Best Budget Hunting Rifles?

[user 71]

$450 is not a lot to spend - the cost of the trip itself will likely cost (in total) at least 8x that amount.

If 800 yards is in the realm of possibility on a moose or bear then you’re going to need pinpoint accuracy with any caliber. It’s going to take a sub-moa rifle with a good scope and a good shooter.

 

[summer44]

https://outdoors-international.com/best-calibers-hunting-brown-bears/

Another good read

 

[wozeyjales]

I have an agreement with bears.
They don't shoot @ Me
I won't shoot @ Them

 

[summer44]

I have an agreement with bears.
They don't shoot @ Me
I won't shoot @ Them

Do you have an agreement about eating each other?

 

[rbstern]

You can reload the 300 light for range time and white tail

We're trying to recommend $450 budget hunting rifle/scope setups. If the OP's brother already reloads, great. Otherwise, it's a budget buster for this scenario.

 

[Adamjen15]

I have a ruger American .270 and love it. But like everybody has said 6-800, you would need a magnum caliber. Hell I don’t like to shoot pass 200 yards. 200 yards is a lot farther than people think. But then again I’ve only ever hunted in north ga, so really no need to shoot that far. Lol

 

[MRH]

Well ok, I will throw another option into the mix. 7mm Rem Mag. Common, relatively inexpensive ($20-$25 boxes of factory loads can be found anywhere), very good long range, flat shooting, will take out anything in North America.

As for rifles...The $450 price tag is a bit of a kicker, no matter the brand of rifle. It can be done, but I have to wonder about the durability of a budget rifle in so many demanding scenarios...Especially when considering a decent glass, which is necessary if he may be shooting 800 yards. If it were me, I would spend a bit more and get a stainless Browning or Tikka. But what do I know?He needs to go look at the options available in his price range and decide which one fits him best. That's the only answer I can really offer for which make or model. I really dont know. Good luck.

 

[summer44]

We're trying to recommend $450 budget hunting rifle/scope setups. If the OP's brother already reloads, great. Otherwise, it's a budget buster for this scenario.

If he is going to hunt elk, moose and bear out west most of the shots will be at the 300 yards plus range. He is going to have to put a lot of practice lead down range to make those kinda of shots. The reloading would pay for itself. And again 308 isn't an ideal round for elk or large bears. If you can't afford to hunt elk ethically you should wait until you can. For an all around thin to medium game rifle 308 is great. For heavy hide like bear or large animals like elk you need something more. Maybe the TC encore would be a good option, he can pick up a frame for around 250. Buy a used barrel in 308 for around 150 on line if he looks around and add a 300 win mag barrel later for around 150 or so. He has just got to make that first shot count. If I could not start with a 300 I would go with the 3006 for heavier bullets and keep my shots at no more than 350 to 400 yards on elk moose, and 200 to 300 on bear.

 

[blazedawg87]

There was a Savage model 11 7mm08 with a Nikon scope posted last night for 350. Can't beat that with a stick

 

[rbstern]

If he is going to hunt elk, moose and bear out west most of the shots will be at the 300 yards plus range. He is going to have to put a lot of practice lead down range to make those kinda of shots. The reloading would pay for itself. And again 308 isn't an ideal round for elk or large bears. If you can't afford to hunt elk ethically you should wait until you can. For an all around thin to medium game rifle 308 is great. For heavy hide like bear or large animals like elk you need something more. Maybe the TC encore would be a good option, he can pick up a frame for around 250. Buy a used barrel in 308 for around 150 on line if he looks around and add a 300 win mag barrel later for around 150 or so. He has just got to make that first shot count. If I could not start with a 300 I would go with the 3006 for heavier bullets and keep my shots at no more than 350 to 400 yards on elk moose, and 200 to 300 on bear.

I don't disagree with you. There are a ton of unspoken variables in the OP's request. For all we know, OP's brother doesn't have enough experience to know he can't reliably hit a game animal at 600 yards without substantial trigger time and rounds sent downrange. Or maybe he's an ace at 600 yards with a 223. Or he doesn't know that a hunting trip out west is a lot more expensive than a budget rifle; the non-resident license alone is likely more than his budget for a rifle and scope. Other than the listed $ parameters, we just don't know.