Looking for good all around hunting rifle

[Originalist]

Thanks everyone for the input, I appreciate it. While my pockets aren't deep I am looking to spend somewhere about $500 and $500 for a decent hunting rifle. SInce it is my first one I want to treat it much like buying a bike.... Something I wont get mad at when it gets a little scratched up...

I think I have narrowed my choices down to a .308 or a .270 now can we talk about actions types. I am a little lazy and was interested in semi-auto but I am not above lever or bolt. I just want something that carries more than a couple shots, not that I plan on needing more than 1 but I would rather have it and not need it then... well you know the rest. Again, thanks for the input.... also I am not above used from someone here or a pawn shop as I have learned some of the besst deals can be found there. Thanks again for the info and anything else you guy/gals have to offer would still be greatly appreciated.

As well as some nice, inexpensive places to hunt here in and around San Antonio.

Bryan

[Rex B]

I'm no expert, but what I wound up with was a Stevens 200 in .270.
Polymer stock, bolt-action
$200 at Academy on sale
Added a Leopold Rifleman 3x9 scope and base/rings.
Should be good for anything you can hunt in Texas.
$400 total cost

[SlickTX]

I agree with most of the comments, especially the ones about the magnums. There is just no need for them in Texas, but many "manly" men can't seem to go to field without them. I wish I had a nickle for everytime I've been to a range shooting away for hours with my milsurp .303's, 7.5 X 55's, 30.06's, etc. and have seen a macho guy pull the trigger no more than 3 to 5 times on his big boomstick then watch him load up and head home. Makes me giggle.

Since I don't have concerns about forgetting ammunition, my choice is the 6.5 X 55 Swede. The .260 and .280 Remingtons are close cousins.

[Carry-a-Kimber]

Thanks everyone for the input, I appreciate it. While my pockets aren't deep I am looking to spend somewhere about $500 and $500 for a decent hunting rifle. SInce it is my first one I want to treat it much like buying a bike.... Something I wont get mad at when it gets a little scratched up...

I think I have narrowed my choices down to a .308 or a .270 now can we talk about actions types. I am a little lazy and was interested in semi-auto but I am not above lever or bolt. I just want something that carries more than a couple shots, not that I plan on needing more than 1 but I would rather have it and not need it then... well you know the rest. Again, thanks for the input.... also I am not above used from someone here or a pawn shop as I have learned some of the besst deals can be found there. Thanks again for the info and anything else you guy/gals have to offer would still be greatly appreciated.

As well as some nice, inexpensive places to hunt here in and around San Antonio.

Bryan

In that price range you might be able to find a beater used semi-auto. If you are looking for a value, then go for a bolt gun. Most semi-autos hold the same amount of ammo as a bolt gun anyway. I have heard good things about the Mossberg Maverick and they can be had around $300, but I do not have any experience with them myself. The Remington 770 might also be a good option for you. It comes in 270 and 30-06, synthetic stock, and a premounted 3x9 scope for about $300. My brother bought one of these a few years back to kep at the ranch as a backup hunting rifle and he seems pretty happy with it. I have several Remington 700s and have been happy with all of them, I had an issue with one but Remington quickly fixed it. While we are at it, my prefered caliber for anything bigger than a goat and smaller than a moose happens to be 7mm-08.

[LongHairedRedneck]

Wheres the 7mm crowd? I'll represent the 7mm.

Anyone of the 7mm variants(7mm-08, 7mm Mag, 7mm WSM) will do the job but the 7mm Ultra Mag is overkill unless you are going for big game(Elk etc.)

I use a 7mm Short Action Ultra Mag, great rifle but unfortunately it lost the caliber war with the WSM cartridges and now the ammunition is hard to find.

I would rank the 7mm bullet up there with the .30cal for versatility of bullet weights/construction. Everything from 120 grain V-max to 200 grain Bonded big game type bullets are availible.

Try sticking with one of the tried and true calibers for a general purpose rifle: .270, .30-06, .243, .308, 7mm, 6mm
Or if you want to have a odd ball caliber but equally effective rifle try these: .257 Roberts, .25-06, 8mm Mauser, .280 Remington. This odd ball selection could go on forever.

The only cartridge I would not recommend is the .30-30 soley on the basis that the ballistics suck after 200yds. I used one for quite a few years and harvested multiple deer.

Just my two pennies on the subject

[Rex B]

When I bought that Stevens 200, the choices were .270 or 7mm-08.
The 7mm was out of stock, but that was my preference.
I think the 7mm has a slight ballistic edge, but the .270 is more commonly available.

[SCone]

Have two that would work for you.....

Remington 742 Semi-Auto in 30-06 w/3-9 scope $425


Remington 760 Pump-action in 30-06 $325 (well used, but still a great rifle)

[flintknapper]

When I bought that Stevens 200, the choices were .270 or 7mm-08.
The 7mm was out of stock, but that was my preference.
I think the 7mm has a slight ballistic edge, but the .270 is more commonly available.

And that of a lot of others, probably why it was out of stock.

Ballistics slightly less than the venerable .270, but less recoil. Excellent medium sized game cartridge IMO.

[sar]

a lever 30-30 will cover a huge percentage of hunting needs in a light, reliable gun that's easy to cart through the woods.

[troglodyte]

I'm no expert, but what I wound up with was a Stevens 200 in .270.
Polymer stock, bolt-action
$200 at Academy on sale
Added a Leopold Rifleman 3x9 scope and base/rings.
Should be good for anything you can hunt in Texas.
$400 total cost

+1

I have one in .308 (Nikon Prostaff 3x9). Adjusted the stock trigger (http://savageshooters.com/SavageForum/i ... 414.0.html) and can hit the vitals of a deer all day long at the 200 zero. It's a Pre-Accu-trigger Savage. Not a thing wrong with them if you can get past the ugly stock. My son has one in .270. Both have killed deer and I don't think the deer noticed the difference.

While my pockets aren't deep I am looking to spend somewhere about $500 and $500 for a decent hunting rifle. SInce it is my first one I want to treat it much like buying a bike.... Something I wont get mad at when it gets a little scratched up...

A "Budget Hunter" (I'm one also) can't do much better for a new gun. I put on a Rattle Kan Custom camo job. If it gets scratched or dinged, what do I care. If it bothers me I'll just whip out the Krylon and touch it up.

I'm all for nice and pretty guns but I can't/won't afford them. A gun is a tool to me. I can appreciate the nice ones but I don't need a "fancy" to do the job. Now, if someone wants to give me one I'll be more than happy to accept.

[WildBill]

Wheres the 7mm crowd?

The 7mm is an excellent cartridge, but never had the funds to buy one. If I did, I would go for the 7 mm Remington Magnum. I agree with your assessment of the 30-30.

[Salty1]

+1 on the lever gun, a Marlin 30-30 will take anything you may encounter here and they are classics. A model 336 and a decent scope can be had for around $500.00, accuracy should not be a problem in the 150 yard range

[Rex B]

+1 on the lever gun, a Marlin 30-30 will take anything you may encounter here and they are classics. A model 336 and a decent scope can be had for around $500.00, accuracy should not be a problem in the 150 yard range

If you watch the sales, you can get a combo with scope under $400
Or a used one for $325 - $350

Everybody ought to have at least 1 levergun.

I think I'm at 7, at the moment

[The Annoyed Man]

+1 on the lever gun, a Marlin 30-30 will take anything you may encounter here and they are classics. A model 336 and a decent scope can be had for around $500.00, accuracy should not be a problem in the 150 yard range

If you watch the sales, you can get a combo with scope under $400
Or a used one for $325 - $350

Everybody ought to have at least 1 levergun.

I think I'm at 7, at the moment

Gluttony is a sin.

[Oldgringo]

Did y'all look here?