Inexpensive but good "real" rifle for longer-range plinking ?
- Thread starter Wanderling
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rayatphonix
Member
Dan F beat me to it but I agree the CZ 527 would be a good choice, although it'll run about $600. In addition to the 7.62x39 there's also the .223 Carbine. Great rifle and very lightweight and easy to handle. IMO, if you're new to rifles a bolt action is easier to maintain.
BudgetBucks1
Member
I would go with the AR. You can get them relatively cheap now. You can build one in about an hour even cheaper. There are plenty of youtube videos showing you to put one together and it is easy. It serves all of your purposes and here in North Carolina they are legal to hunt with. Ammo is still pretty cheap also. It is accurate and excellent for home defense if you use the right ammo. Check out Palmetto State Armory's website. They have some good deals.
Hoppes Love Potion
Member
Stainless steel lever action Rossi 1892 in .357 with 20" barrel. Forget the scope - put a Skinner peep sight on it and have a lifetime of fun. Great for plinking or targets using .38 Special. Load it with some hollow point .357 Magnums and you're ready for home defense or even that riot.
Zerodefect
member
Savage Fp10 McMillan:
Although I'd go after the Ruger precision rifle in 6.5 Creedmore instead, unless that too tacticool looking for you.
Savage Fp10 Hs Precision .338 Lapua $$ Magnum:
Although I'd go after the Ruger precision rifle in 6.5 Creedmore instead, unless that too tacticool looking for you.
Savage Fp10 Hs Precision .338 Lapua $$ Magnum:
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bfoosh006
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Quite honestly... I would strongly consider a Mid-priced AR15 ( S&W comes to mind.. ) .... one major reason is the ending of the Obama Administration ( he might find a loophole somewhere.. ) and the possible elected anti gun candidates.
You might lose an opportunity to buy one inexpensively if you wait..... and might wish you had bought one when it is to late.
You might lose an opportunity to buy one inexpensively if you wait..... and might wish you had bought one when it is to late.
denton
Member
Milsurps used to be the way to go to get an inexpensive but serviceable rifle. But new commercial bolt actions have been coming down in price, and milsurps have been going up. In today's market a new commercial bolt action is a better value that almost all milsurps. Well, if you can get a Swedish 6.5x55 Mauser in good shape for $250 or less that would be an exceptional alternative.
I'd agree with the suggestion to at least look for a lever action 357 Mag carbine. I have a Marlin, and they are a blast to shoot. The recoil is mild, the cartridge (out of a carbine) is fine for deer size game at 100 yards, ammo is cheap, and the decent ones are about 2 MOA shooters. While not my first choice for HD, they will work for that. For a pleasant afternoon at the range, they are hard to beat.
I'd agree with the suggestion to at least look for a lever action 357 Mag carbine. I have a Marlin, and they are a blast to shoot. The recoil is mild, the cartridge (out of a carbine) is fine for deer size game at 100 yards, ammo is cheap, and the decent ones are about 2 MOA shooters. While not my first choice for HD, they will work for that. For a pleasant afternoon at the range, they are hard to beat.
Jenrick
Member
The Ruger American is a heck of a rifle, a buddy has one in .300 blackout and it's a sweet little gun. At it's price point it's hard to beat for what it is.
A step up in price and quality you can go with a Howa. They will shot sub-moa out of the box if you do your part and use high quality ammo. I got out the door for $750 for mine with a packaged bipod and 4x-16x scope. They have a ton of different models ranging from around $500 and up.
I'll second the recommendations for some of the milsurps out there. Depending on your budget, everything from a Mosin to a Mauser is an option.
-Jenrick
A step up in price and quality you can go with a Howa. They will shot sub-moa out of the box if you do your part and use high quality ammo. I got out the door for $750 for mine with a packaged bipod and 4x-16x scope. They have a ton of different models ranging from around $500 and up.
I'll second the recommendations for some of the milsurps out there. Depending on your budget, everything from a Mosin to a Mauser is an option.
-Jenrick
Wanderling;
I haven't seen a JM Marlin 336 in .30-30 mentioned. It's a lever action that can be had used for a modest amount of money. The Marlin is much easier to scope than the comparable Winchester 94 in the same caliber. Light & short enough to be an HD tool if needed and the lever gives a decent rate of fire. And that's really my only objection to the CZ527 option, other than price. The .30-30 has a looong and very well documented history of taking North American game animals if used properly. Two hundred yards is pretty much its range limit, but that shouldn't be used as a stick to beat the proposition with. Those way-out-there shots are the exception, not the norm. Hunt up closer if need be.
Just stay away from the Remlin Marlins, make sure it's a JM Marlin, made before Remington acquired the company.
900F
I haven't seen a JM Marlin 336 in .30-30 mentioned. It's a lever action that can be had used for a modest amount of money. The Marlin is much easier to scope than the comparable Winchester 94 in the same caliber. Light & short enough to be an HD tool if needed and the lever gives a decent rate of fire. And that's really my only objection to the CZ527 option, other than price. The .30-30 has a looong and very well documented history of taking North American game animals if used properly. Two hundred yards is pretty much its range limit, but that shouldn't be used as a stick to beat the proposition with. Those way-out-there shots are the exception, not the norm. Hunt up closer if need be.
Just stay away from the Remlin Marlins, make sure it's a JM Marlin, made before Remington acquired the company.
900F
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gamestalker
member
Of all the budget rifles I've come across, the Ruger American is a very sound shooting rig. I have experience with the 22-250, .243, .and the 270 win. all are good performing cartridges, each with their own characteristics. Ruger also makes the American in .223, .308 , 30-06 and 7mm-08.
The 22-250 is a very high velocity low recoiling round, perfect for shooting varmints and target shooting. The 22-250 will do anything the .223 will do, but with higher velocity and more bullet options to choose from. 22-250 isn't an expensive cartridge to shoot, and factory offerings can be had for under $20 per box.
The .243 is good for both varmints and big game hunting applications. Great for deer and antelope, and with the right bullet it can be used for elk sized game, but that would be pushing it for a new guy as shot placement would be critical. I have personally known people that have taken both elk and bear with the .243 win, but it's not the optimal choice for such. Also not an expensive round to shoot, I see boxes at Walmart for slightly under $20 per box.
The .270 will do it all, it's a nice flat shooting cartridge that can be used to hunt just about anything on the North American continent. .270 ammo is usually in the $20 range per box, but a little more expensive than .243 win..
With half decent optics, all three of the above cartridges / rifles will easily produce great accuracy at 200 yards and out.
A Ruger American is under $400 NIB. A Vortex scope of decent quality for shooting 200 yd. distances can be had for under $200. So for a total of about $500, you can be shooting a nice high powered rifle. Ruger will warantee their rifles for life and they have great CS.
GS
The 22-250 is a very high velocity low recoiling round, perfect for shooting varmints and target shooting. The 22-250 will do anything the .223 will do, but with higher velocity and more bullet options to choose from. 22-250 isn't an expensive cartridge to shoot, and factory offerings can be had for under $20 per box.
The .243 is good for both varmints and big game hunting applications. Great for deer and antelope, and with the right bullet it can be used for elk sized game, but that would be pushing it for a new guy as shot placement would be critical. I have personally known people that have taken both elk and bear with the .243 win, but it's not the optimal choice for such. Also not an expensive round to shoot, I see boxes at Walmart for slightly under $20 per box.
The .270 will do it all, it's a nice flat shooting cartridge that can be used to hunt just about anything on the North American continent. .270 ammo is usually in the $20 range per box, but a little more expensive than .243 win..
With half decent optics, all three of the above cartridges / rifles will easily produce great accuracy at 200 yards and out.
A Ruger American is under $400 NIB. A Vortex scope of decent quality for shooting 200 yd. distances can be had for under $200. So for a total of about $500, you can be shooting a nice high powered rifle. Ruger will warantee their rifles for life and they have great CS.
GS
C.R.
Member
Im surprised nobody has suggested an SKS in 7.62x39 they are fairly inexpensive,simple and ruggedly made. Not fancy,kind of ugly but a fun plinker
IWAC
Member
justice06rr
Member
+ 1 on the SKS. Cheap available ammo and the rifle fairly inexpensive. You can find them for around $300-$500.
SKS are beautiful rifles IMO. If you like traditional looking rifles without the tactical look, the SKS is a good option. You can still modify it if you want, and there are plenty of accessories are available in the market.
ExAgoradzo
Member
If 'first real rifle' is anywhere in the criteria, the .223 is the way to go for many reasons. The only other close competitors would be the above mentioned .308 and .243. The cost of the ammo for them and the extra recoil/blast of the .308 lead me to fall back to the .223 though some day a .308 will be in order (or just go to the .30-06). Get any rifle with a 1:9 or better twist. You won't be disappointed.
Greg
Greg
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