[JohnVan]

I was given a reloading press and a bunch of stuff for reloading, but I have one problem: I only own rimfires. I have around two to three hundred I can spend, so I'm looking for a good centerfire bolt action rifle in that price range.

New or used, what should I look for around that price range? Any of the big box types of stores carry rifles in this price range? Should I just stick to the local funshop..?

I'm not looking at milsurp either. Purely sporting... I'd prefer something in .223, .22-250, etc.

Thanks for the help!
John

 

[postal]

Probably a stevens in 223 for that. Stevens is the cheaper version of savage. I like the savage- stevens is the same action. If you can find a savage for your price range, the accutrigger is a lot better than the stevens.

 

[Remington597]

H&R rifles are cheap and accurate they are only around $350 for a heavey barrel
A step up would be a remington 700 sps at my local Dicks Sporting Goods they are around $500

 

[JohnVan]

Thanks for the quick replies.

 

[Sophia]

Keep an eye on the classifieds here on RFC. Some good deals pass through there from time to time.

 

[hans04]

The Stevens 200 in the calibers you listed are ~ $300 new. Great gun. Made by Savage with the button rifled barrels and accuracy they are known for.

 

[Gizzy]

Another vote for the Stevens. Same barreled action as Savage, just without the accu-trigger. Super accurate rifles. You can always buy a Rifle Basix trigger for it later.

 

[Chattcatdaddy]

:bthumb: Stevens

.223 will be cheaper to reload. Correct me if wrong!

http://www.savagearms.com/st_200short.htm

 

[Brithunter]

What ever you do avoid the Remington 710 and 770 models as they are awful and quite poorly made Of course this is just my personal opinion.

Now me I would be looking carefully for a nice used rifle, one made about 25+ years ago as I feel they are better made than most newer rifles, again a personal opinion .

What ever you get make sure it's comfortable to shoulder and it fits you. By that I mean once you shoulder the rifle the sights are aligned with your eye without you having to move your head to find them :bthumb: . If it feels good and comfortable then you will probably shoot it well. Make and model is your choice of course, Oh and don't over look the old 222 Rem cartridge the 22-250 is more likely to have a worn throat in a used rifle due to larger powder charge and higher velocity than either the 223 or 222.

Before someone asks, no I would not have a Remington 710 or 770 as a gift! in fact I dislike them sooooooooooooooooo much that I will not have one in the house!!!!! In short it's a throw away rifle that migh make a reasonable Boat Anchor or Tomatoe stake.

 

[LHitchcox]

Another vote for the Stevens 200. Also look at the Marlin XL7. It appears to be a close copy of the Savage accutrigger model. However, it only comes in long action at present. A 25-06 in this gun would be great to have.

Leon

 

[JohnVan]

I'm looking into the Stevens in .223.

They're around here for in between 2 and 3 hundred.

Thanks!

 

[dlong]

Take the $200.00 your currently have, then take your government stimulus check and go buy a cooper. Its what "W" wants you to do. Buy more stuff. Its the American way. ......And, the cooper is 100% made in America.

I think I can hear Yankee Doodle Dandy being played.......gentley.

 

[Smallmouth Crazy]

Keep an eye on the classifieds here on RFC. Some good deals pass through there from time to time.

I agree and check out your local shops to see whats on the shelves there, maybe you could find a used Savage or a 700ADL maybe.