Budget Hunting Rifle

[Banbuddy]

I drive crap and shoot nicer rifles

AMEN.

The traditional response to my telling people that I intend to abuse my rifles as much as possible is usually one of disbelief. But I see it the same way as you. Buy a 50k dollar truck and never tow a single pound or take it on a single trail ... Wasted money in my opinion. They have toys, I want a tool.

 

[Hookeye]

My bud's first .35 rem was a CVA Hunter. Under 300 new.
He had enough Cabelas points to get a Burris 2-7X for it.
Shot his best buck with that rifle.

I was looking for the Scout 2 version (stainless w Contender like opening).
They were sold out.
Looked and looked. Gone.

Ended up building a Contender rifle, Super16. If 18.5" I'd have kept it.
Shot 2 deer and away it went.
I like a non break open better............so went Ruger #1 (not in .35 rem, but purchased to rebarrel to that).
Shot very good so ran it as is (.243 win).
Shot one deer, not impressed.

Buddy had gotten a couple 760s in .35 rem, said I should buy one from him.
And I did.

Yes I wanted a nicer one. Wanted newer model.
But the one I got shoots good.
And I'm not worried about adding some character to it.

My OCD says "get the Grice synth".
That's a K.

What will it do that my old beater won't?

Have decided mine is "good enough".
If I want perfection I'd get a Ruger redone to .35 rem, a 1A version.
$600 plus for a rebarrel, plus around 800 if lucky, for a base rig.
$1400 not counting scope.

I'm worth it

But w life kicking my butt way too often, I can't see spending that right now.
Maybe never.

Have had a variety of rigs over the years, think about 30 different centerfire rifles.
Am down to just a couple now.
And I'm not using them as often as I should.

I get budget hunting rifles.
Sometimes money is tight.
Sometimes wanting to try something different, it might be wise to ease into it financially.

Think a better gun used the way to go.
But some folks have to buy new.

IMHO if one can tolerate a break open..........the CVA might be worth a look.
They did it in .450 BM.
Think I'd get a Ruger bolt in that. They aint too much $

 

[Banbuddy]

IMHO if one can tolerate a break open..........the CVA might be worth a look.
They did it in .450 BM.
Think I'd get a Ruger bolt in that. They aint too much $

The thing that kept me from buying one of those Ruger Americans in 450 was ... well it felt like total crap. Light, thin, short were all cool features. The action feels fairly tight. But the stock and trigger killed my buying fever. The last time I looked, there weren't many aftermarket stocks, and the rifles I held were slippery.

IIRC, the barrel isn't floated. Not that that's a show stopper, but the fit and finish of the overall piece put me out.

To your point though, a good budget gun for those without a couple extra pennies.

 

[Hookeye]

Another bud bought one, dropped it in a magpul stick. Looks way better. Still a different feel than a sporter IMHO.

Maybe doable, maybe not.

 

[Banbuddy]

Another bud bought one, dropped it in a magpul stick. Looks way better. Still a different feel than a sporter IMHO.

Maybe doable, maybe not.

That certainly looks better in my opinion. And at a first glance, it looks like the mag-well isn't a chincy POS (another gripe I had about the rifle, that mag-well/magazine is just dreadful). But a 300 dollar stock on a 350-400 American Peso rifle? I wish Ruger had more setups.

Do you know if the chassis was a direct fit? I thought that Magpul stock was a hot swap for a .308 pattern rifle.

 

[Hookeye]

I agree, it does seem silly to buy a budget rifle and then add upgrades costing as much as the gun.
Even w Magpul stock, it's still just a RAR.
Proly need an Anarchy Outdoors bolt handle too.

But if one wants a .450 and to have it fit.......that might be the only way to go outside of the Scout Rifle.
And I've heard some good and not so good about those.

One could put the .450 back to original stock if ever wanting to move it, keep the RAR for another.

Buddy dropped his .450 RAR right in. Don't think he's shot it yet LOL.
Had it a while too.

I've offered to zero it for him

He's been whacking deer with a Ruger in .300 winmag.

 

[Hookeye]

Id like a thumper, so have been eyeing the RAR .450.
Thought maybe a .35 whelen 7600 or 7400/750.
Hell I don't use the crap I have, seems like a waste to buy another.
Have not shot my Model 14 yet

 

[Banbuddy]

He's been whacking deer with a Ruger in .300 winmag.

I learned my lesson about 14 years ago. .300WM IMO is complete overkill for whitetail and is just punishing in practice and on the wallet.

Unless you're out west and need the ballistics and ft/lbs I don't think there's a reason to use magnum cartridges. 168's are typically still over 1000 ft/lbs at 400 yards from a .308 which is (I dare say) a longer shot than 99.9% of is should be taking.

 

[Hookeye]

I think he bought it for out west (since he had the .450 BM for here).
Could let it sit until he goes for elk.
Or take it out and fill the freezer.

Having multiple rifles is not a bad thing

 

[Banbuddy]

I think he bought it for out west (since he had the .450 BM for here).
Could let it sit until he goes for elk.
Or take it out and fill the freezer.

Having multiple rifles is not a bad thing

I absolutely agree. My problem is, when I reach in the cabinet come the right season, who gets to come out and play? I feel bad leaving some home, others I just don't want to sing and knick.

 

[jhparsons78]

Recently picked up a TC Venture for a little over $300 and added a Vortex Scope to it.

 

[CPblaster]

Picked up a beautiful 1983 pre-cross bolt safety Marlin 336C .30-30 for $400 even. Found in on gunbroker.com of all places. Barely used and in excellent condition. About as "budget" as I'm willing to go, personally.

 

[rmw250]

After doing some research and reading the post on here I think I’m going to pick up a TC Venture Weathershield in 6.5 creedmoor this weekend.

congrats on the marlin blaster....you def can’t beat the old JM stamped 30-30s