Hunting Forum

Gehee, I see some real bargains on the Redfield Revolution scopes these days.  I've seen the 2x7-33mm scope online for $110.  With a full lifetime warranty and real good optics, it may be the best value going in a budget priced scope.  I've also seen their 3x9-40mm scope for $130 online.  I own one in 4x12-40mm and I can tell you, it is a great scope for the price.  I don't worry about rain either.  I just put Butler Creek flip open caps on the scope.

VIP, it's a serious consideration, I have a weak spot for American made products, as that's the only one in the price range it gets prime consideration.

I work two jobs just so I can take a trip to North carolina once a year with the wife, and this IS our vacation. I was there with my Tikka T-3 in 6.5x55 and a Remington model 700 Classic in 8x57 Mauser that I got for cheap brand new because its not a popular caliber. I was in camp with People with big calibers and fancy guns, one person told me that I would be at a real disadvantage with the calibers I had as they were not flat shooters, I advised the Gentlemen that they may not be pretty but I new precisly were they hit out to 300 yards, He said " well I guess we will see st the end of the week" I fired my 6.5x55 2 seperate times and dropped both deer granted the furthest shot was 200 yards, but dead they were in place, I then proceeded to do the same with the 8x57, again the furthest shot for this was 145 yards, The point was 4 shots 4 dead deer, This man went on to fire 19 shots and had three deer to his credit, and not all were misses several of his deer were wounded and not recovered. My firearms were not fancy wiz bang super sonic calibers but they got the job done. I do reload all my ammo but not because its cheaper, because I can get the most accurate load for that rifle, it just happens to be cheaper, having a web site to help people detemine what the best buy for guns ammo and equipment is a great idea!

This is by request from gehee I bought a 30-06 Marlin XL7 2 years ago. I spent $279 for the rifle, $20 for a sling, $20 for a box of ammo. I had a cupon for Cabelas if I spent more than $300 I got a free $100 gift card in whitch I bought my Bushnel Banner 3 x 9 . Then all I had left to buy was the mounting rings. I bought the best ones they had because I feel the rings are one of the most important items on your rifle. I think they were around $50 so Total was around $430.
The XL7 is just as nice or nicer than every other bolt action rifle i have ever shot. It only has a composit stock so its not all that prity and i know some rich yuppy folks like the prity rifles but it kills game just the same. The Busnel Banner 3x9 I think is the nicest scope you can find for the money I have seen it from $99 to around $130 Very clear and i can see well even in low light. In my opinion Bushnel is just as good as any of the other top manufatures like Leupold I think you pay about $100 just for that little gold ring around there scopes. I dont think they are at all $100 better. I sited my XL7 in with a few different kinds of ammo. Trying different factory loads to find the one that grouped best. The 180 grn rounds paterened the worst. Any of the 150 grn rounds all grouped about the same about 1.5" - 2" groups at 100 yards. Then I found Hornady 165 grn SSTs groups thouse 1" 100 yards. Gehee I havent read this hole thing yet but I absolutly agree with your opening statments. I would most definatly agree that most hunters are in the middle class. I would have to say though if you are really looking for a "budget" hunting rifle you cant beat an old militert surplus rifle you can get a Mosen nagant 7.62x54r at a shop near my house for $69 comes with a strap, bayonett, and cleaning kit w/ tools. Then if you want you could put a scout scope mount in place of the rear sight for around $80 and get a nice long eye relef scope for around $80 and there you go Under $250 and you are hunting. Also some nice Mausers 8mm . Lee Enfields SMLE .303 brit. You can find these at a good price and are good straight shooters. Takes a little looking into but you can have them scoped as well. I had a Mauser scoped a few years ago. Only cost about $40 to have a gun smith drill and tap it. Then I had to do a little smithing of my own. I had to heat up the bolt and bend it just a tad and then I filed it down a tad and put some cold blue on the bolt. Looks and shoots great.

The price for the shells at walmart 270 308 30-06 are cheeper because they are more comon. 7mm08 has only been around a short while so not to many people have them thus they dont sell as much thus the factory dosent make as much thus each round is more expensive.

Thank you.

If you were wondering about low priced scopes... I was out tonight for a late firearm season with my muzzle loader. Inline with a scope, package gun, 150 combined. At last legal light I could still see better with the scope than with my, very good, eyes. Crosshairs still visible even on grey backgrounds... Just a cheap traditions 4x scope. I'll be interested to see, I need to check zero. Walking out tonight I tripped on a stick and slammed the gun, scope un protected, onto the frozen ground.

i would definitely check the zero only because i would not want to wound a deer because of my being lazy hank k

Of course... Just wondering how well the scope took the abuse.

You know there is a topic called " Deals and Discounts" already. You could use that one if they dont decide to make a " bargen hunter" one.

Mossberg 100 ATR .270 win. Synthetic Blued (By request)

I had been working my first steady job for a few months when I decided I wanted to buy myself my first centerfire hunting rifle. When I went to the local Wal-Mart about all I looked at was the price and the calibers it was available in. I knew I wanted a .270 win and the 100 ATR was priced to fit my budget at $275. I then looked at scopes and didn't see myself spending a lot of money so when I saw the Centerpoint 4-16x42 for $60 with the rings included I decided that was the scope for my gun.

With taxes and all I spent somewhere around $360 plus $20 for some 150 gr. Winchester Power-Points. I mounted the scope that day and proceded to go shoot it at my friends house. He has a picnic table set up at 50 yds. and I knew that about as long of a shot as I would take where I hunted so I shot there. It shot a nickel size group at 50 and I was plenty happy with that after getting it zeroed in. Since I've shot at 100 yds with many different loads the best being a Hornady 140 gr SST that grouped 1 1/2" at 100 yds; plenty accurate for hunting. I wasted no time in taking it hunting and that same season killed five deer with that rifle without any misses and all shots were right where I was aiming.

About the only problem I have ever had out of this rifle in about 4 years was the screw on the bolt stop breaking and I was still able to hunt with it. I sent it back to Mossberg and they fixed it for the S&H charge to ship to them. It took a while, but I waited till the season ended so it was no big deal and the customer service was pretty good. Another thing about the rifle I discovered hunting was the bolt has to be closed all the way and it comes up pretty easy so you have to be careful not to bump it or when you pull the trigger it won't go off. I discovered this while trying to take a deer and Mossberg may have fixed this, but I'm not sure.

Overall I think it's one of the best budget rifles you can buy and you can find them just about anywhere. The trigger on mine has a lot of play, but what do you expect when you pay that price. Mossberg has added the new LBA trigger system and a fluted barrel since I bought mine so it could have been a vast improvement for it. I have since bought other rifles, but I still use this one to let someone borrow or if I just feel like using it. If you're thinking of buying one I don't think you'll be dissapointed in your purchase.

Thanks bam

Took the muzzleloader to the range to test the scope... Good thing, 4" low, 3 " to the right. I just looked at the scope because it was dark when I fell. I hit it so hard I bent the adjustment cover on top. Had a little difficulty getting it off since it's warped. It still held zero fine when designers.

Another possibility if you live in an area where shots are 200 yds or less and has separate muzzle loader seasons, just buy a muzzleloader. Most states allow you to carry a muzzleloader in rifle season, my online was only 150 and will easily shoot a 2" group, which with a 50 cal slug means they arent separated by much. Personally want a stainless as muzzleloaders corrode more, but can get one of those for under 200 at wlmart

This is a great thread. I love hearing about others like me trying to make their hunting budget go as far as possible. When looking for a decent rifle, some times dealers have good discounts on "last years" models. I bought a Savage 116 Weather Warrior last spring. It was on closeout since it had been sitting on the shelf for over a year. The price was $200 less than a brand new current years model. I put a Simmons 6x21x44 44 mag scope ($165) on it and took 2 antelope with it this past fall in Wyoming. (that was a "budget" hunt, but that's another story) Keep it up!

This is a great thread. I love hearing about others like me trying to make their hunting budget go as far as possible. When looking for a decent rifle, some times dealers have good discounts on "last years" models. I bought a Savage 116 Weather Warrior last spring. It was on closeout since it had been sitting on the shelf for over a year. The price was $200 less than a brand new current years model. I put a Simmons 6x21x44 44 mag scope ($165) on it and took 2 antelope with it this past fall in Wyoming. (that was a "budget" hunt, but that's another story) Keep it up!

Finally some common sense. Great thread.

Gonna be away a while, hope to get the new scope when I return.

I am going to go away from weapons for this post. In the past I have driven back and forth from home to the hunting grounds. This wastes a lot of time and gas. This year I spent around $200 and bought a tent that attaches over the bed of my truck. That may sound pricey at first but it was well worth it.

Camping in the hunting area was great. In the National Forest here many of the campsites are free. We (my Lady went too) found a good location with a fire pit and set up camp. We saved money on gas, a lot of travel time, and by being up in the bed of the truck we stayed dry and were away from critters.

We cooked over a fire (also a small Coleman stove) and enjoyed the outdoors. We just had to dress for the cold when sleeping and had enough blankets to go with the sleeping bag. In the morning I would go out and stoke the fire. Then we would start breakfast, etc.  

It took us a few days to get a system down but next time we go camping will be even better because of that.

 

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