm even taking the chronograph!

 

[longrange308]

Here you are my fellow THR.org'er: Be sure to enter your own zip code, then select the retailer

http://www.galleryofguns.com/genie/...at=2&type=Rifle&cal=30-06&fin=&sit=&pid=&inv=

Its really easy to buy from these people. Just follow the easy steps order and go pick it up.

 

[viper7342]

I looked at the Ruger American but at $450 I was a bit skeptical as far as bang for your buck goes

The Ruger American can be had for as little as $299.95 from Hoffmans Gun Center http://hoffgun.com/ruger/american308.htm, they also have it in 30-06 You would of course have to call them to order and have it shipped to your local FFL for transfer, but that's the best deal I have run across in quite a while for a new rifle, if it is of the same quality as other Ruger rifles I have handled and shot. I don't know if the stated price includes shipping, but I've been seriously considering buying one of these myself.

 

[Savage99]

I am tired of posts asking whats the best for a cheap price.

 

[YankeeFlyr]

A stolen one.

 

[Girodin]

I am tired of posts asking whats the best for a cheap price.

Maybe you should stop clicking on such threads then.

A Stevens 200 weighs like 6.5 lbs costs around $300 and is more precise than one needs a hunting rifle to be.

 

[Kachok]

I saw Savage 110s at Academy on sale for $299 a few months back, probably sold out now but I would keep an eye out for that kind of deal, Savage Synthetics are very light and accurate. I have a cheap Savage 30-06 and I love it. Tuned it to 3/4" before the el-chepo Bushnell it came with gave up the ghost, hope to get it to 1/4" once I get a Redfield on it.

 

[firesky101]

I have to agree with viper. Even with shipping, taxes (unavoidable in CA), and transfer fee (also unavoidable in CA) my Ruger American is sub $400 OTD. I say my Ruger American loosely as I have yet to receive it, the .308 is scarce. My wait time so far is 5 months, but the .30-06's have been available for months I am just picky.

 

[Mark-Smith]

Kachok - how much does your Savage 110 weigh w/ scope?

 

[ms6852]

At the price that you are asking even ordering online might be inconceivable by the time you pay for shipping, insurance and ffl transfers. You might have to consider a used rifle, but I gotta agree with RCMODEL,...lever actions are the way to go in the brush and are a great general rifle for hogs and deer.

 

[Mark-Smith]

Yeah, I've been thinking about getting a used rifle, don't mind much as long as it's not been worn down to the point of inaccuracy. Not certain what's a good choice for a used lightweight hunting rifle though.

 

[ECVMatt]

Stevens 200 or Ruger American. I like them both. I have a Steven's 200 in .223 and it is a good rifle. I am going to get a .243 American in the next month or so. They are one sale here for $ 350. That seems like more than a fair price for what you are getting.

 

[Awsomepossum]

I would get an marlin 30-30, they can be bought at 300 bucks at lots of pawn shops, or you could get an sportized mauser. I bough an sportized masuser for 250 today at the fort worth gun show, so there can be deals to be found.

 

[Abel]

I saw a Ruger American for $350. If you can't afford that, I would suggest picking up a second job.

 

[Mark-Smith]

Abel - Before you make unintelligent comments, try thinking first.

If you weren't familiar with what was available for used lightweight hunting rifles, nor what they cost and wished to avoid spending more money than necessary, you might have asked the same question.

 

[Abel]

Why not just look for rifles in the $100 and less range? I'm sure something will turn up eventually. Check Craig's List for yard sales. Eventually you'll cross paths with a used CVA muzzle loader in an acceptable weight....perfect for what you're looking for.

 

[Mark-Smith]

Able, if you think such a thing does not exist at the $300 mark, say so. Otherwise, be quiet.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

marlin X7