Best Rifle/Scope Combo Under $500

[.455_Hunter]

Greetings,

My co-worker is interested in getting his 18 year old son a nice bolt action rifle/scope combo in the $300 to $500 dollar range for general purpose plinking, target shooting and possible hunting. His son already shoots a surplus Mosin-Nagant, and is not interested in a .22 long rifle. I am thinking that a .223 Rem or .308 Win would be the best for him due to ammo availability and costs. I am sure that he would want a black synthetic stock, and probably a blued action, but stainless might work.

Guns I am considering suggesting to him are the Savage 110 package deals, the Stevens 200 (Savage’s budget line, needs scope) and the Mossberg ATR 100 series.

Any suggestions or comments?

Remember, the total price of this gun combo needs to be under $500, so the $650 Remington 700 with the $575 Leopold scope and $150 tacticool scope mounts won’t cut it price wise.

Is it OK to shoot military spec 5.56mm in a .223 Rem bolt action, and military spec 7.62 x 51mm in a .308 Winchester bolt action?

Thanks,

Hunter

 

[Cron]

I'd check out the Howa 1500's. They list for slightly over $500.00 and should retail for under five. They use the same action as the Weatherby Vanguard and that's a good action! My 30-06 has been great for 15 years. If you gotta have US made then look elsewhere.

MilSpec 7.62 is usually milder loaded than 308 and should be OK. 5.56 is loaded hotter than most .223 and caution should be used.

 

[elrod]

Is he going new or used? New, got to be pretty particular. Used, of course, a lot of options. Also, what kind of hunting?
Need more info for really good recommendations......

 

[goalie]

I bought a Mossberg ATR-100 in .270 a few years ago. It is reliable, accurate, comes with a scope base already installed, and cost about $250 for the blued, synthetic model.

Put the other $250 into a pair of rings, a sling, and a scope (Weaver Grand Slam fixed 4x on mine) and you are good to go.

It comes in .308 as well.

The same could be done with the Stevens rifles as well, or go used.

 

[ArmedBear]

Weatherby Vanguard package can be found on sale with mounted scope, case, and sling included for $500.

Howa 1500 for around $425, rifle and mounted scope only.

Both guns are built around slightly different versions of the same action, which in turn is based on the Reminton 700. Both guns are good for MOA with decent ammo.

 

[MarinePride]

Check out GB for an idea of prices. It seems that the entry level rifle market is really cheap to get into these days. You can get a Savage 110 with the accutrigger for about $370. WalMart also has good prices on thier rifles and can order a lot of what you may be looking for.

Higher end bolt rifles with wood stocks are ridiculously expensive these days.

 

[CajunTim]

Go with the Savages try Buds for best prices.

 

[.41Dave]

I had a similar budget last year when I bought a deer rifle for my daughter. I went with a Stevens 200 (A Savage without the Accutrigger) and a Burris Fullfield II 3-9x40 scope. Total cost was about $450. It's a great rifle and a great scope especially considering the price.

 

[Outlaws]

edit

 

[praharin]

No. But you can shoot .308 in a 7.62Nato or .223 in a 5.56Nato.

no. you can shoot 7.62 nato in a 308 chamber, and 223 in a 5.56 chamber. you may get away with doing it the other way around, but it wont be safe.

 

[Outlaws]

no. you can shoot 7.62 nato in a 308 chamber, and 223 in a 5.56 chamber. you may get away with doing it the other way around, but it wont be safe.

My bad, you are right on the 7.62. I didn't realize there was that large of a pressure spec difference. Figured it was like the 223/5.56 where it was just the chamber dimensions...which there still is...but the pressure of a slightly tight 7.62 Nato cartridge obviously won't be of such an issue as a 5.56 crammed in a .223.

 

[S&WKING]

id probably buy a 243 good for prarie dogs, coyotes and even deer and 223 and 308 are getting harder to find w/ the war

 

[hankdatank1362]

This past week, Bass Pro here in Myrtle Beach been having specials on the Reimington 710 series (700's little bro)... found a .270 for $399, and their weekly flyer had Remington 710 in .30-06 for $299. These are rifle/scope combos! I figure it's b/c Remington is getting ready to replace their 710 line with something else, if they haven't already (read it on their website a few weeks ago.)

 

[rangerruck]

savage, Howa , or mossberg. roughly but close, to that order. then throw in a remmy if you can find it, but not the 710 series.

 

[praharin]

Reimington 710

eww

 

[JTW Jr.]

just a bit more , but Dicks sporting goods here has Rem 700SPS combo packages for $549

 

[praharin]

549<500

???

 

[JTW Jr.]

the combo package is $549 ( combo package is the rifle and the scope ) and yes it is over $500 which I stated.... but whatever , just trying to pass along a good deal that I spotted at the store...

 

[cmidkiff]

Savage 93R17-GVXP. List price is $291, with a 3-9x40 Simmons already mounted. Spend the extra on a few hundred rounds of .17hmr, and perhaps a bipod.

Very fun gun, inexpensive, accurate past 200 yards, what's not to like? The scope isn't exactly top-shelf, but could easily be upgraded at some point.

 

[Il Duca]

Reimington 710


eww

I second that. Not even on the same league as most of Remington's other products. Vile things. The new one looks even worse, if that's possible.

I would go with Savage, but not a combo deal. The scopes on them are absolute crap. Mine was junk after three shots. With the left over money buy a Nikon Buckmaster or similar scope. Maybe even a Millet or Mueller.

 

[Davo]

A stevens rifle, and a decent scope will do well.
I have a pair of k31's which would be good choices also.
The 710's have a horrible rep, and I havent heard much good or bad about the Howas.
Another option would be to look for a used rifle in the pawnshops or gun stores, or even gun broker.

 

[Smitty in CT]

+1 for the Mossberg 100 ATR, I have one in .270 it is very accurate.

They are available in .243 and .308, do a thorough search, based on everything else that's out there they are very accurate and a great value for your $$$.

 

[jpwilly]

Just picked up a Mossberg 100 ATR in 30-06 Item# 26030 at Wally World for $249 and for now it's sporting a cheapo Center Point (similar to Leapers) 4-16x40mm IR Mil Dot also from Wally World ($69) to see how it/they shoot. I added a rock mount bipod, uncle mikes QD swivels and a sling. With all listed above $379!

 

[cracked butt]

The best or the most convenient?

For conveniage in the ammo department, get a Stevens Model 20- Its a plain jane savage with no frills or whistles.

The best?

$150 Swiss K-31, $35 Drill andTap scope mount, and $300 to get a high quality scope and rings.

 

[BIGDANO]

Hey guys. I'm a newbie and am looking to get my first .22. I fired a bunch of guns when I was a kid, but that was a while ago. Anyway, I'm wondering what you guys think is the best rifle/scope combo in .22 for a newb?

Thanks!

-Dano