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Recommend a decent priced hunting rifle.

Redwagon

Redwagon

never fear!!!!
Joined
May 19, 2020
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228
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NWA!!!!
So

I own several handguns / ar style rifles / shotguns but dont have a decent hunting/long distance? rifle.

what do you guys recommend?
 
For generic ammo, something in .308 makes sense.
Me? Im old school nothing I use is commercial, all mil surp and restocked. 6.5x55 is fun, ditto 7x57 and 8x57
You could go the man bun route and do a 6.5 something or other. :dustin:
 
What do you want to hunt? Are there any caliber restrictions in your area?
 
North West Arkansas

requirements

Modern guns may be used for deer EXCEPT:

  • buckshot in a .410 shotgun.
  • shot smaller than No. 4 buckshot in any shotgun.
  • rimfire cartridges, military or full metal jacketed ammunition.
  • centerfire rifles or handguns smaller than .22 caliber.
 
I've asked my buddies the same thing.

They've all kinda said just get something basic and practice. You're going to be so much better off with a $300 Walmart gun and 500 rounds of practice than a bling gun and only a box through it.
 
Savage axis , ruger American , mossberg patriot , Remington 783, savage 110 , Remington 700 , marlin model 70, Winchester model 94 or marlin 336, browning BAR, weatherby vanguard …. I could list off about 50 that are pretty affordable . Spend as much or more than the rifle price on a good scope IMO if you can swing it . I prefer leupold. Low light visibility is most important when deer hunting and leupold in MY experience wins that tenfold. .270 is my personal favorite but also use .308 and recommend others such as 7mm-08 , 25-06, 30-30.. plenty of great options !
 
Ruger American, Tikka both outstanding choices that I own. Would happily grab them for any hunt in NA. (6.5, and 7mm-08). Heard good things about TC as well. I'd toss a basic Vortex scope like a 3-12x ish, no turrets, maybe a simple BDC at the most. KISS. You don't want or need a fidgety scope on a hunting rifle to start.

I'd say 6.5 creed if elk/ bear are on the list. If not 6 creed all day long. The good ol .243 is a versatile killer. (personally would have no qualms about a reasonable shot on a elk/ bear for a experienced hunter/ good marksman.)

Those calibers are generally on the shelf lately and have good bullet selections.
 
Go to any gun shop. Any of the big name entry level bolt gun scope combos for around $6-700 in .243, .260, .270, .308, 30-06, or 6cm, 6.5cm or swede, or 7mm08. The .243, 6.5cm, .308, 30-06 are proba ly the most popular right now.

The magnum cartridges are overkill for most American game unless youre going for big bear (for better chance of immediate knockdown) or really long distances. Dont get me wrong there is nothing wrong with magnums but theyre expensive per round and unnecessary for almost anything south of canada.
 
What the biggest animal in AR? Alligator? 243 is my go to but I'd consider 30-30, 270, 280Rem, 30-06 and it goes on and on.
 
M92PV4U said:
I just finished putting a .450bm ar together, I hope that it's good for more than alligators, we don't have those here:laughing:.
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Alligators are much like sharks... Just 'cuz you don't see one doesn't mean it's not there... Expect the unexpected... :laughing:
 
Weasel said:
What the biggest animal in AR? Alligator? 243 is my go to but I'd consider 30-30, 270, 280Rem, 30-06 and it goes on and on.
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We have Elk in north part of the state but it's a very competitive lottery to win a tag.

Lottery for alligator tags in southern half of the state too. Friends of mine in Stuttgart area got an 11' gator out of their reservoir.

Black bear are the next largest, they're all over, but more concentrated in some areas.

White tail deer are everywhere but no mule deer.



I've had a Winchester 70 in .270 since I was in Jr. High. Most avid Arkansas rifle hunters I know shoot .308, .30-06, 7mm Mag, or .270. I know one guy who uses a .25-06 but he's an outlier.

.243, .223, or 7mm-08 are popular starter calibers a lot of young folks got as their first rifle and I know plenty of casual hunters still using them as adults. Most only hunt white tail and have never really needed anything more.
 
I can't recommend 30-30. ammo is a bitch to find unless things have changed in the last couple months.

edit: I've actually been thinking bolt action shotgun with slugs.
 
woods said:
I can't recommend 30-30. ammo is a bitch to find unless things have changed in the last couple months.

edit: I've actually been thinking bolt action shotgun with slugs.
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False. It’s always been available. The problem is it’s almost $2 a round.
 
Aisin said:
False. It’s always been available. The problem is it’s almost $2 a round.
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I've got three places localish to me, and there hasn't been any on the shelf for probably two years now.

I say bitch to find because perhaps you can buy it online.
 
woods said:
I've got three places localish to me, and there hasn't been any on the shelf for probably two years now.

I say bitch to find because perhaps you can buy it online.
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Yea. I haven’t bought ammo in stores in close to 4 years.
 
Irony: I buy almost all my ammo online, cheaper, but the last time I bought ammo in a store was the few boxes of 30-30 I saw at a WalMart (in Tipton, IA) when cruising through the sporting goods aisle(s) 'bout a year or so ago. That and 30-06 were the only boxes on the shelf and I don't have anything in '06. IIRC, $18/box Win 170g Power Points, no limit, bought all of 'em... Good times, good times...

Moral: You can get lucky once in a while, right place right time, but you have to go look...
 
Aisin said:
Yea. I haven’t bought ammo in stores in close to 4 years.
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Ah, yea I usually buy in store so that's how I was judging. I can't remember the last time I've seen a box of 30-30 on a shelf.
 
Aisin said:
False. It’s always been available. The problem is it’s almost $2 a round.
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woods said:
I can't recommend 30-30. ammo is a bitch to find unless things have changed in the last couple months.

edit: I've actually been thinking bolt action shotgun with slugs.
Click to expand...
I just bought 3 boxes of Remington corelokt 30-30 a month ago at wally world for $23 a box. Within the last 6 mos Ive bought 30-30, 30-06, 270, 6.5cm, 308, fed sabot 12g, 12ga birdshot, 350legend and a few others all at wally world. Bass pro had a littlle bit of everything last month including 30-30. You guys just need to look more.
 
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IEATRKS84 said:
They are a great, out of the box, cheap bolt action. It will do everything you need under 200 yards with good accuracy.

If you want to start shooting beyond that distance, or want some real accuracy, youll need to pay to play.
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Why pay any more than that? Ruger American will shoot sub moa out to 500 yds, even farther with match ammo for the same price as the axis.
 
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woods said:
I've got three places localish to me, and there hasn't been any on the shelf for probably two years now.

I say bitch to find because perhaps you can buy it online.
Click to expand...
Yep...30-30 is extremely hard to find. I have found some online but I'm not paying $2 to $3 a round. I've got about 120 or so rounds and I'm going to setup to reload.

I really like my savage 30-30 bolt action and think reloading will be worth it. And then I can reload other calibers I have also.

If I were buying a new, it would probably be the Mossberg Patriot in .308.
 
Thumping said:
Yep...30-30 is extremely hard to find. I have found some online but I'm not paying $2 to $3 a round. I've got about 120 or so rounds and I'm going to setup to reload.

I really like my savage 30-30 bolt action and think reloading will be worth it. And then I can reload other calibers I have also.

If I were buying a new, it would probably be the Mossberg Patriot in .308.
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You have the material and hardware to reload? If not you missed the boat as it sailed about 2 yrs ago. Nigh onto impossible to find LRP or powder thats doesnt make your $2/round price tag you pay retail. Now if you do happen to have the equipment and materials.....Never mind. :dustin:
 
DavidVanVorous said:
You have the material and hardware to reload? If not you missed the boat as it sailed about 2 yrs ago. Nigh onto impossible to find LRP or powder thats doesnt make your $2/round price tag you pay retail. Now if you do happen to have the equipment and materials.....Never mind. :dustin:
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I have access 😉
 
VG SERE said:
I'd say 6.5 creed if elk/ bear are on the list. If not 6 creed all day long. The good ol .243 is a versatile killer. (personally would have no qualms about a reasonable shot on a elk/ bear for a experienced hunter/ good marksman.)
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On this I have to disagree. Blackbear? Sure a well placed 6.5 will be fine. But for Elk I strongly urge something in 30 caliber, 270 at the very least.

Elk are massive animals and incredibly strong. An elk can stand around quite a long while from a perfectly placed 6.5 pill.
 
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