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Best budget rifle

5K views 19 replies 13 participants last post by  ArkShooter 
#1 ·
Savage Axis XP

Savage Axis II XP

Mossberg Patriot

Remington 783

Which do you think is the best budget rifle? Why?

I'm planning to get one soon as my first rifle with a mounted scope.

Also, Savage Axis XP vs Savage Axis II XP, Which is the best budget option out of the two. I know Savage Axis is less expensive. I want to know which is worth the money AND benefit at the same time. Three questions.
 
#2 ·
I truly think you should decide what you will use rifle for, hunting or target, what optics you can afford, any caliber preferences if affected, and get what you want. Dont mean to sound tart, but for a one time poster, for me to do market, caliber, warranty, popularity, etc. research on four rifles does'nt trip my trigger. Any "chest beater" owner of just one or two of these, will have to do those things, or do you a disservice.
Am quite sure "someone" here will come along who either owns all four or knows each from unprecedented experience. Whatever is decided for you, good luck and safe shooting.
 
#3 ·
What is the purpose of the rifle? Some rifles are great for some things and lousy for others.

In general, of the ones you mentioned, I like the Savage Axis II. Be sure to get the Axis II though. The original Axis is known for having a poor trigger.
 
#5 ·
Based on that I like the Savage Axis II best. I have one in .223/5.56, .308 and just today bought one in 22-250. What caliber were you looking at? How much gun experience do you have? A beginner will never go wrong with a Ruger 10/22. Low price, easy to shoot, fun and cheap ammo.
 
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#7 ·
A .223 is a very good beginner round. You can hunt small game with it all day long and even some medium game with good shot placement. Check the hunting regulations in your area. A lot of places require a minimum 30 caliber bullet for a lot of game.

Fun little plinking round too.
 
#10 ·
IMO, you're going to have to do your own research, kid.

"Budget rifles" are budget rifles because they generally make sacrifices,

either on fit and finish, weight, barrel quality, bolt dynamics, etc.

I will recommend you get a .223 that chambers .556, either a Wylde

chamber, or a .556 barrel, in order for you to have the versatility to fire both

rounds. But, if you have narrowed it down this far, start asking yourself questions.

Like which rifle has a Hammer Forged barrel? What rifle has the lowest weight?

Which one has a safety action which you like? Which one has the nicer bolt mechanism?

Because, at the end of the day, WE won't have to live with this rifle. YOU will.

And don't get all stingy about the optics. For a rifle in your price range, take the

overall cost, delivered, with taxes, fees etc. Multiply it by 45%. THAT's where your

scope cost should live. Find the best one you can, on sale. IF you don't want to

personally experience why you should avoid cheap scopes.
 
#13 ·
We're now in a full blown buyer's market for firearms. Prices on many models are falling, and falling hard. In fact, I wouldn't buy any weapon being sold for anywhere near the price it sold for a year or so ago. And the very best bargains to be found are in AR platform 5.56/.223 rifles. DPMS, Del Ton, Anderson, Bear Creek, ATI, Bushmaster, and too many more to list are offering reliable, accurate and durable AR15s at well below $500, and some are well below $400. And that's a deal. These aren't stripper models either - they come with forward assists, hinged dust covers, adjustable stocks, railed receivers, quad-rail forearms on some, flash hiders, and 30 round magazines (where legal), and from among them you can choose your favorite rifling twist rate from 1:9 which works well for most ammunition, to a very fast 1:7 ideal for stabilizing heavier bullets.

Any one of these budget guns will accept the full range of alternate uppers chambered in a wide variety of calibers from .300 Blackout for deer and medium game to .50 Beowulf, which is suitable for hunting sauropods and ceratopsians. Your lower will also accept uppers with heavy barrels for varmint and target work

If you're looking for plinking and informal target fun, there's no better way to go than an AR15. They're the GI Joe Doll for grown-up boys, you can customize them in countless ways to suit yourself. Lotsa fun. And if you do decide to go hunting, there's no better rifle to take into the rough-and-tumble boonies than one designed to be taken there.

One last thing - we live in an imperfect world. In fact, it's downright dangerous. Optimists can never predict the future, but pessimists have at least done the math. If the SHTF, the last thing you'll want is a slow bolt gun with a 4 round magazine. You'll want that AR15. Ask the guy who made the news recently when he dispatched 3 home invaders with one. Like a good .357Magnum revolver, an AR15 is one of the guns you always have, always keep, no matter what others come and go in your collection.
 
#14 ·
I have a savage axis in .308 and I gotta say I'm not terribly impressed. The stock is pretty flimsy, the trigger is very heavy and the magazine was so messed up it would pop out every time I pulled the trigger. However the rifle is quite affordable and desently accurate.

If you're just looking for a cheap light hunting rifle I say go for it otherwise I'd suggest another option.
 
#15 ·
When the 783's go on sale, they can be had pretty cheap; and it includes a cheap scope (mine did).

I picked it up about a year ago in .308 but cannot tell you how it shoots. Still in the box, never used. One of those impulse buys because it was on sale. I do not go shopping as much as I used to because of those moments.

I suggest what everyone else says. You decide based on what you like and such. Go look at all of them, wait for a sale and then go help the economy.

Welcome from Illinois
 
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