First Rifle, under $600?

[razorback2003]

Look at a Savage or Marlin 243 bolt action. Great trigger and great accuracy. Look for clean used guns. Then put a good quality scope on it that costs as much or more than the gun.

243 is plenty gun for deer and great for coyote.

 

[SlowFuse]

I have to agree with grunt. My Wby, while its a 2nd gen, has became my go to rifle while sitting at the bench this summer. It shoots like I paid way over $400 for it. I currently have a Nikon 4-12x42 IRT on it. Its a 25-06, which to me is maybe a tad overkill for a yote rifle and plenty big for Alabama whitetail. Good luck on your decision.

 

[Tex4426]

Unless ur keeping pelts there is no such thing as overkill on a yote

 

[Sheepdog1968]

As others have said, 200yds is pushing it a bit with the .30-30, not impossible but pushing it. Its an excellent choice for relatively close ranges in heavy brush, but not ideal for an open field gun.

Looking at your other two options, either one should work as both are more than powerful enough for deer, and more than accurate enough for 200+ yard shots. THe .30-06 is considered by many to be the optimum do-everything centerfire, capable of taking any game animal in North America, and the .308 is very close in performance. For your price range, I would look first at Savage rifles. They make inexpensive rifles that are renown for their accuracty in a wide variety of configurations (blued or stainless, traditional wood, composite or laminate stocks)

That said, unless you forsee using this same gun for larger game (Elk, Moose, Bear, etc) you could get by with a smaller caiber. The .243 is considered by many to be an ideal dual-purpose (deer & varmint) round and is widely available. The .25 cal cartridges (.257 Roberts, .257 Weatherby or .25-06) would also be excellent choices, although in small towns it might be harder to find locally. They are all accurate and effective to ranges well past your proposed 200yds.

Hope that helps.

With the 30-30 using Hornady lever evolution and a 200 yard zero you are plus or minus 3" from zero to 250 yards. I have one and have it setup as such.

 

[Texaszach]

Another vote for the vanguard here.
And mines in 243 and I love it.
It's just EASY to shoot with very little recoil.

 

[1948CJ2A]

+1 for Vanguard

 

[B!ngo]

A gently used (perhaps 'pre-owned' is a better term) Rem 700 in .308. It likely will have an optic that you could upgrade later if you needed to. Wouldn't buy new at that price/point.
B

 

[Agent1209]

243 is good, but have you considered a 270, it's a flat shooting non magnum and offers a 100 grain option for coyotes. If I had a $600 budget I would look at a Savage. You can shop around and get one for around $450 and you can put a Redfield scope on it for $150.00. Used you could get an older 700 or model 70. I am going to start buying most of my guns used. They don't make em like they used too. They may be as accurate but the fit and finnish is not near as nice.

 

[DoubleMag]

First Rifle, under $600?
Hi all,

I'm looking to get my first center rifle....
It will be my only rifle for a while....
I'm thinking of either a 30-30, 308 Win, or 30-06. .... don't know if I'll need a semi or if a bolt/lever would be better suited. Longest shots....would be ~200yrds....southern Michigan in a forest and farm checkered area.

....budget is $600....Any advice an pointers would be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

If you buy a good caliber with those parameters (coyote deer) you might not need another rifle for awhile. Notice I said, need!! hehe
I would nix all three of those calibers due to, smaller game mentioned.Bolt gun as semi will run you over budget and really, overkill.
Your better caliber choices are the mentioned 243, I would suggest a bit larger such as 25-06. Just remember if you're shooting MI deer either is fine but if you're going out of state or UP for anything, you just limited yourself unlike the 25-06. You can push a 120gr bullet with a ton of muzzle energy try that with the 243. Handloading really opens up options with the 25- going with 75gr VMax. I would recc. handloading or getting a buddy to for you saves$$ and generally , better ammo.
Savage Axis around here can be had for $270 w/o scope, add lower Nikon, Burris, or Redfield glass now you're up to $450-475 with $$ to spare for ammo, sling, or whatever. Just my $.02 and if you are stuck on a 30 caliber offering do a 308. All IMHO shooting now 45+yrs for what its worth

Good luck!

 

[Tex4426]

I would buy a gun for deer...use whatever on a yote...ur trying to kill it so whats it matter if ur using a 30-06 or a 17 hmr unless u wanna keep the pelts then use the 17

 

[jrdolall]

If my budget was $600 for a do-all hunting rifle that I wanted to buy in the next week I would go to Wallyworld and buy a Savage 110 with accu-trigger combo for around $400. 270, 30-06, 243maybe? Any of those will kill coyotes, deer or hogs at 200 yards without blinking an eye. 30-06 probably has the wider range of ammo since I doubt you are reloading. The scope will be adequate though probably not what you want in the long run. Ammo can be found anywhere that sells ammo and is around $15 per 20ct box at Wallyworld for the Federal or Winchester. I have one in 30-06 and shoot more deer with it than any gun I currently shoot. For $500 you can buy a 30-06, 5 boxes of ammo, and a sling.

If I had the time I would look around and try to find maybe a sporterized Swede or a 25-06. I like the light recoil on theses guns and appreciate them more as I get older. Shooting a 30-06 20 times at the range can get a bit painful. Ammo is harder to find but you should be able to come in under your budget. $600 opens up a lot of options in the hunting rifle category.

 

[huntincowboy]

I got a scoped Ruger M77 mark II 30-06 used at a local gun store for 425. It's a bolt gun and has been great for me at the ranges you describe. I wound up coming across it because it was the only left handed gun in my price range that seemed decent. The only downside to it is that there are no open iron sights. I've taken several deer and wild hog with it.

 

[This Guy]

Ask your local gun shop about Howa it's a Japanese made bolt action rifle same action as the Weatherby Vanguard. I personally own one and love it. Good price and you can pick your own caliber, though I would recommend 308. There are lots of aftermarket parts available (stocks, removable mags, ect) and with my hand loaded rounds I can get 1" groups and bettrer at a hundred yards all day long. For the price I don't think you could go wrong with a Howa.

 

[marinetowgunner]

Another vote for the Tikka. IMHO it's the best in it's class. Sweet short bolt throw, adjustable trigger that breaks like glass, and there are more and more after market accessories coming out for that action everyday.

Caliber is more of a personal preference call. I would go with any standard non-magnum caliber (greater than 22 caliber).

 

[RetiredUSNChief]

I don't have a centerfire rifle of my own, yet. I've shot many, just don't own any.

You've provided some really good information as to the area/conditions you'd be shooting in, and that's just what I was going to ask you for.

At the ranges you're talking about, the terrain/population density you've indicated, and what you intend to shoot with it, I'd say a 30-06 is a wee bit much. Also, with budget limitations like you've posted, it would be the more expensive route to go by. 30-06 ammunition ain't cheap. My opinion on the .308 is similar.

This leaves the 30-30. Which also has the added advantage of having less recoil, with gives you the option of going with a lighter style gun, an important consideration in my opinion if you intend to carry this in the field for any length of time. A lever action 30-30 would be nice for this, and at the ranges you're talking about for deer/coyote, this is perfectly acceptable.

You're also talking about a practical range of 100 yards or less for reliable shot opportunities, as well. 30-30 is definately suitable for that range.

Which means that you can pocket the difference between your $600 budget and the price of ammunition as seed money for your next rifle...or you can afford to buy more ammunition/reloads for what you have.


Remember...this need not be your ONLY centerfire ever. In a couple years or so, when your budget allows, you can simply add to your collection. What you get now doesn't have to be the "ultimate, be-all-end-all" of centerfire rifles to get. It just has to be something practical for you that you'll enjoy.


Good luck!

 

[Texaszach]

30-06 ammo is really not that much more than 30-30 ammo around here.
30-06,270, and 243 are all in the same price range with 30-30 being just a little cheaper.

If deer and under I'd still vote 243, it was my choice as well.

 

[DoubleMag]

A couple posters mentioned if its coyotes dont worry about the fur if using a 30 caliber. Well if you want the fur dont worry either! What TO worry about...richocet and where that big heavy 30 caliber slug WILL go after punching through such a small critter...just food for thought...

 

[jim243]

243 is plenty gun for deer and great for coyote.

Very good choice, look at the Savage Axis (bolt action), they have a "kit" with rifle and scope for around $300-$400. Accurate and affordable. Spend the rest on ammo.

Jim

 

[goon]

I've owned quite a few rifles of various makes and calibers and for a GP dual use hunting centerfire, I'm giving serious consideration to a decent used .243.

 

[natman]

Marlin XS7 in 308 with a Leupold 2-7 VXII scope.

You will be far better off with a Marlin and a $300 scope than a $500 gun and a $100 scope.

 

[jason41987]

everyone should have atleast one AR15... and well, a lot of people have been showing me some decent deer loads for .223, so its an option

 

[SlowFuse]

Jason, the OP states he's from Michigan. While I don't disagree with your statement, its not legal to hunt with a 22 cal cartridge in some states. Now an AR in 6.8 or 300 blk is something he may be interested in, but his price point would be a problem to get a black rifle of decent quality.

 

[meanmrmustard]

I would buy a gun for deer...use whatever on a yote...ur trying to kill it so whats it matter if ur using a 30-06 or a 17 hmr unless u wanna keep the pelts then use the 17

Ha, good point. Unless you're keeping the pelt, do the local rabbit and quail population a favor and blow that coy dog up!

 

[meanmrmustard]

everyone should have atleast one AR15... and well, a lot of people have been showing me some decent deer loads for .223, so its an option

I just sold my last one. I don't think everyone should have one in as much as they can if they so desire. My next will be a 6.8, and that is only because I do not own an AK that fires that round. Oh, how I do love the AK.

However, in my state, .223 is very legal for deer and that's what I use out of an Interarms Mini. 55 gr Barnes TSX is a great factory load, and I have yet to meet an AR that can hold a candle accuracy wise to my Mini.

 

[cpt-t]

First cf rifle under $600

Rooster87: I envy you, just starting out buying your first hunting rifle and all the adventures you will have with it. You have been given alot of very good advice. You asked about a 30-30, 308, or a 30-06, I would go with the 30-06. I would haunt the LGS, Pawn Shops, and read the Want Adds in your paper looking for a nice used quality bolt gun with a good quality scope already attached. I don`t buy new guns very often, I have had over the years very good luck buying used rifles. I would be looking for a Savage with their new trigger if possible. My Son and I have bought several over the years, with no problems, and they are all very good shooters, never seen a Savage that wouldn`t shoot. You can buy ammo at Wal-Mart from 125 gr bullets to 220gr bullets. And I have never been in even a MOM & POP store that sold ammo that didn`t have 2 or 3 boxes at least of 30-06 shells. Not much in North America that you can`t hunt with a 30-06. If while you are looking a CZ 30-06 come your way, take a real long hard look at that rifle. GOOD LUCK TO YOU: ken