Hey guys. Before my move from Texas to Colorado, I bought myself a Savage Axis in 22-250. I wanted a 22-250 to play around with while waiting on my gunsmith to finish my first custom rifle. I picked up the model with the heavy barrel. It's got a cheap plastic stock and had a horrible trigger. The first thing I did was put a Timney trigger in, got it working safely and properly and then put on a Nikon 3-9 scope. Surely a budget build. My next goal was to find a load for the rifle that shot good. First load I tried was the Barnes Vortx 50gr factory ammo. In my Browning X Bolt 25-06, I hand load an 80gr TTSX and get fantastic accuracy. I sure do think the Barnes bullets are cool. Anyway, I loaded up some 45gr TSXs with Varget powder. Looks like 38.1 grains is the sweet spot in this gun. WARNING: at 38.5 I had flattened primers, so please work up to this load. I shot a group that measured under 1/2" at 100 yards. Very pleased. I want to know others experience with budget rifles and getting some precision with a smaller investment!
How many of you hunt with budget rifles?
- Thread starter Matt K
- Start date
Deer rifle is something that I shoot maybe twice (if I am lucky) a year. First rifle I bought was a Savage Trophy Hunter XP in 7mm-08. Package deal with the 3-9X40 Nikon glass. Put 2 deer in our freezer last season here in MN. Next rifle I bought was a Howa 1500 in 7mm-08. Have it sighted in and ready to go for this year, as a backup rifle.
Both I purchased for less than 500 each. In addition to these I have a dedicated Coyote gun in 204. A T/C Venture with a Vortex scope. That one was less than 350 after the Mail-in-rebate.
So, yes. I hunt with a budget rifle.
Both I purchased for less than 500 each. In addition to these I have a dedicated Coyote gun in 204. A T/C Venture with a Vortex scope. That one was less than 350 after the Mail-in-rebate.
So, yes. I hunt with a budget rifle.
DiRTY DOG
Well-known member
It's satisfying getting the job done with simple equipment that you don't have to fret about keeping in prestine condition. An inexpensive Savage, a $12 plastic hand call, etc.
It's also satisfying having full confidence in top tier equipment and getting the job done with a beautiful showpiece rifle.
It's also satisfying having full confidence in top tier equipment and getting the job done with a beautiful showpiece rifle.
FairChase93
Active member
I'm all about cheap.....if it performs. My main rifle right now is a Ruger American Predator $350, Burris Mtac 4.5-14 $550, Champion Bipod $40, Lane Scorpian King Suppressor $550, and Timney Trigger $97(not yet installed. Now there's a chunk of money combined with all that but everything is pretty cheap for what each component is. I've run that rig to 1k and back on steel, longest confirmed kill is 773 yards on a coyote last November.
I was buying parts and saving money for a custom 6mm of some flavor when this rifle came along and I've been so happy with it that I've shelved the build and bought the suppressor instead.
I was buying parts and saving money for a custom 6mm of some flavor when this rifle came along and I've been so happy with it that I've shelved the build and bought the suppressor instead.
Originally Posted By: DiRTY DOGIt's satisfying getting the job done with simple equipment that you don't have to fret about keeping in prestine condition. An inexpensive Savage, a $12 plastic hand call, etc.
It's also satisfying having full confidence in top tier equipment and getting the job done with a beautiful showpiece rifle.
Very well said!!!
It's also satisfying having full confidence in top tier equipment and getting the job done with a beautiful showpiece rifle.
Very well said!!!
Originally Posted By: FairChase93I'm all about cheap.....if it performs. My main rifle right now is a Ruger American Predator $350, Burris Mtac 4.5-14 $550, Champion Bipod $40, Lane Scorpian King Suppressor $550, and Timney Trigger $97(not yet installed. Now there's a chunk of money combined with all that but everything is pretty cheap for what each component is. I've run that rig to 1k and back on steel, longest confirmed kill is 773 yards on a coyote last November.
I was buying parts and saving money for a custom 6mm of some flavor when this rifle came along and I've been so happy with it that I've shelved the build and bought the suppressor instead.
Wow! 773 is a long way away. What caliber is the rifle you speak of??
I was buying parts and saving money for a custom 6mm of some flavor when this rifle came along and I've been so happy with it that I've shelved the build and bought the suppressor instead.
Wow! 773 is a long way away. What caliber is the rifle you speak of??
FairChase93
Active member
6.5 Creedmoor, I like to brag about that even though guys have killed them quite a lot further than that. The way it happened was just the perfect set of circumstances and it was not a called coyote I had all the time in the world to get ready he was out mousing around with no inkling we were there. I've killed others since around the 600 yard Mark and missed plenty of others as well. The setup is more than capable, the distance isn't the tough part, it's the **** Wind!
Nonnieselman
Active member
I deer hunted 2012 and 2013 with a Stevens 200 in 223. Academy had a pricing error and i walked out with it for a whole $179 after tax. It has been my favorite little rifle. It has the brown stock and the 20" sporter barrel. Never worked with it long for a good load, but 52gr Amax and H322 shot really good. Took 9 deer with it in 2012 and 14 deer in 2013. Even busted a coyote with it at 425 yards one evening, possible luck hit but ill take it anyday.
$85 for a bushnell banner 4-12x40 and Weaver quad rings from walmart.
It now has over 4500 round thru it and still shoots good enough i keep it in the truck.
My favorite is the 40 gr Vmax for beavers and armadillos in it.
$85 for a bushnell banner 4-12x40 and Weaver quad rings from walmart.
It now has over 4500 round thru it and still shoots good enough i keep it in the truck.
My favorite is the 40 gr Vmax for beavers and armadillos in it.
RePete
New member
My budget rifle is an SPS that I paid $379 - $30 rebate for....after a little tweaking by my smith and some after market parts as well as selling of a few of the factory parts I ended up with about $500 in a 222Rem that shoots as good as my custom barreled rigs....
That $500 doesn't include scope but being a dye hard Leupold guy I watch the sales and classifieds and pick a good deal every now and then...got the 4.5-14 VXIII it's wearing for $350
I've thinned my rifle herd considerably over the last couple of years but I'll never sell this one.......ever......
That $500 doesn't include scope but being a dye hard Leupold guy I watch the sales and classifieds and pick a good deal every now and then...got the 4.5-14 VXIII it's wearing for $350
I've thinned my rifle herd considerably over the last couple of years but I'll never sell this one.......ever......
I have a Savage rifle in 300win mag. It's 7.5lbs and old.. Kicks like a mule, but only gets shot 3 times a year (twice at the range for zero verification)
I use it for Elk. I paid $150 for it, and couldn't be happier. The longest killed elk was 350yrds and the shortest has been 15yds.
For the past 4 years all shots have been under 60 yrds.
My coyote rifle up until this year was a Thompson Center Predator Venture $500 in 22-250. I made shots with that rifle for years up to 600 yrds. Commonly 300yrds, and as the years went on, usually under 150yrds.
I only switched to an AR recently only because I wanted one for the kids to use and just decided to use it more since i don't shoot more than 150 yrds very often. (it's light and easier to carry) IMO
I use it for Elk. I paid $150 for it, and couldn't be happier. The longest killed elk was 350yrds and the shortest has been 15yds.
For the past 4 years all shots have been under 60 yrds.
My coyote rifle up until this year was a Thompson Center Predator Venture $500 in 22-250. I made shots with that rifle for years up to 600 yrds. Commonly 300yrds, and as the years went on, usually under 150yrds.
I only switched to an AR recently only because I wanted one for the kids to use and just decided to use it more since i don't shoot more than 150 yrds very often. (it's light and easier to carry) IMO
sandy hicks
New member
My personal cheap rifle is a weatherby mkv 300 magnum. Bought it out of the local classifieds.
MKv snyhetic 26 in
burris fullfield 3x9
Burris dual dovetail rings
RCBS dies
60 pcs new weatherby brass
20 loaded rounds with sierra 180s
500 bucks
MKv snyhetic 26 in
burris fullfield 3x9
Burris dual dovetail rings
RCBS dies
60 pcs new weatherby brass
20 loaded rounds with sierra 180s
500 bucks
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Hayabusa1321
Member
I don't hunt with it anymore but I bought a savage axis in 223 and installed a timney, Boyd's thumbhole, rail, and new scope.
There are a ton of people touting crazy accuracy from these rifles. Mine is not stock at all but it is half moa with several handloads and if I had to I would hunt with it I would be very confident.
There are a ton of people touting crazy accuracy from these rifles. Mine is not stock at all but it is half moa with several handloads and if I had to I would hunt with it I would be very confident.
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OldTurtle
Moderator - Deceased
While I'm out of the hunting action, a few years ago I decided to see how inexpensive I could put together a hunting AR...Including the lower ($130), upper ($330), muzzle brake ($30), and 2.5-10X optic (pawn shop $50), I came in at $540.....It shoots almost a well as my higher dollar ones with my loads..
17 rounds, rapid fire at 50 yards...The three over to the right was just to check the zero on the optic..
17 rounds, rapid fire at 50 yards...The three over to the right was just to check the zero on the optic..
Brad Phillips
Active member
Budget rifles??? Heck yes, I would rather have a shooter than a fancy safe queen.
Bought an axis in 223 last year at Cabelas. $219 out the door after sale, rebate and coupons. Put a $15 dollar trigger spring in it. More than pleased with it!!! Was looking for a decent shooter that wont break the bank. Also easy to carry and not worry about scratching it or knocking it around a little. Thinking bout a repeat, as cabelas has them on sale again for $249. Just gotta pick a caliber and dig up another coupon!! LOL
Originally Posted By: NonnieselmanI deer hunted 2012 and 2013 with a Stevens 200 in 223. Academy had a pricing error and i walked out with it for a whole $179 after tax. It has been my favorite little rifle. It has the brown stock and the 20" sporter barrel. Never worked with it long for a good load, but 52gr Amax and H322 shot really good. Took 9 deer with it in 2012 and 14 deer in 2013. Even busted a coyote with it at 425 yards one evening, possible luck hit but ill take it anyday.
$85 for a bushnell banner 4-12x40 and Weaver quad rings from walmart.
It now has over 4500 round thru it and still shoots good enough i keep it in the truck.
My favorite is the 40 gr Vmax for beavers and armadillos in it.
I'd just like to know where you can kill 14 deer in one season???
$85 for a bushnell banner 4-12x40 and Weaver quad rings from walmart.
It now has over 4500 round thru it and still shoots good enough i keep it in the truck.
My favorite is the 40 gr Vmax for beavers and armadillos in it.
I'd just like to know where you can kill 14 deer in one season???